Ohhh, preferred platinum card

When I started working, there were two common credit cards: normal (S$30k annual income) and gold (S$60k annual income).

Just about anyone could get a normal credit card if they earn S$2,000 — most fresh grads do — so it was no big deal. (They crossed the $30k mark with bonuses and employer's CPF contribution.) People aspired to get the gold card as it signaled their earning power.

The gold card got easier and easier to apply for — everyone wanted one, you see. A few years later, it eventually became the same as the normal card, which was renamed the classic card. The platinum card, which was really prestigious in the past (S$100k annual income?), became the new gold card.

Fast forward another few years. I just recevied a platinum card to replace my soon-to-expire classic card. I don't want a platinum card. I don't want to pay the annual fees and I especially don't want to change my credit card number.

So I called up my bank to ask if I could continue with my classic card. No, it can't be done, the operator said, the platinum card is the classic card now.

(Except that it is free for the first 3 years rather than lifetime.)

Okay.

I checked a few banks' website and found that platinum is really the new normal! This must have happened a while ago. Can't blame me for not knowing as I live under a rock.

So what is considered prestigious these days? Black card, white card, signature card, preferred card; it depends on the bank. There are a few ways to tell: (i) high annual income requirement, (ii) high annual fees, (iii) high minimum required spending, (iv) by invitation only.

For me, I just need a card I can use to buy stuff online. Damn, I need to update all my accounts again.

My brief credit card history

Corporate gold card	I like it for the easy-to-remember number and the company logo (well, it sets it apart).
Classic card	Some time later, I applied for a personal credit card, but I never used it, so I canceled it.
Classic card 2	The corporate card was discontinued, so I had to apply for my own card again.
Classic card 3	The old card was canceled when I reported a suspicious transaction. It turned out to be a mistake on my part. I was unable to keep the card — I was on the verge of memorizing the number.
Platinum card	My latest card.

Ohhh, preferred platinum card