Amex

Amex previously provided guidance of 8% to 10% for revenue growth and $15 to $15.50 for per-share profit.

Consumers didn’t just spend more, Amex indicated its card members were also financially more healthy, as the net write-off rate on card-loan receivables fell to 1.9% from 2.0% in the second quarter, and from 2.1% in the first quarter.

The refreshed premium cards rolled out over the past few months by the likes of Chase and Amex are prompting a reshuffling among affluent consumers.

That is how he wound up carrying both the American Express Platinum and the Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex cards.

His $350-a-year Delta card didn’t include lounge access—his most valued perk—but by upgrading to the $650 Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex card, he could access Delta’s network of lounges.