Before I go any further, let me go ahead and make the disclaimer
that any statements I make here should be merely treated as
anecdotes and not facts. Also, the discussion below is primary
concerned with international students. Seriously, American
credit card companies couldn’t be more confused. I mean, first
of all there are like a zillion of them chasing unsuspecting
customers in their mailboxes. Sometimes I wonder if even they
understand all of the jargon they throw into those card
agreements.  Anyways, what got me really irked was the
difference in policies across the companies. On one hand of the
spectrum we have our beloved American Express. Those of you who
have read Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy would recall that
even Ford gets an AmEx card!! So there’s this general feeling
that you know, if nothing else, you’ll definitely get an AmEx
card :)  Now I’ve had an AmEx card since last year, and a Visa
card as well. What was missing in my repertoire was a
Mastercard. (don’t ask me why, but I’ve always wan