I can't recall a single time where I or anyone I was with or near had ever commented on, thought anything of, or even really noticed what card somebody else was using to pay for food with.
I definitely notice and talk about cards with some friends, but not due to prestige so much as churning.
People occasionally notice my USAA card, but it's more of a shibboleth for military families than for affluence.
I get this with my Navy Federal card. I dont have any "prestige" cards but I'd be surprised if anyone got more attention for them than I get for my standard issue NF debit.
I've noticed this too. I'm not actually in the military, but my grandfather was a doctor in the Navy and apparently we've been (literally) grandfathered in for perpetuity. The card has raised eyebrows in places I would not have imagined it would be noticed.
That's almost exactly my situation. My dad was in the Army, so I'm grandfathered in, as well as anyone in my immediate family.
Only somewhat relatedly, The content of the constant ASAA ads during sporting events on TV strikes me as indirect but blatant military propaganda.
It happens to me all the time. I have a cute picture of two dogs on my credit card, people love it.
(As far what the card is? No one cares.)
I have enough friends who are fellow points collectors who will very much notice and comment on a given food outlet's Amex acceptance...
Agreed. The solitary exception being if someone's is the same as mine.
I've had retailers complain to me about AMEX's high fees. Does that count?