This part:

> As far as AmEx, might as well leave home without it.

Is referring to how American Express is not accepted in lots of parts in the world barely at all. Doesn't matter what the fee is if you cannot use the card in the first place.

I don't know why people are surprised by this. All of these cards that offer rewards have to be paid for some how. The rewards system has always seemed like a loss leader type of situation to attract new customers. I guess it finally caught up to them