The Daily Valet. - 12/2/22, Friday
✔️ Heavy Metal In Your Pocket
Friday, December 2nd Edition
By Cory Ohlendorf, Valet. Editor
Everyone's against flying private until you're offered a ride on someone's jet.
Today’s Big Story
Metal Credit Cards
Credit-card makers are ditching plastic in favor of something with much more … plunk
It all started with American Express. In 2004, American Express swapped the standard plastic of its invite-only Centurion Card for titanium metal. The “black card,” as it's known in popular culture, was already a status symbol known far outside its rarefied clientele, but now it was truly unique. Of course, it only took a couple of years for other brands to try and capture some of that juice.Today, metal credit cards have become almost a mundanity. Once limited to exclusive accounts like the Centurion that require proof of high net worth and a history of lavish spending, similar metal cards are now available to pretty much anyone with passable credit. Chase has one. So does Apple. There's newcomers like the X1 and even Venmo, the cash-swapping app, is enticing people to use their balance like a bank account with a metal debit card.But that's because they feel different. One VP at American Express told The Atlantic that this is referred to in the industry as “the plunk factor—a heavier card is more satisfying to plunk down on the table after dinner.” It lands with more authority.Of course, people have always been willing to shell out for things that project wealth and discernment to others. And while they are often advertised as a luxury credit card alternative, these thin strips of metal don't operate any differently than other credit cards.In fact, sometimes they can't do as much as the humble plastic card. The Points Guy went on something of a rant and made some fair points: They aren't universally accepted, don't always fit into some credit card readers and can set off metal detectors. But most of all, they're simply not all that special anymore.Then again, Amex isn't done with this trend yet. Earlier this year, they bought one of Delta's decommissioned Boeing 747s and cut up the metal to fabricate a series of cards available only to clients with the company's highest-tier Delta rewards card. They sold out in a matter of days. So perhaps there are still ways to sell the exclusivity of metal cards.
FYI:
You should not attempt to dispose of a metal credit card yourself. Forbes offers some advice on the best—and worst—ways to get rid of a metal card.
Millions Suffer From Long COVID
And it's costing them About $9,000 a year
The CDC estimates that long COVID-19 affects anywhere from 8 million to 23 million Americans at the moment. They experience symptoms (including a nasty brain fog) continuously or in waves for weeks, months or years. The lingering illness makes it challenging to work regularly and obtain life insurance.Harvard economists have estimated that many of those with long COVID will need to pay an average of $9,000 a year in medical expenses to deal with it. They told CNBC that the total economic costs of the poorly-understood medical disorder in the U.S. would reach $3.7 trillion.
Unfortunately, for those suffering, treatment requires a lot of trial and error since the symptoms are so varied. There's no standard protocol for treatment, and experts are casting a wide net for cures, with very few ready for formal clinical trials. In the absence of proven treatments, clinicians are doing whatever they can to help their patients.
In Trial:
Researchers are currently studying whether Paxlovid can treat long COVID.
The film industry, and moviegoing itself, is still in trouble, but, at least, there was a host of thrilling work to celebrate and enjoy throughout all that tumult.”
The U.S. Faces Off at the World Cup
Progression to the knockout stage is a remarkable achievement for a young, promising team
The U.S. Men's National Team takes on the Netherlands on Saturday, December 3 at 10 am EST in the first round of the World Cup's knockout stage. If they win, they'll advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002, and only the third time in the team's history.The big question is whether Christian Pulisic—still recovering from a frightening injury called a “pelvic contusion”—will be able to play in America's biggest soccer game in years. Pulisic admitted that, at least as of Thursday, he was not sure he had recovered sufficiently to be able to perform at the level he knows will be required on Saturday.The Ringer says the Americans' win earlier this week felt seismic—like a seminal accomplishment for a young team. A marker of competence, a proof of concept for all their promise. And it was. Now the fun part begins. If the U.S. pulls the upset and wins just its second World Cup knockout round match in 92 years, it will give them a chance to remake the national team's brand ahead of 2026, when the U.S. will host the World Cup for a second time, along with Canada and Mexico.
Meanwhile:
As Qatar welcomes more than a million fans for the monthlong World Cup, it's putting a strain on the country's camels.
Private Jet Travel Is Booming
But most of us still can't afford it
The private jet industry enjoyed explosive growth in popularity during the height of the pandemic, providing unmatched convenience and safety to those who could afford it. At the same time, commercial aviation has experienced a rough couple of years—from mass cancellations and delays to widespread staff shortages and violent outbursts by unruly passengers. Who wouldn't fly private if they could?Principled environmentalists, for one. Recently, the jets have been in the crosshairs of climate activists. Last month, groups in the U.S. and Europe staged simultaneous sit-ins at 30 private jet terminals to protest greenhouse gas emissions. But Robb Report says that this could be a good thing—perhaps it will accelerate electric and hydrogen technologies for planes?But even with the slightly negative eco connotations, there's a luxe aspect to the jets and convenience that can't be matched. Which is why business is still booming. According to the latest data, private plane travel in North America increased by 17% in the first half of this year, and experts only see it growing. However, while more are indulging, the privilege isn't getting any cheaper: Charter plane fares can cost at least 10 times more than a first-class ticket, which, for many travelers, is a splurge in itself.
FYI:
Gulfstream is currently working with the FAA to address soot on some private jets.
In Other News
An old kind of hate has been very visible lately.
Have you heard about ...
A Weekend Pairing
‘Slow Horses’ + a Rosemary Gimlet
After a gripping first season that streamed this spring, Slow Horses returns to Apple TV+ for a second season of dysfunctional-spy drama. The most surprising moment in the debut season wasn’t the resolution of the six-part series’ case (a kidnapping by far-right terrorists), but the final episode’s reveal (via a surprise trailer) that season two had already been made.So, a mere eight months after we were first inducted into the ramshackle halls of Slough House—the closest thing MI5 has to purgatory for disgraced intelligence officers—we find ourselves back with the gang. Some reviewers says that the highly successful show may be even better now, with its likable misfits’ various back stories revealed and the characters established. Led by the “colorful” Jackson Lamb, this season focuses on the investigation of the death of a former officer. They soon discover “long-buried Cold War secrets” which “threaten to bring carnage to the streets of London.” Come for the dark, prickly humor and accents, stay to try to figure out the twists yourself.
Pair It With
I wanted something quintessentially British, but also something seasonal. This fresh take on a classic Gimlet has a lip-smacking portion of lime juice that’s balanced by the piney rosemary-honey syrup. I’d suggest using Tanqueray for the gin.
Also Worth a Watch:
‘Hot Skull’ on Netflix, ‘Sr.’ on Netflix, ‘Gossip Girl’ on HBO Max and ‘George & Tammy’ on Showtime
Morning Motto
Find some time to just let go this weekend.
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