The service was heavily promoted in Europe, especially the U.K. Real Network's Rhapsody service announced in August that it had lost 50, 000 of its 800, 000 subscribers during the third quarter, blaming credit card defaults and the lousy economy.

FORBES: Digital Media

The government has announced it will introduce legislation banning excessive debit and credit card charges across the economy.

BBC: Airlines include debit card charges in headline price

Can anybody stop the credit-card companies changing the rules after the game has started (and before the economy turns down, and the full extent of the debt mess becomes clear)?

ECONOMIST: Deeper in debt

As the economy recovers, households are receiving substantially more credit card offers in the mail.

FORBES: Credit Card Mail Solicitations Increase 29%

Post Sandy, victims fill local hotels, not credit card toting spectators eager to spend money in the local economy.

FORBES: Cancel the Marathon

American Express cardholders tend to be more affluent than other credit card users, which was one reason the company has done well during the economy's slow rise out of the recession.

WSJ: American Express' 1Q profit up as spending rises

This means less concern about looming credit card debt among customers and, as almost everyone close to the scene acknowledges, the cash economy allows them to hide some of their profits from revenue-seeking governments.

FORBES: In Ethnic Enclaves, The U.S. Economy Thrives

Since then, the company has faced a slumping U.S. economy but also an ongoing increase in credit and debit card use overseas.

FORBES: Magazine Article