Rich American Express customers continue to spend freely, with one exception

American Express has long benefited from a focus on wealthier customers who appreciate the credit card company's travel and dining perks.That has helped insulate the company from concerns over a spending slowdown. In the second quarter, total spending on Amex cards jumped 7%, matching the first quarter and higher than the 6% increase a year ago.But travel spending in the quarter was weaker than transactions for goods and services, and that's specifically because airline spending has stalled out, coming in f ...