Yeah, the non elite card is just that. Once you get gold and upwards, things improve, although the cards aren't embossed like the VS ones, they're printed.
Jonathan, If you have status on VS you might consider asking your travel agent (or your employer's travel agent) to ask AA to give you the same status. Among US airlines I think AA does a good job and like VS, they take care of their elite pax.
Thanks for the responses. Hopefully one day I will get higher status and a nicer card hehe. Card aside, I do love American Airlines and they are definately my second choice if Virgin is sold out. I would much rather be on an AA 777 to Boston than a Virgin A340-300.