8 of the World’s Most Exclusive Luxury Credit Cards

In movies about the other half — rockstars, mobsters, CEOs — there’s often a dinner scene at some low-lit restaurant with mahogany tables and white napkins. There are bottles of wine, massive steaks, and tuxedo-d waiters.

And then, at the end, there’s a credit card… Which one, though? Which pieces of plastic (or metal) do people with Rolls-Royces roll with?

In all likelihood, probably one of the cards below — the most exclusive credit cards available.

The 5 Most Exclusive Credit Cards

These prestigious credit cards provide an immediate signal of your status and wealth.

Most are available only by invitation, and only if you meet certain requirements (like, say, being ultra rich). They come with top-tier perks, including personal concierge services, and top-tier annual fees, some as high as $5,000.

While these cards might not be available to most of us, it’s still fun to imagine the lifestyles that go with them.

If you’re looking for a baller rewards credit card you can actually apply for, jump down to that section below.

For now, we’ll focus on the most elite credit cards around.

The most famous of the bunch is the Centurion Card from American Express, commonly known as the Amex Black Card.

You won’t find details or an application online; instead, Amex must invite you to apply. To get noticed, according to online gossip, you’ll need to charge between $250,000 and $450,000 per year on your current Amex cards. (A mere $20,000 per month!)

But, as of April 2020, you can also get Amex’s attention by requesting an invite to apply, if you’re already an Amex cardholder.

After receiving your coveted invitation, you’ll pay an “initiation fee” of $10,000 in the U.S., plus an annual fee of $5,000.

Then you’ll qualify for a slew of benefits, including:

• 1X Membership Rewards point per dollar spent; 1.5X on purchases over $5,000
• 24/7 personal concierge program, which can get you tickets, reservations, and who knows what else
• Elite status at Delta Airlines and several hotel and car rental chains
• Access to Centurion and Priority Pass lounges, along with several other lounge brands
• Complimentary Equinox and CLEAR memberships
• Private Suite membership at LAX

J.P. Morgan Reserve Card

Our rating

Min. credit levelExcellent

Details

Annual Fee$595

Regular APRSee Terms

• 3X points per dollar spent on travel (after the $300 credit is used) and dining
• 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
• Points redeemed for travel rewards are worth 50% more
• $300 annual travel reimbursement credit
• Points don’t expire as long as your account is open and in good standing
• VIP sports and entertainment access
• 24/7 direct access to customer service specialists
• 1:1 point transfer
• 1:1 point transfer between frequent travel programs
• No foreign transaction fees
• $595 annual fee

You might know this exclusive credit card as the Palladium card. Though it still includes palladium in its composition, the bank recently rebranded this card to the “Reserve.”

To snag an invite, you must allegedly have at least $10 million in holdings with J.P. Morgan’s private bank. (Being President Barack Obama doesn’t hurt either.) The card’s annual fee is $595.

Here are its benefits, which look very similar to the Chase Sapphire Reserve card in the next section:

• 10X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on Lyft rides; 3X points per dollar spent on travel and dining; 1X on everything else
• $300 annual travel credit
• High-quality travel protections and insurance
• Visa Infinite benefits, which include 24/7 concierge services, hotel and car rental upgrades, Priority Pass access, and a $100 Global Entry (or TSA PreCheck) application fee credit

Citi Chairman

Citi Chairman Card. Image credit: Luxurylaunches

As with most invite-only cards, we have few concrete details about this black piece of plastic from Citi. Most sources say you must use Citigroup’s private bank to be eligible. To be honest, it’s probably one of those things where if you have to ask, you don’t qualify.

Rumored perks include a $300,000 credit limit, access to members-only events, a 24/7 concierge (of course), and airport lounge access. Its annual fee is supposedly only $500 — a bargain compared to the others.

Dubai First Royale Mastercard

Dubai First Royale Mastercard. Image credit: Dubai First

No list of the most exclusive credit cards would be complete without the Dubai First Royale Mastercard, which is trimmed in gold and has a .235-carat diamond on the front. According to the bank’s website, it’s “desired by many but attainable by only a select few.”

To get invited, you may need to live in the UAE, and you probably need a high net worth. You’re also welcome if you’re a member of the UAE royal family. While it touts its lack of a pre-set spending limit, the only listed benefit is a “lifestyle manager” who acts as your personal concierge, getting you, well, whatever you can think of.

As one of the bank’s executives promised: “You ask for the moon and we try and get it.” The initiation fee is reportedly 7,000 UAE Dirham, which equates to roughly $2,000 U.S.

Stratus Rewards Visa

Stratus White Card. Image credit: Business Wire

If you don’t have your own private jet (you pauper!), this “white card” might be the one for you. It’s rumored you must spend at least $100,000 per year to nab an invite. Once you’re in, the annual fee is $1,500 — and you can redeem your rewards for flights on private jets or other charter flights.

Another interesting feature, according to rumor, is that you can pool your points with friends, meaning you could all chip in on a private jet ride together. (P.S. Where do we find friends like that?)

The 3 Most Exclusive Credit Cards You Can Actually Apply For

Still waiting for your invite to one of the cards above? (Don’t worry, so are we.)

In the meantime, consider applying for one of these luxury credit cards. While prestigious, they also welcome applications from the general public. Upon approval for your card of choice, you’ll enjoy a solid rewards program and a variety of helpful perks and travel benefits.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Our rating

Min. credit levelGood

Annual Fee$550

Regular APRSee Pay Over Time APR

• Earn 75,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 10x points on eligible purchases on your new Card at U.S. Gas Stations and U.S. Supermarkets, on up to $15,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months of Card Membership. That’s an additional 9 points on top of the 1 point you earn for these purchases.
• Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member and Additional Centurion Cards only.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel. Starting January 1, 2021, earn 5X points on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• Enjoy complimentary access to the Global Lounge Collection, the only credit card airport lounge access program that includes proprietary lounge locations around the world.
• Receive complimentary benefits through American Express Travel with an average total value of $550 with Fine Hotels & Resorts® program at over 1,100 properties . Learn More.
• Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $550 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.

So it’s not quite black, but it’s still pretty shiny. The Amex Platinum card comes with a range of travel perks — and unlike the Black card, you don’t have to wait for an invitation.

It earns points at most hotels and airlines, and comes with a handy $200 in Uber credits per calendar year. It also has excellent airport lounge access: You’ll be able to use more than 1,000 lounges in 120 countries, including Centurion and Priority Pass, and Delta Sky Clubs when flying that airline. (This is almost as good as the lounge access provided by the Amex Black card!)

• Annual fee: $550 (Rates & Fees)
• Introductory bonus: 75,000 bonus points for spending $5,000 in the first 6 months; 10X points on eligible purchases at U.S. Gas Stations and U.S. Supermarkets, on up to $15,000 in combined purchases, in the first 6 months
• Rewards: 5X points per dollar on flights booked through the airline and flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel (starting 1/1/21, on up to $500,000 spent per calendar year) ; 2X on other Amex Travel purchases; 1X on everything else
• Perks: American Express Global Lounge Collection access, hotel elite status, 24/7 concierge, up to $200 in annual Uber credits, up to $100 in annual Saks credits

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Our rating

Min. credit levelExcellent

Details

Annual Fee$550

Regular APR16.99%-23.99% Variable

Mastercard® Gold Card™

Our rating

Min. credit levelExcellent

Details

Annual Fee$995

Regular APR14.99% Variable

• Patented 24K-gold-plated front and carbon back—weighing 22 grams.
• 2% value for airfare redemptions with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. 2% value for cash back redemptions. Earn one point for every one dollar spent.
• 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge^®—available by phone, email and live mobile chat. Around-the-clock service to help you save time and manage tasks big and small.
• Exclusive Luxury Card Travel^® benefits—average value of $500 per stay (e.g., resort credits, room upgrades, free wifi, breakfast for two and more) at over 3,000 properties.
• Annual Airline Credit—up to $200 in statement credits toward flight-related purchases including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more. Up to a $100 application fee credit for the cost of TSA Pre✓^® or Global Entry.
• Enrollment in Priority Pass^TM Select with access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide with no guest limit. Includes credits at select airport restaurants for cardholder and one guest.
• Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard^® benefits.
• Annual Fee: $995 ($295 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.

The Mastercard® Gold Card™ is the highest-end card offered by Luxury Card, which offers three metal rewards cards. The other two are the Mastercard® Black Card™ (Review) and the Mastercard® Titanium Card™ (Review).

Are You Ready for an Elite Credit Card?

While the cards in the previous section aren’t only for the likes of Lady Gaga, they still have stringent application requirements.

To qualify, you’ll need excellent credit scores and a strong income. So, before applying, check your credit scores and credit reports to make sure you’re a good candidate. You can also see if you’re pre-approved for any credit card offers (you may find a luxury card waiting for you to apply!). If your scores aren’t yet up to par, build your credit with other credit cards first.

Since these luxury cards also come with high annual fees, run the numbers to ensure you’ll get enough value out of your chosen card.

And no matter which of the best credit cards you apply for, always use it responsibly. You’ll never get to Black-card status if you’re deep in Platinum-card debt.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit cards are the hardest to get?

Even more prestigious than your everyday premium cards, a select few credit cards are available only by invite to the richest of the rich.

The hardest-to-get credit cards include:

• Centurion® Card from American Express (Review): Invite-only (but you can request an invite), no clear financial requirements, $10,000 initiation fee, $5,000 annual fee; perks include a meager rewards program, airport lounge access, and a legendary concierge
• J.P. Morgan Reserve Card (Review): Invite-only, must reportedly have at least $10 million managed by J.P. Morgan Private Bank to receive an invite, $595 annual fee; perks include travel and dining rewards, a $300 travel credit, and Visa Infinite benefits
• Citi Chairman: Invite-only, must reportedly use Citigroup’s private bank to qualify, reported $500 annual fee; rumored perks may include a $300,000 credit limit, airport lounge access, and concierge service
• Dubai First Royale Mastercard: Invite-only, must reportedly live in the UAE and have a high net worth, reported 7000 UAE Dirham (roughly $2,000 or so) annual fee; perks include no preset spending limit and a “lifestyle manager”
• Stratus Rewards Visa: Invite-only, requires an invitation from a current cardholder or a Stratus Rewards partner, reportedly requires $100,000+ per year in annual spending, $1,500 annual fee; perks include rewards that can be redeemed for private flights and the rumored ability to pool rewards with other cardholders

What’s the most expensive credit card?

The Centurion® Card from American Express (Review) is generally considered the most expensive credit card; it charges a $10,000 initiation fee and a $5,000 annual fee. It’s only available by invitation.

The Mastercard® Gold Card™ (Review) is the priciest card that anyone can apply to thanks to an annual fee of $995. But while the Gold card catches the eye with its shiny metal surface and heavy weight, you’ll likely benefit more from a lower-priced premium card, like the feature-rich Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Review) or The Platinum Card® from American Express (Review).

What credit cards do millionaires and billionaires use?

Several notable figures known for their wealth avoid credit cards altogether. But, naturally, that doesn’t apply to every rich person. If you’re using your credit cards responsibly and paying them off monthly, why wouldn’t you jump at the chance to earn rewards for things you’re going to buy regardless?

It’s easy to assume that most rich folks stick to storied luxury cards, like the Amex Black Card. And in many cases, that’s true. Take billionaire investor Liu Yiqian for example. In 2015, he used his Centurion card to purchase a single painting — Amedeo Modigliani’s “Reclining Nude” — for the gargantuan price of $170.4 million.

It’s unlikely that you’d be able to charge a purchase of that caliber to a normal credit card, even if you’re fairly well off. So exclusive cards that cater to the world’s elite are particularly useful for individuals with millions to throw around at the drop of a hat.

But then there are people like social media expert Natalie Zfat, who opt for more attainable premium credit cards. While Zfat once had the Centurion card, she eventually dropped down to the American Express Platinum, noting how it had “all the benefits she needed” (its benefits include airport lounge access, free elite hotel statuses, and various statement credits) for a fraction of the price.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.