Most Exclusive Credit Cards Of September 2024
2 min readExclusive credit cards are often associated with wealth and privilege. Owning one of the most exclusive cards in the world isn’t just about having the bank account to back it up; many of these swank cards are invite-only and there’s little-to-no confirmed information about what exactly it takes to score an invitation to apply.
For the fortunate few who do receive an invite, the benefits of owning one of these status-symbol cards are designed to appeal to those who already live the high life. Special concierge services, access to private planes and VIP experiences can all be benefits of card ownership, depending on the particular card.
Read more: Best Credit Cards of 2024
Exclusive Credit Cards That Require an Invitation
The following cards are so exclusive, you’ll have to be invited to apply. If you do have the clout to score an invitation for an application, you’ll not only get the chance to show your elite status whenever it’s time to pay a bill, you’ll also get elite perks and benefits like concierge services to cater to your whims, access to private planes and VIP services to select private and live events.
- Centurion® Card from American Express*
- JP Morgan Reserve Card*
- Dubai First Royale Mastercard*
- Coutts Silk Charge Card*
- Citigroup Chairman American Express Card
Premium Credit Cards That You Can Apply For
If you’re in the market for a high-end credit card that can help unlock access to exclusive experiences like premium airport lounge access, airline ticket upgrades or elite status with airlines and hotels, there are options that don’t require an invitation. If you have excellent credit and are willing to fork over a premium annual fee, you can apply to have one of these cards added to your wallet.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
5X Reward Rate
Earn 5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and on flights booked directlyRead More
Welcome Bonus
Earn 80,000 points
Annual Fee
$695
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Credit Score
Good,Excellent (700 – 749)
The Platinum Card is destined for frequent travelers who intend to fully leverage the rich set of luxury travel benefits and Platinum Concierge service. In the right hands, the classic status card’s staggering annual fee is well justified.
Being an Amex Platinum cardholder grants access to the International Airline Program, which can save you money on first and business class seats on more than 20 airlines as well as premium economy tickets for you and up to seven traveling companions. Start your search on the Amex Travel website to find international flights departing or arriving in the U.S. on any of those premium cabins.
- High reward potential on flights and hotels booked through American Express Travel
- Multiple credits can help justify the fee
- Comprehensive airport lounge access
- Luxury travel benefits and elite status with Hilton and Marriott with enrollment
- Very high annual fee
- Maximizing the statement credits takes some work and could be impractical for many
- Reward rate outside of travel is sub-par for a premium card
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: 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 only. Terms Apply.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.¤
- Terms Apply.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
This card offers superior points earning rates if you spend frequently on travel and dining out. The $300 travel credit justifies much of the annual fee, and redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel℠ nets you a 50% bonus.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is one of the most valuable flexible rewards credit cards thanks to its lucrative bonus categories and easy-to-use travel credit. Cardholders can offset the annual fee and get great value when redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points earned on the card, thanks to partnerships with numerous airlines and hotels and its convenient travel booking portal, Chase Travel℠.
- $300 annual travel credit is incredibly flexible
- Generous welcome bonus
- Get 50% more value when you redeem points for travel through Chase
- Points transfer to valuable airline and hotel partners
- High annual fee
- High variable APR on purchases
- Excellent credit recommended
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Member FDIC
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One’s most premium travel card is packed with extras that put it firmly in competition with other upscale credit cards, but at an annual fee that leaves the others far behind.
If you’re looking for lofty perks without a lofty annual fee (rates & fees), the Venture X fits the bill. While other cards with elite benefits run nearly $700 a year, you’ll only pay a little more than half that for the Venture X. And you’ll still get Capital One and Priority Pass airport lounge access for you and your guests, an annual travel credit and solid earnings on everyday purchases.
- Annual fee lower than others in its category
- Annual travel credit through Capital One Travel and anniversary miles alone could justify the annual fee
- Miles are easy to earn and easy to use
- Lack of domestic airline and upscale hotel travel partners
- Capital One lounge network in its infancy
- Lack of hotel status benefits
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Mastercard® Gold Card™
Up to 2% Reward Rate
2% value for Airfare Redemptions. 2% value for Cash Back Redemptions
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$995 ($295 for each Authorized User added to the account)
Regular APR
21.24% to 29.24% variable
Credit Score
Excellent (750 – 850)
If what your card is made of is more important than what it does for you, consider the Mastercard Gold Card. Just remember, Mr. T’s jewelry is shiny, too.
- 2% value for cash back redemptions
- Up to $200 annual airline credit
- Up to $100 Global entry or TSA PreCheck credit
- No foreign transaction fees
- No welcome bonus
- High $995 ($295 for each Authorized User added to the account)
- Ostentatious to the point of being tacky
- Ideal for those seeking a top-of-wallet premium card with straightforward rewards and exceptional service. Cardholders can avoid juggling various cards and monthly statements while benefiting from travel perks and enhanced protection that exceeds standard credit cards.
- Offers a flat-rate redemption value of 2% for cash back or 2% value for airfare redemption with no airline or seat restrictions and no blackout dates. Cardholders earn one point for every dollar spent. Point redemption is simple, without requiring a complex reward strategy. The card features no foreign transaction fees, no earning caps, no rotating categories, and eliminates the need to pursue transfer partners to maximize point values.
- Annual Airline Credit—up to $200 in statement credits toward flight-related purchases including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more. Cardholders simply pay for airline purchases with their Mastercard Gold Card and the credit is automatically applied to their account. There’s no need to activate or designate an airline. The full credit amount is available at the start of the calendar year.
- Up to a $100 application fee credit for the cost of TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry. Also, enjoy automatic enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select with access to 1,500+ airport lounges worldwide with no guest or lounge limits. Includes credits at select airport restaurants for cardholder and one guest.
- 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®—Make requests the way you want by phone, email, SMS and chat in the app. Connect directly with a real agent and receive 24/7 assistance for tasks big and small. Requests do not require a purchase, incur no charge for making them, and do not involve department transfers.
- 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. Receive protection benefits like trip cancellation and interruption, auto rental car collision waiver, travel accident and baggage delay. Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard® benefits.
- Made with 24K Gold: Weighing in at an industry-leading 22g. Designed for frequent shoppers, big ticket purchases and everything in between.
- Annual Fee: $995 ($295 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.
Mastercard® Black Card™
Up to 2% Reward Rate
2% value for airfare redemptions and 1.5% value for cash back redemptions
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$495 ($195 for each Authorized User added to the account)
Regular APR
21.24% to 29.24% variable
Credit Score
Excellent (750 – 850)
With an annual fee on par with most top-tier cards, you ought to expect great things from the Mastercard® Black Card™, but it falls short on delivering rewards. This card is ideal for someone with excellent credit and an appetite for luxury experiences and status, but if earning rewards is paramount, look to another premium card with a better earnings rate.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Decent reward redemption rates of 1.5% and 2%, depending on redemption type
- Various travel perks like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry credits
- Introductory APR on balance transfers
- $495 ($195 for each Authorized User added to the account)
- Rewards earnings and perks don’t compare well to other high annual fee cards
- High 5% balance transfer fee
- Ideal for those seeking a top-of-wallet premium card with straightforward rewards and exceptional service. Cardholders can avoid juggling various cards and monthly statements while benefiting from travel perks and enhanced protection that exceeds standard credit cards.
- Offers a flat-rate redemption value of 1.5% for cash back or 2% value for airfare redemption with no airline or seat restrictions and no blackout dates. Cardholders earn one point for every dollar spent. Point redemption is simple, without requiring a complex reward strategy. The card features no foreign transaction fees, no earning caps, no rotating categories, and eliminates the need to pursue transfer partners to maximize point values.
- Annual Airline Credit—up to $100 in statement credits toward flight-related purchases including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more. Cardholders simply pay for airline purchases with their Mastercard Black Card and the credit is automatically applied to their account. There’s no need to activate or designate an airline. The full credit amount is available at the start of the calendar year.
- Up to a $100 application fee credit for the cost of TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry. Also, enjoy automatic enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select with access to 1,500+ airport lounges worldwide with no guest or lounge limits. Includes credits at select airport restaurants for cardholder and one guest.
- 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®—Make requests the way you want by phone, email, SMS and chat in the app. Connect directly with a real agent and receive 24/7 assistance for tasks big and small. Requests do not require a purchase, incur no charge for making them, and do not involve department transfers.
- 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. Receive protection benefits like trip cancellation and interruption, auto rental car collision waiver, travel accident and baggage delay. Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard® benefits.
- Black PVD-Coated Metal Card: Weighing in at an industry-leading 22g. Designed for frequent shoppers, big ticket purchases and everything in between.
- Annual Fee: $495 ($195 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.
How To Get Exclusive Credit Cards
There are no official steps to take to score an invite to a card like the Centurion® Card from American Express*. In most cases, it requires exceptional wealth and significant annual spending on your existing credit card. For example, American Express is rumored to only extend invitations for the Amex Centurion Card to those who already carry The Platinum Card® from American Express and spend a minimum of $250,000 per year on the card. Even so, that doesn’t mean everyone who can check those two boxes will be invited to apply. That’s part of the mystique and appeal that makes this card—and others like it—so exclusive.
Should I Get An Exclusive Credit Card
Even if you get an invitation to apply for an exclusive credit card, you may want to weigh the decision carefully. These credit cards often come with high initiation or annual fees. For cardholders who will use the card’s benefits, that money can be well worth it. However, if it’s just an ego boost, you may be served just as well with another credit card. In fact, many premium credit cards have better rewards programs than exclusive cards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a black card?
The term “black card” has come to symbolize an ultra-exclusive high-end credit card, referenced in pop culture as the ultimate status symbol. In the U.S., a black card is typically synonymous with the Centurion® Card from American Express*, a card both elusive and exclusive, with invitations to apply extended only to a select few based on unknown criteria.
What is the rarest credit card to have?
It’s likely the rarest credit card is one that we have never heard of. Some exclusive credit cards are kept under wraps with no gossip about their existence. However, the Dubai First Royale Mastercard* is rumored to be the rarest credit card in the world with less than 200 cardholders.
What annual fee do luxurious credit cards charge?
Since invitation-only credit cards don’t advertise their terms and conditions, we can only guess what most of the luxurious cards charge in fees. The Centurion® Card from American Express* is one of the few invitation-only cards that publicly displays its $5,000 annual fee. Other luxurious credit cards are more affordable: the Mastercard® Gold Card™ is “only” $995 ($295 for each Authorized User added to the account) per year and its 24 karat gold design is undeniably luxurious.
What is the most prestigious credit card?
One of the world’s most prestigious credit cards is the Centurion® Card from American Express*. Though there may be other cards with more elaborate benefits, those cards are kept well under wraps. The Centurion card offers elite perks you can only dream of while still being relatively well-known, a combination that makes it particularly prestigious.
What makes a credit card exclusive?
Most credit cards you can apply for, although some may not be attainable for everyone. For example, most high-end premium rewards cards are only available to those with excellent credit and a strong financial history. But applications for the most exclusive credit cards are by invitation only, meaning you have to be selected to apply. Rumors abound as to who gets invited to apply for one of these cards but the details have never been confirmed.
What card do billionaires use?
The honest answer is that not all billionaires use the same credit card. The most exclusive credit cards may require extraordinary, pre-existing banking relationships. For example, the Coutts Silk Charge Card* is only available to Coutts’ clients. Other cards like the Dubai First Royale Mastercard* are rumored to be reserved for the ultra-wealthy specifically living in the United Arab Emirates.
That said, it’s most likely that billionaires use exclusive cards not available to the general public.
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