Lifestyle of the rich and famous? Here are the 6 most exclusive credit cards used by millionaires (2024)

Content provided by Bankrate.com. New York Post and its content partners earn compensation from the affiliate companies that appear below. This content does not include all available financial offers, and compensation may impact how and where links appear in the content.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Does your credit card get you reservations at the most exclusive restaurants? Does it let you reserve a seat on a private jet? Do you get your own private lifestyle manager when you open an account?

If not, you’re probably not using one of the credit cards designed for the super-rich.

Some cards are so exclusive you can barely find information about them online, including the American Express Centurion Card — known famously as the Black Card — or the Dubai First Royale Mastercard, which boasts a real diamond in its middle.

Want to add one of these ultra-elite cards to your wallet? You might be out of luck: Most of these cards are invite-only. But if you want a peek into the perks you’ll get with the most luxurious credit cards, here are the six more exclusive cards out there.

Plus, we added a few cards that are a bit more accessible — with rewards that can make you feel pretty wealthy.

1. The Centurion® Card from American Express

While it may seem like more myth than reality, the Centurion Card — or Amex Black — does really exist. And it’s so exclusive that you can’t even apply for it.

American Express is tight-lipped about what it takes to become a Centurion cardholder, but it’s believed you need to pay a $10,000 initiation fee to get into the club. And that’s not all: The Centurion Card also charges an annual fee of $5,000.

To get a Centurion card, you need to spend a lot on an existing American Express card each year — at least $250,000 annually. American Express will then invite you to apply for the Centurion card.

That’s a lot just to apply for a card. But what do you actually get from it? There is a rewards program: You’ll earn 1 point for every dollar you charge. But the rewards aren’t the big draw here. It’s the perks. And there are plenty of them.

You’ll get automatic elite status at hotel chains, including IHG, Hilton and Marriott. You’ll also get complimentary Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion status. You’ll get access to exclusive airport lounges and elite car rental programs.

Most notably, this card gives you access to a 24/7 concierge service, which will book your flights and hotels, get you backstage access at concerts, track down any personal items that you’ve lost during your travels, and set up personal itineraries for your trips.

2. J.P. Morgan Reserve Card

The J.P. Morgan Reserve Card is another invite-only credit card. This card is reserved for customers with at least $10 million in assets managed by J.P. Morgan Private Bank. That makes it one of the more exclusive credit cards in the world.

Many consider this card a status symbol. It is, after all, made out of brass and palladium, giving it a hefty feel.

The available information on the rewards program is identical to what you’d get with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. You’ll earn 3X points on travel and dining and 1X on all other purchases once the $300 travel credit has been used. You’ll also qualify for an annual $300 travel credit.

So, what makes this card so special? Again, it’s the perks. Like the Centurion card, this card offers a 24/7 concierge service to help make airline reservations, hotel reservations, car rentals, and cruises.

You’ll also get exclusive access to events hosted by Chase and can redeem points for Sapphire Private Dining Series events at exclusive restaurants around the world. However, these perks don’t come cheap: There’s an annual fee of $595.

3. Dubai First Royale Mastercard

The Dubai First Royale Mastercard, issued by Dubai First Bank in the United Arab Emirates, is considered the most exclusive credit card in the world. There’s rumored to be only about 200 cardholders out there. And like other cards on this list, it’s only available by invitation.

How high-end is this card? Its edges are plated in real gold. And it boasts a real diamond in its middle.

Information about this card is sparse, but some sources say this card comes with no credit limit. So if you want to use your First Royale card to buy a yacht, you should be able to do it.

This card also reportedly comes with a lifestyle manager that can help you secure exclusive reservations and book trips. It has an annual fee of over $1,900.

4. Silk Charge Card from Coutts

London-based private bank Coutts has its own ultra-exclusive card, the Silk Charge Card. And while details are shrouded in secrecy, rumor has it that cardholders must deposit at least £1 million with Coutts to open a Silk Card.

As with many high-end cards, the biggest selling point of the Silk Charge Card is its concierge service. You’ll earn extras like room upgrades and dining deals at more than 1,800 luxury properties around the world. You can use the service to get reservations at exclusive restaurants or secure tickets to sports games and theater shows. You can even access Coutts’ own suite at London’s O2 concert venue.

You’ll also get exclusive airport lounge access through the LoungeKey™ program.

5. Mastercard Black Card

Good news: You can actually apply for the Mastercard Black Card. And if you qualify, you’ll gain access to a host of travel and concierge perks. But like the rest of the cards on this list, the Black Card doesn’t come cheap: You’ll pay an annual fee of $495.

What do you get in exchange? A 24/7 concierge service will help you make travel arrangements, arrange dinner reservations, find high-demand products, and even deliver gifts and flowers.

The concierge service can also help in times of crisis, like if you lose something while abroad or need to change your travel plans quickly.

This Black card also provides travel credits, airport lounge access, hotel room upgrades, and travel insurance.

6. Visa Infinite

Visa Infinite isn’t a single credit card. It’s a level of Visa-branded card — the highest — ranking above Visa Signature and Visa Traditional cards.

Cards branded as Visa Infinite include the Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550 annual fee), Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395 annual fee), and the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Credit Card ($400 annual fee).

What do you get with Visa Infinite status? A lot of perks.

These cards offer a concierge service to help book travel plans, restaurant reservations, and tickets to sporting events and concerts. You’ll also get access to the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection, which gives you VIP status, room upgrades, and free breakfast.

The card also provides rental car discounts with Avis, Hertz, National, and Audi, along with personalized winemaker and celebrity chef experiences through Infinite’s fine wine and food program.

You’ll also get access to more than 1,300 airport lounges, travel credits, and travel insurance.

Elite credit cards that make you feel like a millionaire

You don’t need to apply to one of these cards above to feel wealthy. There are plenty of elite credit cards that are more easily attainable.

These include:

  • The Platinum Card® from American Express: This luxury travel card costs a pretty penny with a $695 annual fee. See rates and fees. But you’ll get valuable rewards and perks for that money. You’ll earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked directly through American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year) and 2X points on prepaid rental cars booked through the portal. You’ll also get 1X points on all other purchases. You’ll also get various travel credits, airport lounge access, complimentary hotel status, and travel insurance.
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve: For its $550 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve gives you 10X points on hotel stays, car rentals, and Chase Dining purchases booked through Ultimate Rewards, 5X points on air travel booked through Ultimate Rewards, 3X points on restaurants and general travel, and 1X points on all other purchases. You’ll also get free access to more than 1,300 airport lounges, travel credits, and travel insurance.
  • Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card: This card’s low $95 annual fee comes with a solid rewards program: You’ll earn 3X points on travel and select business categories (up to $150,000, then 1X) and 1X points on everything else. You’ll also get perks like purchase protection and trip cancellation and interruption insurance.
  • Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: The Venture X from Capital One boasts one of the more lucrative rewards programs: You’ll earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2X miles on all other purchases. This card also has a robust welcome bonus and comes with travel credits that can offset the annual fee.

The bottom line

Yes, certain credit cards serve as status symbols. But don’t despair if you can’t nab a Centurion Card or Dubai First Royale Mastercard. There are still plenty of cards designed for the rest of us that come with robust rewards programs — plus travel and retail perks.

*Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company

Opinions expressed are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.

Lifestyle of the rich and famous? Here are the 6 most exclusive credit cards used by millionaires (2024)

FAQs

What kind of credit card do rich people use? ›

Premium luxury credit cards, or black cards, are the most exclusive and prestigious credit cards on the market. They typically come with high annual fees, high spending requirements and strict rules regarding who can qualify for card membership.

What is the world's most exclusive credit card? ›

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.

What credit card do most celebrities have? ›

Below, we'll share our biggest observations in order to help people learn from our entertainment icons. Stars Love Amex, But Not The “Black Card”: 19 of the 27 celebrity wallets we examined contain an American Express credit card.

How many credit cards do rich people use? ›

Millionaires are more likely to have multiple credit cards compared to the average American
How many credit cards do you haveNet worth greater than $1 millionNet worth less than $1 million
122%36%
237%25%
321%9%
4 or more12%7%
1 more row
Mar 27, 2023

How do billionaires use line of credit? ›

Instead, they can take loans against their shares. Securities based lending, securities based lines of credit, home equity lines of credit and structured lending are options for leveraging assets without selling them. These loans tend to have relatively low interest rates because they are collateralized.

What is the black credit card for rich people? ›

The American Express Centurion Card is the original black credit card and still the most expensive, with a one-time initiation fee of $10,000 and a $5,000 annual fee. Other black credit cards feature annual fees ranging from $495 to $1,500.

What is the hardest card to get in the world? ›

Why it's one of the hardest credit cards to get: The hardest credit card to get is the American Express Centurion Card. Known simply as the “Black Card,” you need an invitation to get Amex Centurion. And only the super rich and famous can expect to get the call, as...

What credit card has a $100000 limit? ›

On our list, the card with the highest reported limit is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which some say offers a $100,000 limit. We've also seen an advertised maximum credit limit of $100,000 on the First Tech Odyssey Rewards™ World Elite Mastercard®, a credit union rewards card.

What is the #1 credit card to have? ›

The best credit card overall is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card because it gives 2% cash rewards on all purchases and has a $0 annual fee. For comparison purposes, the average cash rewards card in 2024 gives about 1% back.

What is the single biggest credit card trap for most people? ›

The minimum payment mindset

Here's how most people get trapped in credit card debt: You use your card for a purchase you can't afford or want to defer payment, and then you make only the minimum payment that month. Soon, you are in the habit of using your card to purchase things beyond your budget.

What credit card do famous people use? ›

Which Credit Cards Do Oprah, Beyoncé and Other Rich People Use?
  • American Express Centurion Black Card.
  • JP Morgan Reserve (Palladium) Card.
  • Dubai First Royale MasterCard.
Feb 16, 2022

Does Kim Kardashian have a credit card? ›

Kim Kardashian's new credit card, "The Kardashian Kard," has a terrible pricing model. Worse than you might expect. It's a prepaid card, which means it targets kids. Fair enough.

What credit card do most millionaires have? ›

More wealthy Americans carry a Bank of America card than any other card, including American Express. 27% of high-net-worth individuals report using a secured credit card.

What is a black card limit? ›

The American Express Business Centurion Card, better known as the "black card," has no pre-set spending limit and is typically offered only to high-net-worth individuals.

Who gets a black credit card? ›

Black card spending requirements

Reports suggest that you need at least $10 million in assets under management with Chase to qualify for an invitation. For the Centurion® Card from American Express, anecdotal evidence says you need to charge six-figures on your other American Express cards annually.

Why do the wealthy use Amex? ›

American Express targets these affluent cardholders through a '“spend-centric” model that focuses on generating revenues primarily by driving spending on its cards. That's where rewards come in. In just 2022, Amex spent almost $17 billion providing services and rewards to its card members.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Jeremiah Abshire

Last Updated:

Views: 6490

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Jeremiah Abshire

Birthday: 1993-09-14

Address: Apt. 425 92748 Jannie Centers, Port Nikitaville, VT 82110

Phone: +8096210939894

Job: Lead Healthcare Manager

Hobby: Watching movies, Watching movies, Knapping, LARPing, Coffee roasting, Lacemaking, Gaming

Introduction: My name is Jeremiah Abshire, I am a outstanding, kind, clever, hilarious, curious, hilarious, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.