6 Most Exclusive Credit Cards – Prestigious Cards for 2024 (2024)

Table of Contents
MOST EXCLUSIVE CREDIT CARD OVERALL Centurion® Card from American Express Centurion® Card from American Express PRESTIGIOUS CREDIT CARD FOR GREAT REWARDS Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card EXCLUSIVE CREDIT CARD FOR THE VISA INFINITE CONCIERGE Chase Sapphire Reserve® Chase Sapphire Reserve® EXCLUSIVE CARD FOR AIRPORT LOUNGE ACCESS The Platinum Card® from American Express The Platinum Card® from American Express MOST EXCLUSIVE CREDIT CARD OVERALL Centurion® Card from American Express Centurion® Card from American Express Exclusive Card for Business The Business Platinum Card® from American Express The Business Platinum Card® from American Express EXCLUSIVE CREDIT CARD FOR INTERNATIONAL PRESTIGE Dubai First Royale Mastercard WalletHub's Research How to Get an Exclusive Credit Card – 3 Tips Most Exclusive Credit Cards Compared Prestigious Imposters – Don’t Be Fooled Methodology for Selecting the Most Exclusive Credit Cards Sources About the Author John S Kiernan Most Exclusive Credit Cards FAQ What credit card do millionaires use? Is Chase Sapphire Reserve prestigious? What's the most prestigious American Express card? What is the highest level of American Express card? Which credit card is best in the world? Which is the most expensive credit card? What is the best luxury card? What are the most prestigious credit cards? Which is the most elite credit card? What's the highest class of Visa credit card?

Best Credit CardsExclusive

Selected from 1,500+ credit cards for March 2024

Updated Mar 13, 2024Fact checked

By:John Kiernan, Credit Card Editor

|Mar 13, 2024

Reviewed by:Alina Comoreanu, Senior Researcher

Fact checked

The most exclusive credit cards can provide you with luxurious perks such as a personal concierge, VIP access to events, airport lounge access, and elite status with multiple travel providers and hotels. But just because a card is exclusive doesn't necessarily mean that it's the best option for you personally. To help you determine which, if any, of the most exclusive credit cards are right for your needs, we compared more than 1,500 credit card offers based on WalletHub's proprietary 100-point credit card rating system and identified the best, most prestigious options for different types of applicants.

You can learn more about these prestigious and exclusive credit card offers below. Just remember that neither a credit card’s prestige nor its exclusivity will help you save money. A credit card’s rates, fees, rewards and other tangible perks are what really count. So what you really want is one of 2024’s best credit cards, no matter how many other people may have it.

The most exclusive credit card overall is the Centurion® Card from American Express, also known as the Amex Black Card. It is reportedly reserved for people who spend at least $100,000 per year, and an invitation is needed to apply. The so-called Amex Black Card is far too exclusive for most people, as a result, but there are plenty of other prestigious and exclusive credit cards that might be attainable for you if you have excellent credit and a high income. You can learn more about them below.

Summary of Editor’s Picks

5 Most Exclusive Credit Cards - Prestigious Cards for 2024

Centurion® Card from American Express: Most Prestigious Overall

The Platinum Card® from American Express: Airport Lounge Access

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Business Rewards

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Visa Infinite Concierge

WalletHub Shows You Cards Other Sites Won’t

WalletHub tracks 1,500+ credit cards (other sites only consider a much smaller number of cards, so they naturally miss a lot of great cards)

WalletHub picks the best credit cards overall (other sites pick the best cards from their advertising partners)

WalletHub uses a sophisticated card rating system to objectively find the best cards (other sites’ picks are influenced by their own biases)

WalletHub has 100% editorial independence (other sites just provide a billboard for advertisers)

WalletHub does not have a conflict of interest (other sites are biased due to promoting their own lending and banking offers)

WalletHub has 15+ years of credit card experience (other sites simply don’t have the same expertise)

WalletHub's best credit card picks and ratings are completely independent and not provided, commissioned, or endorsed by any issuer. Some offers may come from WalletHub's advertising partners. WalletHub independently collected information for some of the cards on this page.

Overall

MOST EXCLUSIVE CREDIT CARD OVERALL

Centurion® Card from American Express

6 Most Exclusive Credit Cards – Prestigious Cards for 2024 (1)

Centurion® Card from American Express

4.22 out of 5 rating82 User Reviews82 User Reviews

1.2WalletHub Rating

WalletHub Rating

1.2

This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.

Editor’s Rating

3.0

User Reviews

4.2

Market Comparison

0.6

fees: 1.3

rewards: 0.8

cost: 0.0

Other Features: 5.0

Learn More

Regular APR

21.24% (V)

Annual Fee

$5000

Rewards Rate

1 point / $1

Accepted Credit

Excellent

Regular APR

21.24% (V)

Annual Fee

$5000

Rewards Rate

1 point / $1

Accepted Credit

Excellent

Editors’ Thoughts

Why It’s One of the Most Exclusive Credit Cards:The most exclusive credit card is the Centurion Card from American Express, otherwise known as the Amex Black Card. It’s available by invitation only, and you reportedly need to charge at least $100,000 to $250,000 to your credit card per year to even be eligible.

Most of us won’t ever get first-hand experience using the Amex Black Card. The closest most of us will come is hearing rappers name-drop it or seeing pictures of celebrities flashing theirs. You may come across imposter “black cards” trying to take advantage of Centurion’s popularity, too.

Pros, Cons & More Details

Pros

  • No foreign fee

Cons

  • High membership fees
  • No rewards bonus

Rewards Details

  • 1X Membership Rewards point for every eligible dollar you spend.
  • Membership Rewards® points can be used towards travel, dining, shopping, and merchandise.
  • Points have no expiration date and there's no limit to the amount of points you can earn.

Interest Rate Breakdown

BalanceAPY

Additional Info

  • All information about the Centurion® Card from American Express has been collected independently by WalletHub.
  • This card requires a $10,000 initiation fee.

Pros, Cons & Details

Most Exclusive Consumer Credit Cards

PRESTIGIOUS CREDIT CARD FOR GREAT REWARDS

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

6 Most Exclusive Credit Cards – Prestigious Cards for 2024 (2)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

3.29 out of 5 rating38 User Reviews38 User Reviews

4.2WalletHub Rating

WalletHub Rating

4.2

This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.

Editor’s Rating

4.8

User Reviews

3.2

Market Comparison

4.2

fees: 1.3

rewards: 4.8

cost: 4.7

Other Features: 5.0

Apply Now

Regular APR

19.99% - 29.99% (V)

Annual Fee

$395

Rewards Rate

2 - 10 miles / $1

Bonus Offer

75,000 miles

Accepted Credit

Excellent

Editors’ Thoughts

Why It’s One of the Most Prestigious Credit Cards:The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card isn’t especially exclusive, considering it’s available to the general public, but you do need excellent credit to get approved. You must also be able to afford the card’s $395 annual fee. That said, Capital One Venture X is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market right now, which makes it prestigious.

For starters, Capital One Venture X offers an initial bonus of 75,000 miles for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. That’s worth $750 in travel – more than enough value to take you on some exclusive getaways. You’ll also earn 2 - 10 miles per $1 on purchases.

To learn more, check out WalletHub’s completecomplete Venture X Card review.

Pros, Cons & More Details

Pros

  • 75,000-mile initial bonus
  • 2 - 10 miles per $1 spent on purchases
  • Annual statement credit & bonus opportunities
  • Airport lounge access

Cons

  • $395 annual fee
  • Not good for financing
  • Requires excellent credit

Rewards Details

  • 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 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
  • Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

Interest Rate Breakdown

BalanceAPY

Additional Info

  • Trip Cancellation and Interruption*: Add peace of mind to your itinerary when you use your Venture X card to book your travel
  • Extended Warranty Protection*: Extend your qualifying product warranties automatically when you purchase using your Venture X card
  • Return Protection*: Keep your options open with 90 days of Return Protection, here to help when you make a qualifying purchase with your card
  • Cell Phone Protection*: Protect your cell phone every time you pay your bill. When you pay your monthly wireless bill with your covered Capital One card, your cell phone is protected for the next calendar month. So, you can get reimbursed if your cell phone is stolen or damaged ($50 deductible)
  • Visa Infinite Concierge*: Concierge who can help you with requests, like dinner reservations, or Broadway, music and sporting event tickets
  • Baggage Delay Reimbursem*nt*: Your bags are covered against common carrier-caused loss or theft with Lost Luggage Reimbursem*nt* when you use your Venture X card to purchase common carrier tickets
  • Trip Delay Reimbursem*nt*: Anticipate delays when you purchase air travel with your covered Visa Infinite card, with Trip Delay coverage of up to $500 when you’re stuck for more than six hours or require an overnight stay
  • Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver*: Count on built-in auto rental coverage. Save money by saying no at the counter – rent with your covered Visa Infinite card and get built-in Auto Rental Coverage
  • For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply

Pros, Cons & Details

EXCLUSIVE CREDIT CARD FOR THE VISA INFINITE CONCIERGE

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

6 Most Exclusive Credit Cards – Prestigious Cards for 2024 (3)

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

3.34 out of 5 rating311 User Reviews311 User Reviews

3.7WalletHub Rating

WalletHub Rating

3.7

This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Travel Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.

Editor’s Rating

4.4

User Reviews

3.3

Market Comparison

3.6

fees: 1.3

rewards: 4.4

cost: 4.0

Other Features: 0.0

Apply Now

Regular APR

22.49% - 29.49% (V)

Annual Fee

$550

Rewards Rate

1 - 10 points / $1

Bonus Offer

60,000 points

Accepted Credit

Excellent

Regular APR

22.49% - 29.49% (V)

Annual Fee

$550

Rewards Rate

1 - 10 points / $1

Bonus Offer

60,000 points

Accepted Credit

Excellent

Editors’ Thoughts

Why It’s One of the Most Exclusive Credit Cards:The “Reserve” part of this card’s name hints at exclusivity, as does its excellent-credit approval requirement. And its travel perks show why it’s a prestigious choice. You’ll earn 60,000 points – redeemable for$900 in travel through Chase – if you spend at least $4,000 within 3 months of account opening. You’ll receive a credit for up to $300 in travel purchases each year. And you’ll earn the points equivalent of 1.5% to 15% cash back on purchases, depending on the type of purchase, assuming you redeem for travel booked through Chase.

Plus, there are a few other perks – such as access to 1,300+ airport lounges and Visa Infinite Concierge service – that help offset the card’s $550 annual fee.

Pros, Cons & More Details

Pros

  • Initial Bonus: 60,000 points
  • $300 Annual Travel Credit
  • Up To 15% Back On Hotels and Car Rentals

Cons

  • High Annual Fee
  • High APR

Rewards Details

  • 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 reimbursem*nt 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.
  • 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®

Interest Rate Breakdown

BalanceAPY

Additional Info

  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
  • Member FDIC

Pros, Cons & Details

EXCLUSIVE CARD FOR AIRPORT LOUNGE ACCESS

The Platinum Card® from American Express

6 Most Exclusive Credit Cards – Prestigious Cards for 2024 (4)

The Platinum Card® from American Express

3.9 out of 5 rating716 User Reviews716 User Reviews

3.0WalletHub Rating

WalletHub Rating

3.0

This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Travel Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.

Editor’s Rating

3.0

User Reviews

3.9

Market Comparison

2.9

fees: 1.3

rewards: 4.1

cost: 2.5

Other Features: 5.0

Apply Now

Terms Apply|

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Annual Fee

$695

Rewards Rate

1 - 5 points / $1

Bonus Offer

80,000 points

Accepted Credit

Excellent, Good

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Annual Fee

$695

Rewards Rate

1 - 5 points / $1

Bonus Offer

80,000 points

Accepted Credit

Excellent, Good

Editors’ Thoughts

Why It’s One of the Most Exclusive Cards:The Platinum Card® from American Express gives cardholders and eligible guests access to well over 1,000 airport lounges around the world as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection. This includes all American Express Centurion Lounge locations and the 45 Delta SkyClub lounges. This card requires at least good credit for approval and costs a pretty penny, with a $695 annual fee. But cardholders get plenty of other perks for the money, too.

For example, new applicants who spend at least $8,000 within 6 months of opening an account earn an initial bonus of 80,000 points. There are also $200 in credits for fees on a pre-selected airline each year, up to $200 per year in free Uber rides, and up to $100 in annual credits for shopping at Saks Fifth Avenue (enrollment required), among other perks.

Pros, Cons & More Details

Pros

  • 80,000 points offer
  • Hundreds in annual credits

Cons

  • $695 annual fee
  • Limited financing capabilities
  • No preset spending limit

Rewards Details

  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, 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 with American Express Travel when you pay with 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, Peaco*ck, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
  • $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.
  • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
  • $100 Global Entry Credit: 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.
  • $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. 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.
  • Terms Apply.

Interest Rate Breakdown

BalanceAPY

Additional Info

  • $695 annual fee.
  • This American Express Card has no preset spending limit, giving you purchasing power that adjusts with your use of the card. No preset spending limit does not mean unlimited spending. Your purchases are approved based on a variety of factors including spending patterns, your payment history, your credit history, and financial resources known to us.

MOST EXCLUSIVE CREDIT CARD OVERALL

Centurion® Card from American Express

6 Most Exclusive Credit Cards – Prestigious Cards for 2024 (5)

Centurion® Card from American Express

4.22 out of 5 rating82 User Reviews82 User Reviews

1.2WalletHub Rating

WalletHub Rating

1.2

This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Earn Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.

Editor’s Rating

3.0

User Reviews

4.2

Market Comparison

0.6

fees: 1.3

rewards: 0.8

cost: 0.0

Other Features: 5.0

Learn More

Regular APR

21.24% (V)

Annual Fee

$5000

Rewards Rate

1 point / $1

Accepted Credit

Excellent

Regular APR

21.24% (V)

Annual Fee

$5000

Rewards Rate

1 point / $1

Accepted Credit

Excellent

Editors’ Thoughts

Why It’s One of the Most Exclusive Credit Cards: The most exclusive,prestigious credit card is without a doubt the American Express Centurion Card, otherwise known as the Amex Black Card. That’s because it’s the most famous. Perhaps you’ve heard rappers name-drop it, or seen pictures of celebrities flashing theirs. Or maybe you’ve come across one of the imposter cards trying to take advantage of Centurion’s popularity. Regardless, most of us won’t ever get first-hand experience using the real Amex Black Card. It’s available by invitation only. And reportedly, you need to charge at least $100,000-$250,000 to your credit card per year to even be eligible.

Pros, Cons & More Details

Pros

  • No foreign fee

Cons

  • High membership fees
  • No rewards bonus

Rewards Details

  • 1X Membership Rewards point for every eligible dollar you spend.
  • Membership Rewards® points can be used towards travel, dining, shopping, and merchandise.
  • Points have no expiration date and there's no limit to the amount of points you can earn.

Interest Rate Breakdown

BalanceAPY

Additional Info

  • All information about the Centurion® Card from American Express has been collected independently by WalletHub.
  • This card requires a $10,000 initiation fee.

Pros, Cons & Details

Most Exclusive Business Credit Card

Exclusive Card for Business

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

6 Most Exclusive Credit Cards – Prestigious Cards for 2024 (6)

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

3.74 out of 5 rating168 User Reviews168 User Reviews

2.7WalletHub Rating

WalletHub Rating

2.7

This card has been scored using WalletHub’s proprietary credit card rating system. We evaluated the card for various cardholder needs and picked the rating for the need most relevant to this page ("Business - Earn Rewards"). The rating for this card may vary on other pages where a different need is used. A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive.

Editor’s Rating

3.0

User Reviews

3.7

Market Comparison

2.5

fees: 1.3

rewards: 2.9

cost: 2.5

Other Features: 5.0

Apply Now

Terms Apply|

Regular APR

19.49% - 27.49% (V)

Annual Fee

$695

Rewards Rate

1 - 5 points / $1

Bonus Offer

120,000 points

Accepted Credit

Excellent, Good

Regular APR

19.49% - 27.49% (V)

Annual Fee

$695

Rewards Rate

1 - 5 points / $1

Bonus Offer

120,000 points

Accepted Credit

Excellent, Good

Editors’ Thoughts

Why It’s One of the Most Exclusive Cards:The Business Platinum Amex Card’s annual fee alone makes it exclusive, as your average small business owner probably won’t want to shell out hundreds of dollars per year just for the privilege of having a particular card. Similarly, the average business owner does not have the credit needed to be approved for this card. Plus, few people will use this card deftly enough to get their money’s worth from its assorted rewards and benefits.

Those perks include 120,000 points after you spend $15,000 within 3 months of opening an account. Additionally, cardholders earn 1 - 5 points per $1 on purchases, get rebates on points redeemed for airfare, and more.

Pros, Cons & More Details

Pros

  • High rewards rate
  • 120,000 points welcome offer
  • No foreign fee

Cons

  • High membership fees
  • Requires good/excellent credit

Rewards Details

  • Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
  • Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
  • Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your Card.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Business Platinum Card®.
  • 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.
  • Terms Apply.

Interest Rate Breakdown

BalanceAPY

Additional Info

  • $695 Annual Fee.
  • This American Express Card has no preset spending limit, giving you purchasing power that adjusts with your use of the card. No preset spending limit does not mean unlimited spending. Your purchases are approved based on a variety of factors including spending patterns, your payment history, your credit history, and financial resources known to us.

Pros, Cons & Details

NON-U.S. CARDS

EXCLUSIVE CREDIT CARD FOR INTERNATIONAL PRESTIGE

Dubai First Royale Mastercard


Why It’s One of the Most Exclusive Credit Cards: Only about 200 people in the world are believed to have this invite-only credit card, and many of them are rumored to be in the Dubai and Saudi royal families. The Dubai First Royale Mastercard is also rumored to have an annual fee of around $2,000, no spending limit, and a 24/7 concierge.

WalletHub's Research


362

Research Hours

461

Companies Reviewed

1,391

Cards Reviewed

  • How to get an exclusive credit card – 3 tips
  • Most exclusive credit cards compared
  • Prestigious imposters – Don’t be fooled
  • Methodology
  • Sources
  • About the author
  • User questions & answers


How to Get an Exclusive Credit Card – 3 Tips

  1. Build a Credit Score of 800+
    Although the credit score range goes up to 850, anything in the 800’s is considered perfect credit because improving your credit score further is unlikely to save you more money. For tips on how to go about accomplishing this, check out WalletHub’s credit improvement guide.

    You can also check your latest credit score for free and get personalized advice by signing up for a free WalletHub account.

  1. Maximize Your Income
    Exclusive credit cards generally target high net-worth individuals who spend a lot but make more than enough to support it. Credit cards make money whenever you make a purchase. So the more you spend, the more they make. Credit card companies also like knowing they’ll recoup whatever they lend you.
  1. Minimize Your Debt
    The more debt you have relative to your income and assets, the less affordable a new line of credit will be. And the most exclusive credit cards tend to have pretty high limits.

Now that you know what getting an exclusive credit card entails, you may want to take another look at WalletHub’s picks to see if the reward you’re chasing is really worth it. For your convenience, we’ve summarized how the most exclusive credit card offers compare in a few key areas below.


Most Exclusive Credit Cards Compared

Credit CardBest ForAnnual Fee
Centurion® Card from American ExpressMost Prestigious Overall$5000
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressAirport Lounge Access$695
The Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressBusiness Rewards$695
Chase Sapphire Reserve®Visa Infinite Concierge$550
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see Rates & Fees)Best Rewards$395

Remember, exclusivity and prestige won’t pay the bills. So we recommend checking out 2024’s best overall credit cardsbefore making a decision.


Prestigious Imposters – Don’t Be Fooled


Mastercard® Black Card – This is not the famous “black card.” It’s just a wannabe trying to capitalize on pop culture confusion regarding the Amex Centurion Card. Just check out WalletHub’s Mastercard Black Card Review to see how little you get in return for a $495 annual fee.

Diners Club Elite Credit Card – Another “elite” card with more bark than bite, this Diners Club credit card charges a $300 annual fee and doesn’t offer anything special in return. All of its features can be found on credit cards with much lower annual fees or no fee at all.

Mastercard® Gold Card – The Mastercard Black Card’s sibling is actually even worse, as it charges one of the highest annual fees on the market: a staggering $995! Sure, it’s 24-karat gold-plated card. But even if it were solid gold, it still wouldn’t be worth it.



Methodology for Selecting the Most Exclusive Credit Cards


6 Most Exclusive Credit Cards – Prestigious Cards for 2024 (7) To identify the most prestigious and most exclusive credit cards, WalletHub’s editors regularly compare 1,500+ credit card offers based on their approval requirements, fees, rates, rewards, secondary benefits, special features and other WalletHub Rating components such as airport lounge access or concierge service. We focus on credit cards for people with excellent credit, though standout cards that require a minimum of good credit may earn a spot, and we use expected rewards earnings after annual fees as the primary barometer.

When appropriate, we also highlight luxury credit cards with high annual fees that may scare away the average consumer, despite unlocking valuable rewards potential. In addition to the most exclusive credit cards for consumers, we select the most exclusive credit card for business based on approval requirements and expected rewards earnings, net annual fees.

Sources

WalletHub actively maintains a database of 1,500+ credit card offers, from which we select the most exclusive credit cards for different applicants as well as derive market-wide takeaways and trends. The underlying data is compiled from credit card company websites or provided directly by the credit card issuers. We also leverage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to develop cardholder profiles, used to estimate cards’ potential savings.

About the Author

6 Most Exclusive Credit Cards – Prestigious Cards for 2024 (8)

John S Kiernan

John Kiernan has covered the credit card industry for more than 15 years as a writer and editor for WalletHub. His work has been featured by major media outlets such as The Washington Post, Fox News and The New York Times and has been cited by industry regulators such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

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Most Exclusive Credit Cards FAQ

Finding the best credit card can be tough. But you’ve got the knowledgeable WalletHub community on your side. We encourage everyone to share their knowledge while respecting our content guidelines. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not the financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered. WalletHub independently collected information for some of the cards on this page.

What credit card do millionaires use?

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Chip Lupo, Credit Card Writer

@CLoop

Millionaires use credit cards like the Centurion® Card from American Express, the J.P. Morgan Reserve Credit Card. These high-end credit cards are available only to people who receive an invitation to apply, which millionaires have the best chance of getting. For example, in the case of the Amex Centurion Card – also known as “the Black Card” – you reportedly need to charge at least $100,000 across Amex credit cards every year to even qualify for an invite. The Platinum Card® from American Express is another exclusive credit card that...

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Is Chase Sapphire Reserve prestigious?

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Ryan P Page, Staff Writer

@ryan_page

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a prestigious credit card because it offers elite rewards and benefits, requires excellent credit, and has a high annual fee of $550. The high cost and top-tier credit requirement are both common among prestigious credit cards, as are generous perks.

Why the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card is Prestigious

  • The card gives rewards of 1 - 10 points per $1 spent on purchases.
  • New cardholders can earn an initial bonus of 60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
  • Your points are...

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What's the most prestigious American Express card?

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Sally Jones

@sally_deJones

The most prestigious American Express card is the Centurion® Card from American Express. You need an invitation to get it and an income of at least $250,000 a year to merit consideration, according to online reports. Note that Amex doesn't disclose the requirements for this card.

The Centurion® Card from American Express also has a $10,000 initiation fee and a $5000 annual fee. Cardholders get access to Centurion Lounges, hotel benefits, apersonal concierge, and more. They also earn 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases.

Here's another...

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What is the highest level of American Express card?

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Ryan P Page, Staff Writer

@ryan_page

The highest level American Express card is the Centurion® Card from American Express, better known as the Amex Black Card. The Black Card can't simply be applied for, as unconfirmed sources say that cardholders must spend between $250,000 and $1 million through American Express each year to receive an invitation. As of 2021, though, individuals who feel they might meet the criteria can request an invitation.

Though anecdotal reports claim applicants need an excellent credit score and a lot of...

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Which credit card is best in the world?

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Maria Adams, Credit Cards Moderator

@m_adams

The best credit card in the world is considered to be the Centurion® Card from American Express, which is famously known as the "black card." This card is seen as a status symbol for rich and influential people. Benefits include free access to airport lounges, elite status and other perks at various hotels, a personal concierge, lots of travel insurance and more.

There are several more cards that are listed among the best in the world, such as...

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Which is the most expensive credit card?

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Maria Adams, Credit Cards Moderator

@m_adams

The most expensive credit card is the Centurion® Card from American Express (also called the Amex “Black Card”), because it has an initiation fee of up to $10,000 and a $5000 annual fee. You have to be invited to even apply for this card and you have to spend (and pay off) hundreds of thousands of dollars annually on Amex credit cards to get an invitation.

Some credit cards with high annual fees end up being worth it because of...

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What is the best luxury card?

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John S Kiernan, Managing Editor

@John

One of the best luxury credit cards is Chase Sapphire Reserve® because it offers an initial bonus worth up to $900 in travel booked through Chase, gives an annual travel credit, and provides complimentary airport lounge access. But luxury comes at a cost, and Chase Sapphire Reserve® charges a $550 annual fee.

The Platinum Card® from American Express is another popular luxury card worth considering. Paying the card's $695 annual fee is worth it for high-spending frequent travelers who earn its initial bonus...

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What are the most prestigious credit cards?

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Christie Matherne, Credit Card Writer

@christie_matherne

The most prestigious credit card is the invitation-only Centurion® Card from American Express (Amex Black Card), as well as The Platinum Card® from American Express, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card. All three cards require applicants to meet high income and/or spending standards for approval.

Most Prestigious Credit Cards in 2024

  • Centurion® Card from American Express: Most Prestigious Overall
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express: Airport Lounge Access
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Visa Infinite Concierge
  • Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see Rates & Fees): Generous Rewards

If you're looking for a prestigious credit card, but you don't quite...

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Which is the most elite credit card?

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Chip Lupo, Credit Card Writer

@CLoop

The most elite credit card is the Centurion® Card from American Express, also known as the Amex Black Card, because it's not a card you can simply apply for. You need to receive an invitation just to be able to apply, and you reportedly need to spend at least $250,000 a year on Amex cards to be eligible. On top of that, there's a $10,000 initiation fee for those who are approved, and the annual fee is a whopping...

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What's the highest class of Visa credit card?

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Theresa Chalfant, Writer

@theresa_chalfant

The highest class of Visa card is Visa Infinite, topping Visa Signature and standard Visa cards. Visa Infinite benefits, such as travel insurance, purchase protection, and return protection, are reserved for the most premium credit cards, and they can save you a lot of money.

The benefits that apply to your particular Visa Infinite card will vary depending on the issuing bank, but they can also include discounts on air travel and car rentals, automatic hotel room...

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WalletHub is committed to transparency and editorial independence. The information about the following cards has been independently collected by WalletHub: Centurion® Card from American Express, Mastercard® Gold Card, Mastercard® Black Card, Diners Club Elite Credit Card, J.P. Morgan Reserve Credit Card, American Express® Green Card, First Access Visa® Card, U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card, UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card, and Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card

About our Editor’s Picks

Our editors' recommendations for the Best Credit Cards are a reflection of their own subjective opinions, and they should not be relied upon as the sole basis for choosing your financial product.

We work hard to show you up-to-date product terms, however, this information does not originate from us and thus, we do not guarantee its accuracy. Before submitting an application, always verify all terms and conditions with the offering institution. Please let us know if you notice any differences.

Ad Disclosure:
Certain offers that appear on this site originate from paying advertisers, and this will be noted on an offer’s details page using the designation “Sponsored”, where applicable. Advertising status does not affect which offers show up on this page but may impact the order in which they appear. At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.

6 Most Exclusive Credit Cards – Prestigious Cards for 2024 (2024)
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