What credit card you carry in your wallet has become a status symbol, especially for wealthy travellers. These exclusive cards — often available by invitation only — offer an array of benefits and perks that cater to the most discerning tastes, from personal concierge services and private jet access to discounted charter flights and luxury hotel upgrades.
If you thought airport lounge access and fast track through security were good perks, wait to see what the top 1% get from their credit cards.
Compare the most prestigious black and metal credit cards available in Australia.
Coming up next
Key takeaways
- The most prestigious cards in the world are available by invitation only.
- Some of them are made of solid gold and embellished with gemstones.
- Exclusive perks include VIP airport lounge access, personalised concierge and shopping services.
American Express Centurion Card
The American Express Centurion Card is one of the most exclusive credit cards in the world. American Express keeps the card's details shrouded in secrecy, giving it prestige in consumers' minds.
To qualify for the card, you need to spend a significant amount on an American Express card and have an annual income of at least US $1 million. You must also spend a lot on luxury goods, dining, events, and travel. The card has a high initial fee of US $10,000 and an annual fee of US $5,000. It also offers a pay-over-time feature that allows cardholders to carry a balance and pay interest.
The Centurion Card comes with several luxury perks, including elite airport lounges and the Centurion International Arrival Services, which helps with customs and immigration.
Dubai First Royale Mastercard
The Dubai First Royale Mastercard is trimmed in gold, with a diamond embedded in the centre of the card. As with many of the others in this list, this card is available by invitation only.
This card comes with a range of perks, including access to a team of 24/7 lifestyle managers whose sole purpose is to meet their every request. Additionally, the card has no credit limits.
Stratus Rewards Visa Card
The Stratus Rewards Visa Card is a bright white card available to high net worth individuals through invitation only.
Cardholders can pool their rewards points together and redeem them for private jet charters and other luxury perks exclusive to this card. More "normal" perks include a personal concierge service, discounted charter flights, car services, upgrades at luxury hotels, merchandise discounts, and consultations with lifestyle experts. The card's annual fee is US $1,500.
Coutts Silk Card
The Coutts Silk Card is known as UK's most exclusive card. The late Queen Elizabeth II was a cardholder, but there are at least 100 other HNWIs with $1 million or more in a Coutts account that carry the card too.
Its benefits include a concierge service available 24/7, access to VIP airport lounges, and a private shopping experience at designer stores.
Citi Chairman American Express Card
The Citi Chairman American Express Card is a global invitation-only credit card issued by Citi. It is exclusively available to those with significant investments in a Citi brokerage account.
Holding the card costs US $500 a year with a maximum credit limit of up to US $300,000. Its perks include access to private airport lounges and a 24/7 concierge service.
Sberbank Visa Infinite Gold Card
The Sberbank Visa Infinite Gold Card is made of real gold and decorated with 26 diamonds and a mother of pearl. To get this card, one needs to part ways with US $100,000, US $65,000 of that being an upfront deposit to make the card, with the remaining US $35,000 credited to the account.
Cardholders are provided with US $250,000 life and health insurance policies and access to some of the top golf courses in the world.
Eurasian Bank Visa Infinite Card
The Eurasian Bank Visa Infinite Card is another invitation-only account. Eurasian Bank is a Kazakhstani bank. The card features a pure gold inlaid heart with a .02-carat diamond centrepiece. You can apply if you earn more than $300,000 a year and have been recommended by the bank’s board or referred by two existing Diamond cardholders. The card's annual fee ranges between US $460 and US $1,400.
Cardholders get the usual selection of personalised concierge services, VIP airport lounge and Priority Pass access, hotel discounts, ticket pre-sales, luxury spa and dining offers, and purchase protection insurance.
Santander Unlimited Black Card
The Santander Unlimited Black Card is an understated black card offered by the Santander Group's Brazilian subsidiary to its elite private banking customers. Although eligibility details have not beed fully disclosed, it is thought only about 2,000 to 3,000 cards are in use.
Perks include 24/7 concierge services, VIP airport lounge access, private jet discounts, and insurance cover.
Mastercard Gold Card
The Mastercard Gold Card Credit Card is carbon plated with 24 carat gold and designed with rewards in mind. Unlike the other cards on the list, you can apply for this card without an invitation, but it still has an expensive US $995 price tag. Its income requirements have not been published.
Perks include 2% cash back on eligible spend, a dedicated concierge service, and travel discounts.
Summary
| Issuer | Card name | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| American Express | Centurion | Invitation-only |
| JP Morgan | Reserve | Invitation-only |
| Dubai First | Royale | Invitation-only |
| Stratus/Barclays | Rewards | Invitation-only |
| Coutts | World Silk | Coutts members |
| Citi | Chairman | Invitation-only |
| Sberbank | Infinite Gold | $100,000 deposit |
| Eurasian Bank | Infinite | Invitation-only |
| Santander | Unlimited Black | Private banking client |
| Mastercard | Gold | Open |
