So, some people may come here thinking that credit cards are bad and associate them with debt and interest. While there is some truth in this, it’s only if they’re used incorrectly. It’s a concept called “Other peoples money”, this is the reason the super rich buy supercars on finance, still mortgage houses even if they could buy all these things outright. This post isn’t a finance lesson, but we thought it was important to point this out. Anyway, let’s get to it! These are the 6 most prestigious credit cards available right now, they’re available to the super rich only and come with some amazing benefits!
6. Luxury Card – Gold Mastercard
The Gold Card by ‘Luxury Card’ is what you might call an entry-level card for the super wealthy, it will cost you a cool $995 a year for membership, but this will get you some cool benefits. You will receive gifts send to you from luxury brands worldwide, these are not specified, but we know previous ones have included luggage from well known high-end brands, handbags and more.
You’ll enjoy a concierge service which will allow you to have someone on call to meet all of your personal requirements, they can often find you deals on travel and offer you select rooms and suites which might not of been available to you otherwise.
The card itself is made from stainless steel and plated with 24ct gold. This card offers more of a customer based service, than some of it’s competitors which we are listing below, which have much better monetary value deals.
5. Coutts Silk Card
So still on the slightly lower end of the scale, we have here the Coutts Silk Charge Card. Unlike the other cards here, this one does not have a yearly fee upfront. You instead get different kinds of bonuses depending on how much your yearly spend is, it goes up in stages of $25,000!
Included with your card is a premium travel package which again grants you access to lounges in airports all around the world to gain access to some of the more luxurious side of traveling. While we haven’t seen it happen, be aware that in the fine print there is a clause that allows you to be denied access at busy times to these lounges.
There is a pre set credit limit applied to each individual based upon their credit history and be aware you need to previously be a client already to be accepted for this.
4. Citigroup Chairman Black Card
Now we’re starting to move up in the ranks of prestigious cards. Here we have the Citigroup Chairman Black Card. To be considered for this, you must have a Citigroup brokerage account which itself requires you to have a high net worth to begin with! The card comes as standard with a $300,000 credit limit and only has an annual fee of $500! Bit of a bargain really.
Along with the usual airport lounge upgrades, this card also offers free flight upgrades and 24/7 concierge service! You’ll have your own personal account rep that can help with any kind of issue you may have.
3. Dubai First Royale
Here we have one of the latest additions to the elite credit card club, the Dubai First Royale has only been around a short while, but have made quite an impact as with anything to do with Dubai, they’re doing it bigger, faster and better!
You don’t get a personal concierge rep.. but instead you get a whole team of people at your disposal! There’s no preset limit as to what they can help with, so whatever the problem, having this card entitles you give them a call and ask for help!
For anything credit card related you do get a specific relationship manager (as worded by the company) to help with anything you might have, with no spending limit and available for individuals with a mega net worth it’s unlikely they’re going to run into problems with paying it off. It’s nice to know you’ll always have someone if something happens though!
Finally on this card is it’s physical design. The surround of the card is layered with 24kt Gold and in the center it has a diamond embedded within it! Makes you feel luxurious just holding it in your possession.
2. J.P Morgan Reserve Card
We’ve made it to the top tier now and here at number 2 we have the J.P Morgan Reserve Card (used to be called the palladium card). You cannot apply for this card, you have to be invited and the requirements are pretty damn high! No one knows for sure and based on the few people who have access, we would guess there is no solid set limit, it’s just a judgement on their part.
There is a $450 annual fee for the privilege of owning this, but for that you get a 0% fee on foreign exchange transactions so it’s a great card if you’re a bit of a jet setter! When you’re away in a foreign country and you decide to splash out $20,000 on something, you’ll be thankful for that 0%. You’ve also covered your $450 yearly fee too probably!
They offer a generous points system for each $ you spend, which can be redeemed on a number of things, travel including cruises, flights, hotels. The best thing is that the points never expire like with some other card reward systems.
Finally the card itself, its made from a composite of materials, including palladium in a brushed finish. It just feels luxurious holding it in your hand.
1. American Express (Amex) Centurion Black Card
We’re glad you’ve made it this far! Most of you probably knew which card would be here at number 1! It is the American Express Centurion Card! This is the most sought after credit card in the world (well it’s actually a charge card as you don’t rack up a bill with interest, it’s paid off each and every month)
Not only is the card itself prestigious, it comes with a pretty hefty and prestigious price tag too! You cannot apply for the card, American Express will invite you if you fit their very stringent criteria and should you accept you get the privilege of handing them $7,500 for the pleasure. There are a few reasons for this price tag though as the range of benefits you receive are quite large! Oh and don’t forget about the $2,500 annual fee you’ll be paying too.
But enough with the negatives, let’s get into a few of the awesome benefits you can expect with the centurion! Starting off with travel, you’ll receive complimentary flight upgrades, free travel insurance and access to specific Centurion airport lounges around the world in major airports. You won’t find these on signposts around the airport as no one else shares them! You can get top range meals, complimentary drinks and you might even find time to have a spa treatment! Not a bad way to start your vacation..
So now you’ve made it to your destination, you’ll be applicable for free hotel upgrades, early check-ins and late check-outs! Everything about this card is focused around making your life more streamlined and comfortable, which brings us onto your next benefit. The centurion 24/7 concierge program, we’ve mentioned these on a couple of cards already, but this is next level. One of the best stories we heard was a couple that were on a super yacht at sea and their concierge service got a specific bottle of wine delivered from a very specific winery direct to the super yacht. It may sound silly to some, but this is the kind of service high level clients expect and American Express delivers!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this list and had a glimpse of what life is like on the other side, keep on working at it and you never know.. you might just get there!