Best Premium Credit Cards

The most prestigious credit cards are the Amex Centurion Card, the J.P. Morgan Reserve Card, and the Citi Chairman Card because all 3 cards are invitation-only. In addition, all 3 cards require applicants to meet high income and/or spending standards for approval.

Most Exclusive Credit Cards

• American Express Centurion Credit Card (Amex Black Card): Most Prestigious Overall
• J.P. Morgan Reserve Credit Card (formerly Chase Palladium Card): Best for Banking Clients
• Citi Chairman Credit Card: Best for Special Benefits

If you're looking for a prestigious credit card, but you don't quite qualify for an invitation from any of these 3 ultra-exclusive credit cards, don't worry. You might get a better - and less expensive - credit card experience with a normal rewards credit card. Or, a good travel credit card might fit your lifestyle. The best credit cards don't usually require a million-dollar income or private banking clout, and they still deliver plenty of great perks.

The best credit card for high spenders is Chase Sapphire Reserve. It has a $10,000 minimum spending limit. You get bonus points worth $750 toward travel for spending $4,000 in your first 3 months. And while the $550 annual fee is steep, the card comes with a $300 travel credit, 3 points per $1 on travel and dining normally, and 50% more value for your points when you redeem them for travel on the Chase Ultimate Rewards site. High spenders will earn far more value than the fee's cost.

But it's hard to narrow it down to a single card when the decision depends on how much you spend, how much you're willing to pay in fees, and what perks you value most. For instance, Chase Sapphire Reserve charges $355 more than Capital One Venture in annual fees but comes with global airline lounge access worth $359. And if you're more interested in cash than miles, you may want to consider Amex Blue Cash Preferred.  

Best credit cards for high spenders:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve: 50,000 points for spending $4,000 in your first 3 months, worth $750 when redeemed for travel. $300 annual statement credit for travel purchases. Access to 1,000+ global airline lounges with a Priority Pass Select membership worth $359 per year. $10,000 minimum credit limit. Earn a total of 10 points per $1 spent on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase, a total of 10 points per $1 spent on prepaid restaurant reservations or takeout orders made through Chase, a total of 5 points per $1 spent on flights purchased through Chase, 3 points per $1 spent on all other travel and dining purchases, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. 50% more value when you redeem points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. $100 credit to cover the application fee for Global Entry or TSA Pre-check. $550 annual fee.
• Capital One Venture: 60,000 miles for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. 2 miles per $1 on all purchases. $95 annual fee.
• Amex Platinum: 100,000 points for spending $6,000 in your first 6 months. That's worth $600 when redeemed for flights booked through the Amex travel portal, NYC taxi rides, and select gift cards. $200 annual Uber credit. $200 annual airline fee credit. Access to 1,000+ airline lounges worldwide with Priority Pass Select, worth $359 per year.  No pre-set spending limit. 5 points per $1 on flights and hotels booked on Amex Travel, as well as flights booked directly with the airline. 1 point per $1 everywhere else. $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre-check. Benefits at Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts collection worth $550 annually, on average. $695 annual fee.
• Amazon Credit Card: $75 Amazon.com gift card upon approval ($150 for Prime members). 3 points per $1 on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases (5 with Prime). 2 at gas stations, restaurants and drugstores. 1 point per $1 everywhere else. Points are worth 1 cent each at Amazon. No annual fee. Prime membership costs $99 per year. No minimum credit limit.
• Blue Cash Preferred from American Express: $300 for spending $3,000 in your first 6 months. 6% cash back on up to $6,000 per year at grocery stores. 3% cash back at gas stations and on transit. 1% everywhere else. $95 annual fee, waived first year. No minimum credit limit.

The best credit card for high spenders will ultimately depend on the spender in question. And it's important to make sure that your card has a high enough limit to accommodate your spending. To maintain your credit score, you should try to use no more than 30% of your available credit. And if you're trying to build credit, you want to keep your credit utilization below 10%.

The best premier credit cards provide freebies for big spenders, such as The Platinum Card from American Express offering up to to $200 in free Uber rides and access to Amex-branded airport lounges throughout the world.

Chase Sapphire Reserve has the best initial bonus of $750 in travel after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. But the IHG Premier Credit Card gives 1 free night after each account anniversary and Platinum Elite status in the Rewards Club. The most hotel perks come with the Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card through upgrades, credits, discounts and a free night each year.  

Each of these cards grant access to hundreds of VIP airport lounges and provide a $100 reimbursement for the Global Entry application fee. And for a card to be premier, it should be a given there's no foreign transaction fee. Another given is that you'll need good or excellent credit to qualify for these cards.

Here are the best Premier credit cards:

1.        IHG Premier Credit Card
2.        HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard credit card
3.        Radisson Premier Visa Signature Credit Card
4.        PNC Premier Traveler Credit Card

It'd take a novel to list all the benefits offered with these premier credit cards. But you can find out about the most notable features, including freebies, upgrades and exclusive access, below.

Learn about the best premier credit cards:

• Hotel & Flight Credits: IHG Premier Credit Card – This Chase card is packed with premier benefits. Get 125,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. Then get a Reward Night after each account anniversary year at eligible IHG hotels. Plus, enjoy a reward night when you redeem points for any stay of 4 or more nights. 

This card also has other valuable perks, too. Every 4 years you get a $100 credit to use on Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® Fee Credit. You earn up to 25 points per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel, 2 points per $1 spent on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Annual fee: $89

• Top Hotel Perks: Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card – Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points from this American Express card after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. Hotel stays cost anywhere from 5,000 to 95,000 points, so your bonus could potentially equal 30 nights free. Purchases at Hilton locations earn 14 points per $1 spent. Then, you get 7 points per $1 on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. One night's stay is free upon card renewal each year. You can earn another night free if you spend $60,000 in a year.

The bonuses don't stop there! Every year you get a $250 statement credit for purchases at Hilton resorts and another $250 for airline incidental fees. When booking a 2-night minimum stay at hiltonhonorsaspirecard.com, you get up to $100 in credits for charges at participating hotels. Complimentary Hilton Diamond status equals a 5th night free for stays of 5 consecutive nights or more. A free Priority Pass Select membership is also included with this card.  

Annual fee: $450

• $750 Travel Bonus: Chase Sapphire Reserve – You can earn 50,000 points points worth $750 in travel after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. Travel purchases earn 3 points per $1. And each year you get a $300 statement credit good for travel purchases. With a free Priority Pass Select membership, valued at $399 per year, you get complimentary access to 1,000+ VIP airport lounges. This card is part of the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, which grants free Wi-Fi and daily breakfast for two. When available, you get room upgrades, early check-in and late check-out, too.

Annual fee: $550

• $200 in Uber Rides: Platinum Card from American Express – Every year, you get $200 in free Uber rides and a $200 credit for incidental airline fees. As part of the Global Lounge collection, you can bring 2 guests at no charge to any participating Priority Pass Select lounge. And enjoy unlimited access to American Express lounge locations. If you spend $6,000 in the first 6 months, you get 100,000 bonus points, which are worth $1,000 in travel. You earn 5 points per $1 spent on flights booked directly with airlines and hotels booked on amextravel.com.

 Annual fee: $695

The phrase “you gotta pay to play” rings true for the best premier credit cards. The high annual fees are a ticket to some snazzy benefits. But these cards only make sense for high-spenders making frequent travel purchases anyway. As alluring as premier credit cards can be, don't sacrifice savings for status.  

Premium credit cards are high-end cards that offer exclusive benefits such as lucrative sign-up bonuses, elite ongoing rewards, airport lounge access, and more. Premium credit cards also come with a premium price tag, as cardholders can expect to pay $550 or more every year for all the luxury perks in many cases. Many premium credit cards are viewed as status symbols, and for good reason: they're geared primarily toward big spenders with excellent credit.

It's important to understand that “premium” is not an official classification for prestigious credit cards. There are numerous credit cards on the market with “premium” in their name that simply don't live up to their billing. Premium credit cards that are more than worthy of the designation are listed here.

Best Premium Credit Cards

• Chase Sapphire Reserve® – Best for Travel Credits
• The Platinum Card® from American Express – Best for Airport Lounge Access
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express – Best for Business Travel
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card – Best for Small Business Perks
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card – Best for Bonus Rewards
• IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card – Best for Hotel Rewards
• United Explorer Credit Card – Best for Air Travel

While premium credit cards are often a great fit for the well-off customers who can afford hefty annual fees, you should still do the math to make sure it's worth the yearly cost before you apply for a premium credit card. Factor in the card's annual fee against its potential benefits to determine if you'll use them enough for the card to pay for itself every year.

Secondly, review your credit card payment history beforehand. If you don't routinely pay off your entire balance every month, any interest charges – paired with the cost of the annual fee – may wipe out the overall value of any rewards you earn on a premium credit card