The Hardest & Most Exclusive Credit Cards to Get
Selected by WalletHub Editors from 1,000+ credit cards — Updated September 19, 2017
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The competitiveness of a credit card’s terms and your likelihood of approval vary widely, based on your credit standing and disposable income. Some cards, like the notorious Centurion “Black” Card from American Express, are exclusively available to people who charge hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. Others, notably secured credit cards, offer what amounts to guaranteed approval and are thus the easiest to get approved for.
There is even significant variation in terms of the exact credit score or amount of disposable income you must have to get approved for cards that reportedly require excellent credit. And with that in mind, WalletHub’s editors evaluated more than 350 credit cards for people with excellent credit in search of the most exclusive cards (in terms of accessibility to the general public) and the offers with the best terms, which would presumably be the most difficult to get (otherwise, they’re the best deals!).
Below, you can find a quick summary of our editors’ selections, followed by additional information about each card. Certain offers may come from WalletHub advertising partners, but advertising status played no role in the selections.
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The competitiveness of a credit card’s terms and your likelihood of approval vary widely, based on your credit standing and disposable income. Some cards, like the notorious Centurion “Black” Card from American Express, are exclusively available to people who charge hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. Others, notably secured credit cards, offer what amounts to guaranteed approval and are thus the easiest to get approved for.
There is even significant variation in terms of the exact credit score or amount of disposable income you must have to get approved for cards that reportedly require excellent credit. And with that in mind, WalletHub’s editors evaluated more than 350 credit cards for people with excellent credit in search of the most exclusive cards (in terms of accessibility to the general public) and the offers with the best terms, which would presumably be the most difficult to get (otherwise, they’re the best deals!).
Below, you can find a quick summary of our editors’ selections, followed by additional information about each card. Certain offers may come from WalletHub advertising partners, but advertising status played no role in the selections.
These are 2017’s hardest credit cards to get:
| Hardest For... | Card |
| Overall | Centurion® Card from American Express |
| Rewards | Barclaycard Arrival Plus™ World Elite Mastercard® |
| 0% Intro Rates | Citi Simplicity® Card – No Late Fees Ever |
| Students | Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card for College Students |
| Business | Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card |
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Hardest Overall
Hardest Overall
Centurion® Card from American Express 73 reviews
Hardest For Rewards
Hardest For Rewards
Barclaycard Arrival Plus™ World Elite MasterCard® 3,378 reviews
$500 travel-oriented initial bonus for spending $3K in the first 90 days; 2 miles per $1 spent thereafter; 5% rewards redemption discount; no first-year annual fee; $89 thereafter.
Hardest For 0% Transfers & Purchases
Hardest For 0% Transfers & Purchases
Citi Simplicity® Card - No Late Fees Ever Proceed 2,342 reviews
This no annual fee credit card provides users with a nearly two-year headstart on finance charges, offering 21-month 0% introductory APRs for both new purchases and balance transfers. If you’re interested in transferring a balance, note that this card does have a 3% balance transfer fee. So, make sure to do the math before applying.
Hardest For Students
Hardest For Students
Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card for College Students Proceed 718 reviews
2,500-point initial bonus for spending $500 in the first three months; 2 points per $1 spent on dining out and entertainment; 0% on purchases for 7 months; no annual fee.
Hardest For Business
Hardest For Business
Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card Proceed 80 reviews
$1,000 travel-oriented initial bonus for spending $5K in the first three months; 3 points per $1 on the first $150K in combined annual purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, and on advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines; 1 point per $1 on everything else; $95 annual fee.
Merrill Accolades® American Express® Credit Card 0 review
Requires at least $200K in investment assets held with Merrill Lynch and has a $295 annual fee.
Stratus Rewards Visa Credit Card 1 review
A one-time supposed contender to the Centurion Card, this offer has since been discontinued. Another win for Amex in the battle of the black cards.
Ignore Exclusivity & Focus on Terms
Getting approved for an exclusive credit card might seem like a major victory, but is this a game you should even be playing in the first place? Not quite. Your focus in choosing a credit card should always be on its terms – rewards earning rates, fees and APR, in particular. It doesn’t matter what your card looks like or how many people have the same kind. Such things won’t save you money, and no one really looks at your credit card anyway.
So, if you pay your bill in full every month, compare rewards cards in search of an offer that complements your lifestyle. If you have debt you’d like to pay down faster, focus on 0% balance transfer cards and don’t forget to consider the cost of transfer fees. And if you have a major expense coming up, consider cards giving you 0% on new purchases.
Finding the right credit card is only half the battle, though. But what about once you have your shiny new plastic? For tips on responsible credit card management and mistake avoidance, check out our Guide for Credit Newcomers as well as our breakdown of the Biggest Credit Card Mistakes.
Ask our Experts
Having a “black card” has become a symbol of wealth and status, at least in pop culture. But there are a few different black cards, and the famous one doesn’t even have “black” in its name. It’s actually the American Express Centurion Card, which is black in color and available on an invitation-only basis to people who charge hundreds of dollars per year. So having that black card says a lot about how much money you make and spend.
Having the Mastercard Black Card, on the other hand, just means that you’re overpaying. After all, that particular black card charges a $495 annual fee and doesn't offer nearly enough rewards to make it worthwhile.
Popular Questions
- What does it mean when you have a black card?
What does it mean when you have a black card?
Having a “black card” has become a symbol of wealth and status, at least in pop culture. But there are a few different black cards, and the famous one doesn’t even have “black” in its name. It’s actually the American Express Centurion Card, which is black in color and available on an invitation-only basis to people who charge hundreds of dollars per year. So having that black card says a lot about how much money you make and spend.
Having the Mastercard Black Card, on the other hand, just means that you’re overpaying. After all, that particular black card charges a $495 annual fee and doesn't offer nearly enough rewards to make it worthwhile.
While you should therefore put this card out of your mind, it is important to note that the MasterCard Black Card is not THE Black Card. It’s merely an expensive poser – $495 annual fee – and getting it will result in you being regarded as a poser who’s a lot poorer than he should be.