Most Exclusive Credit Cards

A black credit card is an exclusive, invitation-only credit card issued by American Express. The so-called Amex black card is more formally known as the Centurion® Card from American Express, and it has become a status symbol in pop culture.

What you should know about the Centurion® Card from American Express

Amex does not disclose requirements for the Centurion® Card from American Express, but online reports say you have to spend a certain amount per year on an Amex card to merit consideration for an invitation. The Centurion® Card from American Express also requires a $10,000 initiation fee and a $5000 annual fee. And its main perks, aside from the prestige, appear to be hotel benefits, Centurion Lounges, Delta Medallion status and a do-anything, round-the-clock personal concierge.

But if you're looking for a black card that you can actually apply for, there are some alternatives. They won't carry the same social weight, but their fees aren't as astronomical, either.

Here are some notable black credit cards:

The Mastercard® Black Card offers 1 point per $1 on all purchases. You can redeem points for airfare at a value of 2 cents per point, and for cash back at 1.5 cents per point. You'll also get a $100 annual air travel credit, 24/7 concierge to assist you with travel needs, and a $100 credit to cover the cost of applying for Global Entry. You need good credit or better to get approved. The annual fee is $495.

The RBC Bank Visa Signature Black Credit Card has a $75 annual fee. You get 1 point / $1 spent, redeemable through RBC Rewards. You need good credit to get approved.

This black-in-color credit card has a $650 annual fee. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant offers 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months, plus a free night every year on your account anniversary. You can also earn 6 points / $1 spent at hotel participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. The card also offers up to $300 in statement credits each year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide.

The Centurion® Card from American Express is apparently reserved for Amex cardholders who spend a certain amount per year. The annual fee is $5000 and there's a $10,000 initiation fee as well. It offers access to Centurion Lounges, hotel benefits, Delta Medallion status, and personal concierge. Plus, you can earn 1 point per $1 in Membership Rewards.

A black credit will always have a certain amount of mystique because of the secrecy and exclusivity of the Centurion® Card from American Express. But you can't just apply for the real thing, and most of us don't spend enough to qualify, anyway. Plus, it doesn't really matter what color your credit card is, as long as it offers good terms.

So, you're probably better off with a regular rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Citi Double Cash Card or Capital One Venture. Some credit card companies, including Wells Fargo, also let you customize your card's appearance, so you can turn lots of credit cards into black cards if you want.

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 a $300 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 (80,000 points for spending $6,000 in the first 6 months) and take advantage of its assorted benefits. In addition, the most famous of all luxury cards is the Centurion® Card from American Express. Also known as the "Black Card," it's invite-only so not just anyone can apply. Fortunately, there are plenty of other luxury credit cards to consider.

Best Luxury Credit Cards

When you're comparing luxury credit cards, the devil is in the details. There are plenty of cards with luxury prices but pedestrian perks. So, you need to make sure the rewards and benefits that you get far outweigh the cost.

People who want to get a luxury credit card without shelling out a lot of money should consider the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card card. It offers top-notch travel rewards and only costs $95 per year. 

No, the Visa Black Card doesn't exist anymore. The offer changed card networks and rebranded from Visa to Mastercard back in 2016. Only the rebranded version of the card – now the Mastercard® Black Card – is available to new applicants. This card is offered through a partnership between Barclays and the so-called Luxury Card brand – same as the Visa Black Card.

The Mastercard® Black Card also offers many of the same features as the Visa Black Card. For example, the Mastercard® Black Card has the same annual fee as the old Visa: $495 (plus $195 for each authorized user). And it's the mid-priced option in a 3-card lineup, which now includes the Mastercard® Gold Card and the Mastercard® Titanium Card.

What You Need to Get the Mastercard® Black Card

The Visa Black Card was touted as a luxury status symbol-type credit card, and so is the newer Mastercard® Black Card. However, neither is the invitation-only Centurion® Card from American Express, also known as “the black card.” You won't need an invitation to apply for the Mastercard® Black Card. All you need is at least good credit, and you can apply through the Luxury Card website.

Mastercard® Black Card Benefits and Perks

The new Mastercard® Black Card is a carbon/stainless steel card and offers a few more perks than the Visa version did. More specifically, with this card you get:

Overall, the Mastercard® Black Card isn't as exclusive or valuable as it's trying to look. But if you're a frequent traveler, you'll at least have the opportunity to make good use of the card's best features, and it may prove to be worth the annual fee. That said, there are other travel cards with similar benefits, better ongoing rewards, and lower annual fees.

Some of the Best Travel Credit Cards:

You can also check our editors' latest picks for the best travel credit cards on the market to weigh your options.

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 the Dubai First Royale Mastercard. Reality is, though, that these cards also come with very strict requirements. What many of these also have in common is that applicants are usually required to live in the country the cards are issued to get them. However, if we look in our backyard, we can easily find great credit cards to choose from.

Some of the Best Credit Cards in the U.S.

It's important to note that the best credit card for you is not necessarily the most exclusive. The key to finding the best credit card is to determine which features are most important to you, then compare offers in search of the best deal.

The best credit cards in the U.S. can save you $300 to $650+ per year, compared to the average offer, thanks to uniquely valuable rewards, low rates and fees, and various special features.

You can check out our editors' latest picks for the best credit cards to weigh your options. To find the best credit card for you, you can also use WalletHub's CardAdvisor tool to get personalized credit card recommendations.

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. But considering that 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 - most of us probably won't have to worry about how expensive this charge card is.  

Some credit cards with high annual fees end up being worth it because of extra rewards or travel perks, if you can use those perks frequently enough. But people with credit cards that are seen or marketed as status symbols, are likely paying more for the inferred status than they are for a good credit card.

Here are some of the most expensive credit cards:

• Centurion® Card from American Express: $5000 annual fee
• Mastercard® Gold Card: $995 annual fee
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: $695 annual fee
• J.P. Morgan Reserve Credit Card: $550 annual fee
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: $550 annual fee

That said, expensive credit cards don't only end up in the hands of high-rollers, and annual fees aren't the only metric to measure how expensive a card is. “Expensive” means different things to different people, and people with bad credit are often the ones who end up paying more for a credit card.

As in the case of the First Access Visa® Card, they pay in the form of monthly, one-time, and annual fees, with few or no ongoing rewards to make those fees worth it. Generally, these fee-laden credit cards for bad credit also come with high regular interest rates. So those who carry a balance on an unsecured card for bad credit will pay dearly for the privilege.

Here's when to avoid getting an expensive credit card:

If you have bad credit, you're far better off putting down a deposit on a secured credit card with rewards than trying to get an unsecured card for bad credit. And for everyone else, always make sure to consider what credit card fees buy you, relative to the best no annual fee offers, to see whether the added benefit (if any) is worth it in light of your spending and payment habits.

The Mastercard® Black Card requirements for approval include:

1. At least good credit score (700+).
2. U.S. residency.
3. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
4. Enough income to afford the card's $495 annual fee and monthly bill payments.

The issuer doesn't publish specific income requirements, but the more you earn and the less you owe already, the better your chances for approval. Your credit history and any potential debts you might have will also be taken into account.

Things to Consider Before Applying for the Mastercard® Black Card

Even if you do meet the requirements for the Mastercard® Black Card, it's likely not your best option. It has a huge annual fee, and the rewards don't quite live up to what you can get with other cards. You get 1 point per $1 on all purchases, which is less than the average rate for rewards credit cards. It also offers a $100 annual airline credit and airport-lounge access, with the latter being the only benefit you'll receive that you can't get from a card with no annual fee.

While the card offers an introductory balance transfer APR of 0% for 15 months, it has a balance transfer fee of 3% (min $5). The card's regular APR is 19.49% (V). So, it may be a cool looking card with its stainless-steel design, but there are better cards that will give you more value for your money.

One of the best credit cards with lounge access is Chase Sapphire Reserve®, giving you a Priority Pass Select lounge membership ($429 annual value) that gets you into 1,300+ lounges worldwide. Depending on the lounge, you may be able to bring in guests for free, too. And Sapphire Reserve also gives you a $300 annual travel credit, plus an initial bonus worth $900 toward travel through Chase.

Amex Platinum is another good airport lounge card, giving you access to 6 airport lounge networks and providing up to $200 in credits each year for incidental charges on a pre-selected airline. If you're interested in a card tied to a specific airline, check out the Delta Reserve American Express card or the Citi Executive/AAdvantage World Elite Mastercard. Each gives access to its airline's lounges.

Best Credit Cards with Lounge Access

Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Free membership to Priority Pass lounges, over 1,300 worldwide. $429 annual value. $32 per guest visit. $550 annual fee. Excellent credit needed.

The Platinum Card® from American Express: Free membership to the following lounge networks: Priority Pass (one-time enrollment required), Delta Sky Club, Centurion, International American Express, Airspace and Escape. Well over 1,300 total locations. Most places allow at least one guest for free. $695 annual fee. Good credit needed.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Free membership to Delta Sky Club lounges. More than 200 locations worldwide. $545+ value per year. $550 annual fee. Good credit needed.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: Free Admirals' Club lounge membership. Nearly 50 lounges worldwide. 550+ annual value. $450 annual fee. Good credit needed.

United Club Infinite Credit Card: Free United Club membership. 45 locations worldwide. $650+ annual value. $525 annual fee. Good credit needed.

As you've probably noticed, credit cards with lounge access tend to have very high annual fees. But lounge access itself can be worth several hundred dollars per year, if you actually use it. So combined with your card's other benefits, you can still get a good deal.

No, Capital One does not have a black card - at least not in the super exclusive or hard-to-get category. Capital One may occasionally have cards that are black in color. But most people looking for a black card are looking for the most exclusive credit cards - specifically, the invitation-only Centurion® Card from American Express. It's also called the Amex Black Card.

Here's what you can get instead of a Capital One Black Card:

There are Capital One credit cards that give elite rewards, though. The closest "black card"-esque option from Capital One is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. It earns 5 miles per $1 spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 2 miles per $1 on all other purchases. Plus, it features an initial bonus of 75,000 miles for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.

Capital One Venture charges an annual fee of $95 – a much better deal than the $5000 annual fee of the Centurion® Card from American Express or Mastercard® Black Card's $495 annual fee. And you can get the Capital One Venture with a credit score of 700, at a minimum. That means you need good credit or better for approval.  

You can also check our editors' latest picks for the best Capital One credit cards and weigh your options. If you have at least good credit and you're simply looking for a good credit card, Capital One's lack of a black credit card shouldn't be a big issue.

The highest level for a Visa card is Visa Infinite, topping Visa Signature and standard Visa cards. Visa Infinite benefits are reserved for the most premium credit cards, and they can save you a lot of money.

For instance, Visa Infinite cardholders can get a $100 discount from the final price of any round trip domestic flight booked for two or more people, if the booking is made directly through the Visa Discount Air website. Cardholders also enjoy a Global Entry application fee credit, discounts at participating car rental companies worldwide, primary rental car insurance, purchase protection, travel accident insurance, and trip delay reimbursement, among other perks.

Lastly, you will benefit from automatic room upgrades on arrival and complimentary breakfast when you book a hotel stay with a Visa Infinite card. It's important to note that while these are possible perks of the Visa Infinite, the extent of these benefits depends on the issuer. Therefore, it is best to check the Guide to Benefits of the specific card a prospective applicant is looking at.

If you're looking for the highest Visa credit card limit, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is your best bet. Many users report credit limits of $12,000+, but your mileage may differ based on your credit score and income. 

The highest end card is The Platinum Card® from American Express because it has a wide array of high-end benefits, including airport lounge access and yearly credits of up to $200 for fees on a pre-selected airline, up to $200 for Uber, up to $200 hotel credits (requires a minimum two-night stay), and up to $100 for Saks Fifth Avenue, when enrolled. American Express Platinum card also has a high-end annual fee, at $695. And it's only available to people with good credit or better.

6 Highest End Credit Cards Right Now

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® 
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card 
• UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card  
• U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card 
• Centurion® Card from American Express 

To be clear, the best high end credit cards aren't necessarily the most exclusive credit cards. Being hard to get does not automatically make a card one of the highest end options. But a stellar credit profile still is required to be in the running for the highest end credit cards. 

The difference is that qualified applicants who get approved for one of the highest end credit cards will find themselves with credit limits, benefits, and rewards that are far superior to what's available from a regular, everyday credit card. In other words, the highest end credit cards are at the intersection of the best credit card offers on the market and the most prestigious options.