It’s predicted that by 2023, there will be over 1.25 billion credit card holders. The four major networks are VISA, American Express, MasterCard, and Discover. Though these brands are not all-inclusive, most of the cards on this list will be included under their umbrella.
Normally, you want the cheapest credit card possible with the most benefits for the lowest rates and no annual fee. However, these cards do not follow that pattern. They are the 8 most expensive credit cards out there. Thankfully, the benefits will go up along with the price, so you have to make the call yourself whether these astronomically expensive cards are worth it.
- Citi Chairman American Express Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve
- The Business Platinum Card from American Express
- J.P. Morgan Chase Reserve Card
- MasterCard Gold Card
- Stratus Rewards VISA Card
- Dubai First Royal MasterCard
- American Express Centurion Card
Annual Fee: $500
Regular APR: 11.24%
photo source: CardRates
It’s unknown whether the Citi Chairman American Express Card requires any expenditures to qualify for, but we know it requires ideal financial standings, high credit scores, and a sizable monthly income. The rewards for this card, however, support its $500 annual fee and its high-end requirements.
A phone service offered through the card allows its members to get easy access to last-minute luxury hotel stays and even send a concierge out to get gifts, charter flights, or do whatever they need. People who are busy business travelers will make good use of the card’s 24-hour emergency travel help. The low interest rate (the lowest on this list) is a big selling point.
Did you know?
While the card starts at a tantalizingly low interest rate, penalties are rough on this card, with penalty rates going up to 29.99%. At least you’ll still have access to your concierge and private flights!
Annual Fee: $550
Regular APR: 16.99% – 23.99%
photo source: Chase Credit Cards
The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card has an annual fee of $550 and a hefty regular APR, up to 23.99% depending on the account’s standing. This already makes it one of the most expensive credit cards available.
The card does try to offset these costs with benefits, however. The card offers its holders a $300 travel credit annually as well as access to airport lounges enrolled in the card program called Priority Pass Select. Chase also offers a Travel Team to assist with your flight and lodging arrangements, which is a unique feature not offered by all luxury cards.
Did you know?
Chase Ultimate Rewards offers new cardholders of the Chase Sapphire Card 50,000 bonus points to start, provided the new cardholder spends $4,000 within the first 3 months. When redeemed as travel expenses through Chase’s program, these points have a value of $750.
Annual Fee: $695
Regular APR: 14.24% – 22.24%
photo source: American Express
The Business Platinum Card from American Express as the name implies is defined by luxury perks and upgrades befitting businesspeople, including yearly account credits and travel benefits. These include $200 in airline credits annually and $400 in credits for the purchase of Dell products.
Unlike most business credit cards, there’s a hefty annual fee on this one of $695. Spending $15,000 in the first three months of having this card nets its users 120,000 credit points, which is worth over $900.
Did you know?
The base rewards aren’t great on this card, but cardholders also get lounge access as part of the Global Lounge Collection, which offers luxury cardholders free stays in airport lounges in over 140 countries around the world. This benefit should be weighed realistically – as nice as it is, not many high-powered business travelers stick around at airports.
Annual Fee: $595
Regular APR: 13.24%
photo source: Wikimedia Commons
If you’ve seen other lists of the most expensive credit cards, you may be wondering where the J.P. Morgan Palladium Card is. Well, the well-known luxury card was phased out a few years ago in favor of its replacement, the just-as-luxurious J.P. Morgan Chase Reserve Card. Only clients of extremely high net worth can apply for this card. It is rumored that to be considered, you have to have at least $10,000,000 in non-real estate assets (meaning not property or belongings) to invest in cash with J.P. Morgan.
Suffice it to say that while the number of members worthy of a Reserve Card is not publicly known, it’s probably not too many. Despite this insane prerequisite, the card has a surprisingly competitive annual fee of $595 (competitive for a card at this level), which is why in terms of being an expensive card, it’s not as high as it could be.
Did you know?
As a cardholder, you would gain access to annual travel credits amounting to $300 as well as access to private airport lounges, car and hotel rental privileges, and more.
Annual Fee: $995
Regular APR: 14.99%
photo source: Luxury Card
The MasterCard Gold Card has an annual fee of $995 and a regular APR of 14.99%, making it one of the most luxurious credit cards you can get. To meet this luxury head-on, the card is made of stainless steel, plated with gold (24-karat). It features a concierge service, Priority Pass, and a subscription to Luxury magazine.
Cardholders get a point per dollar spent as well as a bonus of 100% when using the card to travel by air or to get cashback. For travelers, the card also comes with a $200 airline credit (annual) and a $100 TSA Precheck application credit. If you travel often, you should factor those credits into the card’s annual fee.
Did you know?
MasterCard is famous for a trio of luxury credit cards, of which the Gold card is the most expensive. The other cards are the MasterCard Titanium Card and MasterCard Black Card.
Annual Fee: $1,500
Regular APR: Unknown
photo source: Loyalty Magazine
With an annual fee of $1,500, the Stratus Rewards VISA Card has one of the most expensive upkeeps of any cards out there. It also has a required annual expenditure of $100,000 on the holder’s current VISA card as well as a referral from someone who already has a Stratus Rewards card.
For the trouble, Stratus Rewards cardholders get private jet and charter flights, luxury hotel upgrades, and even a personal concierge to call at any time. Ever needed something from the store and just felt too rich to go get it? Your Stratus Rewards butler can take care of it.
Did you know?
Since black is widely accepted as the color of luxury, many of the cards on this list are jet black cards that Bruce Wayne would be proud of. However, the Stratus Rewards VISA Card decided to be different and go for pure white to set itself apart from other luxury cards.
Annual Fee: $2,500
Regular APR: Unknown
photo source: Danny Deal Guru
The Dubai First Royal MasterCard is one of the most exclusive cards out there. Annual fees are available on request, but they are usually around $2,500. While there is no disclosed required expenditure to qualify for this card, it is commonly assumed that only those with a huge net worth will ever be invited to the Dubai First Royal club.
This makes it the only card that is invitation-only that also does not have a spending limit. If you qualify, you get a relationship manager through Dubai First as well as a luxury concierge at your beck and call.
Did you know?
The Dubai First Royal MasterCard reflects its luxury in the card itself, with edges trimmed in real gold and a .235-carat diamond embedded in the center.
Annual Fee: $5,000
Regular APR: 15.99%
photo source: Wikipedia Commons
The most expensive credit card is the American Express Centurion Card. This credit card is one of the most famous for exclusivity and it shows with the card’s prices and features. Since 1999, American Express has been tantalizing customers with this luxury card, which does not accept applications from the public. The company has to reach out and invite you to apply for this card. Only then can you pay the $10,000 application fee, which comes with an additional annual fee of $5,000.
Though it has never been confirmed, it’s assumed that you have to pay (and pay off) $250,000 or more on your current American Express card to even be considered as a Centurion member.
Did you know?
Centurion cardmembers receive huge discounts for their status, including flight upgrades, automatic hotel rooms, cruise and car rental discounts, and more. Some places like select airports and cruise terminals offer free lounges for Centurion members.
The Takeaway
The most expensive credit cards back up exorbitant yearly fees and interest rates with high-end benefits, including concierge services, travel upgrades, and more. These major credit cards, many of which are invite-only, are the most expensive you can sign up for. But for the high-powered investor-moguls out there, they may provide enough benefits and prestige to make the overhead worth it.
