If you’re like most people, you probably have a love-hate relationship with credit cards. On the one hand, they’re great for emergencies and can help you rack up rewards. On the other hand, they can also lead to debt if you’re not careful. But the question still remains… what are the best premium credit cards?
If you’re looking for a premium credit card that will offer you the best of both worlds, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll introduce you to 11 of the best premium credit cards on the market. We’ll provide an overview of each card’s key features, as well as its pros and cons. By the end, you’ll have all the information you need to make an informed decision about which premium credit card is right for you.
So let’s get started!
What Exactly is a Premium Credit Card?
Premium credit cards are the high-end, luxury versions of regular credit cards. They come with all the bells and whistles that regular credit cards have, plus a few extra perks. For example, premium credit cards usually have a higher credit limit than regular credit cards. They also tend to offer better rewards programs, including cash back, points, and miles. And they often come with added perks like concierge service, lounge access, and hotel upgrades.
Of course, all of this comes at a price. Premium credit cards typically have an annual fee that can range from $100 to $500 or more. So if you’re looking for a little extra status and want to earn some great rewards, a premium credit card may be right for you. But just be sure to weigh the cost of the annual fee against the benefits before you apply.
What is the Best Premium Credit Card?
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a premium credit card. Annual fees, welcome offers, points-earning potential, redemption options, lounge access, travel and purchase protection, and other benefits all play a role in deciding which card is right for you. If you’re looking for a great premium card, you should consider all of these factors carefully.
Welcome offers can give you a great head start on points-earning, but annual fees can add up quickly if you’re not careful. Redemption options are also important to consider–do they fit into your lifestyle needs? If you travel often, you’ll want a card that offers good travel protection and lounge access. And if you’re looking for a card with great purchase protection, you’ll want to make sure it covers the items you care about most.
With so many factors to consider, it can be tough to choose the best premium credit card. But if you take the time to weigh all of your options carefully, you’ll be sure to find the perfect card for your needs.
To give you a hand, we’ve compiled a list of some of the top premium credit cards available today. Let’s take a look at some of your premium options!
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Who’s it good for? The travel bug.
What are the top perks?
- 50,000 point sign-up bonus.
- $300 annual travel credit
- 5x the points on flights
- 10x the points on hotels and car rentals
- 10x the points on Chase Dining purchases
What’s the annual fee? $550
How do I get it? Sign in online to your Chase Credit Card account.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Who’s it good for? The luxury traveler.
What are the top perks?
- Elite status with Hilton and Marriott
- 100,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend your first $6,000
- 5x Membership Rewards points up to $500,000 yearly through American Express Travel
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit
What’s the annual fee? $695
How do I get it? Apply online to reap the many rewards.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Who’s it good for? The miles collector
What are the top perks?
- 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in first 3 months
- 10,000 miles anniversary bonus every year
- $300 annual travel credit
- Double the miles on every purchase plus more travel benefits
- Capital One lounge benefits plus 2 free guests
- Your collected miles won’t expire
What’s the annual fee? $395
How do I get it? Fill out the online form to see if you’re eligible.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Who’s it good for? The Delta loyalist
What are the top perks?
- 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000
- Delta Sky Club® and Centurion Lounge access
- 3x the miles on Delta purchases, 1x the miles on all other purchases
- Shop safely with Return Protection, Purchase Protection, and Extended Warranty
What’s the annual fee? $550
How do I get it? Apply online using your American Express account.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
Who’s it good for? The Hilton loyalist
What are the top perks?
- 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus points in the first 3 months
- 14x the points on hotels and resorts
- 7x the points on select travel
- 7x the points on dining
- 3x the points for each dollar spent
- Hilton Honors Diamond Status
- Fraud protection
What’s the annual fee? $450
How do I get it? Find out within 30 seconds if you’re eligible on the American Express website.
American Express® Gold Card
Who’s it good for? The experience enthusiast
What are the top perks?
- 60,000 poin welcome bonus after you spend your first $4,000
- Points transfer option
- 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and supermarkets in the U.S.
- 3x Membership Rewards points on flights
- $120 Uber Cash
- No foreign transaction fees
What’s the annual fee? 250
How do I get it? Apply online through your American Express account.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Who’s it good for? The business professional
What are the top perks?
- Up to 57,000 bonus points on your first purchases
- Referral bonus of 75,000 points
- 3x the points on all business essentials
- 3x the points on food
- 3x the points on gass
- 1,000 Membership Rewards points for each monthly billing period that you spend $3,000
What’s the annual fee? $99 – which could be tax deductible
How do I get it? Apply online to see if you’re eligible.
United Club℠ Infinite Card
Who’s it good for? The United flyer
What are the top perks?
- 100,000 bonus miles when you spend in your first 3 months
- United membership and 2 free bags when flying
- 4x the miles on United purchases
- 2x the miles on dining and other travel
- Priority check-in, security screening, boarding and baggage handling privelages
What’s the annual fee? $525
How do I get it? Apply online and use your card instantly through your digital wallet.
U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
Who’s it good for? U.S. Bank travellers
What are the top perks?
- 50,000 bonus points when you spend your first $4,500
- 5x the points on prepaid hotels and car rentals
- 3x the points on every $1 travel purchase and mobile wallet spending
- Up to $325 annual credits
- 12-month Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
- Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection benefits
What’s the annual fee? $400
How do I get it? Exclusive to U.S. Bank customers, visit the branch or apply online.
Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Who’s it good for? The American Airlines flyer
What are the top perks?
- 50,000 points American Airlines AAdvantage sign-up bonus
- Exclusive Admirals Club membership
- Priority boarding on American Airlines flights
- Priority check-in and screening for you and your guests
- 25% savings on inflight food and beverages through American Airlines
- Earn both miles and loyalty points with every purchase
What’s the annual fee? $450
How do I get it? Fill out the online form to find out if you qualify.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
Who’s it good for? The Marriott loyalist
What are the top perks?
- 75,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points when you spend $3,000 in 3 months
- 6x the points on participating hotels
- 3x the points on U.S. dining including takeaway and delivery
- 3x the points on direct-booked flights
- 2x the points on each dollar spent
- $300 Marriott Bonvoy statement credit yearly
What’s the annual fee? $450
How do I get it? Apply on the American Express website to find out if you’re eligible.
Choosing a Premium Credit Card Based on Their Best Value
Now that you know the best premium credit cards, it’s time to decide which one is right for you. You’ll want to consider what type of traveller you are and what sorts of perks and rewards you value most.
Do you have a preferred airline? Do you like to shop or spend money on dining out? Take a look at what each of the cards is offering and find out which one will work best for your lifestyle.
Best for Earning Travel Rewards
For some serious travel rewards, consider:
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
- The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
Best Travel and Luxury Benefits
For the best in luxury travelling, consider:
- The Platinum Card from American Express
- Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
- U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card
Best Value for the Annual Fee
To get the most bang for your buck, consider:
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
- The Business Platinum Card from American Express
- The American Express Gold Card
Best Perks for Ordering In and Dining Out
If you’re looking for some great dining perks, consider:
- The American Express Gold Card
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
- The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express Card
Best Premium Airline Credit Card
To get the most out of your preferred airline, consider:
- The United Explorer Card from Chase
- Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Best Premium Hotel Card
For the top hotel experience, consider:
- The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card
- The Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Is a Premium Credit Card Worth it?
There’s no denying that premium credit cards offer some pretty sweet perks. First-class airfare, free hotel nights, and concierge service are just a few of the ways that these cards can make your life a little bit easier. But there’s a downside to all of these luxury perks: premium credit cards usually come with an annual fee between $250 and $700 or more.
So is a premium credit card worth it? That depends on how you plan to use it. If you’re the type of person who likes to travel in style and take advantage of all the top perks and benefits, then a premium credit card may be worth the annual fee. However, if you’re more thrifty and prefer to stick to basic cards with no annual fee, then a premium credit card probably isn’t for you.
The Bottom Line
So, there you have it! The best premium credit cards on the market today. If you’re looking for a card that will give you great rewards and perks, then one of these cards is sure to be a good fit. Before you race to fill out applications, consider what you’ll most use your premium card for and determine which of these 11 credit cards you should acquire. Remember, a premium credit card is a big financial commitment and you’ll want to make sure you’re using it in a way that justifies the annual fee. With that being said, if used correctly, a premium credit card can offer a lot of value and make your travel experiences much more enjoyable.
For more financial information and tips on credit cards and luxury benefits, check out our FREE web class. Happy spending!
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