No matter how much money you actually have in the bank, exclusive credit cards still have an incredible allure around them. While American Express’ Centurion card (aka the Black card) was the first and arguably most well known exclusive credit card, several more have joined its ranks in recent years to cater for the world’s uber-wealthy. They are nearly always invite-only and offer incredible rewards including free private jet usage, concierge services, gifts and private banking services. They also boast ridiculous annual fees with the cheapest card on this list asking you to pay $950 in annual fees in addition to you spending a required yearly amount on the card.
1. AMEX Centurion
AMEX Centurion
The original “black card”, the Amex Centurion card was first introduced in 1999 to customers who meet American Express’ extensive eligibility criteria.
While other cards have tried to top it with exclusivity and rewards programmes, the Centurion retains top spot on the list due to the air of mystery and exclusivity cultivated around it.
What is known is that the card requires a $7,500 initiation fee, as well as a yearly account fee of $2,500, while it is reported that customers must be willing to spend around $250,000 a year to qualify.
Card holder perks include travel benefits in the form of airline and hotel upgrades and access to airport lounges. It also provides access to a 24-hour concierge service and VIP access to exclusive events.
Spending limits and other rewards have remained secret.
2. JP Morgan Palladium
JP Morgan Palladium
The JP Morgan Palladium card is exclusively available to customers with private bankers, who are assigned to them when they become clients of JPMorgan’s high-net worth banking units.
The credit card’s standout feature is that its made out of palladium and 24K gold – the only credit card to be made of the two materials. Cardholder information is laser engraved.
Perks include complimentary access to a fleet of private jets, and a concierge, while its ‘Ultimate Rewards program’ rewards two points per dollar spent on travel, along with a of 35,000 additional points for clients who spend $100,000 annually.
3. Coutts World Silk Card
Coutts World Card
As few as 100 people are estimated to own one of these credit cards, which is closely affiliated with the British Royal Family.
A client would need £800,000 in disposable cash to own a credit card, but it comes with a 24/7 concierge service, and access to private shopping at designer stores.
4. Dubai First Royale Card
Dubai First Royal
Dubai’s First Royale Card is invitation-only and is available exclusively to royalty and “high-class” clients in the UAE region.
Set on a black background, the card features a white .235-carat solitaire diamond, while two of the card’s edges are also trimmed with gold.
Entry requirements are currently unknown although the rumoured opening fee is AED 7,000 alone ($1,900). Benefits include no pre-set credit limit, your own dedicated relationship manager and a full concierge service.
5. The Merrill Lynch Octave Black Card
Merrill Lynch Octave Black Card
The Merrill Lynch Octave Black Card effectively replaced Merrill Lynch’s now famous “Black Bull” card in 2015. It is currently only available through invitation to Merrill Lynch’s highest-net-worth clients.
This new card features a hefty annual fee of $950 but cardholders can expect $350 in annual travel credit, airport concierge service and savings on private jet flights.
There is also no reported spending limit.
6. Visa Infinite
Sberbank Visa Infinite Gold Card
Visa’s Infinite cards are reserved for countries outside of the USA and offer different rewards based on the countries and banks which offer them – all of which are exclusive.
The most well-known of these is Sberbank’s limited edition Visa Infinite companion card, which is made of solid gold and embedded with 26 diamonds.
The credit card originates from Sberbank-Kazakhstan – a Kazakhstani bank – and provides cardholders with access to a “Sberbank First” personal manager, preferential treatment at some of the world’s best golf course, luxury vacation getaways, and fast-track immigration at more than 280 airports worldwide.
7. The Luxury Card: MasterCard Gold Card
Mastercard’s Luxury Gold Card
Mastercard’s most valuable offering, the Luxury Card MasterCard Gold Card features a patented design made of carbon, and 24-karat gold plating.
The perks include a 24-hour concierge service, an industry leading rewards programme, luxury gifts and $200 Annual Airline Credit Toward Qualifying Airline Purchases.
It has an annual fee of $995.
8. Stratus Rewards Visa
Stratus Rewards Visa
In comparison to the other black and gold cards on this list, the Stratus Rewards Visa stands out in plain white.
The invitation-only card is available to to high-net-worth consumers who consider private jet travel a must have. This includes the unique ability to pool Stratus Reward points with friends and other cardholders to use toward flight hours on private jets.
Perks include personal concierge services, quarterly award-show-style gifts and trend-setting items, discounted charter flights, complimentary car service, upgrades and special amenities at luxury hotels, and upscale merchandise discounts.
The Most Exclusive Black Cards of the Past
The following cards were once considered the cream of the black-card crop, but have since been ousted by the newest black cards.
1. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Once considered an exclusive, black-card option aimed at households in the United States earning at least $120,000 per year, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has become one of the most popular travel rewards credit cards.
As one of the most desirable Chase cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card continues to offer a strong rewards program for members. Other notable differences from black card offerings include: a small $95 per year fee; enhanced travel rewards redemption points; rental insurance; travel protection insurance; emergency travel assistance and extended warranty protection for up to one year.
2. The Visa Signature Card
Perhaps the most exclusive of Visa cards, the Visa Signature Card is now more widely available. This card features access to special sporting events and concert tickets; VIP access to entertainment venues like Broadway shows and musicals; accommodations at spas, hotels and with airlines; and special dining experiences. Fifteen different Visa Signature credit cards are now on offer from partners like BBVA Compass, Bank of America and Nordstrom.
3. The Black Brazilian MasterCard from the Santander Group
The Santander Group in Brazil offers the unlimited Brazilian Black MasterCard, which is only issued to members of its private bank with a certain undisclosed amount of funds in their accounts. Previously, it was one of the hottest black cards in Latin America with only about 3,000 cards in circulation. Perks of the card included high spending limits, airport lounge access anywhere in the world, private jet discounts, a 24-hour concierge service and an annual fee of $349.
4. The Black Chairman Card from Citigroup
The Citigroup Chairman MasterCard is exclusively for elite cardholders who can afford an annual fee that ranges from $400 up to $1,000, and are currently wealthy private clients of Smith Barney or Citibank. You will have access to the usual perks such as concierge, airport lounge access and various travel accommodations. The biggest perk might be the $300,000 credit limit available to the 5 percent of the U.S. population who are lucky enough to own one.
5. The Black Bull Card from Merrill Lynch
As of last year, this Black Bull Card from Merrill Lynch is no longer available to new cardholders. With a spending limit of $250,000, the Merrill Lynch Black Card is known for making cardholders privy to free flight hours on Marquis Jet. The card is limited to five percent of U.S. residents and offers the usual bells and whistles associated with the best black cards. The Black Card requirements for this card were dependent on qualifiers including assets; the spending limit for this card is unknown.
6. The NatWest Black MasterCard
The NatWest Black MasterCard previously offered a flexible spending limit, with the maximum limit reportedly offered as high as $1,500,000. At the time, a minimum income of £75,000 ($108,210) a year was required to qualify, but annual fees were a bargain at £250 ($360) compared to other black cards. Clients enjoyed the usual black card perks such as 24-hour concierge services and various discounts and accommodations while traveling. The NatWest black credit card now lists its annual fee as £84 ($121) and requirements include being at least 18 years old and earning an annual income of at least £15,000 (about $22,000).
How to Qualify for a Black Card
Owning a black card is a symbol of status, but it can also be unique and helpful provided you actually use the perks. Since most of the requirements of those invited to become cardholders remains unknown to those who haven’t been invited, it’s hard for outsiders to know exactly who can or how to qualify for an invitation to apply for these black cards. The short answer to knowing if you qualify for a black card is that you’ll know you do, when you’ve been invited to apply for one.
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