High-end credit cards have become a go-to solution for affluent consumers in the past several years. Touted as luxury must-haves, high-end credit cards offer various perks and benefits not available to everyday credit card users.
These advantages may include access to private events, concierge services, travel bonuses, and rewards opportunities far above what conventional credit cards offer.
However, the best high-end credit cards typically come with a price in the form of annual fees. In most cases, the annual fees charged on these premium credit cards are worth the added expense given the plethora of advantages afforded to luxury credit card seeking members.
Best high-end credit cards
Here are the best high-end credit cards available to consumers today:
- Best overall travel card: American Express® Gold Card
- Best for travel reward flexibility: Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Best for flying with Delta: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Best for staying at Hilton resorts: Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card
- Best for flying United: United Club Infinite Card
- Best for exclusivity: Mastercard Gold Card
American Express® Gold Card: Best overall travel card
- LendEDU Rating: 4.8/5
- Rewards rate: 1x – 4x
- Annual fee: $250
- Editor’s note: This card is rated as the best overall travel card. It received a 5/5 for both the rewards earned on specific category spending and the added benefits. Enjoy 24/7 access to American Express’ Member Services team.
The American Express® Gold Card is a high-end card designed for travel-focused high rollers. Cardmembers can receive 60,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of account opening.
Rewards and benefits
Here are the rewards rates for this card:
- 4x points on restaurants
- 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases)
- 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
- 1x points on other purchases
In addition to the rewards rates above, you can earn up to $10 per month in statement credits when you use the card to pay for Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
Final thoughts
This high-end card comes with an annual fee of $250, but no foreign transaction fees. The balance charged to the card must be paid in full each month to avoid late fees. Still, you can finance qualifying purchases over $100 with the Pay Over Time feature. Potential cardmembers must have excellent credit to qualify, as well as a high income.
To learn more about this card, click here.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best for travel reward flexibility
LendEDU Rating: 4.6/5
Rewards rate: 1x – 10x
Annual fee: $550
Editor’s note: This card received our highest rating for its added benefits. One such benefit is 24/7 direct access to customer service specialists. Travel points are earned on all travel which is great for those who don’t want to be restricted
The Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card is a high-end credit card offering cardholders the ability to earn points on all travel purchases. New cardmembers can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Rewards and benefits
Here are the rewards rates for this card:
- 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 10x total points on Chase Dining with Ultimate Rewards®
- 5x total points on flights through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 3x points on all other travel
- 3x points on all other dining
- 1x points on all other purchases
Some other benefits include a $300 annual travel credit, complimentary airport lounge access, a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck charges, and VIP access to experiences and events.
Cardmembers receive 50% more value from the card when redeeming rewards for travel purchases made through the Chase Ultimate Rewards site.
Final thoughts
This high-end credit card comes with an annual fee of $550, but cardmembers pay no foreign transaction fees. Cardmembers need strong credit to qualify.
To learn more about this card, click here.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Best for flying with Delta
- LendEDU Rating: 4.5/5
- Rewards rate: 1x – 3x
- Annual fee: $550
- Editor’s note: This card received our highest rating for its welcome bonus and added benefits. If you are a frequent flyer of Delta, this card could change the way you fly.
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is promoted as a card that can let you unluck the ultimate travel experience. As the name suggests, this card is best for those who are frequent flyers with Delta airlines.
New cardmembers can earn 60,000 miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first six months.
Rewards and benefits
Here are the rewards rates for this card:
- Earn up to 60,000 MQMs with Status Boost® each year. You can earn 15,000 MQMs for every $30,000 in purchases you make on your card each year. These miles can be earned up to four times per year.
- 3x miles on Delta purchases
- 1x miles on other purchases
Additional travel benefits include the ability to speed up your path to Medallion Status by utilizing Status Boost®, a Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) waiver, complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge, a Domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate.
Final thoughts
This card comes with a $550 annual fee as it is the most rewarding Delta SkyMiles card. Cardmembers need to have excellent credit to qualify.
To learn more about this card, click here.
Hilton Honors Aspire Card: Best for staying at Hilton resorts
- LendEDU Rating: 4.5/5
- Rewards rate: 3x – 14x
- Annual fee: $450
- Editor’s note: This card is our top-rated option for those who frequently stay at Hilton hotels or resorts. The card received our highest rating for its welcome bonus, points back opportunities, and added benefits.
Terms Apply.
The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is one of our top-rated hotel credit cards. If you find yourself frequently staying at Hilton resorts, this card may be for you.
There is an introductory bonus of 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points when you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first three months of card membership.
Rewards and benefits
Here are the rewards rates for this card:
- 14x points on Hilton hotels and resorts
- 7x points on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com
- 7x points on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies
- 7x points at U.S. restaurants
- 3x points on all other purchases
Some added benefits include up to $250 in Hilton Resort Credits on your Card each anniversary year when staying at participating resorts within the Hilton portfolio and complimentary Diamond status.
Final thoughts
The card comes with a $450 annual fee. Still, it offers plenty of annual credits to cover that fee before even factoring in the points back opportunities. Cardmembers need to have excellent credit to qualify for this card.
To learn more about this card, click here.
United Club Infinite Card: Best for flying United
LendEDU Rating: 4.6/5
Rewards rate: 1x – 4x
Annual fee: $525
Editor’s note: This card received an almost perfect rating for its rewards rates on bonus category spending. Cardholders will receive United Club membership (up to a $650 value per year).
The United Club Infinite Card is promoted as offering premium travel benefits. If you are a frequent United flyer, this card can provide you with a wide variety of rewards. New cardmembers can earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Rewards and benefits
Here are the rewards rates for this card:
- 4x miles on United®
- 2x miles on all other travel purchases
- 2x miles on dining at restaurants and eligible delivery services
- 1x miles on all other purchases
Other travel benefits include up to $100 as a statement credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS every four years as reimbursement for the application fee for either program and free first and second checked bags (a savings of up to $320 per round-trip).
Final thoughts
There is a $525 annual fee for the United Club Infinite Card. Those that are interested in becoming cardmembers will need to have excellent credit.
To learn more about this card, click here.
Mastercard Gold Card: Best for exclusivity
- LendEDU Rating: 3.9/5
- Rewards rate: 1x
- Annual fee: $995
- Editor’s note: This card is meant for those more interested in adding an exclusive card to their wallet than receiving a card that rewards you for your purchases. The card is made with 24K gold.
The Mastercard Gold Card is offered through Luxury Card, a global leader in the premium credit card market. This card weighs 22 grams, making it one of the heaviest, if not the heaviest, in the world.
Rewards and benefits
Here is the rewards rate for this card:
- 1x points on all purchases (2% value for airfare and cash back redemptions)
One of the biggest benefits of owning this card is Luxury Card Concierge. This service can help cardmembers with travel itineraries, dining reservations, research and gift sourcing, and more.
Added benefits include becoming a member of Luxury Card’s in-house travel program that provides an average value of $500 per stay at over 3,000 properties worldwide, complimentary membership and unlimited guest access to more than 1,300 airport lounges around the globe, and has no foreign transaction fees.
Final thoughts
The annual fee is $995, though Luxury Card claims that the card can pay for itself with the rewards and benefits listed above.
To learn more about this card, click here.
What makes a credit card high end?
A high-end credit card typically offers top-of-the-line rewards and benefits but comes with an expensive annual fee. These cards are not meant for the average consumer, but for high earners who pursue a lavish lifestyle.
Some things to look for when searching for a high-end credit card include:
- A sizeable introductory bonus that can sometimes cover the first year’s annual fee itself
- High reward rates for spending on specific categories or everyday purchases
- Benefits that go beyond spending rewards, such as concierge services, annual credits, and access to airport lounges around the globe
>> Read More: Most exclusive credit cards
Recap of the best high-end credit cards
Here is recap of our picks for the best high-end credit cards. Make sure to use the reviews above to learn more about each card. Note: You can jump up to the reviews by clicking the name of the card in the table.
| Credit card | Rewards rate | Annual fee |
| American Express® Gold Card | 1x to 4x points | $250 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | 1x to 10x points | $550 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | 1x to 3x miles | $550 |
| Hilton Honors Aspire | 3x to 14x points | $450 |
| United Club Infinite | 1x to 4x miles | $525 |
| Mastercard Gold Card | 1x points | $995 |
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