Getting your hands on an exclusive, invite-only credit card indicates you've been identified as an individual of high net worth. These elite cards, typically made of metal materials rather than plastic, provide cardholders with luxury travel benefits, high rewards rates, and elite status with travel partners.
While anyone can apply for premium cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or American Express Platinum, others require an invitation or application vetting based on your income, assets, credit score and spending habits.
Here's more on seven of the most exclusive credit cards and how to get one.
Centurion Card from American Express (aka Amex Black Card)
Invite Only
The Centurion Card from American Express, known as the "Black Card," is the most exclusive charge card available. You can't request the Black Card application online or even over the phone. Instead, you must be invited by American Express to apply based on your spending habits with your existing AmEx cards.
While there are no official published requirements, it's understood you'll need excellent credit and to spend at least $350,000 annually on your current American Express cards. There’s no pre-set spending limit, and the benefits match the card's exclusive image.
Annual Fee: $5,000
Rewards: Private jet programs, personal shopping services, access to exclusive events and more
Requirements: By invite only, based on annual spending with other AmEx cards
J.P. Morgan Reserve Card
Invite Only
Issued by Chase Bank, the J.P. Morgan Reserve Card also sports a sleek metal design. And its perks are only available to JPMorgan Chase Private Banking clients. That means you’ll need to have your assets under management within JPMorgan Chase to receive an invitation.
Annual Fee: $595
Rewards: $100 travel credit, triple points on dining and airfare, double points on hotels and one point per dollar on other purchases
Requirements: JPMorgan Private Banking client by invite only
Stratus White Card
Invite Only
As the name implies, the Stratus White Card is a white metal card by invitation only. It is issued by the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) in Hong Kong and is reserved for the bank's uber-wealthy clients.
It's reported you’ll need at least $5.7 million stashed with UBS to qualify. In addition to the flagship Stratus card in classic white, there are also two other tiers:
Annual Fee: None officially reported but fees likely apply to wealth management account
Rewards and Perks: Unique design and status symbol. Likely additional travel and shopping perks only made available to cardholders
Requirements: $5.7 million in assets under management with UBS (in Hong Kong)
Citi Chairman American Express Card
Application Only
The Citi Chairman Card brings you the benefits and rewards you'd expect with an American Express Platinum Card. Yet it's only available directly from Citibank.
To qualify for the Chairman card, you’ll need a Citibank checking account and a linked Citi Private Bank account. Qualifying balances start at $1 million in assets under management within Citi Private.
Annual Fee: $500
Rewards: Double ThankYou Points on dining, flights and hotels, airport lounge access and more
Requirements: $1 million+ in assets deposited with Citi Private Bank
How to Get It: Open Citi Private Bank account and request application
Dubai First Royale Card
Invite Only
If you have the assets to justify residency in Dubai, and specifically are invited to join the elite Dubai International Financial Centre, you may receive an invitation for the Dubai First Royale Card.
It sports a diamond-encrusted design and brings plenty of elite travel perks and rewards points bonuses. It’s been reported that use is restricted to Dubai only for regulatory reasons.
Annual Fee: Unknown; likely extremely high
Rewards and Perks: lavish design with embedded diamonds, market's highest rewards points bonuses, extreme luxury travel perks like first class flight upgrades
Requirements: Invitation only; available exclusively to ultra high net worth expatriates relocating to the Dubai International Financial Centre
Mastercard® Gold CardTM
Application Only
The Mastercard Gold Card brings world-class travel, dining and shopping benefits to its cardholders. Yet it maintains mass market access, with applications available to consumers with excellent credit.
You'll need to have a qualifying high income to be approved, but unlike other cards on this list, don’t necessarily need millions in assets with the issuing bank.
Annual Fee: $995
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Rewards: High earn rates on airfare, dining, hotels, shipping with points worth 50% more when redeemed for flights
Requirements: Excellent credit and high income for approval odds
How to Get It: Request application online
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Application Only
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the most popular premium travel rewards cards. Benefits include airport lounge access, $300 annual travel credit, 3X points on travel and dining and more.
Yet unlike most cards on this list, it takes merely minutes to apply online with no special invitation needed. You don’t even have to be a Chase Private Banking client. There is a high annual fee but also one of the highest points bonuses available.
With excellent credit and reported income of just $80,000 or more per year needed for approval, it maintains relatively reasonable requirements next to other premium cards.
Annual Fee: $550
Rewards: 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards(®), 3X points on dining, points worth 50% extra when redeeming for travel
Requirements: Excellent credit and $80,000+ in personal or household income
How to Get It: Instant online application available
What Makes These Cards So Exclusive
These credit cards stand in a class above, even compared to premium travel rewards cards which offer some similar rewards. What sets them truly apart?
Prestigious Designs
It's more than plastic and good travel perks. Most exclusive cards sport luxury materials and sleek metal designs, cementing their status symbol appeal. Materials like stainless steel, carbon and even diamonds take these cards to the next level.
High Spend Required
Exclusive cards certainly aren't for average spenders. To access cards like the Centurion, you'll need to meet high annual spending thresholds across your existing credit cards. It can take millions in spending each year to qualify.
Elite Status Symbols
Perhaps most importantly, owning one of these exclusive cards puts you in rarefied air. It signals to concierges, hotel staff and others you're a premium client deserving white glove treatment. Brandishing cards like the Stratus or Centurion grants you instant elite status worldwide.
