Several credit cards are available, but some of the more prestigious cards offer elite perks, luxury benefits, high rewards points, and exclusive access to various services. However, they also tend to come with a higher annual fee. Before choosing a prestigious credit card, you’ll want to weigh the perks against the fees.
This article will explore what prestigious credit cards are, how to obtain one, and whether they’re worth it or not.
Key Points
- Prestigious credit cards are designed for the ultra wealthy and are typically available on an invitation-only basis.
- While some cards may come with exorbitant annual fees, others come with no fee at all as a perk.
- Many prestigious credit cards do not have credit limits, allowing cardholders to spend as much as they want.
- Prestigious credit cards are also often made from expensive materials, including platinum and gold.
What Are Prestigious Credit Cards?
Prestigious credit cards have the same characteristics as a regular credit card product. You use them to make purchases and pay the balance when it’s due, with interest accruing on the unpaid balance.
However, prestigious credit cards have countless benefits that regular credit cards do not. Below are the characteristics of prestigious credit cards that set them apart from regular credit cards.
- Limited Availability. Prestigious credit cards are not available to just anybody. Admission to use a prestigious credit card tends to be invite-only.
- Higher Annual Fees. The benefits of a prestigious credit card are not free unless you receive a discount as a result of having a high net worth and being an exclusive member. The annual fees are can be around $1,000 per year or more, plus any applicable initiation fees. Although the fees can be much higher, some cards, like the Sberbank Visa Infinite Gold Card, can cost $100,000 per year.
- Higher Credit Limits. Prestigious credit cards have extraordinarily high spending limits because their owners can afford it. In some cases, there may be no spending ceiling at all.
- Exclusive Benefits. One of the most notable differences of prestigious credit cards is the personalized assistance the owner of the card receives. For instance, some perks may include access to a private airport lounge when travelling, personal shoppers, and private jet use.
What Is The Most Prestigious Credit Card Available In Canada?
Now that we know about all the elusive perks and characteristics of prestigious credit cards, let’s explore the most extravagant credit cards available in the world. You might be blown away by how expensive and luxurious prestigious credit cards really are!
Centurion Card by American Express
The most prestigious credit card in Canada is the Centurion Card by American Express. Commonly referred to as the “Black Card”, this credit card can only be obtained by invitation.
There’s not a lot of information available on the card; however, sources say there’s a one-time fee of $10,000 USD required along with an annual fee of $5,000 USD. After the fees are paid, the owner has no credit limit and has access to a concierge and other exclusive benefits.
Best Prestigious Credit Cards In Canada
Below, we’ve listed some credit cards with the most exclusive benefits and perks:
BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card
The BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card is BMO’s black card and comes with a $599 annual fee. You need an income of $150,000 or a household income of $200,000 to be eligible for this card. With it, you’ll earn 5 BMO Rewards points for every dollar spent on groceries, gas, dining, travel and drugstores. All other purchases will earn you 1 point per dollar spent.
This black BMO card also includes perks such as discounts at over 95 golf resorts and courses worldwide. Plus, you’ll have access to exclusive private clubs. You’ll also receive a $200 annual lifestyle credit on your first anniversary, as well as travel insurance and additional perks.
- Annual Fee: $599
- Interest Rate: 21.99% (Purchases), 23.99% (Cash Advances)
- Perks:
- Visa Infinite Privilege benefits – Get exclusive benefits such as discounts at golf resorts across the globe, 6 free airport lounge visits per year and priority airport services.
- Rewards Points – Earn 5x the points for every $1 spent on eligible groceries, dining, gas, travel, & pharmacy purchases.
- $200 annual lifestyle credit – Get a $200 statement credit each year on your card anniversary.
- Travel and medical insurance – When you travel, you’ll have access to a comprehensive suite of travel insurance coverages.
American Express® Aeroplan® Reserve Card
The American Express® Aeroplan® Reserve Card comes with an annual fee of $599. While there are no income requirements listed for this card, you’ll generally need excellent credit to qualify. With this card, you’ll earn 3x Aeroplan points on eligible Air Canada purchases, 2x Aeroplan points on dining and food delivery, and 1.25x Aeroplan points on everything else.
You’ll also enjoy travel perks including priority standby, Maple Leaf Lounge access, a Worldwide Companion Pass and other upgrades.
- Annual Fee: $599
- Interest Rate: 21.99%
- Perks:
- Free hotel night – When you book 3 hotel nights with Aeroplan points, you’ll get the 4th night free.
- Air Canada travel perks – You’ll have access to various Air Canada travel perks such as the Maple Leaf Lounge, priority boarding and check-in, free first checked bag, and more.
- Travel insurance – Get comprehensive travel coverage such as medical insurance, trip cancellation/interruption, flight delay, and more.
- Access to Amex Experiences – With Amex Experiences, you’ll get access to concerts, theatre productions, and other special events often before the general public.
TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege is a premium travel rewards card designed for frequent flyers, particularly those who regularly fly with Air Canada. Like the BMO card, you need an income of $150,000 or a household income of $200,000 to be eligible for this card.
Travel perks include priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling on Air Canada flights, as well as your first checked bag free. Plus, you’ll get unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges in airports across North America.
For every dollar you spend using your card, you can earn 2 Aeroplan points on Air Canada purchases, 1.5 points on gas, groceries, travel, and dining, and 1.25 points on all other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $599
- Interest Rate: 21.99%
- Perks:
- Unlimited Maple Leaf airport lounge access: Enjoy unlimited access to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges across North America.
- Priority airport services: Skip the lines with privileges like priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling.
- Free first checked bag: Save money with a free first checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions.
- Annual round-trip companion pass: Earn a companion pass when you spend $25,000 every year on the card.
- NEXUS fee rebate: Get up to $100 back every 2 years when you use your card to pay for a NEXUS card.
American Express Platinum Card
The American Express Platinum Card is a premium charge card designed for travellers who are looking for luxury perks and no flexible spending limits. The card offers unlimited airport lounge access, luxury hotel status, comprehensive travel insurance, 2x points on travel and dining, and $200 annual travel and dining credits.
- Annual Fee: $799
- Interest Rate: Charge card, up to 30% AIR on unpaid balances
- Perks:
- Unlimited airport lounge access: Get free entry to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide.
- Annual travel credit: Get a $200 credit to use toward a single travel booking of $200+ through Amex Travel Online or the Platinum Travel Service.
- Annual dining credit: Eat at Canada’s top restaurants with a $200 dining credit each year.
- Elite hotel status: Receive complimentary Gold Elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy.
- Top-tier travel insurance: Enjoy comprehensive travel insurance coverage built into the card.
Scotiabank Platinum American Express
The Scotiabank Platinum American Express Card is a premium travel rewards card that offers a low interest rate of 9.99%, 2x Scene+ points on all purchases, and no foreign transaction fees. It also includes 10 annual complimentary airport lounge visits and a full suite of travel insurance. The card is designed for frequent travellers looking for luxury bonuses without high interest rates.
- Annual Fee: $399
- Interest Rate: 9.99%
- Perks:
- Scene+ Points rewards: Earn 2 Scene+ points per $1 spent on all eligible purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees: Avoid the typical 2.5% markup on foreign currency purchases.
- Complimentary airport lounge visits: Enjoy 10 free premium airport lounge passes every year.
- Comprehensive travel insurance: Enjoy travel insurance coverage, including emergency medical insurance, trip cancellation & interruption, & flight delay.
- Low interest rate: Enjoy one of the lowest interest rates for a premium card.
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege is a premium travel rewards card offering luxury travel perks, complimentary airport lounge passes, and extensive insurance coverage. With a hefty $399 annual fee and a $200,000 income requirement, this card designed for high-income travellers looking for flexibility and top-tier benefits.
- Annual Fee: $399
- Interest Rate: 20.99% (Purchases), 22.99% (Cash Advances)
- Perks:
- Earn Avion points: Earn 1.25 Avion points for every $1 spent with no category restrictions.
- Complimentary airport lounge passes: Get free access to 6 airport lounge visits per year.
- Airport fast-track lanes: Enjoy priority security screening at some Canadian airports, including Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa, & Toronto.
- Concierge services: Get access to 24/7 Visa Infinite Privilege Concierge for help with travel bookings, restaurant reservations, and event access.
- Comprehensive insurance coverage: Get premium travel insurance, including emergency medical insurance, trip cancellation & interruption, & flight delay.
What Do You Need To Get A Prestigious Credit Card?
Prestigious credit cards are specifically designed for exclusivity. In fact, they are only marketed to a select few individuals, not the masses.
Before you can even consider obtaining a prestigious credit card, you need to be a part of the right group of people. In terms of prestigious credit cards, that means you need to have a high net worth or simply know the right people.
All of that being said, it is not impossible to gain access to a prestigious credit card. To do so, you would need to work toward achieving the following:
- Maintain An Excellent Credit Score – Aim for a credit score of at least 740 or higher.
- Show Strong Income – Prestigious credit cards typically require an annual income of $150,000+ and significant assets.
- Spend Strategically – Spending thousands of dollars on a credit card and paying it off in full before the due date may show the creditor that you’re a valuable client.
Looking for the best credit card options?
Other Most Prestigious Credit Cards in the World
Many other prestigious credit cards are available throughout the world, though not in Canada:
Eurasian Diamond Card Visa Infinite by Eurasian Bank
To be eligible to receive this card, you need to be recommended by two current cardholders or by the managing board of the Eurasian Bank.
Benefits include concierge services worldwide, which can help you book hotels, obtain butler services, arrange visas, schedule private plane services, and access translation services.
J.P. Morgan Reserve Card by J.P. Morgan Private Bank
This J.P. Morgan Reserve Card is offered to top clients only; a personalized invite is required. The invitees must have $10 million or more in assets managed by the investment bank.
Once an invite is received, cardholders obtain a palladium credit card. Annual fees are $795 USD, and cardholders can access airport lounges and take advantage of a $300 yearly travel credit.
Stratus Rewards Visa by Stratus
In contrast, this card is known as the “White Card” and is commonly used by avid flyers. To get a White Card, you need a referral from a cardholder or a Stratus Reward partner company. According to sources, the card comes with an annual fee of $1,500. Perks include rewards for travel on private jets or charter flights.
Luxury Gold Card by Mastercard
This is one of the select few prestigious credit cards that you can apply for; an invitation is not required. The cost of the card annually is $995, and the card is made of gold, as the name implies.
Perks include chauffeur transportation, luggage delivery around the world, and special service from airport representatives.
Coutts Silk Credit Card by Royal Bank of Scotland
The Coutts card is an exception to the invitation-only rule, though it’s only available to Coutts Private Banking clients. In order to get one, you need to complete a questionnaire, which will ask you if you will be bringing in over a million pounds worth of investable assets, among other questions.
Perks of the card include access to airport lounges, exclusive events and 24/7 services provided by the bank.
Dubai First Royale Mastercard by Dubai First
This card is offered to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) royalty and other high-net-worth individuals in the area. The Dubai First Royale card is one of the most elite and exclusive cards out there.
A one-time fee of 7,000 dirhams (or $1,900 CAD) is required. There is no credit limit, and you are matched with a lifestyle manager who has the ability to connect you with just about anything your heart desires.
Sberbank Visa Infinite Gold Card by Sberbank
The Infinite Gold Card is only issued to the top 100 clients of Sberbank. There’s a reason it’s only introduced to top clientele, it is made of gold, diamonds, and mother of pearl.
The initiation fee is $100,000, $65,000 of which goes toward the card manufacturing alone. In addition, there is an annual $2,000 fee to maintain the card.
Santander Unlimited Black Card by Santander Group
Perhaps one of the lesser-known prestigious credit cards, this black card is offered by the Santander Group in Brazil to private banking customers.
The annual fee is £/€/$ 650, and the spending limit is quite flexible. Perks include special experiences, 24-hour concierge services, airport concierge with Mastercard, LoungeKey membership, and travel insurance.
Bottom Line
The main attraction of prestigious credit cards is the exclusivity that comes with them, like VIP airport lounge access, a personal concierge, and exclusive access to events. However, prestigious credit cards are only available to a select few. Fortunately, there are plenty of other credit cards available with amazing perks, without the need to wait for an invitation. Loans Canada can help you find the best credit card for you.
