Top 6 Best Premium Credit Cards | 2017 Ranking | Most Prestigious & Exclusive Credit Cards

2017 RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP RANKING BEST PREMIUM CREDIT CARDS

Finding Premium Credit Cards

When you’re looking for the most exclusive credit cards, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with information and analysis. With so many factors to consider such as fees, APR, and rewards and perks, making a decision about which exclusive credit cards are right for you can be a drain on your time.

Award Emblem: Top 6 Best Premium Credit Cards

In this article, we not only answer the question of what is a premium credit card, but we will compare their fees and bonuses. Premium credit cards can be a huge benefit for consumers who know how to use them strategically. We will examine the most exclusive credit cards and see what they can do for you.

What each consumer considers the most prestigious credit card largely depends on their individual needs and what kind of rewards they are looking for. Benefits of having the most prestigious credit cards may include:

• Travel miles
• Cash back
• Exclusive club memberships, such as access to airport lounges

With premium perks, however, come premium annual fees, sometimes upward of $450 per year, according to CreditCards.com. When some people speak of the most exclusive credit cards, they think of exclusivity on the level of the American Express Centurion Card which is rumored to only have 100,000 people who carry the card.

However, the majority of consumers looking for the best premium credit card are simply looking for a card whose use goes beyond pulling it out to pay for dinner and the occasional trip. Instead, they are looking for the most prestigious credit card they can find that will offer them the most benefits for being a loyal customer.

Because exclusivity and travel often go hand in hand, we are evaluating the most exclusive credit cards based on miles and miscellaneous rewards. Rewards on premium credit cards often include travel upgrades, tickets to special events, and concierge services. Most prestigious credit cards also have higher annual fees, which must be factored into your decision.

Remember, what makes the most prestigious credit cards valuable is how much value they provide to each customer. Rewards and benefits must actually be redeemed in order to justify the annual fees.

See Also: Top Credit Cards for Good & Average Credit | Ranking & Reviews

Advisory HQ’s List of the Top 6 Best Premium Credit Cards

List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the credit card names below to go directly to the details review section for that credit card):

• Chase United MileagePlus® Explorer Card
• Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express
• Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express
• TD First Class Visa® Signature Credit Card
• Capital One® Venture®
• Capital One® VentureOne®

FAQ Most Prestigious Credit Cards

When it comes to exclusive credit cards, the bottom line is that there’s a reason they are exclusive—not everyone can have one. Premium credit cards can be a great value—if you can qualify.

Who Can Have Prestigious Credit Cards?

According to ValuePenguin, many of the premium credit cards are only for people with credit scores at 740 and higher. Most exclusive credit cards have stricter standards when it comes to approvals.

For example, some premium credit cards only approve customers who charge hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. Some of the most prestigious credit cards look at how much disposable income an applicant has before approving.

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How Do You Choose Between Top Premium Credit Cards?

Not all premium credit cards are created equally.

Before you select the most exclusive credit cards, you must figure out why you need one. Decide if you’re looking for the prestige of credit cards to get you into airport lounges or if you need the prestige of credit cards for hotel and cash rewards. The benefits you desire will have the most impact on which top premium credit cards you choose.

Also, you must determine if the high cost of the best exclusive credit cards is worth the benefits you will actually use. Let’s say you choose the most prestigious credit card you can find, and it has an annual fee of $450 because you want the frequent flier miles. It sounds like a good idea unless you never actually use the miles.

Most exclusive credit cards offer several benefits and rewards, but each card must be evaluated against the actual needs of the user.

AdvisoryHQ’s Selection Methodology

What methodology does AdvisoryHQ use in selecting and finalizing the credit cards, financial products, firms, services, and products that are ranked on its various top-rated lists?

Please click here “AdvisoryHQ’s Ranking Methodologies” for a detailed review of AdvisoryHQ’s selection methodologies for ranking top-rated credit cards, financial accounts, firms, products, and services.

Detailed Review—Top Ranking Best Premium Credit Cards

Below, please find the detailed review of each credit card on our list of most prestigious credit cards. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these top exclusive credit cards to score so high in our selection ranking.

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When looking for the most exclusive credit cards, it’s important to examine everything the card has to offer. In addition to offering 30,000 miles after you spend $1,000 within the first 3 months your card is open, the Chase United MileagePlus® Explorer Card has other benefits:

• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year
• Luxury hotel and resort privileges that include room upgrades at more than 900 hotels and resorts worldwide
• Access to private events such as celebrity meet-and-greets
• Priority boarding when you travel
• 2 passes each year to the United Club with complimentary snacks and amenities

Fees:

• $95 annual fee after the first year
• 16.24%–23.24% variable APR

As with all exclusive credit cards, if you plan to pay off the balance each month, the APR is not as great a concern as it is for those who carry a balance. However, if interest rates are important to your budget planning, you might think twice before signing up.

This card is a good fit for people who prefer to fly with United Airlines and check their bags on flights. This is one of the most reasonably priced top exclusive credit cards.

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Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express Review

The Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express is for people who tend to enjoy the finer things in life and aren’t afraid to spend a little extra to get them. This is one of the best exclusive credit cards if you travel frequently.

Review Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express

Benefits:

• 10,000 bonus miles after your first purchase
• 15,000 MQMs and 15,000 bonus miles after spending $30,000 in calendar year
• Companion certificate for a domestic first-class or main cabin round-trip ticket upon renewal of your card
• Concierge service
• Discounts on certain sporting events, concerts, and shows
• Extended warranties on eligible purchases
• Travel benefits such as priority boarding, travel accident insurance, and a free checked bag for Delta flights

Fees:

• $450 annual fee
• 15.99%–24.99% APR, based on the customer’s credit and other factors

For the discerning traveler, this is one of the top premium credit cards in terms of travel benefits as well as benefits for shopping purchases and concierge services. This is one of the most prestigious credit cards on the market today.

Related: Best Credit Cards to Build Credit | Ranking & Reviews

The Platinum Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card has many of the same features and benefits as the Delta Reserve® Credit Card, but with less miles and a smaller annual fee.

Benefits:

• 5,000 MQMs when you sign up and 35,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on the card in the first 3 months
• Free checked bag on Delta flights
• Companion certificate for a main cabin round-trip flight
• Priority boarding
• Ticket pre-sales to shows, concerts, and sporting events

Fees:

• $195 annual fee
• 15.99%–24.99% APR, based on the customer’s credit and other factors

This is one of the best exclusive credit cards for a person who desires traveling benefits but also wants a reasonable annual fee.

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TD First Class Visa® Signature Credit Card Review

In your search for the most exclusive credit cards, consider TD First Class Visa® Signature Credit Card. With the annual fee waived the first year, it’s easy to try this card to see if it’s right for you.

Benefits:

• 25,000 bonus miles
• Earn 3x miles on eligible travel and dining purchases, and 1x on all other purchases
• Access to credit education tools
• Ability to cash out miles for gift cards or merchandise

Fees:

• Annual fee waived for the first year, $89 per year after that
• 13.49% APR for purchases, 23.49% for cash advances

This card carries one of the lower interest rates among the most exclusive credit cards. Also, the ability to opt for gift cards or merchandise instead of miles is perfect for the occasional traveler, making this card stand out among the most prestigious credit cards and best exclusive credit cards.

This is another one of the premium credit cards that waives the annual fee for the first year, giving customers a chance to try the Venture from Capital One card.

Venture from Capital One

Benefits:

• 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on your card within the first 3 months
• Unlimited rewards, meaning 2 miles for each dollar spent (100 miles equals $1 in travel rewards)
• Rewards do not expire
• Savings on select hotels
• Fraud coverage
• Travel upgrades
• Concierge service
• Preferred seating at special events
• Discounts with retailers and online merchants
• Warranty protection

Fees:

• $59 annually after the first year
• 13.24%–23.24% variable APR

Between having a lower annual fee and several benefits, this is one of the prestigious credit cards that gives customers a great value.

Popular Article: Best 0 APR Credit Cards | Top Credit Cards with 0 APR Offers (Reviews)

If you’re interested in finding one of the most exclusive credit cards, consider the VentureOne from Capital One card. You might be tempted to overlook this premium credit card at first glance since cards with $0 annual fees are rarely considered exclusive credit cards. However, the benefits of using this card make it worth checking out.

Benefits:

• 20,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months
• Unlimited rewards, 1.25 miles for each dollar you spend (100 miles equals $1 in travel rewards)
• Rewards do not expire
• Fraud coverage
• Shopping discounts at top retailers and online
• Extended warranties
• Preferred seating at selected special events
• Concierge service
• Travel upgrades

Fees:

• $0 annual fee
• 0% intro APR for 12 months, and 12.24%–22.24% variable APR after that

The benefits of this card rival the most exclusive credit cards when weighed against the fees. Remember, receiving more rewards because you choose premium credit cards with higher fees will not benefit you if they aren’t rewards you will use. Selecting a card with no annual fee and a few fewer travel benefits might be the best choice when shopping for prestigious credit cards.

Conclusion—Top 6 Best Premium Credit Cards

There are several points to keep in mind when you are looking at the most exclusive credit cards and trying to make a choice. The prestige of credit cards that are available to a select few might make them attractive, but not necessarily the best choice. The worst thing you can do when looking for premium credit cards is to sign up for one, only to discover after paying the annual fee that it doesn’t suit your needs.

Best Premium Credit Cards

When trying to select the best premium credit card, compare these points:

• Annual fees
• Interest rates
• Terms and conditions
• Rewards and benefits

The last point is especially important when choosing between the most prestigious credit cards. Make sure you are signing up for the top exclusive credit cards based on the rewards and benefits you will actually use. What is a premium credit card if not for the rewards gained by the customer?

In your hunt for prestigious credit cards, take care to read the fine print and know what you’re signing up for. Remember, the best premium credit card is the one that fits your particular lifestyle and situation.

Read More: Top Capital One Credit Cards | Compare Best Capital One Credit Card Offers & Promotions (Reviews)

Image Sources:

• https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/
• https://www.capitalone.com/credit-cards/venture/
• https://pixabay.com/illustrations/credit-card-cheque-guarantee-card-275733/

AdvisoryHQ (AHQ) Disclaimer:

Reasonable efforts have been made by AdvisoryHQ to present accurate information, however all info is presented without warranty. Review AdvisoryHQ’s Terms for details. Also review each firm’s site for the most updated data, rates and info.

Note: Firms and products, including the one(s) reviewed above, may be AdvisoryHQ's affiliates. Click to view AdvisoryHQ's advertiser disclosures.