- Wealthy people use premium cards to fast-track their way to luxurious experiences and top benefits.
- But many of the best credit cards don't require you to earn or own millions.
- You'll typically need excellent credit and a steady income to qualify.
American Express cards have long been favored by the wealthy. Amex historically charges merchants higher transaction fees compared with other card issuers, leading many retailers to refuse Amex payments or pass the fees back to customers through higher prices.
While Amex cards have become more widely accepted over the years, they still have an exclusive aura that's partially based on reality. Early-2020s statistics from American Express showed Amex Platinum Card holders had an average household income of about $474,000 a year and boasted a net worth of about $4.3 million.
But you don't need to earn or own millions to get this card or others like it. You'll typically need excellent credit to qualify and must be able to show a consistent history of stable income. Most premium cards also come with expensive annual fees, though the value of their included benefits can make the cost well worth it to you.
Amex Platinum Card
The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the most recognizable cards worldwide. It's made of metal, lending a distinctive heft to any cardholder's wallet, and makes a satisfying "clink" when you drop it on top of the bill in a fancy restaurant.
Among its many benefits, the Amex Platinum Card unlocks complimentary access to hundreds of premium airport lounges worldwide, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounge network. Terms apply.
Cardholders can also rely on the famous Amex concierge service to help them snag coveted dining reservations and tickets to shows and sports events and accomplish other exclusive tasks. Terms apply.
You'll need a separate category in your budget for this card's whopping annual fee of $695 (rates and fees). But the Amex Platinum Card offers many statement credits worth more than a thousand dollars in products and services each year, assuming you can use them.
These annual credits include up to $200 on certain hotels booked through American Express Travel, up to $100 at Saks Fifth Avenue, up to $200 back on select airline fees, and credits for certain streaming subscriptions and Equinox fitness memberships (some credits require enrollment and terms apply). All of these benefits add up quickly to make the Amex Platinum worth it for loyal cardholders.
$695
N/A
See Pay Over Time APR
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points
Good to Excellent
- Long list of travel benefits, including airport lounge access and complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required)
- Statement credits with Saks and Uber (enrollment required)
- Bonus categories leave something to be desired
- One of the highest annual fees among premium travel cards
If you want as many premium travel perks as possible, The Platinum Card® from American Express could be the right card for you. The annual fee is high, but you get a long list of benefits such as airport lounge access, travel statement credits, and more.
Amex Platinum Card- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- With American Express Global Lounge Collection® you can enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally, including The Centurion® Lounge, Unlimited Delta Sky Club® Access when flying an eligible Delta flight, Escape Lounges, Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa Group, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass™ Select Lounges, & Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges subject to visit limitations. Lounges may have their own rules, like additional access rules and guest fees, and for Priority Pass Select, you need to enroll and there are unlimited airport lounge visits for Card Members. With Delta Sky Club Access, Card Members will receive 10 Visits to the Delta Sky Club to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card in a calendar year. To find a lounge, visit the membership section in the American Express® App or visit http://www.americanexpress.com/findalounge#/loungefinder.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Delta Reserve Card
Delta Air Lines is popular with US travelers for offering a top-tier flight experience even in economy class. Wealthy flyers who can afford to book business class on every flight can quickly earn their way to elite status and access to Delta Sky Clubs, the airline's proprietary network of airport lounges. Terms apply.
If you don't fly often enough with Delta to earn elite status, adding the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to your wallet can simulate the luxurious experience for a fraction of the cost and time spent midair.
Cardholders who can swing the $650 annual fee get automatic access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying with Delta, as long as they're not in basic economy (rates and fees). Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card holders get up to 15 Sky Club visits a year — unless you spend $75,000 or more on eligible purchases on the card in a calendar year, which unlocks unlimited Sky Club access for the following year. Terms apply.
Better yet, travelers who buy Delta flights with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card get complimentary access to Amex Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges as well on the day of travel. Terms apply.
Cardholders also get a 15% discount when booking flights on Delta SkyMiles and are eligible for complimentary seat upgrades when available. Finally, they receive an annual Delta companion certificate for select flights within the US, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. Terms apply.
Pro tip: Consider the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® or the The New United Club℠ Card if you value airline lounge access but prefer American Airlines or United Airlines. Both of these premium credit cards offer access to the airline's proprietary lounge network worldwide, though neither card offers Amex Centurion lounge access like the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card does.
$650
N/A
20.24% - 29.24% Variable
Earn 70,000 bonus miles
Good to Excellent
- Annual companion certificate benefit, which is valid for first class and Comfort+ as well as the main cabin to select destinations
- Access to American Express Centurion Lounges and 15 Delta Sky Club visits each Medallion® Year
- Earns 3 miles on Delta purchases
- Very high annual fee
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is one of the best airline credit cards for frequent Delta flyers who can use benefits like airport lounge access, which can make the annual fee worthwhile.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card- Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion tier and fare class grouping when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Hilton Aspire Card
Nothing says luxury like getting upgraded to a hotel's penthouse suite — an experience you may be able to enjoy for yourself if you have one of the best hotel credit cards around: the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card .
This premium credit card confers a slew of exclusive benefits that help soften the blow of its expensive $550 annual fee. Hilton Honors Aspire cardholders get a free night certificate each year on their card anniversary, valid at almost any Hilton hotel worldwide including five-star properties such as the Waldorf Astoria Maldives.
If you get the Hilton Honors Aspire, it comes with complimentary Diamond status — the hotel chain's highest tier of elite status. Hilton Diamond elite members get automatic room upgrades when available, exclusive lounge access in hotels that offer this amenity, premium WiFi, early check-in and late checkout privileges when available, and free breakfast or a daily food or beverage credit, depending on what the property offers.
These benefits, and several others that come with this card, are worth thousands of dollars a year in luxury experiences and upgrades if you travel enough to justify the Hilton Honors Aspire's annual fee.
