The amex centurion and other invitation-only credit cards are out of reach for most, but you can get many of the same perks with alternatives like the amex platinum

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Invitation-only credit cards for wealthy customers can be exclusive, but you can often get similar benefits from premium consumer cards.

  • Some of the most exclusive credit cards in the world have annual fees of 5.000 $ or more associated.
  • These cards are usually by invitation only and are geared toward large expenditures.
  • There are many great premium credit cards that are much easier to get. Many have superior rewards and benefits and more manageable annual fees.
  • Read the insider's guide to the best rewards credit cards.

The rich have access to benefits the rest of us can only dream about, and the credit cards they can qualify for are no exception. Many credit card issuers offer a range of invitation-only cards geared toward the jet-setting crowd and other big spenders.

Some of the most exclusive credit cards not only come with annual fees in the thousands of dollars, but in most cases you must also have a special "in" to receive an invitation, z. B. A relationship with a bank or an extremely high spender each year.

The thing is, the most exclusive credit cards aren't always that great. They may have more robust concierge service and give cardholders significant street cred, but the best cards available to the public are often as good or better in terms of the rewards you earn.

Here, we'll focus on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards are not worth it if you pay interest or late fees. If you use a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to spend.

JP Morgan Reserve Card

One such example is the JP Morgan Reserve Card (formerly the Chase Palladium card), which makes it easy to earn rewards because you earn up to 10x points on your spending. Cardholders earn:

  • 10x points on Chase Dining purchases through Ultimate Rewards
  • 10x points for hotel stays and car rentals purchased through Ultimate Rewards
  • 5x points for air travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards
  • 3X points for other travel (after receiving $300 travel credit) and dining
  • 1 point per dollar on everything else

Key cardholder benefits include a credit of up to $100 for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee, an annual travel credit of up to $300, Priority Pass airport lounge membership and 1:1 transfers to Chase airlines and hotel partners.

This card also offers an extensive selection of travel insurance benefits, and you can get 50% more value for your points when you redeem them for travel through Chase. There is a $595 annual fee, and this card is available by invitation only.

What you should consider instead: Interestingly, Chase Sapphire Reserve® virtually mirrors this card, with the same earning structure and 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel. You also get the same travel insurance coverage and key benefits, including a $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge membership and credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

American Express Centurion Card

The Centurion card (also known as the Amex Centurion Black card) is another invitation-only luxury card aimed at American Express customers who are willing to pay for exclusivity. There is no way to apply for it yourself, although you can Ask Amex to consider you for the card. If you are invited to apply, you will need to pay an entry fee of 10.000 USD and an annual fee of 5.Pay US$ 000.

This card offers some pretty sweet perks, including elite hotel status with Marriott, IHG Rewards, rela& Chase and Hilton Honors. Status can help you receive benefits like room upgrades, lounge access and complimentary breakfast.

Other perks include Platinum Medallion elite status with the Delta SkyMiles program and access to Priority Pass airport lounges, Centurion lounges and Delta Sky Clubs. You'll also get the Equinox Destination Access membership, which gives you access to a designated network of gyms worldwide, plus up to 1.000 USD in credit for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue per year. CLEAR® membership and a luxury concierge service round out the main offerings of this card.

What to look for instead: The Platinum Card® from American Express is a good alternative if you want similar benefits without the massive fees. This card costs $550 per year (see rates), and you'll enjoy benefits like up to $200 in Uber credits** per year, up to $200 in annual airfare credits**, extensive access to airport lounges, and a credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck** and Gold Elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy**.

Citi Chairman's American Express Card

Citi also has its own invitation-only credit card, the Citi Chairman American Express card, which comes with a concierge service you can access 24/7. Premium travel benefits include access to private jet programs and airport lounges, as well as free travel for one companion to select international destinations.

It is rumored that this card comes with a credit limit of 300.000 US dollars is equipped for those who are approved, and you "only" have to pay a $500 annual fee. You also earn rewards for your spending in the form of Citi ThankYou points that can be redeemed for merchandise, gift cards, travel through the Citi portal or transfers to Citi airlines and hotel partners.

What you should look out for instead: Citi no longer issues a premium consumer card (the Citi Prestige® card was closed to new applicants last year). If you want to earn rewards in the Citi ThankYou program, consider the Citi Premier® Card instead. It gets 3x Citi ThankYou points for supermarkets, restaurants, gas stations, air travel and hotels and 1x for all other purchases.

Although there are no fancy perks, this Citi Premier® Card annual fee card allows transfers to Citi travel partners. Plus, receive $100 off a hotel stay of $500 or more (before taxes and fees) once per calendar year when you book through the Citi ThankYou travel portal.

Dubai First Royale Mastercard

While not much is known about the Dubai First Royale Mastercard, we do know that this credit card is adorned in gold and available only to the most exclusive clientele, including UAE royalty and the super-rich. This card has no credit limit and there are no restrictions on how you can use it, so the sky is the limit for those lucky enough to qualify.

While the Dubai First Royale Mastercard seems to have few tangible benefits, royals and other big spenders love the 24/7 lifestyle manager access. With this benefit, cardholders get instant assistance in scheduling just about anything their heart desires, from a private chef coming to their home to delivery of a brand new yacht.

What you should consider instead: If you're not royalty but want to enjoy some pretty perks, consider the American Express® Gold Card. You get 4x Membership Rewards points for the first 25.000 U.S. dollars you spend at U.S. supermarkets each calendar year (then 1x), as well as on dining out at restaurants. You also get 3x points for flights and 1x points for other purchases with no bonus.

There's a $250 annual fee (see rates), but you get cardholder benefits like up to $120 in restaurant credit** per year. It also offers up to $120 Uber Cash ($10 credit per month) per calendar year** (this applies to US Eats orders and rides only, and the Gold Card must be added to the Uber app to receive the Uber Cash benefit). . The American Express® Gold Card isn't adorned with real gold, but its metallic design is quite eye-catching.

Stratus Rewards Visa White Card

The Stratus Rewards Visa White Card is another card for the elite that is somewhat mysterious. This ultra-premium, invitation-only credit card is aimed at people who earn at least 100.Spend $000 per year on a credit card, and requires an annual fee of 1.US$500.

Rumor has it that you can redeem your points for travel on private jets and charter flights, as well as other types of travel. To receive an invitation, you must be referred by an existing cardholder or Stratus Rewards partner.

What you should consider instead: With the Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card, you can't redeem your points specifically for luxury redemption options like private jets, but you can earn valuable rewards for all kinds of travel. This premium travel credit card earns unlimited 10x miles on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel, 10x miles on bookings with Turo (offer ends on 16. May 2023), 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2x miles on all other purchases.

Cardholders also receive significant perks in exchange for an annual fee for the Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card, including an annual credit of up to $300 on travel purchases made through Capital One***, a 10.000-mile anniversary bonus***, Global Entry or credit toward the TSA PreCheck application fee***, and access to a wide selection of airport lounges (Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, and Capital One's own lounges)***.