Best premium credit cards of March 2025
Seeking the best premium credit card for elevated travel experiences? CardRatings’ editors have rigorously compared the top contenders, focusing on travel credits, airport lounge access, and elite status perks that truly set these cards apart. For those desiring the best luxury credit cards, our review encompasses both personal and business needs. You don’t need a millionaire’s budget to travel in style. Thanks to a growing number of premium credit cards, qualifying cardholders can access a world of luxury perks. From personalized concierge services and travel fee credits to complimentary airport lounge access and exceptional rewards earning, these cards unlock elite experiences. Plus, small business owners can also enjoy these benefits, making business travel more comfortable and rewarding. While an excellent credit history and score are essential, and annual fees might seem substantial, frequent travelers with a penchant for the finer things will likely find these fees often justify the unparalleled benefits.
OUR FEATURED CARD LIST
CardRatings’ top picks for the best premium credit cards
For those seeking the ultimate in credit card benefits, premium cards offer exceptional value. Explore our selection of the best options available, packed with travel perks, high rewards rates, and exclusive privileges.
Why we like it
This travel credit card from Capital One offers a number of valuable perks with a modest annual fee – for a luxury credit card that is. Travel credits, high miles earned on purchases, lounge access and more all make this card a competitive choice. Plus, this is one of few luxury cards that allows you to add authorized users without paying an additional fee.
This travel credit card from Capital One offers a number of valuable perks with a modest annual fee – for a luxury credit card that is. Travel credits, high miles earned on purchases, lounge access and more all make this card a competitive choice. Plus, this is one of few luxury cards that allows you to add authorized users without paying an additional fee.
- For a luxury card, the annual fee actually isn't horrible - especially considering all the perks that come with the card. If you've been wanting to dip your toe into the luxury credit card market, but have been afraid to commit to a large annual fee, this card may be a good place to start.
- The rewards offering is great, but to really get the most value out of earning rewards, you'll need to book your trips through Capital One Travel. If you prefer to book travel on third-party sites, like Expedia, you may not find this card as rewarding.
Why we like it
This card is great for frequent travelers. It offers boosted points on travel and dining, annual travel credits, and perks like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck application reimbursement. It also includes airport lounge access, and points are worth more when redeemed for travel, delivering a strong overall value.
This card is great for frequent travelers. It offers boosted points on travel and dining, annual travel credits, and perks like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck application reimbursement. It also includes airport lounge access, and points are worth more when redeemed for travel, delivering a strong overall value.
- Points are worth 50% more in value when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠.
- Enjoy up to a $120 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit, plus airport lounge access which can make traveling more comfortable.
- Cardholders receive a $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to the card each account anniversary year.
- Although this is a popular premium travel card, some of the rewards might be valued lower than those offered by cards with similarly high annual fees. A lot of this depends on how you like to use your rewards. If redeeming rewards through Chase Travel, this value is hard to beat.
Why we like it
Unlike many cards with luxury perks, this card doesn't come with a super-expensive annual fee. And not only does it offer users a chance to easily rack up Membership Rewards points, but it also offers a number of great luxury perks which easily make the fee worth the cost. American Express is a CardRatings advertiser
Unlike many cards with luxury perks, this card doesn't come with a super-expensive annual fee. And not only does it offer users a chance to easily rack up Membership Rewards points, but it also offers a number of great luxury perks which easily make the fee worth the cost. American Express is a CardRatings advertiser
- Earn boosted points on dining globally and at U.S. supermarkets. Plus, get elevated points on flights booked directly with airlines or through the card's travel portal.
- This card comes with numerous dining credits cardholders are sure to appreciate. See the "additional details" tab for full details.
- This card has a much smaller annual fee of AnnualFees but it’s still higher than the annual fees you’ll find on many other cards, some that offer excellent restaurant and supermarket rewards. You’ll need to calculate your spending in the bonus categories as well as the benefits the card offers to determine if it will be worth it to you.
- Unlike typical credit cards, this card allows you to carry a balance with interest for certain charges, but not all. There is a "Pay Over Time" option for some purchases, but you should still think of this card as one you'll need to pay off in full every month. That could be considered a pro if you need that kind of restriction to keep you paying off your card regularly.
Why we like it
With brands like The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, JW Marriott, and W Hotels, Bonvoy offers a little something for every type of luxury traveler. Plus, there are a number of other hotels under the Bonvoy umbrella, like Sheraton, Westin, Aloft, and Courtyard, so this card is great for families and business travelers as well.
With brands like The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, JW Marriott, and W Hotels, Bonvoy offers a little something for every type of luxury traveler. Plus, there are a number of other hotels under the Bonvoy umbrella, like Sheraton, Westin, Aloft, and Courtyard, so this card is great for families and business travelers as well.
- If you’re a fan of Marriott hotels – or any of the hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program, including Starwood and Ritz-Carlton properties – this card can help you earn rewards for free night stays as well as gain you access to a number of premium travel benefits.
- There are so many premium travel benefits offered with this card that the annual fee almost becomes an afterthought. If you take advantage of the numerous perks this card offers, you should have no trouble offsetting its annual fee.
- Of course, the annual fee is something to consider, but luxury benefits do come at a price.
- This card offers the most valuable perks and benefits for people who frequently stay in Marriott Bonvoy hotels. If you prefer to switch it up sometimes in other hotel brands, or just whichever hotel has the best deal, you’ll likely want to look at a different travel rewards card.
Why we like it
This card offers significant travel perks, including boosted points on airline and hotel bookings. While the annual fee is substantial, it's easily offset by a wide range of luxury benefits. These include travel-related credits, application fee reimbursements, and other valuable perks, making the card's value considerable for frequent travelers.
This card offers significant travel perks, including boosted points on airline and hotel bookings. While the annual fee is substantial, it's easily offset by a wide range of luxury benefits. These include travel-related credits, application fee reimbursements, and other valuable perks, making the card's value considerable for frequent travelers.
- This card offers a ton of valuable luxury benefits such as a $200 airline fee credit you can use with a pre-selected airline of your choice, up to $200 in annual Uber savings and a credit for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Terms Apply. Enrollment required for select benefits.
- Enjoy 24/7 Platinum Club Concierge service to help with travel arrangements, obtaining tickets to events or even picking out the perfect gift for that special someone.
- See the "additional details" tab to learn more about all the great perks that come with this card.
- You can’t ignore the AnnualFees annual fee. If you don’t use the luxury perks that are offered or if you don’t travel often, the annual fee might be too much of an expense.
- Unlike typical credit cards, this card allows you to carry a balance with interest for certain charges, but not all. If you need to carry a balance from month to month, you’ll likely need to look for a different card.
- As an American Express card, it isn't as widely accepted, especially internationally, as a Visa or Mastercard. That said, the network is ever-growing so this might not be an issue for you.
Why we like it
A good choice for those loyal to the American Airlines brand, users of this card are sure to appreciate the easy points that can be racked up when making American Airlines ticket reservations, as well as a list of other perks such as Admirals Club access, priority check-in, priority airport screening and boarding privileges, free first checked bags and a number of other benefits. Citi is a CardRatings advertiser
A good choice for those loyal to the American Airlines brand, users of this card are sure to appreciate the easy points that can be racked up when making American Airlines ticket reservations, as well as a list of other perks such as Admirals Club access, priority check-in, priority airport screening and boarding privileges, free first checked bags and a number of other benefits. Citi is a CardRatings advertiser
- New cardholders can earn a significant bonus of American Airlines AAdvantage® miles by meeting a spending requirement within the initial three months of account opening.
- Earn four miles for each $1 you spend on American Airlines purchases and one mile for each $1 spent on other purchases.
- Other card benefits include Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement, access to Admirals Club, priority check-in and several other travel benefits.
- This card comes with a AnnualFees annual fee, which for luxury cards isn’t out of the ordinary. However, you’ll still need to determine if you will get enough value out of the rewards programs and benefits for it to be worth it.
- This luxury rewards card includes benefits and rewards exclusively for frequent American Airlines travelers. If you frequently travel with other airlines or prefer to shop around, you’ll likely get more out of a different travel card.
Why we like it
This card offers a number of attractive benefits, including enhanced points on travel bookings and potential hotel upgrades and airline credits. However, a particularly notable feature is the significant points rebate offered when redeeming points for premium cabin flights through the card's travel portal, or for any class of flight with a designated airline. This can lead to substantial point savings, ultimately providing significant value.
This card offers a number of attractive benefits, including enhanced points on travel bookings and potential hotel upgrades and airline credits. However, a particularly notable feature is the significant points rebate offered when redeeming points for premium cabin flights through the card's travel portal, or for any class of flight with a designated airline. This can lead to substantial point savings, ultimately providing significant value.
- You can earn 35% of your points back if you book your flight with a pre-selected qualifying airline (up to 1 million points back per calendar year.)
- This card comes with a ton of luxury perks such as a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits every four years or 4.5 years, respectively; up to a $200 airline fee credit for expenses with a qualifying airline; airport lounge access; room upgrades; daily breakfast for two people when staying at particular hotels; and many others. Enrollment required for select benefits.
- New cardholders can earn mega bonus points by completing qualifying purchases within the first three months of card membership.
- This card comes with a hefty annual fee of AnnualFees. If you don’t think you’ll be able to offset some or all of that fee with the benefits and rewards the card offers, you should consider using a card with a lower (or no) annual fee.
- The rewards earning on purchases outside of a few travel-related categories aren't great. You may want to consider adding another card to your business wallet to earn maximum points on your everyday purchases.
Why we like it
This card is beneficial for businesses with concentrated spending. It offers boosted rewards points on the top two spending categories each billing cycle, allowing for significant point accumulation. Additionally, it provides valuable expense management tools, including dedicated account support, seamless accounting software integration, and comprehensive year-end summaries, making it a practical choice for business owners.
This card is beneficial for businesses with concentrated spending. It offers boosted rewards points on the top two spending categories each billing cycle, allowing for significant point accumulation. Additionally, it provides valuable expense management tools, including dedicated account support, seamless accounting software integration, and comprehensive year-end summaries, making it a practical choice for business owners.
- This card charges a lower annual fee than it's Platinum cousin, which is nice if you want a luxury card and benefits without the higher annual fee.
- This card awards 4x Membership Rewards points on the two eligible categories where your business spends the most (each billing cycle) from six eligible categories. While your top two categories may change, you will earn 4x points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases from these categories each calendar year (then 1x thereafter). Only the top two categories each billing cycle will count towards the $150,000 cap.
- New cardholders can earn a significant bonus of Membership Rewards points by meeting a spending requirement within the first three months of account opening. This provides a substantial accumulation of rewards.
- For a luxury card, this card has a lower annual fee of AnnualFees but it’s still large enough that you’ll need to run the numbers and determine if you can offset this fee with the rewards and benefits offered.
- It doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, but it's worth keeping in mind that American Express cards are overall less widely accepted than Visa or Mastercard, particularly overseas. Perhaps keep a Visa or Mastercard handy if you plan to head overseas, just in case.
Why we like it
This card offers a number of nice perks, such as complimentary access to airport lounge networks, a first class, Delta Comfort+, or main cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon card renewal (taxes and fees required), and Zone 5 priority boarding, but what's fun about this card is that users easily have the ability to earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs), which helps you reach elevated levels of Medallion Status, and subsequently, have access to even more benefits like complimentary upgrades and more.
This card offers a number of nice perks, such as complimentary access to airport lounge networks, a first class, Delta Comfort+, or main cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon card renewal (taxes and fees required), and Zone 5 priority boarding, but what's fun about this card is that users easily have the ability to earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs), which helps you reach elevated levels of Medallion Status, and subsequently, have access to even more benefits like complimentary upgrades and more.
- This card features a ton of luxury travel perks such as complimentary access to some airport lounges, a first class, Delta Comfort+, or main cabin round-trip companion certificate each year you renew, Zone 5 priority boarding and many others. See the "additional details" tab for full details. Enrollment required for select benefits.
- This card includes several luxury perks but it also has a fairly high annual fee of AnnualFees. It’s important to figure out if you can get enough value from the extras to justify the annual fee.
- Most, if not all, of the luxury perks and benefits you get with this card are exclusive to Delta airlines. If you are not a frequent Delta flyer or you don’t travel enough to use these benefits, you’ll want to consider a different travel or business card.
Compare the best luxury credit cards by perks and features
Want to see how our picks for the best luxury credit cards stack up against each other? Our comparison tool makes it easy to compare up to threetwo cards at a time. Simply select the cards you’re interested in and we’ll automatically display their key perks and features side-by-side. With a quick glance, you can easily identify the card that best suits your needs and preferences.
Select up to 23 cards to compare side-by-side:
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Compare the best premium credit cards by user ratings
By analyzing real-world user experiences, we have developed a robust rating system that reflects the performance and value of various credit cards based on consumer insights. This chart allows you to easily compare these ratings side-by-side, enabling informed decision-making based on the feedback of actual cardholders.
How did each of our winning cards rate according to you?
CardRatings commissioned Slice MR in November 2024 to survey 1,666 cardholders nationwide. Responses were given on a scale of 1-10 and respondents’ ratings were then averaged under broad topics.
How did each of our winning cards rate according to you?
CardRatings commissioned Slice MR in November 2024 to survey 1,666 cardholders nationwide. Responses were given on a scale of 1-10 and respondents’ ratings were then averaged under broad topics.
COST EFFECTIVENESS
REWARDS SATISFACTION
CUSTOMER SERVICE
WEBSITE/APP USABILITY
LIKELIHOOD OF CONTINUING TO USE
RECOMMEND TO A FRIEND/COLLEAGUE
Survey results by card
Select a card below to see the results for each card.
Survey methodology: CardRatings commissioned Slice MR in November 2024 to survey 1,666 cardholders nationwide. CardRatings’ website analytics from Jan. 1, 2024-Oct. 31, 2024 were used to determine a selection of the most popular cards. Responses to 10 questions were given on a scale of 1-10. For nine of these questions, respondents’ scores were averaged under broad topics. The overall rating represents an average of respondents’ responses to their overall rating of each card. “Cardholder favorite” cards are those scored in the top 10 overall.
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Frequently asked questions about premium credit cards
Are luxury credit cards worth the annual fee?
Luxury cards, with their high annual fees, are best for frequent travelers who maximize benefits like lounge access and travel perks. Infrequent travelers will likely want to opt for lower-fee cards. For frequent flyers, premium perks often outweigh the cost, covering expenses like baggage fees and lounge access, while adding rewards and travel protections. Mid-tier cards (~$95-$250) might offer some premium benefits, balancing cost and value, so they are another good consideration. To decide if a premium card is worth it, compare the annual fee to the value of the perks you’ll realistically use.
Do you qualify for the most elite credit cards?
Luxury cards boast enticing perks, but they’re not for everyone. A strong credit history is essential for approval; applying without it can harm your score. If high annual fees deter you, excellent travel rewards cards with lower fees are available. These require good credit, but often less stringent income. If you’re drawn to the benefits but hesitant about the fees, explore our best travel rewards credit card picks – your ideal match might be there.
When should you get your first premium credit card?
Consider a premium credit card when you’re comfortable with annual fees and desire enhanced perks beyond your current card. While no-fee cards offer benefits, premium cards unlock luxury experiences like airport lounge access, travel credits, and concierge services. If you’ll regularly use these benefits, the fee is likely easy to offset. When you’re ready to elevate your rewards strategy, premium cards can be a worthwhile investment.
What are the credit score requirements for obtaining a luxury credit card?
Luxury credit cards typically require an excellent credit score, generally in the range of 740 to 800 or higher. While some issuers may consider scores slightly below this range, a strong credit history is crucial. This includes factors like consistent on-time payments, low credit utilization, and a long credit history. Additionally, a high income is often a significant factor in approval for these premium cards.
Do luxury credit cards offer special privileges at high-end hotels?
Yes, many luxury credit cards offer a range of special privileges at high-end hotels. These can include complimentary room upgrades, late check-out, early check-in, free breakfast, hotel credits for on-property spending, and access to exclusive hotel amenities. Some cards also provide automatic elite status with certain hotel loyalty programs, further enhancing the guest experience.
Meet the editorial team
Rating methodology: CardRatings’ experts review the fine print, details, perks, rewards and features of hundreds of cards and compare them side-by-side with similar cards. A card that makes an excellent balance transfer card may not make a great cash-back rewards card even though it offers those rewards. While the Best of the Year list is announced annually, that list – and all other “best of” lists on CardRatings – are regularly reviewed and updated as issuers change the terms and features of each card often.
To see the rates and fees for the American Express cards featured in this post, please visit the follow links: CardName (See Rates and Fees); CardName (See Rates and Fees); CardName (See Rates and Fees); CardName (See Rates and Fees); CardName (See Rates and Fees); CardName (See Rates and Fees)
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
The information in this article is believed to be accurate as of the date it was written. Please keep in mind that credit card offers change frequently. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this article. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. See the online credit card application for full terms and conditions on offers and rewards. Please verify all terms and conditions of any credit card prior to applying.
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