Most of us are happy when our credit cards offer us some cash back rewards or airline miles. For the lucky few that are in possession of the hardest credit card to obtain in the world, though, the perks go far beyond these basic benefits.
The average Joe or Jane isn't going to be able to even apply for one of the most exclusive credit cards, though. These are typically invite-only and are reserved for the planet's most affluent individuals.
There are several cards in the running for being the most difficult to obtain-- including the Amex Centurion Card, the Dubai First Royal MasterCard, the Stratus Rewards Visa White Card, and the Coutts World Silk Card.Are you curious about how the other half lives? If so, stick with me while I take us on a journey through the luxurious perks of the world's most prestigious credit cards.
It's hard to pin down precisely which card is the hardest to get in the world. That doesn't mean, though, that there isn't impressive competition for the title.
One reason it's hard to pick one card as the most difficult to obtain is that the card issuers are very tight-lipped about the qualifications for these status symbols. Instead, curious consumers have to rely on rumors in many cases to learn what is required to have one of these exclusive cards in their wallets.
Let's take a look at some of the contenders when it comes to the hardest credit card to get in the entire world.
If the Centurion Card doesn't sound familiar to you, maybe you've heard of this exclusive American Express charge card by its colloquial name-- the Black Card.
Reserved for only the wealthiest clients of Amex. In order to qualify, individuals must have a certain network and credit quality. Beyond that, they have to have met certain spending criteria on the Platinum Card, which is considered its gateway card.
Minted out of anodized titanium, accented with stainless steel, and laser-engraved, this card weighs about half an ounce. With its distinctive black color, this card is recognizable around the world.
Considering this is one of the most exclusive cards in the world, it should come as no surprise that there's no easy way to apply. Though the requirements for receiving a private invite for this card aren't officially released by Amex, the rumor is that you will need to spend and pay off a certain amount of money across all Amex accounts in one year-- potentially as much as $350k and $500k.
Joining this exclusive club isn't free either-- there's an initiation fee of $10k, and the annual fee will run you $5k.
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Though the Black Card (aka the Centurion Card) is definitely a major status symbol, it also offers some serious benefits:
Looking for an American Express card that's a bit more accessible to a regular Joe? Check out our guide to the easiest Amex card to get.
Some of the biggest named celebrities carry around a Black Card in their wallet.
They include:
Another contender for the title of the hardest credit card to get is the JP Morgan Reserve Credit Card. This is another invite-only card, you'll need to already be a J.P. Morgan Private Bank member in order to be considered.
Once known as the Chase Palladium Card, the card is made out of palladium, a rare chemical element.
The JP Morgan Reserve Card's annual fee sounds like a steal compared to the cost of some of the other cards on this list-- only $595 a year.
What can you expect once you're invited into this exclusive club and receive your card?
The perks associated with this card aren't actually that incredible when you consider that many of them are very similar to a much more accessible card: the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
In this way, you could say that this card is more of a status symbol than anything else.
That being said, cardholders enjoy the following perks:
It's hard to say which credit card is the most selective, but the Dubai First Royale Card is definitely in the running. This is another invite-only card, and Dubai First will literally scout out potential clients. You probably shouldn't hold your breath waiting for an invite, though-- most cardholders are members of the Saudi or Dubai royal families or at least have an exorbitantly high net worth.
According to a 2011 statement from the senior vice president of Dubai First, there are only a few hundred cardholders in the entire world.
Made with gold edges and a white diamond, this card has no purchase restrictions or credit limits. If you find yourself one of the lucky few that have this card in hand, you won't have to worry about the embarrassment of your gold-and-diamond card being declined at checkout.
Some of the benefits of this outrageously hard-to-get card include the following:
If you need any convincing that the Coutts Silk Card is exclusive, you'll likely be persuaded by the fact that the British Royal family are known to be cardholders. Offering both charge cards and credit cards, this is considered one of the hardest cards to get in the world.
In order to be considered for this card, individuals must already be Coutts clients. Though companies are famous for being tight-lipped about the requirements for these elite cards, rumor has it that potential cardholders need to have the ability to deposit something around one million pounds into their account.
Only the wealthiest clients have access to this card, which comes with a number of perks:
Searching for more information about credit cards? Check out our guides to CareCredit credit cards, what happens if a credit card is closed with a balance, guaranteed approval credit cards, and credit card nicknames.
When you hear the term "gold card," you probably think of a gold colored card that's supposed to help regular old consumers feel kind of fancy. This isn't the case with the Sberbank Visa Infinite Gold Card-- this card that is only offered to Sberbank's top clients is said to be made of pure gold. If that isn't enough, it also has twenty-six diamonds and a mother of pearl.
Getting this card will cost cardholders $100,000-- while $35k gets credited to the client's account, the other $65k goes toward actually making the card. Oh, and there's a $2k annual fee on top of that.
Some of the perks of this card include:
Not quite ready to apply for one of the most exclusive credit cards in the entire world? No problem. If you're looking for something a little more accessible, check out our post about the best department store credit cards for bad credit.
You may have heard this card referred to as "The White Card." Incredibly exclusive, there is very little public information about this card beyond the $1.5k annual fee.
In order to get one of these exclusive cards, you have to be either:
Wealthy cardholders can enjoy the following benefits:
If you're chomping at the bit to get your hands on the Amex Centurion, Dubai First Royale Card, or another one of the hardest credit cards to get, you likely have a long road ahead of you unless you're already a multimillionaire.
At the same time, the journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step! If you're ready to build wealth and ensure that you have access to the best financial opportunities out there, one of your first tasks is going to be to check in on your credit report and score.
If your credit score has seen better days, don't fret! With some time and dedication, you can clean up your credit report and increase your credit score so you start qualifying for better cards with more impressive rates, terms, and, of course, perks!
Are you ready to begin your journey to a better financial life? If so, head over to our Credit Building Tips blog for tons of resources to help you along the way.
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