The most expensive credit card is the Centurion® Card from American Express (also called the Amex “Black Card”), because it has an initiation fee of up to $10,000 and a $5000 annual fee. You have to be invited to even apply for this card and you have to spend (and pay off) hundreds of thousands of dollars annually on Amex credit cards to get an invitation.
Some credit cards with high annual fees end up being worth it because of extra rewards or travel perks, if you can use those perks frequently enough. But people with credit cards that are seen or marketed as status symbols are likely paying more for the inferred status than they are for a good credit card.
Some of the Most Expensive Credit Cards
That said, expensive credit cards don’t only end up in the hands of high-rollers, and annual fees aren’t the only metric to measure how expensive a card is. “Expensive” means different things to different people, and people with bad credit are often the ones who end up paying more for a credit card.
As in the case of the First Access Visa® Card, they pay in the form of monthly, one-time, and annual fees, with few or no ongoing rewards to make those fees worth it. Generally, these fee-laden credit cards for bad credit also come with high regular interest rates. So, those who carry a balance on an unsecured card for bad credit will pay dearly for the privilege.
When to Avoid Getting an Expensive Credit Card
If you have bad credit, you’re far better off putting down a deposit on a secured credit card with rewards than trying to get an unsecured card for bad credit. As for everyone else, always make sure to consider what credit card fees buy you and check out the best no annual fee offers. This way, you will be able to see whether the added benefit (if any) of a credit card that charges fees is worth it in light of your spending and payment habits.
This answer was first published on 06/11/21 and it was last updated on 01/16/24. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.
FAQs
The most expensive credit card is the Centurion® Card from American Express (also called the Amex “Black Card”), because it has an initiation fee of up to $10,000 and a $5000 annual fee.
What is the most expensive credit card you can get? ›
The most expensive credit card is the Centurion® Card from American Express (also called the Amex “Black Card”), because it has an initiation fee of up to $10,000 and a $5000 annual fee.
What credit card has a $100000 limit? ›
On our list, the Ramp Corporate Card and the Chase Ink Business Premier Preferred Credit Card offer the best opportunity to access a $100,000 credit limit. Ramp determines your spending limit based on factors like your cash-on-hands and monthly expenses, while Chase uses creditworthiness to calculate your credit limit.
What is the hardest credit card to get in the world? ›
Why it's one of the hardest credit cards to get: The hardest credit card to get is the American Express Centurion Card. Known simply as the “Black Card,” you need an invitation to get Amex Centurion.
What credit card do millionaires use? ›
What Credit Card Do the Super Rich Use? The super rich use a variety of different credit cards, many of which have strict requirements to obtain, such as invitation only or a high minimum net worth. Such cards include the American Express Centurion (Black Card) and the JP Morgan Chase Reserve.
What is the most elite credit card in the world? ›
What is the most prestigious credit card? One of the world's most prestigious credit cards is the Centurion® Card from American Express*. Though there may be other cards with more elaborate benefits, those cards are kept well under wraps.
What is the #1 credit card to have? ›
The best credit card overall is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card because it gives 2% cash rewards on purchases and has a $0 annual fee. For comparison purposes, the average cash rewards card in 2024 gives about 1% back. Cardholders can also earn an initial bonus of $200 cash rewards after spending $500...
Which bank gives the highest credit card limit? ›
On our list, the card with the highest reported limit is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which some say offers a $100,000 limit. We've also seen an advertised maximum credit limit of $100,000 on the First Tech Odyssey Rewards™ World Elite Mastercard®, a credit union rewards card.
What is an excellent credit card limit? ›
If you're just starting out, a good credit limit for your first card might be around $1,000. If you have built up a solid credit history, a steady income and a good credit score, your credit limit may increase to $5,000 or $10,000 or more — plenty of credit to ensure you can purchase big ticket items.
Is $25,000 a high credit card limit? ›
Generally, a high credit card limit is considered to be $5,000 or more, and you will likely need good or excellent credit, along with a solid income, to get a limit of $25,000 or higher.
The minimum payment mindset
Here's how most people get trapped in credit card debt: You use your card for a purchase you can't afford or want to defer payment, and then you make only the minimum payment that month. Soon, you are in the habit of using your card to purchase things beyond your budget.
What is a black card limit? ›
Black card credit limit
Like many details with black cards, there's not a clear cut answer. The Centurion® Card from American Express is a charge card with no set credit limit. Amex does have a Pay Over Time option, which allows you to make monthly payments on certain purchases.
What credit card do celebrities use? ›
Some celebrities use invite-only credit cards, with the American Express Business Centurion Card being a popular choice. High-end credit cards have different types of benefits, like private concierge services and elite status with airlines and hotels.
What credit card does Warren Buffett have? ›
Reportedly Used By: Warren Buffett
It wasn't black or platinum, as one would expect of a man who is worth almost $73 billion. Instead, it was the same standard green American Express card average cardholders carry.
What color is the highest credit card? ›
The American Express Centurion Card is the original black credit card and still the most expensive, with a one-time initiation fee of $10,000 and a $5,000 annual fee.
Are you rich if you have American Express? ›
No, American Express is not specifically for rich people, even though it does have a high level of status in many people's minds. Applicants need good or excellent credit scores of 700+ to qualify for Amex credit cards, and you don't need to be rich to have a good credit score.
What is the highest credit card you can go? ›
The highest credit card limit you can get is over $100,000 according to reports from credit card holders. But like most credit cards in general, even the highest-limit credit cards will only list minimum spending limits in their terms.
Can you get a 100k credit card? ›
High limit credit cards can have limits ranging from $20,000 to $100,000. These kinds of cards often come with reward points and travel-related perks. They can also come with high fees and interest rates, and should be used carefully.
Is the black card the highest? ›
The American Express Centurion Card is the original black credit card and still the most expensive, with a one-time initiation fee of $10,000 and a $5,000 annual fee.
