The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

12 Best High-End Credit Cards (March 2024)

High End Credit Cards
Adam West

Written by: Adam West

Adam West
Adam West

Adam corresponds with finance experts to publish industry news coverage related to helping consumers achieve greater financial literacy and improved credit. He has more than 12 years of storytelling, editing, and design experience in print and online journalism and is most knowledgeable in the areas of credit scores, financial products and services, and the banking industry.

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Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro
Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has written and edited for major news organizations, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the New York Times, and she previously served as an adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Florida. Today, Lillian edits all CardRates content for clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement.

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Advertiser Disclosure

The phrase “high end” can mean take on different meanings for everyone. Some may envision luxurious fabrics and sparkling jewels, while others imagine fast cars and rivers of champagne. Or perhaps, as part of the digital generation, you picture the epitome of modern technology and automation.

While the world of high-end credit cards doesn’t have a lot of silk or octane, it is rich with exclusive perks and rewards that can make you feel like more than an ordinary consumer. These high-end cards will also often have the latest financial technology and security, offering peace of mind as well as a top-of-the-line experience.

At the same time, our favorite high-end credit cards aren’t the most exclusive cards or the most expensive ones. In fact, our list of the best high-end credit cards are actually attainable, giving you many of the bells and whistles reserved for the crème de la crème — without the exorbitant costs and income requirements that put other cards out of reach.

Big Spenders | Cash Back | Points | Travel

Best High-End Cards for Big Spenders

For many, nothing says high-end more than dollar signs — lots and lots of dollar signs. These consumers want to see plastic that can purchase just about anything, regardless of its cost, and the high-end cards are those that can make it happen. You won’t need an invite-only Black Card to obtain a credit limit that would make a movie star take notice; you simply need great credit and the right high-limit card.

Indeed, the high-end cards on our list for big spenders have reported credit limits in the tens of thousands (and beyond). In fact, our top pick, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, is rumored to offer credit limits up to $100,000 for the most qualified cardholders. While the others on the list don’t get quite that high, you can still look forward to limits far and above the average everyday card.

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.49%-28.49% Variable
$95
Good/Excellent

BEST OVERALL RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
$95
Excellent, Good

3. Capital One Spark Cash for Business

This card is currently not available.

Best Overall Rating

★★★★★
N/A

OVERALL RATING

N/A
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

Additional Disclosure: Information for this card not reviewed by or provided by Capital One.

+See More High-Limit Cards

Of course, it’s important to remember that just because you can charge tens of thousands of dollars to your credit card doesn’t mean you should — and you most certainly shouldn’t carry that balance for very long. Even an interest rate at the very bottom of your credit card’s range can mean hundreds to thousands in interest fees on a five-figure balance.

Furthermore, receiving a limit over $25,000 most likely means your credit is excellent, and jeopardizing that credit by carrying a massive balance is more than simply unwise — it’s downright reckless. Your minimum payment may eventually be unable to keep up with your interest fees, and if you become delinquent on just one payment, your excellent credit score can plummet faster than you can say “new home entertainment system.”

Best High-End Cards for Cash Back

To me, one of the most (colloquially) ironic occurrences is that people are constantly giving free stuff to celebrities, a.k.a. the people who least need free stuff. Well, with the right card, you can feel more like a celebrity everywhere you go as you earn cash back on every purchase — especially when you receive a hefty bonus just for signing up and hitting the spending requirement.

The best part of boasting one of our favorite high-end cash back cards? You won’t be stuck paying high-end fees for the privilege. You can enjoy unlimited cash back, quarterly rotating bonus categories, and sweet signup bonuses all without ridiculous annual fees. Even better, many of our picks won’t actually charge you an annual fee at all. How’s that for high end?

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

CASH BACK RATING

★★★★★
4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
  • Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishing purchases.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
  • No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%)
18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

Discover it® Cash Back Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

CASH BACK RATING

★★★★★
4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
  • Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • No annual fee.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 months
0% Intro APR for 15 months
17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
$0
Excellent/Good

CASH BACK RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
20.49% - 29.24% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

+See More Cash Back Cards

When comparing cash back cards, be sure to select the rewards program that best fits your personal spending habits. For example, if most of your spending occurs in popular categories, you may earn the most cash back from a program that offers bonus categories. If your spending is more generalized, however, you may be better off with a flat-rate unlimited cash back program.

In most cases, your cash back rewards can be redeemed as a statement credit you can put toward your card balance, or as a check through the mail. Many programs also give you the option to redeem your cash back rewards for gift cards to popular stores and restaurants or even as a charitable donation to your favorite cause.

Best High-End Cards for Points

While the exact definition of a high-end credit card varies from person to person, I think most of us can agree that one surefire way for a credit card to qualify for “high-end” status is to unlock exclusive, awe-inspiring rewards for its cardholders. Well, the cream of the credit card crop includes a range of high-end points cards that do just that.

These cards allow you to earn and redeem your way to unforgettable trips, the latest technology, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Rewards points programs operate in much the same way as cash back programs, offering a set rate of points per $1 spent, with some programs providing bonus categories for extra points. What’s more, our best high-end points cards have reasonable annual fees and may offer an introductory 0% APR on your new purchases.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

POINTS & GIFTS RATING

★★★★★
4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
  • Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
  • Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
  • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%)
18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
$0
Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

POINTS & GIFTS RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.49%-28.49% Variable
$95
Good/Excellent

POINTS & GIFTS RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
  • $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™; Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
22.49%-29.49% Variable
$550
Good/Excellent

+See More Rewards Points Cards

The best way to get the most out of your credit card points is to research the per-point value of your redemption options. For instance, the popular Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers Chase Ultimate Rewards, which can be redeemed for travel purchases at a better value than if used for cash back. But the best value comes from transferring your points to a partner airline or hotel, where they’re worth up to $0.04 per point. If you’re a frequent traveler, that point value can quickly translate into some serious savings on a plush hotel room or your next overseas jaunt.

Best High-End Cards for Travel Rewards

When you look up the top high-end cards, a great many of them are often pricey travel cards, though with good reason. For those who spend a lot of time in the air or on the road, access to the perks and rewards offered by a high-end travel card can make the difference between munching on peanuts in coach — or sipping bubbly in first class. And that’s not to mention the money-saving possibilities of paying no foreign transaction fees when you travel abroad.

As you compare your high-end travel card options, consider how you’re most likely to use your rewards. If you’re loyal to a specific airline or hotel brand, you can typically get the best rewards and perks from a branded card. On the other hand, our top-rated picks for high-end travel rewards credit cards offer more flexible redemption options, as they won’t limit you to a specific brand nor will you be subject to bubble-bursting blackout dates.

Discover it® Miles Review

at Discover Card'ssecure website

AIR MILES RATING

★★★★★
4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • UNLIMITED BONUS: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers - only from Discover. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. For example, if you earn 35,000 Miles, you get 70,000 Miles. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match.
  • Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x Miles on every dollar of every purchase
  • No annual fee
  • Turn Miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants and more.
  • 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% - 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR will apply.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 months
0% Intro APR for 15 months
17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR
$0
Excellent/Good

AIR MILES RATING

★★★★★
4.9

OVERALL RATING

  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 15 months
0% for 15 months
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
$0
Excellent, Good

AIR MILES RATING

★★★★★
4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
$95
Excellent, Good

+See More Travel Rewards Cards

You can really jump-start your travel rewards experience by taking advantage of the great signup bonuses that come with high-end credit cards. These bonuses allow you to earn tens of thousands of miles all at once and are often enough to get you flying for free right away.

To earn signup bonus, you’ll need to meet the card’s spending requirement within a certain period of time, usually the first 90 days. Only net new spend will typically count toward the requirement, which means balance transfers and cash advances won’t qualify as spend.

Of course, you should never charge more on your card than you can afford to repay in a timely manner. Ideally, pay off your entire balance each month to avoid paying any interest fees. The longer you carry your balance, the more interest you’ll have to pay, and you can quickly eat into any savings earned through your rewards and signup bonus with excessive fees.

”High-End” Doesn’t Need to Mean “High Fees”

We all have our own definition of a high-end product. For some, it’s all about the rich finishes, such as the sleek metal of the Chase Sapphire Preferred®. For others, it’s all about access, like the blackout-free travel rewards from a Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Whatever your fancy, you can probably find a high-end credit card to fit the bill.

The question is, can you afford it?

Happily, “high end” doesn’t need to mean “high fees.” With a little research, you can enjoy the perks and rewards of a high-end credit card without the high cost, and those with the best credit can revel in high limits, great bonuses, and all the points and miles you can stand.

Advertiser Disclosure

CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.