The 10 Best Premium and Luxury Credit Cards in April 2024

Anyone who travels knows that having a premium travel rewards credit card can make a huge difference in your travel experience. These cards often include perks such as lounge access, rental car status, and fee reimbursements — all of which can save you money and frustration and generally give you a more relaxed experience at the airport.

There are, however, a large number of these credit cards on the market. Each of them has varying benefits, annual fees, and other discrepancies, so it can be hard for you, the frequent traveler, to pick the card that’s right for you.

But don’t worry — at Upgraded Points, we stay on top of the premium credit card world, so we can inform you about these cards and their respective benefits. With that in mind, we’ll take a look at some of the best premium credit cards on the market in this article, helping you find out which is best for your wallet.

We’ll start the article with a quick comparison of all the cards on this list and will then review each of these cards’ benefits, detailing personal cards first and then business cards.

If that sounds good to you, let’s get started!

What Is a Premium Credit Card?

Premium credit cards offer far more benefits than other credit cards. These benefits might include airport lounge access, priority security screening, elite status, annual statement credits, and large welcome bonus offers.

That said, this long list of benefits comes at a much larger price tag, as most premium credit cards come with an annual fee of $395 to $695, depending on the card. While that is a steep sum, these cards can be very worthwhile for those who regularly use the cards’ perks and benefits, so make sure to run the numbers for yourself to see if they make sense for you.

What To Look For in a Premium and Luxury Credit Card

All major credit card issuers, like American Express, Chase, and Capital One, each offer their own premium credit cards with various benefits such as lounge access, elevated points earning, the credit card bonus offer, and additional benefits and protections.

These benefits aren’t airline-specific in most cases, so you won’t necessarily need to fly on a specific airline all the time to get maximum value from your card. In fact, out of the 10 credit card recommendations in this guide, only 3 of them are co-branded with an airline.

With that in mind, you should look at whether you value points earning or travel benefits more when picking a card from this list.

Those who want access to more lounges and travel perks like hotel status may value a card like The Platinum Card^® from American Express, while those that value points-earning should compare the other cards and pick the card with bonus categories that best match their everyday spending habits.

We’ll start with our favorite personal card picks; after that, we’ll check out the best options for business owners!

The Best Personal Premium and Luxury Cards

Personal Card Summary

Card	Welcome Bonus and Annual Fee	Premium and Luxury Benefits
The Platinum Card® from American Express	Earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)	5x points on airfare booked directly with the airline or through AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per calendar year) Access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges upon enrollment Complimentary hotel elite status and car rental privileges upon enrollment
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card	Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $395 (rates & fees)	10x miles on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel Access to Capital One Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and Priority Pass lounges $300 Capital One Travel credit Anniversary bonus of 10,000 miles
Chase Sapphire Reserve®	Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $550	10x points on hotels, car rentals, and dining booked through Chase Travel 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel 3x points on all other travel, 3x points on dining Up to $300 travel credit Priority Pass Select membership
American Express® Gold Card	Earn 60,000 points when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $250 (rates & fees)	4x points on restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year) Up to $120 in annual dining credits upon enrollment Up to $120 in Uber Cash annually
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card	Earn 60,000 miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $650 (rates & fees)	Complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on a Delta flight* Complimentary access to Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges Anniversary companion certificate Free checked bag and priority boarding

*Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.

Best Premium Card Overall

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum card is one of the most well-known travel cards on the market. It’s long been seen as a staple of luxury in the travel space due to its huge list of benefits.

Earn 5x Membership Rewards points on airfare booked through AmexTravel.com or directly with the airline (up to $500,000 per calendar year), 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com, and 1x points on all other purchases.

Most travelers get an Amex Platinum card to take advantage of the card’s huge network of lounges. This card offers access to American Express’ in-house Centurion Lounges (the U.S. and international locations), Priority Pass upon enrollment, Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner, Plaza Premium Lounges, select Virgin Clubhouses, select Lufthansa Lounges when flying with Lufthansa Group the same day, and Delta Sky Clubs when flying with Delta the same day.

Further, the card offers up to $200 in airline incidental fee credit that can be used to cover incidental fees — think baggage fees, priority boarding, and seat selection — incurred from 1 U.S. airline that you enroll in.

The card also has an assortment of other perks, too. Some of these include a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement, up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit, up to $200 prepaid hotel credit, access to the International Airline Program, and complimentary Gold elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors upon enrollment.

What makes this card so special is its immense luxury travel and shopping perks (enrollment required):

• Access to Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection
• Complimentary rental car privileges with Avis, Hertz, and National Car Rental
• Up to $189 in CLEAR Plus credit
• Up to $200 in Uber Cash
• Up to $240 in digital entertainment credits
• Up to $12.95 in monthly Walmart+ credits (up to $155 per year)
• Up to $300 in Equinox credits

As you can imagine, the Amex Platinum card comes with state-of-the-art travel insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, cell phone insurance, and, of course, no preset spending limit, which means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.

Hot Tip: Find out if you have the credit score required for an Amex Platinum card by reading our guide.  

Why We Like Earning Amex Membership Rewards Points

Amex Membership Rewards points are the most valuable transferrable currency available. We value these points at 2.2 cents each, making it possible to earn a return on spending of up to 11% with this card!

You can use Amex points for cash-back, statement credits, charitable donations, travel booked through AmexTravel.com, gift cards, online shopping, and more.

But our favorite way to use Amex points is for luxury travel when leveraging the Amex transfer partners.

Best Premium Cards for Flights/Travel

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

We’re thrilled to see Capital One enter the premium travel rewards card space with the Capital One Venture X card. With its lower annual fee (rates & fees) compared to other luxury travel rewards cards, a frequent traveler can easily find enough value to exceed this annual outlay.

We like that cardholders can earn big when using Capital One Travel as hotels and rental car purchases earn 10x Capital One miles and 5x miles on flights booked via the portal. The earnings continue with 2x miles on all other eligible purchases.

Plus, for every card anniversary, you’ll earn an additional 10,000 miles. Add in a $300 annual Capital One Travel credit, airport lounge access (including a Priority Pass Select lounge membership and access to Capital One Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges), a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and complimentary Hertz President’s Circle status and you could find plenty of bottom-line value as a cardholder.

The card also comes with a generous welcome bonus offer, cell phone protection, car rental insurance and benefits, trip insurance benefits, up to 4 authorized users for no additional annual fee (rates & fees), and no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).

Hot Tip: See how this card goes head-to-head with other premium credit cards in our articles comparing the Capital One Venture X card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve^® and Capital One Venture X card vs. Amex Platinum card.

Why We Like Earning Capital One Miles

At redemption time, you’ll have strong choices including redeeming miles for travel via Capital One Travel or transferring miles to airline/hotel partners for even greater potential value.

You can also use your miles for gift cards, online merchandise, and statement credits.

We value Capital One miles at 1.8 cents each, which translates to a maximum return on spending of 18% when earning 10x miles.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is Chase’s answer to the Amex Platinum card. However, this card replaces some of the flashy benefits with elevated points earning, making it better for customers who need a card that offers both premium benefits and great points earning.

To start with, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card almost always comes with a sizable welcome bonus. But where this card shines is in the realm of rewards:

• 10x Ultimate Rewards points on Chase Dining, hotels, and car rentals booked through Chase Travel
• 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• 5x points on airline travel booked through Chase Travel
• 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases — which includes fast food, cafes, Ubers, taxis, airfare, and much more

On the benefits side, some of the card’s most notable perks include Priority Pass lounge access, up to $300 annual travel credit that can be applied to any travel purchase, and a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee reimbursement.

With all of these benefits, it’s easy to see why this is one of the best Visa travel rewards cards available.

Uniquely, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers a 50% redemption bonus when booking travel through Chase Travel, as well as the ability to use Pay Yourself Back for up to 50% in bonus value on select rotating categories. This will get you a redemption value of 1.5 cents per point!

Plus, you can access the Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, as well as top-shelf travel insurance, which includes primary rental car insurance using the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

Lastly, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card has no foreign transaction fees, purchase protection, and extended warranty.

Why We Like Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points

Chase Ultimate Rewards points are some of the most valuable points in the world. We value them at 2 cents per point, as you can get better value if you transfer points to one of the Chase transfer partners for award travel.

Other ways to redeem your points include travel booked through Chase Travel at a 1.5 cents per point value, Pay Yourself Back, statement credits, gift cards, charitable donations, gift cards, and merchandise.

But to get the best value, we recommend sticking to Chase’s transfer partnerships for luxury flights and hotels!

Best Premium Card for Dining

American Express^® Gold Card

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90,000 points with the Amex Gold card. The current public offer is 60,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

One of our favorite cards, the Amex Gold card offers amazing rewards with an exceptional welcome bonus. Here’s how the earnings are broken down:

• 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year)
• 3x points on flights purchased directly with the airline or at AmexTravel.com
• 1x points on all other purchases

Earning 4x points translates to a return on spending of 8.8%, based on our valuations, which is huge!

The Amex Gold card comes with up to $120 in Uber Cash per year ($10 per month) for rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. and up to $120 in dining credits ($10 per month) at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Milk Bar, select Shake Shack locations, and Wine.com.

With this card, you can book stays at The Hotel Collection, too.

There are also no foreign transaction fees, no additional annual fees for authorized users, purchase protection, extended warranty, and no preset spending limit (rates & fees).

Best Premium Card for Delta Flyers

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

The Delta Reserve card is one of the most valuable premium airline credit cards. As you’d expect, the card includes some amazing benefits for frequent Delta flyers.

To start with, the welcome offer will definitely accelerate your points earning. Here is the accrual structure:

• 3x Delta SkyMiles on Delta purchases
• 1x Delta SkyMiles on all other purchases

Although the earning structure isn’t fantastic, we love the fact that you’ll get a ton of Delta perks with this card:

• Complimentary Delta Sky Club access when flying same-day on Delta Air Lines*
• Complimentary Centurion Lounge or Escape Lounge — The Centurion Studio Partner access when you book a Delta flight with your card
• An account anniversary companion certificate every year upon card renewal, which is good for a First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights to select destinations
• Priority Main Cabin 1 boarding for yourself and up to 8 companions on the same reservation
• First checked bag for free for yourself and up to 8 companions on the same reservation

Lastly, there are a few non-Delta perks, like the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, travel insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, cell phone insurance, and no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).

*Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.

Why We Like Earning Delta SkyMiles

According to our valuation of Delta SkyMiles of 1.2 cents per mile, your return on spending maxes out at 3.6%.

Of course, it’s possible to achieve a higher redemption value if you book international premium cabin flights on Delta and its airline partners.

Bottom Line: You should only consider a premium airline credit card if you are loyal to a specific U.S. airline — otherwise, you’re better off with a general travel credit card that provides a wider range of benefits.

Best Premium Cards for Business

Business Card Summary

Card	Welcome Bonus and Annual Fee	Premium and Luxury Benefits
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express	Earn 120,000 points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $695 (rates & fees)	5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com 1.5x points on purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million in purchases per calendar year) Complimentary hotel elite status and car rental privileges (upon enrollment) Access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including Amex Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass (upon enrollment) 35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year) Generous collection of statement credits (upon enrollment)
American Express® Business Gold Card	Earn 70,000 points after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $375 (rates & fees)	4x points on the 2 categories where your business spends the most, up to $150,000 in combined purchases per calendar year Travel insurance
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card	NEW OFFER: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. Annual fee of $95	3x points on the first $150,000 in combined purchases every cardmember year in select business categories Excellent travel insurance Cell phone protection
Capital One Venture X Business Card	Earn 150,000 miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. Annual fee of $395	10x miles on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel Access to Capital One Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and Priority Pass lounges $300 Capital One Travel credit Anniversary bonus of 10,000 miles
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card	Earn 75,000 miles after spending $10,000 in purchases in the first 6 months. Annual fee of $650 (rates & fees)	Complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on a Delta flight* Complimentary access to Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner when you book a Delta flight with your card Anniversary companion certificate Free checked bag and priority boarding
United Club℠ Business Card	Earn 75,000 bonus miles + 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open Annual fee of $450	2x miles on United purchases 1.5x miles on all other purchases Complimentary United Club membership First and second checked bags are free (terms apply) Complimentary Premier Access travel services, which include priority check-in, security, boarding, and baggage handling privileges Earn 25 PQPs for every $500 spent in a calendar year (up to 1,000 PQPs in a calendar year)

*Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.

**Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available.

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Our favorite premium and luxury business card is the Amex Business Platinum card, which is the business version of the Amex Platinum card. Notably, the 2 cards have different perks and rewards structures.

To start off, you’ll enjoy a huge welcome bonus offer, plus the ability to earn up to 5x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent:

• 5x points flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com
• 1.5x points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more elsewhere (up to $2 million every calendar year)
• 1x points on all other purchases

You’ll also find that this card has some incredible statement credits for additional value (enrollment required):

• Up to $200 every year in airline fee credits
• Up to $189 every year in CLEAR Plus credits
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits
• Up to $400 every year in Dell credits
• Up to $360 every year in Indeed credits
• Up to $150 every year in Adobe credits
• Up to $120 every year in wireless credits

Check out these extra luxury travel perks:

• Access to Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection
• Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying on a same-day Delta flight), Plaza Premium Lounges, and Priority Pass lounges (upon enrollment)
• 35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points through AmexTravel.com (up to 1 million points back every calendar year)
• Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status upon enrollment
• Car rental status and/or benefits with Avis, Hertz, and National upon enrollment

The Amex Business Platinum card boasts cell phone protection, purchase protection, extended warranty, and no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).

American Express^® Business Gold Card

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 110,000 points with the Amex Business Gold card! The current public offer is 70,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Business Gold card is a step down from the Amex Business Platinum card, but it can actually be the better choice for the right person.

If you’re looking to max out on rewards instead of benefits, the Amex Business Gold card could make more sense.

This card earns 4x Membership Rewards points on the top 2 categories in which your business spends the most every month (up to $150,000 in combined purchases every calendar year):

• NEW! Transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways
• NEW! U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers
• NEW! Monthly wireless telephone service charges made directly from a wireless telephone service provider in the U.S.
• U.S. purchases at gas stations
• U.S. purchases at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
• Purchases at U.S. media providers for advertising in select media (online, TV, radio)

That 4x points structure is approximately equal to an 8.8% return on spending, which is huge. You’ll also earn 3x points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com and 1x points on all other purchases.

The Amex Business Gold card also offers the ability to make bookings at The Hotel Collection, travel insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and no annual fees for employee cards after the first employee card of $50 per year (rates & fees).

Ink Business Preferred^® Credit Card

One of our favorite business credit cards is the Ink Business Preferred card, which is issued by Chase.

Despite having a mild annual fee, it offers some incredible rewards that are second to none. But let’s pivot to the rewards, which consist of a bonus earning structure of 3x Ultimate Rewards points on the first $150,000 in purchases every cardmember year in these business categories:

• Ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
• Internet, cable, and phone services
• Shipping expenses
• Travel

In addition, you can earn 5x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025. All other purchases will earn 1x points.

Other easy ways to maximize this card include the fantastic cell phone protection plan, purchase protection, extended warranty, no-additional fee employee cards, and no foreign transaction fees.

Capital One Venture X Business Card

As with the personal version of the card, cardholders of the Capital One Venture X Business card (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.) earn 10x miles on hotels and rental cars purchases through Capital One Travel, and 5x miles on flights booked via Capital One Travel. Plus, cardholders enjoy an uncapped 2x miles per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

While the card does charge a $395 annual fee, you’ll receive a $300 annual Capital One Travel credit and 10,000-anniversary bonus miles to help offset that fee.

These are in addition to perks like airport lounge access, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, rental car insurance, cell phone protection, trip delay insurance, free employee cards, and more.

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card

The Delta Reserve Business card could become your best friend if you’re a business owner that frequently flies on Delta.

In fact, it’s one of the few credit cards that can help business owners get closer to valuable Delta elite status.

Currently, you’ll earn up to 3x Delta SkyMiles per dollar spent, as well as a welcome bonus:

• 3x Delta SkyMiles on Delta purchases
• 1.5x Delta SkyMiles after you spend $150,000 in a calendar year
• 1x Delta SkyMiles on all other purchases

Much like the Delta Reserve card we discussed in the personal cards section above, the Delta Reserve Business card has a series of amazing Delta perks:

• A complimentary round-trip companion certificate every year after you renew your card on First Class, Delta Comfort+^®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American flights
• Complimentary Delta Sky Club access when flying on Delta on the same day*
• Complimentary Centurion Lounge and Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner access when you purchase your Delta flight with your Delta Reserve Business card
• 2 Delta Sky Club 1-time guest passes every year
• Priority Main Cabin 1 boarding for yourself and up to 8 companions on the same reservation
• First checked bag free for yourself and up to 8 companions on the same reservation

You’ll also enjoy a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit, travel insurance, cell phone protection, purchase protection, extended warranty, employee cards for no additional annual fee, and no foreign transaction fees (rates & fees).

*Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.

United Club℠ Business Card

The last card we’ll discuss is the United Club Business card, which is Chase’s ultra-premium business credit card offered in partnership with United Airlines.

This credit card offers an impressive welcome bonus and the ability to earn up to 2x United MileagePlus miles per dollar spent:

• 2x United miles on United purchases
• 1.5x United miles on all other purchases

Most cardholders love the benefits you get when flying on United:

• Complimentary United Club membership
• Free first and second checked bags when you purchase your tickets from United with this card (terms apply)
• The ability to earn 500 Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) for every $12,000 you spend on your card (up to 1,000 PQPs per calendar year)
• Premier Access services, which include priority check-in, security, boarding, and baggage handling
• 25% statement credit on United inflight purchases

Even better, this credit card has complimentary Avis President’s Club status, access to The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection, travel insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, and no foreign transaction fees.

Why We Like Earning United MileagePlus Miles

The United Club Business card earns United MileagePlus miles; according to our valuations of 1.3 cents per United mile, that’s equal to a maximum ROI of 2.6% when earning up to 2x miles.

That’s decent, but you can get a better redemption value by using those MileagePlus miles on international award travel in business or first class.

What Is the Highest End Credit Card?

The 2 highest end credit cards are the Centurion^® Card from American Express (Amex Black card) and the J.P. Morgan Reserve Credit Card. Both of these cards are invitation-only and very, very exclusive.

If you’re interested in learning more about these 2 exclusive cards, read our detailed comparison of the J.P. Morgan Reserve Card vs. Amex Black (Centurion) Card.

What Are the Best Credit Cards for High Income Individuals?

When it comes to premium credit cards, there simply isn’t a “one-size-fits-all.” The best credit card for you, regardless of your income, is the card that suits your travel preferences and spending habits.

If you are looking for a card that offers the best airport lounge access, then the Amex Platinum card would be the card for you. If you are a foodie who spends a lot on dining and at supermarkets, then the Amex Gold card would be a better fit. And if you are an optimizer, like many people in the points and miles community, you can also hold multiple cards for multiple purposes.

There is no right or wrong way to go about it. If your setup works for you, then it works!

Is a Premium Credit Card Worth It?

That depends on what you are looking for in a new credit card! If you are someone who travels often enough to take advantage of the card’s perks regularly and whose spending habits meet the card’s bonus categories and statement credits, then it is likely that a premium credit card would easily be worth it for you.

How We Selected the Best Premium Credit Cards — Methodology

At Upgraded Points, we evaluate the best premium credit cards based on the value the card can offer travelers. Our evaluation process analyzes each card based on important factors, including benefits, earnings structure, welcome bonus, redemption value/rewards program, and fees.

Here is some insight into our thought process when selecting the best premium cards:

Associated Benefits

The best premium cards should offer great travel and lifestyle benefits. This can include airport lounge access, complimentary elite status, annual statement credits, priority security screening, and discounts.

Earnings Structure

Even though premium credit cards are primarily about the perks and benefits they offer, you still want to ensure they can help you earn points toward your next vacation. In this case, we evaluate the strength of the card’s rewards program and bonus categories.

Welcome Bonus Offers

The welcome offer on a premium credit card is usually quite generous, which will help kickstart future award redemptions. Given that welcome bonuses are a one-time bonus and can be lucrative, they are a factor in evaluating cards.

We’ll provide you with the current information available for each card, but we encourage you to confirm the welcome offer and review earnings offers before applying for any card.

Fees

Most premium credit cards have rather large annual fees, so we take these into account as well. As with any rewards credit card, it is important to ensure you’re getting enough value from the card each year to justify it.

Redemption Value

Considering the premium credit card’s rewards program is very important to the overall value proposition of the card. We like to prioritize cards with flexible redemption options and access to transfer partners, as these cards usually offer multiple great options to get great value out of your points.

Final Thoughts

For most travelers, a general travel credit card like the Amex Platinum card, Capital One Venture X card, or Chase Sapphire Reserve card may be the best option. These cards provide great returns on everyday spending and excellent benefits like lounge access across multiple lounge networks and car rental status.

However, those who regularly fly a specific airline for work may prefer a premium airline credit card, like those offered by Delta. These cards can help you achieve airline status faster and will give you access to domestic airline lounges when flying on your preferred airline. This is especially important when you consider that Priority Pass has limited options when traveling domestically.

We showed you the best premium travel credit cards on the market. Picking a card from this list depends on what you value the most in your travel experience — but a general premium travel credit card is best for most travelers. These cards provide the widest range of benefits and will reward you for spending in certain categories.

But now we want to hear from you. What premium travel credit cards do you carry daily? Let us know in the comments — we’re excited to hear your take.

---

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

Enrollment required through Capital One website or mobile app. Upon enrollment, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024.  Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier.  Additional terms apply.

For the cell phone protection benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card, and Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the extended warranty benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card, American Express Gold Card, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, and Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the purchase protection benefit of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, American Express Gold Card, Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card, and eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.