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Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. SHARE: GaudiLab/Shutterstock.com October 06, 2021 Checkmark Bankrate logo How is this page expert verified? At Bankrate, we take the accuracy of our content seriously. "Expert verified" means that our Financial Review Board thoroughly evaluated the article for accuracy and clarity. The Review Board comprises a panel of financial experts whose objective is to ensure that our content is always objective and balanced. Their reviews hold us accountable for publishing high-quality and trustworthy content. Holly Johnson writes expert content on personal finance, credit cards, loyalty and insurance topics. In addition to writing for Bankrate and CreditCards.com, Johnson does ongoing work for clients that include CNN, Forbes Advisor, LendingTree, Time Magazine and more. Antonio Ruiz-Camacho is senior director of content for and . He has more than 20 years of international experience leading content teams, focused on consumer advice, technology and immigration. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for how we make money. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we have a mission to demystify the credit cards industry — regardless or where you are in your journey — and make it one you can navigate with confidence. Our team is full of a diverse range of experts from credit card pros to data analysts and, most importantly, people who shop for credit cards just like you. With this combination of expertise and perspectives, we keep close tabs on the credit card industry year-round to: Meet you wherever you are in your credit card journey to guide your information search and help you understand your options. Consistently provide up-to-date, reliable market information so you're well-equipped to make confident decisions. Reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible, so you can make the right decision for you. At Bankrate, we focus on the points consumers care about most: rewards, welcome offers and bonuses, APR, and overall customer experience. Any issuers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide to consumers at each of these levels. At each step of the way, we fact-check ourselves to prioritize accuracy so we can continue to be here for your every next. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
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A black credit card is a type of extremely exclusive credit card that is almost solely reserved for the ultrawealthy. Typically, the cards are available on an invitation-only basis. The threshold for entry into this elite echelon of card ownership is incredibly high, as are the annual fees. In some cases, black credit cards require you to spend tens of thousands—or even hundreds of thousands—of dollars on your card each year just to be considered. Best black credit cards
Funnily enough, black cards aren’t necessarily black in color. Not only that, but many also go by different names, including the black credit card from American Express, which is also called the Centurion Card from American Express. If your spending is high enough and you want access to exclusive perks, keep an eye out for an invitation to these top black cards and all they have to offer. Centurion Card from American Express
The Centurion Card from American Express is offered by invite only (although you can for the invitation) and has a steep entry price. Not only do you have to pay a $10,000 initiation fee to get your hands on this card, but a $5,000 annual fee applies as well. Cardholder benefits include airline status with Delta, broad airport lounge access that includes Priority Pass and American Express Centurion Lounges and an airline fee credit. You can also access an exclusive 24/7 concierge program and you’ll receive automatic elite status with various hotel and rental car programs. In terms of rewards, reports note that you’ll only earn 1X Membership Rewards points, although some say you’ll earn 1.5X points for all purchases over $5,000. You may also earn a hefty welcome offer, although reports vary on just how many points you can receive and the spending requirement. Mastercard Black Card
The , which is offered through Luxury Card, is a black-coated metal credit card that exudes exclusivity. However, applying for this card isn’t overly difficult since it’s available online, and the $495 annual fee (plus $195 for each Authorized User) makes it a lot more affordable. If you do opt to sign up for this black card, you’ll earn 1X points. However, your rewards are worth 2 percent when redeemed for airfare with any airline, and you get 1.5 percent back in value when you redeem your rewards for cash back. This makes the Mastercard Black Card a lot different from other premium travel credit cards that let you transfer your rewards to specific airline and hotel partners. The Mastercard Black card does let you redeem your points with any airline, however, which makes the rewards earned just as flexible. J P Morgan Reserve Card
The J P Morgan Reserve Card (formerly known as the Chase Palladium Card) comes with a $595 annual fee. You have to be a private banking client of J.P. Morgan in order to qualify, and it’s generally believed, though unconfirmed, that you need to have $10 million worth of assets managed by J.P. Morgan. This card is strictly by invitation only. The J.P. Morgan Palladium Card reportedly comes with United Club access and a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership. You also receive 3X points on travel after your annual $300 credit, 3X points on dining, and 1X points on all other purchases, as well as a fee credit for Global Entry. Some reports also mention an annual haul of bonus rewards when you meet a minimum spending requirement each year. Also, Chase recently introduced some newer benefits for the J P Morgan Reserve Card. For example, cardholders now earn 5X points on flights and 10X points on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Further, cardholders also earn 10X points on dining options through Chase Dining. The information about the Centurion Card from American Express and the J P Morgan Reserve Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer. Don’t see the card for you? Our feature can help you find a card that best fits your needs. How to get a black credit card
While it’s only natural to want an exclusive credit card, card issuers tend to be tight-lipped when it comes to how to receive an exclusive invite to a black credit card. Unfortunately, getting an invite is typically the only way to get a black credit card of your own. With the exception of the Mastercard Black Card from Luxury Card, you can’t simply hop online and apply for a black card just because you want one. However, there are some steps you can take to get an invitation for black card membership. For example, past media reports have suggested that you can get an invitation to apply for a black credit card from American Express once you spend an average of $500,000 annually on another American Express credit card. Other black credit cards, including options from Chase, may only be available to select banking clients who have a high dollar amount on deposit or invested with the bank. Once again, however, no one knows for sure the internal dollar figure required by card issuers for a formal invitation to black card status. Should you accept the invitation to get your own black credit card
If you’re on the verge of considering a black credit card, we would actually advise against it. Unless your main goal is having a credit card few other people have, you’re probably a lot better off with a premium travel credit card that is less exclusive. For example, rewards credit cards like the and tend to offer a ton of value in exchange for the financial commitment. Not only can you earn valuable rewards and a hefty welcome offer, but you also get access to perks like annual travel credits and airport lounge access—both of which can bring hundreds of dollars of value to the table. With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, for example, you get 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 Ultimate Rewards. You also earn 3X points on travel and dining and 1X points on other purchases along with exclusive benefits like airport lounge access, a $300 annual travel credit, a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. You also get a Lyft Pink membership and 10X rewards on Lyft purchases (through March 2025). Further, this card also comes with 10X points on car rentals and hotels booked through Chase, 10X total points on dining purchases through Chase Dining and 5X points on flights booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards. A $550 annual fee applies, but you can get considerably more value out of this card the first year and each subsequent year. The Chase Sapphire Reserve may not be invite-only, but it’s much better value for almost anyone. The bottom line
Black credit cards are the crème de la crème of the credit card industry. With high entry requirements and high fees, black credit cards have a well-earned reputation for exclusivity. Though card specifics, like invitations, are hard to come by, it’s likely that aside from bragging rights, you’ll be better served by a premium rewards credit card instead. SHARE: Holly Johnson writes expert content on personal finance, credit cards, loyalty and insurance topics. In addition to writing for Bankrate and CreditCards.com, Johnson does ongoing work for clients that include CNN, Forbes Advisor, LendingTree, Time Magazine and more. Antonio Ruiz-Camacho is senior director of content for and . He has more than 20 years of international experience leading content teams, focused on consumer advice, technology and immigration. Related Articles