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Best Luxury Cards of 2022

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Luxury cards offer a wealth of rewards and benefits, especially when it comes to travel. Depending on the card you choose and your travel habits, it can be easy to make up for the card's steep annual fee and more.

If you're considering a luxury card for your wallet, here are our top picks to help you pick the right one for you.

1 Partner Offers

Our Picks for the Best Luxury Cards
<span style='background-color:#FFFF00;'>The Platinum Card<sup>®</sup> from American Express</span>

The Platinum Card® from American Express

5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year

5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel

1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 6 months of card membership

$695 annual fee

Terms Apply. Rates and Fees.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

While The Platinum Card® from American Express isn't a heavy-hitter when it comes to rewards, its outsized suite of benefits is impressive, even with its $695 annual fee (see rates and fees):

  • Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card
  • Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber Cash for use on food delivery or rides in the U.S. once the card is added to your Uber account
  • Annual digital entertainment credit worth up to $240 (up to $20 in statement credits monthly for purchases using the Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal). Enrollment required.
  • Up to $200 back in annual hotel statement credits on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • Use CLEAR® Plus at 45+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 annual credit for a CLEAR membership, subject to auto-renewal
  • Up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue on your Platinum card. Enrollment required.
  • Up to $300 annual Equinox credit each year on an Equinox+ subscription, or any Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required.
  • Good travel rewards and perks
  • No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees).

Unlike traditional credit cards, however, The Platinum Card® from American Express lets you carry a balance only for certain charges—not all of them. Terms apply.

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Benefits to Look for in a Luxury Card

As you shop around to find the right luxury card for you, here are some common features you'll want to look for:

  • Annual and monthly credits on travel and dining
  • Airport lounge access
  • Elite status benefits with hotels or car rental companies
  • Perks with select luxury hotel brands, including on-property credits and other amenities
  • Concierge service
  • Valuable travel insurance benefits

How to Choose the Best Luxury Card

Luxury cards typically offer a flurry of travel perks, but they're not the same for every card. As a result, it's important to consider how you travel and what types of benefits you prefer. Here are some things to think about as you shop around:

  • Check the annual fee. There's nothing inherently wrong with paying an annual fee, but it may not be worth it if it's outside of your budget—even if the card's perks are valuable.
  • Review the rewards rates. In a lot of cases, luxury cards aren't rewards-earning powerhouses, at least on an ongoing basis. That said, if you plan to use the card regularly, it's important to determine which card will give you the most value on your everyday spending.
  • Evaluate the added benefits. As you shop around, check to see how much the benefits are worth and how that figure compares to the card's annual fee. Be sure to only consider perks you think you'll actually use. For example, while the $300 Equinox credit on The Platinum Card® from American Express is nice, it won't be worth anything to you if you don't plan to use it.

Check Your Credit Before You Apply

It's important to note that luxury cards are typically designed for people with good to exceptional credit. Check your credit score before applying to make sure your score meets that standard, which can vary depending on which card you're considering.

If your score needs some work, take time to improve your credit before you apply. Even if you have a high income, that might not be enough to get approved if your credit is in poor shape.