<p><img src="https://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5df3e508fd9db269dc033b2f" border="0"></p><p></p><bi-shortcode id="disclaimer" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="pointsguy"> </bi-shortcode><bi-shortcode id="summary-shortcode" data-type="summary-shortcode" class="mceNonEditable" contenteditable="false">Summary List Placement</bi-shortcode><h2>The best premium credit cards</h2><p>Below you'll find the main details about each of our favorite premium credit cards. For more information on each card, scroll to the "more info" section below.</p><h3>Best for earning travel rewards: <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e72234fc48540106c2d63b3">Chase Sapphire Reserve</bi-inline-shortcode></h3><bi-shortcode id="commerce-link" class="mceNonEditable" data-cardtype="credit-card" data-pid="5e72234fc48540106c2d63b3" data-type="undefined">Chase Sapphire Reserve</bi-shortcode><p> </p><h3>Best travel and luxury benefits: <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78df992d654f251532f27d">The Platinum Card from American Express</bi-inline-shortcode></h3><bi-shortcode id="commerce-link" class="mceNonEditable" data-cardtype="credit-card" data-pid="5e78df992d654f251532f27d" data-type="undefined">The Platinum Card from American Express</bi-shortcode><p> </p><h3>Best perks for dining out and ordering in: <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">American Express Gold Card</bi-inline-shortcode></h3><bi-shortcode id="commerce-link" class="mceNonEditable" data-cardtype="credit-card" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6" data-type="undefined">American Express Gold Card</bi-shortcode><p> </p><h3>Best for expensive hotel stays: <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e7a271c671de023ef1cf886">Citi Prestige Card</bi-inline-shortcode></h3><bi-shortcode id="commerce-link" class="mceNonEditable" data-cardtype="credit-card" data-pid="5e7a271c671de023ef1cf886" data-type="undefined">Citi Citi Prestige Card</bi-shortcode><p>The <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e7a271c671de023ef1cf886">Citi Prestige Card</bi-inline-shortcode><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/heavy-metal-credit-card-trend-citi-prestige-2019-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a> may not have the same name recognition as the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e72234fc48540106c2d63b3">Chase Sapphire Reserve</bi-inline-shortcode> or the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78df992d654f251532f27d">Platinum Card</bi-inline-shortcode>, but it offers one very unique benefit that you can't find anywhere else: a fourth night free on qualifying hotel stays booked through Citi.</p><p>You can use this perk up to two times per calendar year, and if you're strategic about how you apply it, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.</p><h3>The best premium airline credit card: <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e742e07c485407ade490ec3">United Club Infinite Card</bi-inline-shortcode></h3><bi-shortcode id="commerce-link" class="mceNonEditable" data-cardtype="credit-card" data-pid="5e742e07c485407ade490ec3" data-type="undefined">New United Club Infinite Card</bi-shortcode><p> </p><h3>The best premium hotel credit card: <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e83676c2d41c1513e6050e7">Hilton Honors Aspire Card</bi-inline-shortcode></h3><bi-shortcode id="commerce-link" class="mceNonEditable" data-cardtype="credit-card" data-pid="5e83676c2d41c1513e6050e7" data-type="undefined">Hilton Honors Aspire Card</bi-shortcode><p>Some of the top rewards credit cardsincluding the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e67d55684159f610676c264">Chase Sapphire Preferred Card</bi-inline-shortcode> and the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e838c81671de01efa7b8f67">Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card</bi-inline-shortcode>have $95 annual fees and include a strong mix of rewards and travel/purchase protections. If you want perks like annual statement credits and airport lounge access, though, you'll be looking at premium cards in the $250 to $550-a-year range.</p><p>Paying hundreds of dollars for a premium credit card won't make sense for everyone, but if you take advantage of enough benefits, it can be well worth the money. Keep reading for a look at the best premium rewards cards and information on how to find the best one for you.</p><bi-shortcode id="disclaimer" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="pfifinancialresponsibility"> </bi-shortcode><h2>How our list compares to other publications</h2><p>No matter what type of credit card you're looking to open, doing your research is key. That means digging into the options and comparing them, and seeing what various experts recommend.</p><p>To help streamline the process of finding the right premium credit card for you, we made this chart that shows how our recommendations align with two other top publications.</p><table style="height: 84px; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="10px"><tbody><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"> </td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;"><strong>Personal Finance Insider</strong></td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;"><strong>NerdWallet</strong></td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;"><strong>The Points Guy</strong></td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e72234fc48540106c2d63b3">Chase Sapphire Reserve</bi-inline-shortcode></td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;"></td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;"></td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;"></td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78df992d654f251532f27d">Platinum Card</bi-inline-shortcode></td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;"></td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;"></td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;"></td></tr><tr style="height: 21px;"><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">Amex Gold Card</bi-inline-shortcode></td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;"></td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;">X</td><td style="width: 25%; height: 21px; text-align: center;">X</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 25%;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e7a271c671de023ef1cf886">Citi Prestige Credit Card</bi-inline-shortcode></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;"></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">X</td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;"></td></tr><tr><td style="width: 25%;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e742e07c485407ade490ec3">New United Club Infinite Card</bi-inline-shortcode></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;"></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">X</td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;">X</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 25%;"><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e83676c2d41c1513e6050e7">Hilton Honors Aspire Card</bi-inline-shortcode></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;"></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;"></td><td style="width: 25%; text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><h2>More info on our favorite premium credit cards</h2><h3><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e72234fc48540106c2d63b3">Chase Sapphire Reserve</bi-inline-shortcode></h3><p>If your No. 1 criterion for picking a premium credit card is rewards, the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e72234fc48540106c2d63b3">Chase Sapphire Reserve</bi-inline-shortcode> is a great option. Not only does it earn 3 points per dollar on a wide range of travel (after earning the $300 travel credit) and dining purchases, but it also has additional limited-time bonus categories, including Instacart, through September. </p><bi-shortcode id="related-article-module" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="5a7b62ce136ec520008b4ed0" data-title="Chase Sapphire Reserve card review: One of the best premium travel cards, with unbeatable bonus rewards" data-url="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/chase-sapphire-reserve-credit-card-review" data-thumbnail="https://i.insider.com/5ebd5801204ad369e5372022" data-shortcode-display-text="Related Article Module: Chase Sapphire Reserve card review: One of the best premium travel cards, with unbeatable bonus rewards"> </bi-shortcode><p>While other premium credit cards may have higher points multipliers on select spending categories, the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e72234fc48540106c2d63b3">Chase Sapphire Reserve</bi-inline-shortcode> stands out for offering some of the most valuable redemption options. Each of your <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/guide-earning-using-chase-ultimate-rewards-points" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chase Ultimate Rewards points</a> from this card is worth 1.5 cents toward travel booked through Chase, or toward dining, grocery, or home improvement purchases with <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/how-to-use-chase-pay-yourself-back" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chase's new Pay Yourself Back feature</a>. That's a 50% bonus over the standard value of Chase points (1 cent apiece). </p><p>The card has a $550 annual fee, but its annual travel statement credit of up to $300 is easy to use (virtually any type of travel purchase is eligible, from plane tickets to Uber rides to highway tolls). So if you spend at least $300 on travel in a yearwhich you absolutely should if you're considering this card in the first placeyou can effectively subtract that from the fee for a total of $250 spent out of pocket.</p><h3><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78df992d654f251532f27d">Platinum Card</bi-inline-shortcode></h3><p>It's hard to beat the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78df992d654f251532f27d">Platinum Card</bi-inline-shortcode> when it comes to the sheer number of perks it offers. In addition to earning a respectable 5x points on flights booked directly through the airline or through Amex Travel, the card comes with a whole host of benefits, both for travel and shopping.</p><bi-shortcode id="related-article-module" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="5d3f5ab848c50a58da3e469b" data-title="Amex Platinum review: The best card for airport lounge access and other high-end travel perks, with a 75,000-point welcome bonus" data-url="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/american-express-platinum-credit-card-review" data-thumbnail="https://i.insider.com/5e56870efee23d60ff5b9203" data-shortcode-display-text="Related Article Module: Amex Platinum review: The best card for airport lounge access and other high-end travel perks, with a 75,000-point welcome bonus"> </bi-shortcode><p>On the travel side, you get <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/american-express-platinum-airline-credits-offset-fee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">up to a $200 annual airline fee credit</a>, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/credit-cards-complimentary-airport-lounge-access" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more airport lounge access options</a> than any other card, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/amex-platinum-complimentary-hotel-elite-status" target="_blank" rel="noopener">complimentary elite status</a> with Hilton and Marriott, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/how-to-use-amex-platinum-uber-credit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">up to $200 in Uber credits every year</a>. Other benefits include <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/how-to-use-maximize-amex-platinum-saks-credit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">up to $100 in Saks credits every year</a> (broken up as $50 semi-annually), and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-are-amex-offers-available-now" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amex Offers</a> for cash back or bonus points when you shop with specific retailers. </p><p>The <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78df992d654f251532f27d">Platinum Card</bi-inline-shortcode>'s $550 annual fee is nothing to sneeze at, but if you take advantage of all its benefits, you can get <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/american-express-platinum-credit-card-review" target="_blank" rel="noopener">as much as $2,000 in value</a> in your first year as a cardholder. </p><h3><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">Amex Gold Card</bi-inline-shortcode></h3><p>The <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">Amex Gold Card</bi-inline-shortcode> is one of the most rewarding options for those who like to dine out and order in. It offers up to $120 in annual statement credits (up to $10 per month) for dining with GrubHub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House, and participating Shake Shack locations.</p><bi-shortcode id="related-article-module" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="5bbe0eb3765453386d2cc527" data-title="American Express Gold card review: If you eat out and shop at US supermarkets, this card's rewards and benefits are hard to beat" data-url="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/amex-gold-card-review" data-thumbnail="https://i.insider.com/5e22031724306a71ff3e4cd2" data-shortcode-display-text="Related Article Module: American Express Gold card review: If you eat out and shop at US supermarkets, this card's rewards and benefits are hard to beat"> </bi-shortcode><p>You'll also earn 4x points at restaurants worldwide (including food-delivery services) and 4x points on up to $25,000 spent at US supermarkets each calendar year (and 1 point per dollar if that cap is met).</p><p>The <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78ea42671de024d00cf6b6">Amex Gold Card</bi-inline-shortcode> is the most affordable card on this list, with an annual fee of $250 <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5f4fb2315b83c02491724765">(See Rates)</bi-inline-shortcode>. Plus, the annual fee is effectively even lower when you factor in the monthly dining credit.</p><h3><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e7a271c671de023ef1cf886">Citi Prestige Card</bi-inline-shortcode></h3><p>The <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e7a271c671de023ef1cf886">Citi Prestige Credit Card</bi-inline-shortcode> isn't as well known as some other cards on this list, but it stands out for one very valuable benefit: a fourth night free on hotel stays booked through Citi. </p><bi-shortcode id="related-article-module" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="5f74e0992c44cc40c3030f57" data-title="Citi Prestige review: A great travel card for earning points, with a unique benefit for saving money on hotel stays" data-url="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/citi-prestige-card-review" data-thumbnail="https://i.insider.com/5f80c0d64c3b2e0019bba448" data-shortcode-display-text="Related Article Module: Citi Prestige review: A great travel card for earning points, with a unique benefit for saving money on hotel stays"> </bi-shortcode><p>You can use this benefit up to twice a year, and if you apply it to expensive stays, this perk alone can cancel out the card's $495 annual fee.</p><p>The <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e7a271c671de023ef1cf886">Citi Prestige Credit Card</bi-inline-shortcode> also offers up to $250 in statement credits toward travel purchases each year, and it earns 5x points on air travel and restaurants.</p><h3><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e742e07c485407ade490ec3">United Club Infinite Card</bi-inline-shortcode></h3><p>The best premium airline credit card for you will depend on what airlines fly out of your home airport. But if any of the major US airlines is a convenient option for you, the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e742e07c485407ade490ec3">United Club Infinite Card</bi-inline-shortcode> has a few advantages that make it the best premium airline card.</p><bi-shortcode id="related-article-module" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="5f3fe5b4aee6a87a515673a3" data-title="United Club Infinite card review: Impressive rewards, plus full United Club membership" data-url="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/united-club-infinite-card-review" data-thumbnail="https://i.insider.com/5f4d514a7ffa48002894d35d" data-shortcode-display-text="Related Article Module: United Club Infinite card review: Impressive rewards, plus full United Club membership"> </bi-shortcode><p>This card has a $525 annual fee, but it's waived the first yearwhich is virtually unheard of among premium credit cards. As a cardholder you'll get a United Club membership, so you can access the airline's airport lounges and its partner lounges around the world. </p><p>The <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e742e07c485407ade490ec3">United Club Infinite Card</bi-inline-shortcode> also stands out on the rewards front. Unlike other <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/best-airline-credit-cards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">airline credit cards</a> that only offer bonus miles on purchases with the affiliated airline, this card earns 2x miles on all travel purchases and on dining at restaurants, plus 4x miles on United purchases (and 1 mile per dollar on everything else). </p><p>You also get two free checked bags on United flights when you pay with the card, plus priority check-in and early boarding.</p><h3><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e83676c2d41c1513e6050e7">Hilton Honors Aspire Card</bi-inline-shortcode></h3><p>Just as the best premium airline credit card for you depends on which airline you prefer, the right premium hotel credit card for you will be the card that offers benefits where you're most likely to stay. If you already have status with with a particular hotel chain, you'll probably want to get a card associated with that loyalty program so you can continue building rewards and even potentially earn higher status.</p><p>But if you don't have a favorite hotel chain and simply want the card that will get you the most benefits and save you the most money, there's a strong argument to be made for the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e83676c2d41c1513e6050e7">Hilton Honors Aspire Card</bi-inline-shortcode>.</p><bi-shortcode id="related-article-module" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="5bb3c35392b3691e933d9f68" data-title="I was hesitant to pay the Hilton Aspire card's $450 annual fee, but I got $3,700 in value toward travel in my first year" data-url="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/hilton-amex-aspire-review" data-thumbnail="https://i.insider.com/5ad4cb1c146e7126008b4a24" data-shortcode-display-text="Related Article Module: I was hesitant to pay the Hilton Aspire card's $450 annual fee, but I got $3,700 in value toward travel in my first year"> </bi-shortcode><p>In exchange for the $450 annual fee, you get the highest level of elite status in the Hilton program: Hilton Honors Diamond, which gets you a 100% points bonus on stays, room upgrades, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/hilton-credit-cards-status-free-breakfast" target="_blank" rel="noopener">complimentary breakfast</a>. The <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e83676c2d41c1513e6050e7">Hilton Honors Aspire Card</bi-inline-shortcode> is the only <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/best-hotel-credit-cards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hotel credit card</a> to offer the highest level of elite status outright; with other cards, you have to spend your way to top-tier status, and the annual spending requirements are in the thousands of dollars.</p><p>Other card benefits include a free weekend night reward each year after your account renewal, and up to $250 in statement credits each year for purchases made at participating Hilton resorts. You can use this statement credit to effectively get $250 off of a Hilton hotel room rate. In addition to that, you also get up to $250 in annual statement credits for airline fees.</p><h2>Other credit cards that just missed the cut</h2><p>Our final list of the best premium credit cards includes six options, but we considered several other cards as well. Here's a look at the other premium credit cards that didn't make the final cut.</p><ul><li><strong><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e836ab12ff8394e306c9f08">Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card</bi-inline-shortcode> </strong>The top-of-the-line Marriott credit card has some great benefits, including up to $300 in annual statement credits for eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and complimentary Platinum Elite status with your Card for the 2021 status year (offer Expires 1/13/2021). It falls just a bit short of the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e83676c2d41c1513e6050e7">Hilton Honors Aspire Card</bi-inline-shortcode> in terms of the value it can offer, since that card offers top-tier Hilton status, and both a Hilton statement credit and an airline fee statement credit.</li><li><strong><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e8367c02d41c1518e1e6446">Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card</bi-inline-shortcode></strong>This premium Delta credit card has some strong benefits, such as a Status Boost that earns you <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/delta-medallion-qualification-miles-earn-with-credit-cards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Medallion Qualification Miles</a> toward Delta status when you meet annual spending requirements. It also comes with an annual companion certificate each year upon your account renewal. That said, it has a $550 annual fee <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5f4fb396185060264a3c84d4">(See Rates)</bi-inline-shortcode>, which is the highest among premium airline cards. </li><li><strong><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e7978a3ba85ee406f361f74">Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard</bi-inline-shortcode></strong>It was a right race between this card and the<bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e742e07c485407ade490ec3">United Club Infinite Card</bi-inline-shortcode>. Unlike United's card, the <strong><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e7978a3ba85ee406f361f74">Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard</bi-inline-shortcode></strong><strong> </strong>offers airline lounge membership (for American Airlines' Admirals Clubs) to both the primary cardholder and up to 10 authorized users that can be added to the card for free. Those 11 cardholders can each bring in two guests, so you're getting 33 people free lounge access from one card. The <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e742e07c485407ade490ec3">United Club Infinite Card</bi-inline-shortcode> ultimately won because it offers more miles on everyday purchasesand not everyone will care about airport lounge access.</li><li><strong><bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5eeba8ec3f737023cf0750c2">U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card</bi-inline-shortcode></strong>With a $400 annual fee and a long benefits list including up to $325 in annual credits for travel, this card is a lesser-known gem. However, it didn't make the cut because you need to be a U.S. Bank customer to apply, and there are fewer options for redeeming your points compared to other premium cards from Amex, Chase, and Citi.</li></ul><h2>Frequently asked questions</h2><h3>How did we choose the best premium credit cards'</h3><p>Our list of the best premium credit cards doesn't include every option under the sunPersonal Finance Insider narrowed down our list to the top options. To do so, we used the following criteria:</p><ul><li><strong>Annual fee </strong> It's a given that premium credit cards charge high annual fees, but some fees are lower than others, and some cards are able to justify the higher fees with benefits like annual statement credits that give you money back.</li><li><strong>Welcome bonus</strong>A <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/best-current-credit-card-signup-bonuses" target="_blank" rel="noopener">welcome offer of bonus points or miles</a> for new cardholders who meet a minimum spending requirement is a great incentive to sign up, and it can help jumpstart your next trip booked with rewards. It's not the most important factor in deciding whether a premium credit card makes sense for you in the long run, but we did give some weight to how a card's sign-up bonus stacked up against the competition.</li><li><strong>Ongoing rewards </strong>How many points or miles per dollar does the card offer on everyday spending' The stronger the earnings on purchases, the better.</li><li><strong>Benefits </strong>Beyond earning points and miles, what kinds of benefits does the card offer' Ideally, cardholders will get a strong combination of statement credits that reduce their out-of-pocket spending, travel protections, and extras like airport lounge access.</li></ul><p>From there, we looked at the overall value each card offers based on these various features.</p><h3>Is a premium credit card worth it'</h3><p>A premium credit card is worth it for some people, but not for others. To decide whether a premium card is worth it for you, you'll want to look at the card's benefits and determine how many of them you'll use. Premium credit cards justify their high annual fees by offering high-end benefits you can't get with less-expensive cards, but they'll only be worth it if you can actually put those benefits to use.</p><p>Another important step in determining whether a premium credit card is worth it for you is to assess your spending and see if the card will offer you strong rewards on the purchases you make. Some premium cards only offer bonus points when you spend with a particular airline or hotel, while others, like the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e72234fc48540106c2d63b3">Chase Sapphire Reserve</bi-inline-shortcode> and the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e7a271c671de023ef1cf886">Citi Prestige Credit Card</bi-inline-shortcode>, have several bonus categories that encompass a wider array of purchase categories.</p><h3>What is the best premium credit card'</h3><p>Just as a premium credit card could be worth it for one person but not make sense for another, the best premium credit card depends very much on the person. Some of the most popular premium cards are the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78df992d654f251532f27d">Platinum Card</bi-inline-shortcode> and the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e72234fc48540106c2d63b3">Chase Sapphire Reserve</bi-inline-shortcode>, but they're not necessarily the best option for you.</p><h3>Which is betterthe Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Amex Platinum' </h3><p>The <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e78df992d654f251532f27d">Platinum Card</bi-inline-shortcode> is better if you want as many travel perks as possible, from airport lounge access to annual Uber credits to complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott. If you want a card with bells and whistles but want perks you can use even if you don't hit the road often, the <bi-inline-shortcode id="commerce-link" contenteditable="false" data-fields="product_editorial_name" data-customtext="" data-shouldlink="true" data-pid="5e72234fc48540106c2d63b3">Chase Sapphire Reserve</bi-inline-shortcode> is likely a better pick. Its annual statement credit of up to $300 applies to all sorts of travel purchases, including those you make close to home like parking and highway tolls and subway fares. It also earns bonus points on dining, and you can get great value from your points for non-travel purchases like groceries, dining, and home improvement.</p><p>Check out our <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/chase-sapphire-reserve-vs-amex-platinum-card" target="_blank" rel="noopener">comparison of the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Amex Platinum</a> for an in-depth look at the two cards.</p><bi-shortcode id="related-content-module" class="mceNonEditable" data-type="more-credit-card-coverage" data-sheetname="More Credit Card Coverage">Related Content Module: More Credit Card Coverage</bi-shortcode><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/best-premium-credit-cards#comments">Join the conversation about this story »</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-its-like-make-beer-with-picobrew-c-home-brew-2020-3">We tested a machine that brews beer at the push of a button</a></p>
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