The Most Lucrative Credit Cards for High Spenders in 2024

CREDIT CARDS - CREDIT CARD REWARDS
Ditch your current credit card for one of these and get more for your spending.
Updated March 28, 2024
Fact checked
The Most Lucrative Credit Cards for High Spenders

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

We all know that the more money you spend on a rewards credit card, the more you’ll earn in cash back rewards, points, or miles. But with some credit cards, higher spending can also make it easier to justify getting a credit card with a higher annual fee and luxury perks along with it.

If you’re a big spender, it’s important to make sure you’re making the most out of your credit card spending. Here are some of the best credit cards for high spenders and how to pick the right one for you.

In this article

How to choose the best credit card for high spenders

There’s no single best credit card out there for everyone, but there are some cards that are better suited to big spenders than others. More specifically, premium credit cards with long lists of luxury travel benefits should be on your radar.

In addition to next-level perks to elevate your travel experience, premium credit cards also often have high credit limits, making it easier to use your card for everyday purchases without maxing out your credit limit. (An added bonus: Staying well below your credit limit can help your credit utilization, which in turn can improve your credit score.)

Many of these cards also have valuable rewards programs that allow you to get more value out of your points or miles than you would with a typical cashback credit card. Whether through transfer partners or partner airlines, you could turn your spending into lucrative travel redemptions.

The best personal credit cards for high spenders

Card Excellent for... Welcome bonus Rewards rate Annual fee
The Platinum Card® from American Express
5.0

Luxury travel perks Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases on your new card in the first 6 months 5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases $695 (Terms apply)
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
5.0

Flexible rewards and benefits Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening 5X points on flights and 10X points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 3X points on other travel and dining & 1X points per dollar on all other purchases $550 
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
5.0

Hotel elite status and perks Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months 14X points on eligible purchases within the Hilton portfolio, 7X points on qualifying travel purchases made directly with airlines/select car rental companies or Amextravel.com, 7X points at U.S. restaurants, and 3X points on all other eligible purchases $550 (Terms apply)
United Club℠ Infinite Card
4.8

An elevated flying experience Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening 4 miles per dollar on United purchases; 2 miles per dollar on all other travel and dining; plus 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases $525

All information about Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by FinanceBuzz.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express is a travel rewards card that could be a great fit if you travel frequently and want a more luxurious experience. The credit card offers several benefits that can improve every aspect of your trips. These include:

  • Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash — that’s $15 each month and a bonus of $20 in December (terms apply)
  • An application fee credit of up to $100 every 4 years for Global Entry or up to $85 every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck
  • Complimentary airport lounge access to the Centurion Lounge, The International American Express Lounge, Delta Sky Club, Priority Pass, and other lounge networks.
  • Complimentary benefits at Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection properties
  • Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Hilton Honors Gold status
  • Complimentary membership in premium rental car programs that include special discounts and upgrades
  • Note that enrollment is required for select benefits

The card also offers an excellent welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on purchases on your new card in the first 6 months. Plus, you can earn 5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases.

Those points can be incredibly valuable with the right redemption. Amex allows you to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a number of airline and hotel rewards programs. Depending on how you use them this way, you could get far more than the standard 1 cent per point in value.

The primary drawback of the Amex Platinum is its $695 annual fee. But if you’re regularly taking advantage of the card’s benefits, you stand to gain far more than its yearly cost in value.

Learn how to apply or check out our American Express Platinum Card review for more information.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a lot of premium benefits, but big spenders will likely get the most out of the card’s rewards program. As a cardholder, you'll earn Chase Ultimate Rewards, which are one of the most flexible travel currencies out there. If you're approved for the card, you’ll earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, plus you’ll earn 5X points on flights and 10X points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 3X points on other travel and dining & 1X points per dollar on all other purchases.

A 1X base rewards rate may not sound like a lot, but here’s the kicker: Redeeming your points for travel through Chase gives you 50% more value. That means you’re getting a base rewards rate of 1.5%, or possibly even more if you transfer your points to one of Chase’s airline and hotel transfer partners.

The card also offers some incredible perks, including:

  • A $300 annual travel credit
  • $5 monthly DoorDash credit 
  • An application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
  • Complimentary access to Priority Pass airport lounges
  • Special rental car privileges with National, Avis, and Silvercar, including discounts and upgrades
  • Special benefits at The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection and Relais & Châteaux properties
  • A suite of valuable trip protections
  • Extended warranty coverage on eligible purchases

The card’s annual fee is $550, but the annual travel credit effectively drops it to $250. If you spend and travel a lot, you can easily make up for the rest through the card’s rewards program and perks. Alternatively, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card offers some enviable travel perks with a $95 annual fee, which may be more manageable for some.

Apply now or check out our Chase Sapphire Reserve review for more information.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

You don’t need to spend a lot to get a lot out of the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, but it doesn’t hurt either. The card offers a Free Night Reward every year when you pay your annual fee, plus another one when you spend $60,000 in a calendar year.

The card also offers several other valuable perks for Hilton Honors enthusiasts, including:

  • Complimentary Diamond status, the hotel’s highest status level
  • Up to $200 annual Hilton Resort statement credit
  • Up to $200 airline fee credit ($50 in statement credits each quarter) on eligible flight purchases
  • A $100 Hilton on-property credit at eligible Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts properties (when you book at least two nights with your card at HiltonHonors.com/aspirecard)
  • Note that enrollment is required for select benefits

You can also rack up a lot of points easily: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months. You’ll also get 14X points on eligible purchases within the Hilton portfolio, 7X points on qualifying travel purchases made directly with airlines/select car rental companies or Amextravel.com, 7X points at U.S. restaurants, and 3X points on all other eligible purchases.

Just keep in mind that Hilton Honors points are worth about 0.5 cents apiece on average. But even then, you’re getting a 1.5% rewards rate at a minimum, and the card’s perks essentially pay for the $550 annual fee if you can max them out.

Check out our Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card review for more information.

United Club℠ Infinite Card

Whether you fly within the U.S. or abroad, you stand to get a ton of value with the United Club Infinite Card. You’ll start off with the chance to earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, plus an ongoing 4 miles per dollar on United purchases; 2 miles per dollar on all other travel and dining; plus 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.

United MileagePlus miles are generally worth 1.1 cents apiece, giving you an effective base rewards rate of more than 1%. Not many cards will give you that kind of rewards rate on everything, especially considering you could get more than the program’s average value per mile, depending on how savvy you are.

In addition to a valuable rewards program, the card also offers several lucrative perks, including:

  • Complimentary United Club membership, the airline’s lounge network, valued at $650
  • Complimentary IHG Rewards Platinum Elite status for complimentary room upgrades and extended checkout
  • Up to $75 in the form of statement credits for IHG hotels charged to your card in 2023
  • Priority check-in, security screening, boarding, and baggage handling privileges
  • Two free checked bags on United for you and one companion on your reservation

The card charges a $525 annual fee, but high spenders and frequent flyers will make up for that in a flash.

Check out our United Club Infinite Card review for more information.

The best business credit cards for high spenders

Card Excellent for... Welcome bonus Rewards rate Annual fee
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
4.8

Premium perks Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on Amextravel.com; 1.5X points on eligible purchases at U.S. suppliers of construction materials and hardware, U.S. retailers of electronic goods, U.S. providers of shipping, software and cloud systems, and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million per year, then 1X); and 1X points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases $695 (Terms apply)
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
4.8

Valuable rewards Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening 3X points on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year; and 1X points per $1 on all other purchases $95
Brex Credit Card
3.5

VC-backed startups Earn 10,000 points for spending your first $3,000 in the first 3 months, and an additional 20,000 if you link payroll to your Brex account, for a total 30,000 points 7X points on rideshare, 4X on Brex Travel, 3X at restaurants and on eligible Apple products, 2X on software subscriptions, and 1X on all other purchases with Brex Exclusive $0

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Like the consumer version of the card, the Business Platinum Card from American Express offers plenty of luxury travel perks, plus some business-related ones. Here’s a quick summary of what cardholders can expect:

  • A $200 annual airline fee credit
  • Up to $400 in annual Dell credits
  • A fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
  • Gold Elite status with Marriott and Gold status with Hilton
  • Complimentary airport lounge access to the Centurion Lounge, The International American Express Lounge, Delta Sky Club, Priority Pass, and other lounge networks
  • Complimentary benefits at Fine Hotels & Resorts and The Hotel Collection properties
  • Complimentary membership in premium rental car programs that include special discounts and upgrades
  • Note that select benefits require enrollment

You’ll also get extra rewards when you spend a lot. Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $15,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months.

You’ll also get 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on Amextravel.com; 1.5X points on eligible purchases at U.S. suppliers of construction materials and hardware, U.S. retailers of electronic goods, U.S. providers of shipping, software and cloud systems, and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million per year, then 1X); and 1X points per $1 spent on all other eligible purchases.

The card’s annual fee is $695, but there’s a clear path to make up for it and more through the rewards program and added benefits.

Apply now or check out our American Express Business Platinum Card review for more information.

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

The Ink Business Preferred doesn’t charge a hefty annual fee ($95) like most of the other cards on our list, but its rewards program could be a boon for big business spenders.

You’ll start off by earning 100,000 after spending $8,000 in the first 3 months — that’s worth $1,250 in travel when you book through Chase, or potentially more if you transfer your points to one of Chase’s travel partners.

You’ll also earn 3X points on first $150,000 spent in combined purchases on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines each account anniversary year.

You’ll earn 1X points on all other purchases, but if you spend a lot in the card’s bonus categories, you can rack up a serious rewards balance quickly.

Apply now or check out our Ink Business Preferred review for more information.

Brex Credit Card

If your business has been backed by a venture capital firm and has at least $50,000 in your business bank account when you apply, you could be in for some serious rewards and perks with the Brex card.

The card has a $0 annual fee, and free virtual cards for every member of your team. Additionally, you can earn a whopping 7X points on rideshare, 4X on Brex Travel, 3X at restaurants and on eligible Apple products, 2X on software subscriptions, and 1X on all other purchases with Brex Exclusive.

You’ll also get discounts on typical business services, such as Google Ads, Slack, Amazon Web Services, and UPS. Also, there’s no personal credit check when you apply.

If your business qualifies and spends a lot in the Brex card’s bonus categories, it could be a no-brainer.

Check out our Brex card review for more information.

Bonus card: Chase Freedom Flex℠

If you prefer to earn cashback rewards on your everyday spending, but also appreciate the flexibility of being able to use those rewards to offset the cost of travel, the Chase Freedom Flex might offer the best of both worlds. While it's classified as one of the best cash rewards credit cards, cardmembers have the option of redeeming their rewards for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards or transferring them to a Chase travel partner.

With this card, you can earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, cardmembers get bonus cash on their regular purchases. You can earn 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories you activate (on up to $1,500 spent) and travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service); and 1% cash back on all other purchases, which can come in handy for covering day-to-day costs. It also comes with a 0% intro APR on new purchases for 15 months (then 20.49%-29.24% Variable) after account opening.

While the Freedom Flex doesn't offer the luxury travel perks you might get with other cards, it often makes sense to pair it with a card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve to take advantage of the benefits of both. 

Check out our Chase Freedom Flex review for more information.

Methodology

We chose our best credit cards for high spenders based on features that essentially reward you for putting a lot on your credit card. Whether it’s bonus rewards or perks with high spending requirements, elite benefits and valuable rewards programs that make up for steep annual fees, or just the chance to get more bang for your buck, there’s a card for you.

We also split our list into consumer and small business credit cards because each group of people has a different set of needs and spending habits.

The bottom line on the best credit cards for big spenders

If you spend heavily, getting one of these credit cards can help you put your dollars to work by providing better rewards and benefits every time you use it.

There’s no single best rewards credit card out there for everyone, though, so it’s important to choose a new card based on your lifestyle. As you compare the different cards on our list, along with other top credit cards, focus on which features you want and how each card rewards your particular spending habits.

Once you’ve found the best card for you, make sure you understand the ins and outs of its rewards program and benefits, so you can take full advantage of each. Different credit card issuers offer different perks for cardmembers, and it's important to find one that aligns with your goals and preferences.

Premium Travel Benefits

5.0

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Current Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening

Annual Fee

$550

Rewards Rate

5X points on flights and 10X points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually; 3X points on other travel and dining & 1X points per dollar on all other purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details

Want to learn how to make an extra $200?

Get proven ways to earn extra cash from your phone, computer, & more with Extra.

You will receive emails from FinanceBuzz.com. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy

  • Vetted side hustles
  • Exclusive offers to save money daily
  • Expert tips to help manage and escape debt