Best High-Limit Credit Cards

Not everyone can cover their costs, make purchases and consolidate debts on the average credit card limit.

Credit cards that offer the highest credit card limit options are viable options that facilitate these difficulties for individuals with higher incomes and excellent credit histories.

The financial benefits of high-limit credit cards are worth investigating. Still, selecting from the optimum credit card providers available can be tricky without making an in-depth comparison.

A premium credit card from credit card issuers might suit your lifestyle, but which are the best high-limit credit cards to choose as a UK resident looking for rewards and suitable credit limits?

Our experts looked at the best premium credit card providers and high-limit credit cards to make selecting the best option easier.

What are Best High-Limit Credit Cards?

But first things first. What are best high-limit credit cards? The best high-limit credit card from specific credit card companies will offer an incredibly high credit limit, such as one that can reach tens of thousands of pounds.

This type of credit card is ideal if you are a wealthy customer with an exceptional credit score and an excellent credit history. It is also the optimum credit card if you receive a very high annual income. 

Although spending on credit cards fell 24.8% between 2018 and 2019, according to UK Finance, credit cards with higher credit limits can still benefit certain customers. For example, high-limit credit cards work well if you intend to make significant purchases.

They are also the perfect option if you are searching for a debt consolidation method through balance transfers to lower-interest accounts. 

Since you can also pay for significantly more purchases, the best high-limit credit card will facilitate reward points collection depending on the credit card provider you select. However, it's well worth understanding that paying your debt and interest is critical to avoid becoming over indebted. 

Best High Limit Credit Cards Pros and Cons

Now, there are several pros and cons when looking at the best high-limit credit cards and what they offer customers.

If you have considered applying for a credit card with a higher credit limit, you must consider these advantages and disadvantages.

Pros

✔️ Higher capacity to spend — With high-limit credit cards, your spending power significantly increases. You can access higher amounts of cash than lower-limit credit cards that restrict your capacity to make purchases as you wish.

✔️ Easy debt consolidation — Choose a credit card with a higher credit limit, and you can focus on easy debt consolidation by transferring your debt from multiple cards to a credit card account that offers a 0% transfer benefit.

✔️ Exclusive rewards are available with high-limit credit cards — Selecting high-limit credit cards means you have exclusive rewards that you can claim from your credit card provider. Some specific rewards you may be eligible for include airport lounge access for free and travel insurance. These reward programs vary from provider to provider.

✔️ Improving credit utilisation ratio — An improved credit utilisation ratio can help enhance your credit score, which is possible with high-limit credit cards. This ratio refers to the ratio between total credit and total debt. For example, if your ratio is 33.3%, you will have used 33.3% of the available credit. If you have a £9,000 total credit, and your ratio is 33.3%, you have a £3,000 balance.

✔️ Purchasing protection — You can receive excellent purchasing protection with high-limit credit card providers. Although some high-limit credit cards do not operate under the consumer credit act, many will have their own features for protecting you as a consumer and customer, such as repair costs, replacement options and many other benefits.

✔️ Travel advantages — A high-limit credit cardholder can receive several travel advantages, such as travel insurance breakdown cover, flight purchases, concierge services, priority boarding and lounge rewards. These advantages make travelling more convenient and elevate the travel experience. They can save you time and make it easier to travel.

Cons

❌️ Access to premium credit cards depends on income — If you do not earn the specified minimal income requirement or have a bad credit history, you will most likely not be eligible for a high-limit credit card. You may have to prove you meet the strict criteria if you want to receive a credit limit increase.

❌️ Potentially high-interest charges — Failing to pay your balance from month to month with a higher credit limit can mean you may have to pay high-interest charges. The interest is generally significantly higher than standard credit cards, so you must pay your balance on time.

❌️ High annual fees — Along with high-interest charges, a higher annual fee usually applies to a credit card with high credit limits. These fees might not be a problem if you have the financial capacity to pay them, but consider this disadvantage before you select a high-limit credit card.

❌️ Potential for high debt — Despite being tailored to high-income earners, if your circumstances suddenly change and you cannot make your repayments, there is a potential for high debt with high credit limit credit cards. It is also possible to overspend with these credit cards.

❌️ Risks of identity theft — There is also the increased chance of identity theft with high credit limit cards, the main cause of which relates to sharing data amongst brokers, with whom bureaus will share your updated information. 5.5 million adults were a victim of identity fraud in 2022. However, many high-limit credit cards offer fraud protection and security features which minimise the potential for identity theft.

Best High Limit Credit Cards — Reviews

Having looked at the advantages and disadvantages of high-limit credit cards, all that remains is considering which options are ideal for your requirements.

Here, we have gathered the best high-limit cards ideal for balance transfers, frequent flyers and high-income earners.

1. Barclaycard Platinum Credit Card

Barclaycard Platinum Credit Card

Credit Limit

Minimum £50

Representative % APR (variable)

24.9% APR

• 0% interest on purchases for up to 23 months from the date you open your account.
• 0% interest for up to 22 months on balance transfers from the date you open your account. Transfers must be made within 60 days to benefit from the 0% offer.
• 2.99% balance transfer fee (terms apply).

Check my eligibility See more details

Representative Example – If you spend £1,200 at a purchase interest rate of 24.9% p.a. (variable) your representative APR will be 24.9% APR (variable). Your APR and credit limit may vary depending on your circumstances.

With their Barclaycard Platinum credit card, Barclays does not specify a maximum credit limit. Credit card applicants will receive a personalised credit limit, which Barclays will determine using an assessment. You will notice that the minimum credit limit is £50, but if you are looking for a high credit limit, this will be subject to your borrowing history and financial circumstances — such as your income.

This high-limit card has an APR rate of 24.9% for a simple rate for your balance transfers, cash withdrawals and purchases, which is a variable rate and subject to change. This change means the percentage of the principal amount that you will repay each year can fluctuate.

The APR applies to the balance you carry on your credit card, which you can calculate using the fees, interest and principal amount, dividing this by the number of days in the loan term, multiplying this by 365 and then by 100 to receive a percentage.

Barclaycard Platinum will request a £12 fee for exceeding your limit or making late payments. In practical terms, if you ever pay your balance late, you must pay £12. Barclaycard Platinum has a 2.99% transaction fee, but you won't have to pay any fees for transactions or statement requests.

Suppose you have interest payable on your balance. In that case, it will apply to money transfers, non-sterling cash withdrawals and purchases from the date your account records the transaction until the date you receive your last statement before you repay the interest.

There is a difference between these types of interest and the interest you must pay for sterling cash withdrawals — you will pay interest from the moment your account records the transaction until you make the repayment in full.

2. American Express Centurion Black Card

American Express Centurion Black Card

Credit Limit

N/A

Representative % APR (variable)

N/A

• 24/7 Centurion concierge service.
• Membership rewards.
• Complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges across more than 140 countries worldwide.

Check my eligibility See more details

American Express offers Centurion Black Card on an invitation only basis.

The Amex Express Centurion credit card is one of the exclusively higher-limit credit cards that you cannot apply for unless the credit card providers invite you. With this credit card, you will pay annual fees of approximately £2,200.

This credit card has no APR rates because it is a charge card (a slightly different form of credit without an established, preset credit limit).

A foreign exchange fee of 2.99% applies, which is ideal if you are a frequent flyer or traveller and intend to use the Amex Express Centurion card overseas. What this means is that if you use a credit card abroad, a surcharge of 2.99% will apply, equating to 2.99% of the transaction cost. 

This credit card also offers membership rewards points usable with travel partners, restaurants, retailers and Amazon. Although £4.5 billion worth of loyalty points had been unclaimed in 2015, including Avios points, credit cardholders can benefit in many ways.

If you own a business, the Amex Express Centurion business credit card is one option that you might prefer. An airfare rebate of 50% applies to cardholders, which you can receive with rewards program points. You can also receive exceptional benefits such as high-profile event invitations, selected resorts, and hotel experiences.

Even though this credit card does not operate under the consumer credit act and will not protect services or goods that cost between £100 and £30,000, it does extend product perks.

In real case examples, a cardholder can receive up to £2,500 in replacement or repair costs if the item they purchase gets damaged within 90 days. This cost also covers items that get stolen. Therefore, your charge card provider will cover if you purchase an expensive television that sustains damage within 90 days.

There is a maximum monthly cap for replacement and repair costs, which is £20,000.

3. British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card

British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card

Credit Limit

Minimum £700

Representative % APR (variable)

111.3% APR

• Collect 1.5x Avios for every £1 spent on purchases.
• Invite friends, get rewarded.
• Annual fee £250.

Check my eligibility See more details

Representative Example – If you spend £1,200 at a purchase interest rate of 30.0% p.a. (variable) your representative APR will be 111.3% APR (variable). Your APR and credit limit may vary depending on your circumstances.

While the minimum credit limit for the British Airways American Express Premium Plus card is £700, the maximum credit limit will depend on your circumstances, credit bureau checks and income.

Regarding card membership fees, a £250 fee will apply for each year of your membership. In practical terms, you must pay £250 from the date of your first statement.

You will pay the balance and money transfer fees whenever you transfer using the British Airways American Express Premium Plus credit card. What this means is that if you make a transfer, you must pay 3% of the transfer amount. 

A non-sterling transaction fee of 2.99% applies. Regarding the specifics of this fee, your card issuer will expect you to pay 2.99% of the transaction amount you make and will apply this after they have converted the amount into sterling.

Other fees to consider include late payment and returned payment fees, which both equate to £12. This fee means that if you are late to repay your balance on this credit card, you will pay £12, and if you have insufficient funds in your account to make the payment or the payment bounces, you will also have to pay £12.

There are different interest rates for purchases, cash advances and money transfers, for which British Airways American Express will either use the simple rate or compounding interest rate depending on whether you repay the balance in full each month.

For example, for purchases, this card issuer will charge a 30.0% simple interest that will apply in line with the Bank of England base rate. If you fail to repay the balance in full for a specific month, a compounding interest of 111.3% will also apply.

4. MBNA Balance Transfer Credit Card

MBNA Balance Transfer Credit Card

Credit Limit

Minimum £100

Representative % APR (variable)

22.9% APR

• Money transfer fee 3.49%.
• Interest-free period up to 14 months.
• Get an introductory rate. This could save you interest on the balances you transfer and give you longer to repay.

Check my eligibility See more details

Representative Example – If you spend £1,200 at a purchase interest rate of 22.9% p.a. (variable) your representative APR will be 22.9% APR (variable). Your APR and credit limit may vary depending on your circumstances.

You can discover your credit limit with MBNA using their credit card eligibility checker, and your credit limit will depend on your specific financial circumstances. If we look at a specific real-world example, you might have a credit limit of £5,000 and an outstanding balance of £4,750. In this case, you could spend £250 extra before reaching your credit limit. 

If you are dissatisfied with your credit limit from MBNA, it is more than possible to receive a credit limit increase. The easiest method to achieve this is to contact the card issuer via online channels or by calling them. In other circumstances, MBNA will offer you higher credit limits, which you can accept or decline.

The annual purchase rate of the MBNA Balance Transfer credit card is 22.9%, which applies to purchases, cash advance fee costs and money transfers after 12 months. In terms of other costs, there is a £12 fee to pay if you default on balance repayments or are late to make a repayment.

If you are searching for rewards programs, you can receive them with the MBNA Balance Transfer credit card. One example of such rewards is their 15% cashback offer via their Smart Rewards, which you can receive when purchasing at selected retailers.

Experts suggest that considering your own purchasing habits is important when selecting rewards cards, and that travel discounts and retail discounts are some popular rewards to look for.

5. Barclays Infinite Card

Barclays Infinite Card

Credit Limit

Subject to status

Representative % APR (variable)

Subject to status

• Access to over 1,300 airport lounges around the world.
• Worldwide lifestyle concierge service.
• Annual maintenance fee £150.

Check my eligibility See more details

Your APR and credit limit may vary depending on your circumstances.

Some of the premium perks you can receive with the Barclays Infinite credit card include access to airport lounges, a credit limit worth more than £10,000, services for lifestyle management, access to fine dining restaurants and tickets to events that may have already sold out.

You can receive these benefits if you have maintained a balance of £50,000 with Barclays, either in investments or cash. This requested amount is higher if you do not live in the UK, where you must have £150,000 in cash or investments with Barclays.

Fraud monitoring is available with your Barclays Infinite card, meaning that if there is any unusual activity on your account, Barclays will notice this and flag it for you. 

A priority pass is also available with this credit card, meaning Barclays Infinite cardholders can receive free beverages and complementary alcohol in most flight lounges. They can also access spa facilities with selected lounges. For more information about the Barclays Infinite Card, visit the website. 

6. American Express Platinum Credit Card

American Express Platinum Credit Card

Credit Limit

Minimum £700

Representative % APR (variable)

466.5% APR

• 1X points on purchases for every £1 spent.
• Annual fee £575.
• Complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges across more than 140 countries worldwide.

Check my eligibility See more details

Representative Example – If you spend £1,200 at a purchase interest rate of 30.0% p.a. (variable) your representative APR will be 466.5% APR (variable). Your APR and credit limit may vary depending on your circumstances.

The American Express Platinum credit card's annual fees may be high, coming in at £575, and they expect cardholders to pay a variable purchase rate of 30.0%. This variable purchase rate means you will pay an interest rate of 30.0% on regular purchases you make with your credit card and applies to unpaid purchase balances at the end of the cycle.

You will not pay any interest if you pay your entire monthly balance in full. However, if you make a late payment, you will pay a £12 fee. What this means is that if you make a payment and American Express doesn't receive it on time, a £12 fee will apply.

Some experts suggest that charges of more than £12 may be seen as unfair. However, by repaying your balance, you can avoid this.

Use their benefits and rewards programs, and the annual fee is worth it. Some of the key benefits you can get as an American Express Platinum cardholder include membership reward points and travel benefits.

In practical, specific terms, this means cardholders can receive one point for every pound they spend and use the reward points for airline and hotel schemes.

In real case examples, American Express Platinum credit cardholders can also use the priority pass to access lounges, room upgrades, private taxi hire privileges and insurance for car hire.

There are several protections if you are eligible for this credit card. It complies with the consumer credit act, which means the credit card issuer will cover goods and services that cost more than £100 and up to but less than £30,000.

What the Amex Express Platinum credit card also provides is a chargeback feature, which means that cardholders' accounts are debited with transaction amounts after American Express investigates the dispute with the merchant. To find out more about chargebacks, visit American Express.

This card is ideal for those who want to increase their spending power and make travel-related transactions or receive some of the perks that come with being a cardholder.

7. NatWest Reward Black Credit Card

NatWest Reward Black Credit Card

Credit Limit

Minimum £5,000

Representative % APR (variable)

40.7% APR

• Rewards when you spend.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Annual fee £84.

Check my eligibility See more details

Representative Example – If you spend £1,200 at a purchase interest rate of 21.9% p.a. (variable) your representative APR will be 40.7% APR (variable). Your APR and credit limit may vary depending on your circumstances.

The NatWest Black Card has annual fees of £84 if you do not have a NatWest Black account. In a representative example, you can expect a 40.7% APR if your credit limit is £1,200, and your purchase rate will be 21.9%.

These percentages mean you'll pay a yearly interest rate of 40.7% and an interest rate of 21.9% at the end of a billing cycle if you have unpaid purchase balances.

Keep in mind that the APR rate can vary depending on several factors, including the Bank of England base rate, which is 5% in 2023. Your actual credit limit can also vary depending on your assessment results completed by NatWest. Some of the factors NatWest will assess include your income and credit history.

With this credit card, you will have no foreign transaction fee costs. In real cases, this means cardholders can use the credit card abroad without incurring fees. However, this does not mean that ATM withdrawal fees are waived. In fact, these fees still apply

If you make payments with your NatWest Black Rewards card, you can receive reward points that remain uncapped. What these reward points allow you to do is donate them to charities or spend as you wish. You can use these rewards when you have saved a minimum of £5.

If you are wondering how you can specifically spend your reward points, NatWest explains that it is possible to convert these points to money or purchase gift cards.

8. Harrods American Express Card

Harrods American Express Card

Credit Limit

N/A

Representative % APR (variable)

N/A

• Annual fee £150.
• Amex offers.
• Harrods rewards point for every £1 spent outside of Harrods.

Check my eligibility See more details

The Harrods American Express® Card offers unrivalled member-only benefits, available exclusively to Black and Gold Tier Rewards members.

With this charge card from Harrods and American Express, cardholders can look forward to tailor-made exclusive experiences that match their spending habits. The card issuers will ensure you gain the experiences best suited to you after assessing how you spend your money.

For example, you may be able to stay in the Ritz Paris once you have collected 40,000 points. Regarding real case examples, this will require cardholders to spend at least £30,000.

If you are eligible for the Harrods American Express Card, you will not have a limit on what you can spend. Your card issuers will expect you to pay the full amount you owe, which will appear on your statement, as well as the date you should repay.

In terms of charges, cardholders will have to pay a £12 late payment fee and a £12 returned payment fee if your bank returns the payment they make.

Supplementary card membership is possible with the Harrods American Express card. In practical terms, this option means you can add six extra cardholders to your account, costing you £35 each year.

9. Coutts Silk Charge Card

Coutts Silk Charge Card

Credit Limit

Subject to status

Representative % APR (variable)

0% APR

• No annual fee.
• Available exclusively to Coutts Private Banking clients.
• High monthly spending limit.

Check my eligibility See more details

Representative Example – If you spend £1,200 at a purchase interest rate of 0% p.a. (variable) your representative APR will be 0% APR (variable).

The Coutts Silk charge card is one of the high-limit credit cards available to you by invitation. This fact means you can only access a Couts Silk card if you are a Coutts client. With this charge card, you will receive a credit limit dependent on the card issuer's assessment of you.

The Coutts Silk card has no annual fees, and you will not incur any extra, additional charges for non-sterling transactions abroad. This latter advantage means, in practical examples, that for every £10,000 you spend overseas, you can make a £299 saving in fees compared with alternative credit cards.

Specific rewards are available with the Coutts Silk card, such as access to more than 1,000 lounges in airports across the globe, but you must have registered with their Lounge Key feature, which is easy to navigate with the Lounge Key application.

Other specific rewards programs with the Coutts Silk card include spa and dining deals with selected properties, plus room upgrade options. Access to world-class restaurants and exclusive event tickets are also available with the Coutts Silk card.

There is a variable interest rate of 0% for all transactions with the Coutts Silk card. An interest-free period does not apply, and you will have to pay fees such as cash and duplicate statement costs.

The cash fees mean, in real examples, that if you use your line of credit and access funds from your credit card account to withdraw cash of £X, you will get charged £4. 

Regarding eligibility with Coutts, you must have saved £3m or invested £1m with Coutts.

10. HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard

Credit Limit

Minimum £5,000

Representative % APR (variable)

59.3% APR

• Anniversary reward points.
• Airport lounge access.
• Annual fee £195.

Check my eligibility See more details

Representative Example – If you spend £1,200 at a purchase interest rate of 18.9% p.a. (variable) your representative APR will be 59.3% APR (variable). Your APR and credit limit may vary depending on your circumstances.

HSBC Premier credit cards are ideal for high-earning customers looking for rewards points, programs, and perks. This Premier World Elite card has an £195 annual fee. There is also a minimum credit limit of £5,000. 

For balance transfers, purchases and cash advances, you will have an 18.9% rate to pay. However, there is a 56-day interest-free period that applies to purchases. In practical terms, you might owe £200 on your balance when the 56-day interest-free period ends, which means you will have to pay interest as high as 18.9% until you pay the balance in full.

Added incentives to choose the HSBC Premier World Elite card include rewards points you can redeem for frequent flyer miles and luxury wines. You can donate to charity with this credit card or receive vouchers for selected stores.

To access this credit card, you must be a customer of the HSBC Premier Bank, with a minimum income requirement of £75,000. Eligibility also requires you to have £5,000 worth of savings or investments with HSBC.

It is possible to manage the HSBC Premier World Elite card via a mobile application, through which you can also make repayments for your balance each month. An alternative payment method is through direct debit.

Best High-Limit Credit Cards to Choose: The Verdict

Choosing the best high-limit credit card may be difficult because of several factors to consider. Still, by carefully comparing each provider in terms of rewards, annual fees, balance transfer fee rates and the maximum credit limit, you can select the optimum option.

Our financial experts at Compare Banks also recommend considering your annual income and credit history before applying for a high-limit credit card.

Some of the specific methods to evaluate these factors include carefully considering your spending habits by evaluating how well you repay your expenses and whether you are carrying any debts forward each month.

Some of the best high-limit credit cards include Barclaycard Platinum and American Express, but make sure you compare each provider, consider your spending habits and match them to your high-limit credit card to choose one.

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