From better points earn rates and airline lounge passes to higher credit limits, reward your spending with exclusive benefits when you use a premium credit card.
Platinum, gold and black credit cards are premium options that open the door to a range of exclusive benefits. Designed for people who spend a lot on plastic, these cards are a step up from standard offers, with features such as higher credit limits, more reward points and a huge range of complimentary extras.
However, along with these perks and prestige, platinum, gold and black credit cards often have annual fees and interest rates that are higher than standard options. Here, we look at both the benefits and costs of these three premium choices so that you can find a card that’s right for you.
Compare Platinum, Gold and Black credit cards
What’s the difference between platinum, gold and black credit cards?
While they are all premium options, each represents a different level of status and service. Gold credit cards are a step up from standard cards, platinum credit cards are above gold, and black credit cards sit at the top of the pack.
Gold credit cards
Gold credit cards are the “entry level” option for premium credit cards and are designed to suit people who are interested in getting more features and benefits, but who don’t want to pay much more than they would for a standard card. Some of the most popular features of gold credit cards include:
Features of a Gold credit card
- Complimentary travel insurance
- Complimentary purchase protection insurance
- More reward points per $1 than standard cards
- Higher point caps than standard cards
- Annual fees ranging from $89 to $169
- Minimum credit limits starting from $4,000
Gold credit cards have slightly higher income and credit history requirements than standard cards – but not as high as those of platinum or black cards. For example, the Suncorp Clear Options Gold credit card has a minimum income requirement of $30,000, while some standard cards have credit limits as low as $15,000.
Platinum credit cards
Platinum credit cards build on the benefits offered by gold credit cards by providing a wider range of features and more flexibility. They are designed for people who regularly pay with plastic, and want to be rewarded for it in a range of ways. In comparison to gold options, platinum cards may include:
The features you can expect from a Platinum credit card
- Complimentary international travel insurance with broader covers, domestic interstate flight inconvenience insurance and car hire insurance
- Complimentary purchase protection insurance
- More reward points per $1 spent than gold cards and higher reward points caps
- Personal concierge services
- Minimum credit limits from $10,000
- Annual fees ranging from $87 to $1,200
Some platinum credit cards may also provide other spending benefits for customers. For example, platinum Bankwest credit cards offer no international transaction fees for purchases made overseas or online with an international retailer.
The minimum income requirements for platinum credit cards also tend to be higher in comparison to gold cards. While some platinum options have minimum income requirements as low as $30,000, such as the Westpac 55 Day Platinum card, most are around $50,000.
Black credit cards
Black credit cards are considered the ultimate in premium credit cards, with the highest level of service and broadest range of benefits. In addition to the complimentary extras that you can find on gold or platinum cards, a black credit card may provide:
The perks and features you can expect from a Black credit card
- The highest number of points per $1 for reward programs
- Complimentary airport transfers
- Flight upgrades
- Dedicated travel booking services
- A personal concierge service
- A personal shopper
- Invitations to exclusive events or promotions
- Higher credit limits (sometimes up to $100,000)
- Annual fees ranging from $349 to $700
Black credit cards are designed for high earners who pay with plastic very regularly. As such, the minimum income requirements for these cards are usually between $75,000 and $150,000. You also need flawless credit history to get a black credit card.
What to consider before applying for a platinum, gold or black credit card
The benefits of a platinum, gold or black credit card are only worth it if they offer more value than the costs that come from any interest charges or annual fees. Asking the following questions before choosing which type of card to get will help you find options that work for you.
- How often do you use your credit card? Premium gold, platinum and black credit cards are designed for people who regularly use a credit card, and their annual fees and credit limits reflect that. Many of the complimentary extras available on these cards, such as travel insurance, also require you to pay with plastic to activate them. If you don’t use a credit card very often, you might want to consider a low rate or no annual fee option instead.
- How much do you spend on your credit card? If you’re considering a rewards option, you should make sure the value of the points you earn outweighs the cost of the annual fee. For more information, check out our guide on calculating the value of rewards points.
- How much money do you earn? Gold, platinum and black credit cards typically have higher minimum income requirements than standard credit cards.
- How many premium card features will you actually use? Complimentary extras can help offset the cost of a credit card, but only if you use them. When considering different cards, make sure you’re realistic about which benefits you will use so that you can find a card that provides value based on your spending habits and circumstances.
- Do you carry a credit card balance? Most gold, platinum and black credit cards have high standard interest rates. This means you could end up paying hundreds of dollars in interest every year when you carry a balance on one of these premium cards. If you don’t pay your account off in full each month, you may want to consider a premium credit card that has a low ongoing interest rate, such as the St.George Vertigo Platinum or Bankwest Breeze Platinum Mastercard.
- Do you have an excellent credit history and credit score? These credit cards all require good to excellent credit history. If you have black marks on your credit file, such as late payments or defaults, you may not be eligible to apply for a gold, platinum or black credit card.
Frequently asked questions about gold, platinum and black credit cards
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how to obtain a balance statement of current month
When will i know when i get it
Hi Ejay,
Thanks for your question.
When you apply for the credit card, most issuers will let you know if your application has been approved or rejected within a minute. If you receive a pending response, this means the bank needs to spend more time assessing your application. In this case, you can usually expect a response within a week.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Sally
Hi,
I want the best value rewards credit card without a crazy high annual fee that offers no foreign transaction fees. These fees are amazingly deceptive because they are activated when dealing with some companies supposedly based in Australia but are domiciled overseas. Just another credit card company/bank rip off. I see Bankwest have 1 but not to sure on it. Any suggestions please? A list would be great, thanks
Hi Trev, thanks for your inquiry!
Please refer to the following link for a list of credit cards with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Thanks but this is not what I asked.
I am looking for REWARDS credit cards with no foreign transaction fees. Thank you
Hi Trev, thanks for your response!
Please refer to the following link for a list of no foreign currency exchange fee credit cards including rewards credit cards.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hey I would like to see if I can get a credit card with you please.
Hi Brad, thanks for your inquiry!
Please note that finder.com.au is a comparison service and is not directly affiliated with any banks. The application criteria and requirements are listed under each credit card review page. If you meet those criteria then you will be eligible to apply. To allow me to assist you further was there a specific credit card you were inquiring about today?
Cheers,
Jonathan
My credit card now caps the frequent flyer points earned per month. I am looking for a card that does not cap the number of points earned per month. Can you advise .
Hi Glenda,
Thanks for your question.
You can find a list of card that don’t cap rewards points on this page. Also, we have a list of cards that offer no points capping and no points expiry on this page.
I hope this has helped.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
I don’t work iv bad credit at the moment so can you help me be accepted for credit card
Hi Ann, thanks for your inquiry!
Please note that finder.com.au is a comparison service and is not directly affiliated with any banks/lenders. Unfortunately Australia does not have a credit card product targeted towards bad credit customers, however there are ways to improve your credit score to increase the chance of being approved. Please see this page for more information on improving your credit score. It would be recommended to speak to a lender/ bank directly either through the phone or local branch so they would be able to best advise on your options and eligibility.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hi I have a Westpac platinum and paying for a trip over seas from June 3rd to 23 September with my wife
does the travel ins cover me for wile I am away . The ins says only 3 months and there a lots of could pay for this in a lot of clauses in travel ins .Is there a number to contact if about parts of insurance.
Hi Harry,
Thanks for your question.
The period of cover last for six months if you have an Earth Platinum, Altitude Platinum or an Altitude Qantas Platinum, Singapore Airlines Westpac Platinum card or a Westpac Platinum 55 day card.
The cover will last for three months if you have any of the Platinum Plus range of credit cards. You can get in contact with Zurich (the insurance providers) directly if you have questions regarding your insurance cover, I’ve sent you through the number.
Thanks,
Elizabeth
Is insurance free for Platinum card Mastercard holders if paid for by that card for travellers of 81 years of age
as a business owner I am concerned about the interest rate we pay on the various cards .521% on standard credit cards and up to 2.8% premium plus and other cards Is it legal to pass that cost on and if so how does one identify the cards as there appears to be no clear identification on some cards
cheers Alan
Hi Alan,
Thanks for your question.
Usually a good place to check is the Product Disclosure Statement of the credit card, and then confirm what the interest rates are on the bank’s website. On creditcardfinder.com.au, the interest rates are listed in the blue tables under the heading ‘interest rates’.
Cheers,
Shirley
Hi Anne.
It will depend on the provider. Each card issuer (Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, Westpac for instance) has slightly different rules about the cut off age for their complimentary insurance policies. If you can let me know which Platinum MasterCard you’re referring to, I can give you a little more information.
Thanks for your question.
How do I sign up for frequent flyer points with my NAB credit card?
Hi David.
Thanks for getting in touch with us.
NAB currently have two products that allow you to earn frequent flyer points. And both of these cards come with complimentary Qantas Frequent Flyer Membership if you don’t already have one. If you already had a Qantas Frequent Flyer membership, you should have been prompted to link your card and your membership when you applied for the card. You can do this now by calling NAB directly.
I hope this helps.
How do I change my email address for my MasterCard moments?
Hi Kenneth, thanks for your question.
MasterCard does not issue any credit cards, so you will need to contact the card issuing institution to get them to change your email address.
Jacob.
Which one is higher in quality and benefits between the platinum credit card and the gold credit card
Hi Timi. Generally speaking Platinum Credit Cards are have a higher status than Gold Credit Cards. This is reflected in the annual fee, the rewards points earning, and additional features like complimentary international travel insurance and airport lounge access. Let me know if there’s anything else you would like help with. Jacob.
Hi, I’m a citibank platinum card holder for a number of years but i never have the chance to access to the lounge areas in airports or sometimes i don’t get priority boarding and other amenities and also how would i access to upgrading. how would i be able to have these perks? thanks
Hello,
Unfortunately, the Citibank Platinum card doesn’t offer complimentary airline lounge access.
You can compare cards that offer these perks here.
Cheers,
Sally