Our top pick: American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card
Receive 20,000 Bonus Points
for 6 months on purchases
100% confidential application
Our top pick: American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card
- Annual fee: $149 p.a.
- Purchase rate (p.a): 2.99% APR for 6 months (reverts to 19.95% APR) on purchases
- Cash advance rate: 21.95% APR
- Up to 55 days interest free
- Minimum Income Requirement of $50,000 p.a.
What’s the difference between platinum, gold and black credit cards?
While platinum, gold and black credit cards 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.
This means the specific features and benefits vary based on whether a card is a gold, platinum or black option. To help put this in perspective, we have outlined the common features and benefits for each type of credit card.
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 receiving more features and benefits, but 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 NZD$1 than standard cards
- Higher reward point caps than standard cards
- Annual fees ranging from $75 to $105
- Minimum credit limits starting from $5,000
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. You also need to have good credit history to apply for a gold credit card.
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 coverage
- Complimentary purchase protection insurance
- Complimentary domestic flight inconvenience insurance
- Complimentary car hire insurance
- More reward points per NZD$1 than gold cards
- Higher reward point caps
- Personal concierge services
- Minimum credit limits from $10,000
- Annual fees ranging from $80 to $390
Some platinum credit cards may also provide other spending benefits for customers. For example, The American Express Platinum Edge credit card offers you one complimentary direct domestic return flight every year.
The minimum income requirements for platinum credit cards also tend to be higher in comparison to gold cards, , While some platinum options have a minimum income requirement as low as $25,000, most are around $50,000, like the American Express Platinum Edge credit card. You also have to have excellent credit history to get a platinum credit card, making them even more exclusive.
Black Credit Cards
Black credit cards are considered the ultimate in premium credit cards, with the highest and broadest range of benefits. In addition to the complimentary extras you can find with gold or platinum cards, a black credit card may provide:
The perks and features you can expect from a Black credit card
- The highest amount of points per NZD$1 for reward programmes
- Complimentary airport transfers
- Flight upgrades
- Dedicated travel booking services
- A personal concierge service
- 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 on a daily basis. 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.
Questions to ask before choosing 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 an option that works 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 are considering a rewards option, you should make sure the value of the points you earn outweighs the cost of the annual fee. You can do this by estimating your average monthly or yearly spending on credit and working out how many points per $1 you will earn. 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, so you will need to factor this in when considering different options.
- How many platinum, gold or black credit 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 gold, platinum or black credit cards, make sure you are realistic about which benefits you will use so 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 if 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 lower ongoing interest rate, such as the Westpac World 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.
Natasha chooses between a gold, platinum and black credit card
Natasha is interested in getting a premium credit card that earns Airpoints but doesn’t know whether to choose a platinum, gold or black option. To help her make a decision, Natasha decides to compare a credit card from each of these categories.
Natasha has chosen gold, platinum and black credit cards to compare
With these details in mind, Natasha considers her own circumstances and spending habits:
- She regularly uses a credit card for everyday purchases.
- She spends around $5,000 per month on credit.
- Her salary is $85,000.
- She takes one overseas holiday per year.
- She aims to pay her balance in full each month.
- She has an excellent credit score.
Natasha decides she would like to have the option of earning Airpoints per $1 with an American Express card, but doesn’t want to pay more than $$150 on an annual fee. Based on her current spending, Natasha would be able to earn an average of 66 points per month with the Airpoints Platinum Mastercard, so she chooses this card out of the three options above.
Premium credit cards unlock a whole world of potential value through features such as higher credit limits, greater rewards, complimentary insurance, travel perks and more. So now you know the differences between gold, platinum and black credit cards, you can choose the right category for your circumstances and start comparing cards to find a great option for you.
