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Premium credit cards: comparison, benefits and application requirements

Premium credit cards are a term still unfamiliar to the lower classes. However, they are quite popular and highly sought after among professionals

sofyanto

January 08, 2026

What is a Premium Credit Card?

A premium credit card is a type of credit card intended for customers with a specific financial profile. Typically, these customers have a relatively high income, a good credit history, and significant business transaction activity.

If you find yourself in this category, congratulations! You've met the first requirement. The next step is to choose what type of premium credit card you want to use.

Types of Premium Credit Cards

There are many types of credit cards that are less well-known to customers, and we usually only learn about them when we receive an offer from a bank employee. Here are some of these premium credit cards:

Gold
Platinum
World
Signature
Infinite
Black Card (Invitation Only)

In descending order, the higher the card level, the more exclusive the benefits and facilities we will receive.

Differences Between Premium Credit Cards and Regular Credit Cards

As a banking service, this super-exclusive card offers a variety of attractive facilities for its customers, such as:

1. Higher Credit Limit

Credit cardholders naturally desire a maximum or unlimited credit limit. This card provides this facility, of course, depending on the type of card they hold, as I mentioned earlier.

For customers with a monthly income of less than 5 million Rupiah, a Gold or Platinum card is more suitable. Conversely, if the income is between 5 million Rupiah and 10 million Rupiah, a World or Signature card is more suitable. If you have an income of hundreds of millions, an Infinite or Black card is more suitable.

2. Exclusive Facilities

Another benefit of premium cardholders is access to a variety of fast and convenient facilities. I experienced this at the airport, while waiting to board my flight, I paid for my meal with a premium credit card. The staff invited me into the airport lounge to wait for their food to be delivered.

This is just one example of exclusive facilities, and there are many others, such as:

Fast immigration tracking
Personal concierge
Discounts on five-star hotels and restaurants

3. More Profitable Rewards Program

In addition to the various luxurious facilities mentioned above, there are also premium credit card reward points programs offered by banks. Once you accumulate a certain number of points, you can redeem them for airline tickets, hotel rooms, or luxury goods.

4. Higher Annual Fees

The most striking difference between regular and premium credit cards is the annual fee. For premium credit cards, the fee can reach millions of rupiah per year, but I think this is commensurate with the benefits.

The Benefits of Each Type of Premium Credit Card

Here are some of the advantages of each credit card if you're considering using one.

1. Platinum Credit Card

This first type of card is ideal for young professionals with middle- to upper-income levels. This is based on the consideration that their incomes are generally still in the middle range.

The advantage of this card is that its limit starts at 50 million Rupiah, it offers reward points, and promotions for travel and dining packages.

2. Signature Credit Card

This second type is usually offered by banks to priority customers. This offer is based on the customer's relatively stable liquidity, ensuring they can afford the annual fee.

The advantage of this credit card is that you can use the international airport lounge for free, provided you don't sleep all day. It also offers travel insurance; in the event of a plane crash, the insurance company will cover medical expenses and other expenses. Furthermore, you can get cashback on every purchase made with this card.

3. Infinite/World Credit Card

This third card falls into the privileged category and is used by many high-end customers and businesspeople for transactions. The advantages of this card include 24-hour concierge services, premium-level travel insurance, and priority service at various merchants during transactions.

4. Black Credit Card

Black cards are black, but the features offered are bright white. Banks only invite those deemed worthy of this type of card. This is because they offer unlimited credit limits, personal assistant services, and free access to global VIP events.

Benefits of Using a Premium Credit Card

Behind all the advantages of each type of credit card, there are actually benefits we can gain from using one, namely:

1. Ease of Large Transactions

Just imagine, for interregional or international business transactions worth billions, it's impossible to carry a sack of cash. During such business trips, we could be the victim of a potentially life-threatening robbery.

Even for international hotel accommodations and business-class tickets, a credit card will be a savior, ready to be swiped at any time.

2. Financial Security

Premium credit cards are generally equipped with 3D Secure/OTP for online transactions. This means real-time fraud detection ensures the bank's system automatically blocks suspicious transactions (e.g., unusual locations, sudden large transactions).

Banks also provide priority hotlines, and some even provide personal relationship managers. Fraud reports are processed more quickly than with regular credit cards.

3. Supporting a Premium Lifestyle

For those of you who live a hedonistic lifestyle or enjoy extravagant activities, a premium credit card is a great choice. Discounts on dining at high-class restaurants, access to golf clubs, and exclusive events are all benefits of using a premium credit card.

4. Improving Financial Credibility

Owning a premium credit card reflects financial stability and a good credit reputation. Although it's a form of debt, this card represents a person's financial resilience if they successfully obtain it.

Requirements for Applying for a Premium Credit Card

Each bank has different policies for approving applications for this exclusive credit card. However, in general, the standard requirements that apply to all banks include:

Minimum income of IDR 15 million – IDR 50 million per month
Minimum age of 21 years
Good credit history
Id Card people
Payment Card
Pay slip/bank statement

For the highest-level cards, banks usually conduct a strict selection process with several additional requirements.

How to Choose the Right Premium Credit Card

Using a credit card, as I discussed in the article "12 financial management mistakes," . The mistake will be even worse if you use this card without adapting it to your needs. Therefore, I recommend:

1. Adapt to Your Lifestyle

If you frequently travel between regions or even between countries, choose a card that offers the following facilities:

Travel miles
Airport lounges
Travel insurance

If you frequently make purchases, choose a card that offers the following facilities:

Large cashback
Flexible reward points
Easy point redemption
Extensive merchant partner network

2. Pay Attention to the Annual Fee

Compare the annual fee with the benefits you receive from each credit card. As far as I know, some cards offer free annual fees if they meet minimum transaction requirements.

3. Customer Service

We often forget to pay attention to this aspect, usually focusing only on whether the credit limit is large or small. Try asking the staff about customer service, especially the call center number.

Tips for Using Premium Credit Cards Wisely

Remember, credit cards are digital debt cards that have a repayment process. Therefore, you should use them according to your needs:

Use within your means
Pay bills on time to avoid fines
Take advantage of promotions and rewards
Avoid cash withdrawals unless it's an emergency
Monitor your transactions regularly

If we are disciplined enough in implementing these 5 points, it will maintain a healthy credit score and avoid interest charges.

Risks and Disadvantages of Premium Credit Cards

While there are a multitude of benefits customers can enjoy, I must honestly say that premium credit cards also have risks:

High annual fees
The temptation to consume
High fines and interest for late payments

Therefore, this card is more suitable for those with good financial management skills. I discussed this topic in the article on financial literacy.

Is a Premium Credit Card Worth It?

The answer will depend on your financial situation and needs. If you:

Have a relatively stable income
Frequently make large transactions
Desire convenience and comfort

Then a premium credit card can be a very useful financial tool. However, if you only use it for daily expenses without utilizing its features, it will become a financial burden.

Conclusion

A premium credit card is not just a payment tool, but a financial and lifestyle solution for customers with special needs. With various exclusive perks, large limits, and personalized service, this card offers greater value than a regular credit card.

However, choosing and using a premium credit card must be done wisely to maximize its benefits and avoid serious financial problems later.