Platinum credit card

Platinum Cards

What's the status of a platinum credit card? Often regarded as the prestige card, with top of the line benefits and rewards, many people who apply for a credit card aim for a platinum credit card as the best credit card that's available. The standard was set long ago when American Express began offering two different credit cards to its customers - the standard green plastic card for most, and the American Express Gold Card, offered to customers in good standing with high credit ratings. When MasterCard and Visa decided to offer special standards as well, they had to top the gold standard - thus was born the platinum credit card.

Typically, Platinum cards have higher credit limits than Gold or Standard credit cards, so that you can charge more to your card. Platinum credit card customers are considered 'premium customers', but unlike the early days when the company offered a platinum card to those customers that it valued, you now apply for a platinum credit card just as you would for any other credit card. In many cases, a platinum credit card will also carry with it all of the rewards and benefits available on any of the company's other credit cards. The interest rates may not be lower, but the range of rewards and other benefits available are usually greater.

If you'd like the prestige of carrying a platinum credit card in your wallet, keep in mind that not all credit cards are the same - not even if they bear the platinum label. You should always compare credit card benefits and drawbacks to find the best credit cards and offers for you. Make choosing the best platinum credit card child's play by doing your comparison with our independant reviews and comparison charts.

Best buys

Capital One Platinum

Capital One, one of the world's largest provider of balance transfer credit cards, offers a platinum card for those with excellent credit.

Intro APR Transfer Rate Transfer Fee Standard APR Credit Quality Star Rating
0% March 2009 0% March 2009 3% 9.9% Excellent Credit 5 Star Rating
more details apply online

Co op Platinum

The ethical bank has a superb package with up to £100,000 free travel accident insurance and exclusive platinum travelclub benefits.

Intro APR Transfer Rate Transfer Fee Standard APR Credit Quality Star Rating
9.90% 9.90% 9.90% Good Credit 5 Star Rating
more details apply online

MBNA

Continual innovation and a drive to be the most competitive makes this probably one of the best balance transfer cards available.

Intro APR Transfer Rate Transfer Fee Standard APR Credit Quality Star Rating
0% Aug 2008 0% June 2009 3% 15.90% Good Credit 5 Star Rating
more details apply online
Best of the rest

American Express Platinum

American Express credit cards provide a host of benefits to their users and this one is on exception combined with a great interest rate.

Intro APR Transfer Rate Transfer Fee Standard APR Credit Quality Star Rating
18.90% 18.90% Excellent Credit 4 Star Rating
more details apply online

Sainsburys Platinum Card

Long interest free periods on this balance transfer credit card and 4 nectar points for every pound spent makes this is a great option.

Intro APR Transfer Rate Transfer Fee Standard APR Credit Quality Star Rating
0% 3 months 0% 12 months 3% 15.90% Good Credit 4 Star Rating
more details apply online

Barclaycard Platinum

A low interest rate and one of the longest balance transfer periods available make this a great option for your everyday spending.

Intro APR Transfer Rate Transfer Fee Standard APR Credit Quality Star Rating
0% 3 months 0% 14 months 2.9% 14.90% Good Credit 3 Star Rating
more details apply online

Rate alert

WARNING: IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU DON'T MISS PAYMENTS. IF YOU DO, YOU WILL BE CHARGED A LATE PAYMENT FEE AND YOU MAY FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BE APPROVED FOR CREDIT CARDS IN THE FUTURE