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The best high-limit credit cards: Unlock big spending power
Sometimes, a regular credit card just will not do. When you have a lot of spending to do, high-limit credit cards can help you make the expenditures you need to make without having to pay cash upfront. While certain credit cards are upfront about the maximum credit line they allow, others may assess each application on an individual basis. Our editorial team has done the work to find the best credit cards that offer some of the highest limits available today based on factors like credit limit, qualification, credit score, rewards, and more.
These are the best high-limit credit cards for your financial needs.
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)
- 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases
- 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%)
- 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
- 3% Cash Back on transit including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations
- 1% Cash Back on other purchases
American Express is known for keeping its credit limits secret, but you could qualify for the American Express Blue Cash Preferred card if you have good credit. With an introductory APR, it offers a special introductory plan with Buy Now, Pay Later Plan It Fees. It gives you the flexibility to work out a payment schedule that works.
Amex offers its highest cashback on U.S. supermarkets, giving 6% cashback on your grocery purchases. There is a cap of $6,000 per year before the rate drops to 1% thereafter. You can also receive 6% cashback on streaming subscriptions when you use your card to pay your bill. Extra bonuses include 3% back on transit, gas, and other purchases with $120 in credit for Equinox+ memberships. Additionally, you receive a $250 welcome bonus in statement credits when you spend $3,000 in purchases within the first six months. To start, there is a 0% introductory APR that lasts for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers, then variable APR 18.99% - 29.99%.
Pros
- Flexible rewards categories
- Intro APR
Cons
- Ongoing Annual fee
- Foreign transaction fees
- Spending caps apply
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day.
- Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day.
The Capital One Venture Rewards credit card offers the most rewards when you book through Capital One Travel, giving 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booking through the platform. You will also receive an unlimited two miles per dollar spent on all other purchases. You can even redeem miles on past travel purchases made apart from Capital One Travel. A credit of $100 applies for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck to simplify your travels, plus there is automatic travel assistance and accident insurance. Benefits are far and wide, including extended warranty on purchases and auto rental collision damage waiver, and luxury airport access twice per year.
New cardholders receive 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 within the first three months. There is an annual fee, but there are not any transaction fees to rack up international costs.
Pros
- Intro bonus
- Premium rewards
- No transaction fees
Cons
- Expensive annual fee
- Excellent credit
- Not for occasional travelers
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
- 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
- 2x on all other travel purchases.
- 1x on all other purchases.
- 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
- 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries.
- 2x on all other travel purchases.
- 1x on all other purchases.
With the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you start off with 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months. It is equivalent to $750 when you use Chase Ultimate Rewards to redeem your rewards. There are also 5x the points when you book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, with 3x the points on dining, including takeout, delivery, and in-restaurant purchases. Purchases booked beyond Chase Ultimate Rewards receive 2x the points on travel. Chase will also reward you each year on your anniversary with up to $50 in statement credits for hotels booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Depending on creditworthiness, there is a competitive variable APR of 21.24% - 28.24%. You will have to pay an annual fee, which is less than $100, making it better than American Express cards.
Pros
- Elevated dining and travel
- Introductory offer
- Transfer partners
Cons
- Annual fee applies
- Best rewards with Chase travel
- No introductory APR
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠.
- Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠.
- Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠.
- Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠.
- Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Start off strong by earning 60,000 bonus points when you use your Chase Sapphire Reserve to spend $4,000 within the first three months. It is worth $900 toward future travel when you book through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Chase also offers a $300 Annual Travel Credit that you can use to receive up to $300 annually in statement credits as partial reimbursement of the year's total travel purchases. There are also 10x the points on Chase Dining, 3x the points on other dining, ridesharing incentives, and up to a $100 fee credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, and NEXUS.
The Sapphire Reserve includes 10x the points on hotels and car rentals after your first $300 spent on travel, and you book through Chase Ultimate Rewards with 5x the points on flights and 3x the points on other travel annually after your first $300 in travel purchases and when you book through Chase Ultimate Rewards. If you stick with Ultimate Rewards for points redemption, your points are worth 50% more. Just beware - the annual fee is high at well over $500.
Pros
- Introductory bonus
- Upgraded benefits
- Easy to redeem
Cons
- Expensive annual fee
- Limited categories
- Excellent credit required
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
- Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
- Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
The Citi Double Cash card breaks up its rewards, so you receive 1% at purchase and 1% when you pay your balance, even if you are not paying in full. That means that you get an extra bonus after time, even if you have not purchased anything recently. However, Citi will be making some slight changes to its points program. Come March 28, 2022, Citi will be converting its points program to ThankYou Points, which will replace its Cash Rewards that use dollars instead of points. Now cardholders will receive 1 point per dollar during purchase and 1 point per dollar after bill payment.
There are no category restrictions, and Citi does not cap your earnings, so you can earn as much as you want. There is no annual fee, saving you $500 and more when compared to American Express,
Pros
- Unlimited rewards
- Intro APR
- Double cashback
Cons
- Balance transfer fee
- Foreign transaction fee
- Lacking welcome bonus
Citi® Double Cash Card
How did we choose these cards?
There are many credit cards out there, but not all of them may offer the right terms and limits that you need.
- Credit limit. Many credit cards cap credit limits at a certain amount, so finding one with a credit limit in the thousands can be a difficult find. This determines how much you will be able to spend on your credit card until it is maxed out.
- Qualification. credit card issuers consider a number of factors when deciding whether to approve an application and which APR to give. Generally, credit cards with high limits require good to excellent credit in order to qualify.
- Credit score. Your credit score shows issuers whether you are reliable and can be depended upon for reliable payments. Those with a rocky payment history are likely to face higher interest rates.
- Rewards. Many credit cards offer specific rewards on certain purchases, like miles for travel purchases or points for gas and groceries.
Be sure to review a credit card company's terms and conditions for fees and rates, as well as rewards information.
What is the best high-limit credit card?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred card is the best high-limit credit card. In addition to solid reward rates and an appealing intro bonus, there are many reasons why we chose this card as our top pick. We did the research so you can reap the benefits.
Which is the right card for you?
Finding the best high-limit credit card can be difficult when there are so many options to choose from. Our expert ZDNet recommendations can help you find the best one for you.
Choose this card... | If you... |
American Express Blue Cash Preferred card | Want rewards on where it matters most |
Capital One Venture Rewards credit card | Are a globetrotter |
Wanted the highest limit | |
Chase Sapphire Reserve | Want extra rewards |
Want bigger rewards |
Should I get a credit card with a high limit?
It is always important to exercise caution with your spending and make sure that it coincides with your income. Having too high of a credit limit could easily lead to financial devastation if you spend more than you can pay. Talking to a professional financial advisor can help you determine how much credit is too much for your household.
How do I get a credit card with a high limit?
High-limit credit cards are largely based on your credit score, so be sure to check and regularly monitor your credit score to ensure that there are no errors. Creditors will also look at how much debt you have, so try to pay down any outstanding bills and keep with timely payments.
What credit card has the highest limit?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card has the highest limit that we've found, offering a credit limit of $10,000 or higher. Its premium benefits provide high limits and excellent travel perks. However, these great benefits come at the price of a $550 annual fee.
Do the best credit cards come with higher limits?
Even the best credit cards with the highest limits may offer some flexibility as far as credit lines. It all depends on the flexibility of the issuer and factors like your income, payment history, and credit score.
What happens if you go over your credit limit?
Transactions that exceed your credit limit are often declined by your card issuer. However, If you do manage to go over, various consequences may occur dependent on which company you use. For example, it's possible that your credit card company adds the over-limit amount to your minimum payment. The bottom line is that you should avoid going over your limit or you risk having your account closed and your credit score drop.
If your credit score does drop, you're okay! You still have options. We recommend that you look into a credit card for bad credit. Using one will help you rebuild your credit as you borrow and repay.
Are there alternative cards worth considering?
There are some alternatives you may want to consider in addition to our picks for the best credit cards with the highest limits. These picks may also be worthy of your consideration.
- Amazon Business Prime American Express card: Offering 90-day terms
- BankAmericard credit card: An excellent intro offer
- Capital One Spark Cash Plus: No preset limit
- Chase Freedom Unlimited: Choose for flexibility
- American Express Blue Business Cash card: Great for business rewards
- USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum card: Designed for military families
For other expert recommendations, check out our credit card reviews for the most exclusive credit cards, the best crypto credit cards, and the best credit cards for good credit.
Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.