The Hardest Credit Cards to Get

Creditrewardperks help you manage your finances, build your credit score and earn rewards. But they come with a variety of terms and conditions that can be difficult to understand.

Some credit card issuers offer a pre-screening process that lets you know if you’re likely to be approved for their card without doing what’s known as a hard inquiry on your credit reports. Credit inquiries can knock points off your credit scores, so if you’re in the market for a new card, prescreening could save you some harm.

What Makes These the Hardest Credit Cards to Get

A credit card is a plastic card issued by a lender that gives you access to credit, which you can borrow up to a certain limit. You then pay it back on a monthly basis, and as you make payments, the credit available to spend increases. If you’re able to use a credit card responsibly, it can be an excellent tool for building your credit and helping you afford the things you want in life.

There are many types of credit cards, including retail, travel, cashback and rewards. Some cards have high credit score requirements, stringent income and employment criteria, or limited availability. There are also cards that are invitation-only and carry exclusive rewards and perks. The Centurion Card from American Express, for example, is only available to those who have an invitation from the card company. Other cards include the Coutts Silk Card, which only a few thousand people around the world have, and the Dubai First Royale Mastercard, which is used by members of the Dubai and Saudi royal families.