Visa Infinite: Prestigious Rewards Credit Card

The Visa Infinite card isn’t just about earning rewards, it’s also about luxury experiences.  Here are some of the privileges you can experience as a Visa Infinite cardholder:

• A complimentary concierge service, available to you whenever you want, wherever you are.
• Access to the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection.
• Exclusive access to dining events and experiences.
• Minimum credit limit of $20,000, or no pre-set spending limit.

Plus:

• Visa’s zero liability policy.
• A cardholder inquiry service.
• Emergency card replacement service and emergency cash service.
• Lost/stolen card reporting.

RBC Visa Infinite

The RBC Visa Infinite card is designed exclusively for their elite clients and is only available by invitation or through RBC Private Banking.  There is an annual fee of $399 for Private Banking clients, and $599 for non-Private Banking clients.  Other benefits for RBC Visa Infinite cardholders include:

• RBC Rewards redemption rate of 2% instead of 1% for all travel rewards, all flight classes, no blackout periods or seat restrictions
• Visa Infinite concierge service (don’t know if third-party company)
• Complimentary Priority Pass membership (the $99 annual fee version)
• Complimentary TabletPlus membership (usual fee $195)
• Complimentary access to Zagat restaurant ratings and reviews
• Special “black card”
• Dedicated customer support number for Visa Infinite clients only
• Extensive travel insurance coverage and emergency assistance
• Minimum $20,000 credit limit

Here’s the catch; to qualify for the RBC Visa Infinite card, an applicant must have investible assets greater than $1,000,000, or an annual personal income greater than $250,000, or a Net worth greater than $3,000,000.

Exclusive Rewards

Visa Infinite cardholders enjoy exclusive benefits not offered with any other program.  For example, with their luxury hotel collection, Visa Infinite members will always receive the following hotel rewards benefits:

• The best available rate
• Automatic room upgrade upon arrival, when available
• Complimentary continental breakfast
• 3pm check-out, when available
• VIP guest status
• $25 food or beverage voucher
• Free in-room internet or valet parking

Visa Infinite also offers an exclusive Dining Series that includes unique and innovative culinary adventures at Canada’s top dining rooms, with three exclusive events.  You will also experience:

• Relaxed culinary exploration with chefs
• Offers extend exclusively to you
• Each menu showcases chef’s personality
• Dinners are hosted by a renowned guest
• Top quality wines are expertly selected
• Insights from Canada’s greatest chefs
• Dinners in Vancouver, Toronto, and more

Is Prestige Worth The High Cost?

As an elite private banking client it might be worth the cost to have exclusive benefits like the one’s offered through the Visa Infinite card.  For a high net worth client, a $399 annual fee doesn’t seem like much when you consider all of the rewards offered with the program.

However, most high net worth individuals didn’t get there by paying high credit card interest rates and buying things they don’t need just to get the points.

Still, the majority of us can only dream of these perks since we would never qualify for the Visa Infinite program anyway.  Is prestige worth the high cost to join?  Perhaps the prestige is worth it to some individuals, but for me I think I’ll keep it simple and stick with the basic reward credit cards..