21 Exclusive Benefits For the Wealthy In the US
While the rich get richer, middle-class Americans stay the course.
From private jets to custom healthcare, the privileges of the wealthy create a lifestyle that is worlds apart from that of the average American. Such exclusive amenities highlight the stark difference between the upper crust and the rest of us.
Here’s a look inside the lifestyles of the rich and famous:
Private Jet Travel
Private jets symbolize the ultimate in luxury travel, offering convenience, comfort, and privacy. Only the wealthiest can afford the costs associated with owning or chartering these aircraft, which include maintenance, fuel, and crew salaries.
Exclusive Real Estate
The richest Americans have access to real estate in the most exclusive neighborhoods, where properties often feature bespoke amenities and expansive estates. Locations like Beverly Hills, Manhattan’s Upper East Side, and Miami’s Star Island are iconic for their multimillion-dollar homes.
Luxury Yachts
Owning a luxury yacht is a symbol of wealth, offering the chance to sail in extravagant style. These yachts often come with a full crew, including chefs and entertainment, making it a high-end experience that most people can’t access.
Art Collecting
The rich often engage in art collecting, acquiring pieces from renowned artists at exclusive auctions. This hobby not only serves as a status symbol but also as an investment, with artworks sometimes appreciating in value. Access to elite auction houses and private showings is typically reserved for those with deep pockets.
Exotic Car Collections
Collecting exotic cars is a hobby that not only serves as a personal joy but also as a statement of wealth. Affluent individuals often own rare vintage models and limited-edition contemporary cars, showcasing them in custom garages.
Elite Sporting Events
Access to box seats at major sporting events, whether it’s the Super Bowl or the Masters Golf Tournament, is a perk enjoyed by the wealthy. These premium seats offer the best views and often come with exclusive access to VIP areas.
Personal Security Detail
Wealthy individuals often invest in personal security details to ensure their safety and privacy. This can include bodyguards, armored vehicles, and advanced home security systems. The level of security that comes with such services is far beyond what most people will ever experience or require.
Members-Only Clubs
Elite clubs that require hefty membership fees and often have long waiting lists are a staple for the affluent. These can include country clubs, social clubs, and high-end fitness centers where exclusivity and privacy are paramount.
Custom Healthcare
The wealthy have access to top-tier, personalized healthcare services, including concierge doctors who are available on-call. These services can be tailored to individual health needs and include immediate access to specialists without waiting. Such healthcare privileges ensure that they receive the best possible care at a moment’s notice.
Customized Education
Affluent families often choose private education, offering customized learning experiences and a better student-to-teacher ratio. This can extend from elite private kindergartens to prestigious universities, where legacy admissions can play a role.
Legal Power
Wealth provides access to top legal representation that can greatly influence personal and business matters. The ability to hire the best lawyers can affect the outcomes of lawsuits, business deals, and even criminal charges. This kind of legal firepower is generally unaffordable to the average person, giving the wealthy a significant advantage.
Philanthropic Influence
Wealthy individuals have the means to influence public policy and community projects through significant philanthropic contributions. Their donations can lead to buildings being named after them, seats on boards, and substantial sway in how their contributions are used.
Seasonal Homes
The financial ability to own multiple homes for different seasons is a luxury few can afford. This might include a ski lodge in Aspen for the winter and a beach house in the Hamptons for the summer. Managing multiple properties across various desirable locations is a clear indicator of significant wealth.
Gourmet Dining
Regular access to gourmet dining and private chefs is another luxury the wealthy enjoy. They can afford to hire the best chefs to prepare daily meals or cater extravagant home parties. This privilege extends to being able to frequent exclusive restaurants where reservations are hard to secure.
Vintage Wine Collections
Owning a vintage wine collection is a costly hobby that the wealthy often indulge in. They not only collect but also savor wines that can cost thousands of dollars per bottle, sometimes in private wine-tasting events.
Private Island Ownership
Some of the wealthiest individuals go as far as owning private islands, offering an unparalleled level of privacy and exclusivity. These islands can be custom developed with resorts, spas, and personal staff.
Advanced Home Automation
Smart home technology can automate everything from climate control to security, providing convenience and efficiency. The rich often implement the most advanced home automation systems that can be controlled remotely from anywhere in the world.
Personal Shoppers and Stylists
Employing personal shoppers and stylists helps the wealthy maintain an impeccable appearance without spending time shopping. These professionals ensure that wardrobe and style reflect the latest in high-end fashion trends.
Private Performances
Hiring artists or entertainers to perform privately at their homes or events is another exclusive luxury. Whether it’s a top musician, band, or performer, private shows are a form of entertainment that most can only dream of.
Adventure Travel
The wealthy often embark on adventure travels that go beyond typical tourist experiences, such as private safaris in Africa or chartering submarines to explore the Titanic. These adventures require not only money but also connections to organize.
Space Travel
With commercial space travel becoming a reality, only the very wealthy can currently afford a ticket for a trip beyond Earth. This form of travel is the pinnacle of luxury and exclusivity, offering an experience that very few in the world can claim.
Josh Dudick
Josh is a financial expert with over 15 years of experience on Wall Street as a senior market strategist and trader. His career has spanned from working on the New York Stock Exchange floor to investment management and portfolio trading at Citibank, Chicago Trading Company, and Flow Traders.
Josh graduated from Cornell University with a degree from the Dyson School of Applied Economics & Management at the SC Johnson College of Business. He has held multiple professional licenses during his career, including FINRA Series 3, 7, 24, 55, Nasdaq OMX, Xetra & Eurex (German), and SIX (Swiss) trading licenses. Josh served as a senior trader and strategist, business partner, and head of futures in his former roles on Wall Street.
Josh's work and authoritative advice have appeared in major publications like Nasdaq, Forbes, The Sun, Yahoo! Finance, CBS News, Fortune, The Street, MSN Money, and Go Banking Rates. Josh currently holds areas of expertise in investing, wealth management, capital markets, taxes, real estate, cryptocurrencies, and personal finance.
Josh currently runs a wealth management business and investment firm. Additionally, he is the founder and CEO of Top Dollar, where he teaches others how to build 6-figure passive income with smart money strategies that he uses professionally.