Premium Cards are cards in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories that can be equipped at lower Card Point (CP) cost than regular cards, but do not reload after use. They are distinguished by their shining surface and yellow numbers.
Premium cards can be either found in battle or bought from the Moogle shop at random chance. Alternatively, a card may be changed from normal to premium. This can be accomplished in a room synthesized with a Premium Room map card, or less often in other rooms. Although it is unconfirmed whether there is increased chance in Black Room, the Premium Card chance increases in White Rooms for successfully using three Magic Cards (not necessarily the same cards, though). Upon defeat of an enemy, a yellow P symbol (similar to that of a Donald or Goofy card only smaller) may appear. If it is picked up, at the end of the battle, a roulette will appear of all the attack and magic cards that are in the currently equipped deck. The card selected from the roulette is turned into a premium card. The P symbol may rarely appear in non-Premium Room battles.
It is often cautioned against upgrading cards to premium, due to their non-reloading quality. One good strategy to use is to allow the premium card to become the first card of a sleight. Because the card will not reload anyway, in a matter of speaking, one card will be saved from removal (however, if you use it as the second or third card in a sleight the Premium Card will be reloaded). Using at least a Hi-Potion over an entire deck of Premium Cards will enable you to reload the whole deck, though the player risks doing it only once.
Journal
Evolved versions of normal cards. Premium cards require very little CP (the same as the one of its kind that has the number 1 on the lower right-hand corner), but can only be used once per battle-no reloads allowed. Only attack cards and magic cards can be upgraded to premium cards. You can forfeit a Premium Bonus by pressing the B Button*.
Trivia
- Premium Bonus can be forfeited by pressing (or in the Japanese version) in Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories.
- Premium cards reap more Moogle points (when sold) than average cards.