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How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
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Advertising Disclosure

LendingTree is an advertising-supported comparison service. The site features products from our partners as well as institutions which are not advertising partners. While we make an effort to include the best deals available to the general public, we make no warranty that such information represents all available products. We are compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order).
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American Express Disclosure
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

American Express Disclosure

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Mastercard® Black Card™ Review

Mastercard<sup>®</sup> Black Card™

Mastercard® Black Card™ Review

Balance Transfer Intro Rate
0% introductory APR for the first fifteen billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening. After that, (and for balance transfers that do not post within 45 days of account opening) your APR will be 19.49%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
Rewards Rate
2% value for airfare redemptions with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. 1.5% value for cash back redemptions. Earn one point for every one dollar spent.
Extra Perks
Enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select with access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide with no guest limit. Includes credits at select airport restaurants for cardholder and one guest.
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It may not have been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuer. This site may be compensated through a credit card issuer partnership.

Who is the Mastercard® Black Card™ best for?

If you want a top-of-the-line travel rewards card with benefits such as a 24/7 concierge service, airport lounge access, including an airport meet and assist program, plus a credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck, the Mastercard® Black Card™ might be right for you.

This is the middle tier of the three Luxury Cards issued by Barclays. The Mastercard® Black Card™ offers more benefits (for a more expensive annual fee) than the Mastercard® Titanium Card™, but doesn’t quite break the bank like the Mastercard® Gold Card™.

The Mastercard® Black Card™ also comes with some physical heft to match its perks. It weighs in at 22 grams and is made of a black-PVD-coated stainless steel front and carbon back. PVD stands for Physical Vapor Disposition, and to put it simply, involves metal being vaporized in a vacuum chamber. Having a card covered with vaporized metal is certainly a way to make sure you’ve always got a conversation starter on hand.

However, this card falls short in some areas compared with other luxury travel cards, such as its low earning rate and not being able to transfer points to airline and hotel partners. Unless you really want the high-end travel benefits like the concierge services, you might be better off with a card such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Mastercard® Black Card™ overview

    • Patented black-PVD-coated metal card—weighing 22 grams.
    • 2% value for airfare redemptions with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. 1.5% value for cash back redemptions. Earn one point for every one dollar spent.
    • Annual Airline Credit—up to $100 in statement credits toward flight-related purchases including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more. Up to a $100 application fee credit for the cost of TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry.
    • Enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select with access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide with no guest limit. Includes credits at select airport restaurants for cardholder and one guest.
    • 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®—available by phone, email and live mobile chat. Around-the-clock service to help you save time and manage tasks big and small.
    • Exclusive Luxury Card Travel® benefits—average value of $500 per stay (e.g., resort credits, room upgrades, free wifi, breakfast for two and more) at over 3,000 properties.
    • Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard® benefits.
    • Annual Fee: $495 ($195 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.
    720 850
    Excellent
  • Foreign transaction fee: 0% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
  • Have a representative meet you at the airport and escort you through the process.
  • $100 air travel credit
  • Baggage delay insurance
  • Travel accident insurance
  • Auto rental collision waiver
  • Porsche Experience Centers
  • Trip cancellation and interruption coverage
  • 24/7 travel assistance

Intro Purchase APR

N/A

Regular Purchase APR

19.49%

Intro BT APR

0% introductory APR for the first fifteen billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening.

Regular BT APR

After that, (and for balance transfers that do not post within 45 days of account opening) your APR will be 19.49%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.

Annual Fee

$495 ($195 for each Authorized User added to the account)

Cash Advance Fee

Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater.

Foreign Transaction Fee

0% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.

Balance Transfer Fee

Balance Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Pros and cons of the Mastercard® Black Card™

Pros

  • Stylish metal card
  • Foreign transaction fee:0% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
  • Personalized concierge services
  • Valuable credits
  • Priority Pass Select membership

Cons

  • High annual fee
  • No signup bonus
  • Subpar earning rate
  • No points transfer

What we like about the Mastercard® Black Card™

  • Extra value on airfare redemptions

    Cardholders get 2% value for airfare redemptions with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. 1.5% value for cash back redemptions. Earn one point for every one dollar spent. For example, the card’s rewards web page notes that redeeming 50,000 points can get you a ticket worth $1,000 (on any airline) with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. If you prefer to redeem points for cash back, you can get a deposit to a United States bank account or a statement credit to your card. Other redemption options include hotel stays and car rentals.

  • Luxury Card Concierge

    Barclays describes this service as a “complete lifestyle management tool.” If you enjoy having representatives available 24/7 to assist with everything from travel bookings to finding exactly the product you’re looking for, you’ll love this benefit of the Mastercard® Black Card™. Some of the situations concierge representatives have helped cardholders with include rescuing jewelry left in a hotel room, researching school districts ahead of a move, and arranging for a late-night delivery of Tylenol for a sick child. Access the concierge via live chat, phone or email.

  • Global Entry or TSA Precheck application credit

    If you want to avoid long lines at security checks at the airport, you may want to apply for Global Entry ($100) or TSA Precheck ($85). Luckily, this card offers a credit of up to $100 to cover the application fee of either service. Note that if you get Global Entry, TSA Precheck is included.

  • Airport lounge access

    The Mastercard® Black Card™ offers a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership (a $99 value). Access more than 1,300 airport lounges located in 500 cities throughout the world for free.

  • Up to $100 in annual airline fee credits

    These credits can be applied toward flight-related purchases such as:

    • Airline tickets
    • Baggage fees
    • Upgrades
  • Intro APR on balance transfers

    Enjoy a 0% introductory APR for the first fifteen billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening. After that, (and for balance transfers that do not post within 45 days of account opening) your APR will be 19.49%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Be aware there’s a balance transfer fee: either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

What to look out for with the Mastercard® Black Card™

  • Low earning rate

    For a card with an annual fee as expensive as this one has, you’d expect a higher rewards rate than one point per $1 spent. Granted, you effectively earn 2% back if redeeming points for airfare or 1.5% back if redeeming points for cash back. But it’s worth noting there are cards with no annual fee that earn 2% back on every purchase.

  • Can't transfer points to partners

    Some of the top luxury travel cards give you the option of transferring points to travel partners. That way if you have a preferred airline or hotel loyalty program, you can use your credit card rewards to book travel the way that you like. With this card, you can only book travel via InComm InCentives on myluxurycard.com or by calling the customer service number on your card.

  • Expensive annual fee

    This card’s annual fee is $495 ($195 for each authorized user added to the account). With an annual fee that high, it’s competing against some of the top travel cards on the market, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® ($550 annual fee) or The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee), both of which offer a wide range of travel benefits and better rewards rates and welcome offers than the Mastercard® Black Card™.

    To see rates & fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please click here.

Alternate travel card to the Mastercard® Black Card™

Compare it to The Platinum Card® from American Express

| Disclosures
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
on American Express's secure site
Terms Apply
N/A
See Pay Over Time APR
$695
5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with
  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, The New York Times, and other participating providers. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.
  • American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Card.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
  • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back each year on an Equinox+ subscription, or any Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
  • $189 CLEAR® Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR® Plus at 45+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per year on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
660 720 850
Excellent/Good

How Does LendingTree Get Paid?

LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appears on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.

 

The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the top travel cards on the market. It comes with a long list of benefits, including:

  • The Global Lounge Collection, with access to more than 1,300 airport lounges across 140 countries.
  • Get a fee credit to cover the cost of Global Entry (up to $100 every four years) or TSA Precheck (up to $85 every four-and-a-half years) when you charge the application fee to this card.
  • Platinum Travel Service with counselors to help with custom itineraries and tailored recommendations.
  • Platinum Card Concierge for help with dinner arrangements, ticket purchases, and more.
  • Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Hilton Honors Gold status.
  • Global Assist

It also comes with a generous welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Points can be transferred to 18 airline partners and three hotel partners, often at a 1:1 value.

Beware that this card comes with a hefty $695 annual fee. However, if you travel regularly and take advantage of the various benefits and credits The Platinum Card® from American Express offers, you can easily get enough value out of the card to offset the annual fee.

Compare the Mastercard® Black Card™ to similar cards

Comparison of four different credit cards
Mastercard<sup>®</sup> Black Card™ The Platinum Card<sup>®</sup> from American Express Chase Sapphire Reserve<sup>®</sup> Citi<sup>®</sup> Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
Mastercard® Black Card™ The Platinum Card® from American Express Chase Sapphire Reserve® Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer
Apply Now
on Luxury Card's secure site
Apply Now
on American Express's secure site
Terms Apply
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site
Welcome Offer
N/A Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards® None
Rewards Rate
2% value for airfare redemptions with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. 1.5% value for cash back redemptions. Earn one point for every one dollar spent. 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Terms apply. 5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Ultimate Rewards® Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
Annual Fee
$495 ($195 for each Authorized User added to the account) $695 $550 $0
Intro Purchase APR
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Regular APR
19.49% See Pay Over Time APR 21.24% - 28.24% Variable 18.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
Intro Balance Transfer APR
0% introductory APR for the first fifteen billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening. N/A N/A 0% for 18 months on Balance Transfers
Regular Balance Transfer APR
After that, (and for balance transfers that do not post within 45 days of account opening) your APR will be 19.49%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. N/A 21.24% - 28.24% Variable 18.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
Recommended Credit
Excellent Excellent/Good Excellent Excellent/Good
Card Details
Mastercard® Black Card™ The Platinum Card® from American Express Chase Sapphire Reserve® Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer

Is the Mastercard® Black Card™ right for you?

If you want luxury service packaged in a stylish black metal card, and you won’t balk at an expensive fee, you may like the Mastercard® Black Card™. Those who want the concierge service but are willing to live without some of the travel benefits might prefer the cheaper Mastercard® Titanium Card™, with an annual fee of $195 ($95 for each authorized user added to the account), while those who want to go all in for a premium card might like the more expensive Mastercard® Gold Card™, with an annual fee of $995 ($295 for each authorized user added to the account).

For travelers who want a top-of-the-line card that earns more rewards, as well as the flexibility to transfer points to airlines and hotel chains, either the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or The Platinum Card® from American Express may be a better option.

To see rates & fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please click here.

The information related to Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.

Apply Now
on Luxury Card's secure site