| Last updated on February 16th, 2024
Mastercard® Black Card™
Mastercard® Black Card™
Mastercard® Black Card™
- 21.24%, 25.43% or 28.24% Regular Purchase APR
- 21.24%, 25.43% or 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness. There is a fee for balance transfers. Balance Transfer APR
- 30.49%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. Cash Advance APR
At a Glance
An exclusive and complete credit card, the Mastercard® Black Card™ is a statement piece that offers a wide range of unique benefits not found anywhere else. Beyond a 2% redemption rate for airfare and 1.5% for cash back, the Black Card provides a full lifestyle experience that goes beyond just amassing points – and that more than makes up for its annual costs. Once approved, customers can expect 24/7 personalized concierge service, VIP discounts, and attractive memberships.
- Best Benefits
- Rates & Fees
- Why Should You Apply?
- Ideal for those seeking a premium travel card that doubles as an everyday workhorse, paired with elevated service beyond the ordinary. Leave behind the hassle of juggling various cards and monthly statements, while finding peace of mind with protection benefits that exceeds standard credit cards.
- Flat-rate redemption value of 1.5% for cash back or 2% value for airfare redemption with no airline or seat restrictions and no blackout dates. Earn one point for every dollar spent. Straightforward redemption without needing a high-maintenance reward strategy. No foreign transaction fees, no earning caps, no rotating categories, and no need to chase down transfer partners to escape very low point values.
- Annual Airline Credit—up to $100 in statement credits toward flight-related purchases including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more. Just pay for airline purchases with your Mastercard Black Card and we will automatically apply the credit to your account. That’s it. No need to activate or designate an airline. The credit amount is available in full at the start of the calendar year.
- Up to a $100 application fee credit for the cost of TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry. Also, enjoy automatic enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select with access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide with no guest or lounge limits. Includes credits at select airport restaurants for cardholder and one guest.
- 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®—Make requests the way you want by phone, email, SMS and chat in the app. Connect directly with a real agent and receive 24/7 assistance for tasks big and small. Requests do not require a purchase, incure no charge for making them, and do not involve department transfers.
- 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. Receive protection benefits like trip cancellation and interruption, auto rental car collision waiver, travel accident and baggage delay. Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard® benefits.
- Black PVD-Coated Metal Card: Weighing in at an industry-leading 22g. Designed for frequent shoppers, big ticket purchases and everything in between.
- Annual Fee: $495 ($195 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.
- Regular Purchase APR: 21.24%, 25.43% or 28.24%
- 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
- Balance Transfer APR: 21.24%, 25.43% or 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness. There is a fee for balance transfers.
- Balance Transfer Transaction Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Cash Advance APR: 30.49%. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
- Cash Advance Transaction Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each transaction, whichever is greater
- Annual Fee: $495 ($195 for each Authorized User added to the account)
- Late Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $39
- Return Payment Penalty Fee: Up to $39
- You're a frequent traveler who aims to earn rewards that can be redeemed for airfare at an unmatched rate
- You're looking to minimize your wallet via an everyday credit card that rewards on every redemption
- You aim to stand out from the crowd with an expertly-crafted metal credit card weighing 22 grams
- You're seeking a dedicated 24/7 Concierge service offering personalized assistance to meet a variety of requests
- You stay at high-end hotels and exclusive resorts that offer Cardmembers amenities, breakfast vouchers and resort credits
- You're interested in premium travel benefits and protections found in few competing credit cards
In-Depth Review: Mastercard® Black Card™
The Mastercard Black Card from Luxury Card is a high-end payment card that caters to those with elevated taste. Weighing in with an annual fee of $495, the Mastercard Black Card is similar to its opulent sibling, the Mastercard® Gold Card™. Big travel benefits come part and parcel with this unique offer from Mastercard, as cardholders will see that their annual fee is easily offset by the VIP perks accompanying their spending.
Who Can Benefit from the Mastercard® Black Card™?
The Mastercard® Black Card™ is the mid-tier of the Luxury Cards, but don’t let that middle child reputation get to you. That’s because the card is just as luxurious as its golden sibling, just with slightly reduced points value and statement credits. This combination makes the card ideal for anyone who wants an ultra-premium travel experience but can’t justify breaking the bank for the $995 annual fee with the Mastercard Gold Card.
The Black Card is not for those who prioritize points. Instead, the card rewards with travel perks, exclusive access offers, and 24/7 concierge service at your beck and whim. Add to that an impressive 0% APR for 15 months, and you have a reliable, luxurious travel credit card for anyone who wants to live the good life.
How to Get the Card
Luxury Card products are available in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
Credit Needed
The Mastercard Black card is a premium travel rewards card aimed at the most exclusive of clients, meaning you will require excellent credit to get accepted it.
22 Gram Metal & Carbon Card Design
One of the unique aspects of the Luxury Card family of cards is their commitment to excellence, which extends to the very foundation of the card itself. The Mastercard® Black Card boasts a state-of-the-art design that offers a luxurious appearance and a weight and feel that exudes opulence.
The card’s black metal design is a standout feature – unique and innovative – with a tactile difference. Premium credit cards are crafted from metal for a reason: There’s nothing quite like a card made of stainless steel. It feels different and carries a sense of strength and weight that words alone may not convey.
The result is a stylish, jet black card that weighs 22 grams, surpassing its competitors (The Platinum Card from American Express and the CapitalOne Venture X) by a significant 5 grams.
0% APR Balance Transfer Offer
The Mastercard Black Card provides the same impressive intro APR offer as its more expensive sibling, the Gold Card. New accounts will benefit from a 0% introductory APR for the first 15 billing cycles after opening their account. Following this period, a standard variable APR will be applied based on the account holder’s creditworthiness for purchases and balance transfers.
Balance transfers must be completed within 45 days of opening the account to qualify. Additionally, Barclays charges a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the transfer amount, whichever is greater.
Ultra-premium credit cards rarely provide introductory rates, which makes the 0% APR with the Luxury Cards so impressive.
How to Earn Rewards
The Mastercard® Black Card™ offers a simplified rewards scheme that prioritizes value and minimizes complications. Instead of earning rewards at a specific rate, Luxury Card determines the value of the rewards based on how you redeem them. Although this approach may seem counterintuitive, it eliminates the need for tedious calculations to determine the exact value of your points.
As a Mastercard® Black cardmember, you can receive:
- 2% back in value when redeeming rewards for airfare, or
- 1.5% back for deposits into a US bank account or as a statement credit.
Additionally, there is no minimum threshold requirement for redeeming these rewards. More so, there are no blackout dates or seats when using rewards for airline redemptions.
Luxury Card Travel Benefits
At the core of the Mastercard Black Card lies an unparalleled travel experience tailored for the discerning, affluent traveler. This isn’t just any travel card – it’s a gateway to a world of opulence and exclusivity.
Exclusive Access to Luxury Card Travel Program
As a privileged member of the Mastercard Black card, you gain entry to the Luxury Card Travel program. Immerse yourself in a world where every detail is meticulously curated to elevate your journey.
Expect nothing less than the extraordinary. With the Mastercard Black Card, each trip is an opportunity to savor exquisite dining experiences, revel in luxurious room upgrades (subject to availability), relish complimentary daily breakfast for two, and receive unique welcome amenities at every destination.
Experience luxury with resort and dining credits, the convenience of late check-in/check-out (subject to availability), and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout your stays. The world is your oyster, with over 3,000 prestigious properties representing renowned hotel brands worldwide awaiting your arrival.
Travel Credits
The fairly basic rewards of the Mastercard Black Card are more than compensated for by the impressive selection of credits the card provides:
- TSA Pre✓/Global Entry: Receive a $100 statement credit for the cost of the Global Entry application fee when using the Black Card to pay the fee. Valid every four years.
- Annual airline credit: Receive up to $100 in annual air travel credit toward flight-related purchases, including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades, and more.
- Priority Pass Select: Enjoy complimentary access to over 1,300 airport lounges and mini suites. Priority Pass is normally a $469 per year value.
Luxury Experiences
Cardmembers also enjoy Luxury Card Experiences, a portfolio of curated events. The range of these unique experiences is impressive, including VIP wine and food tastings, behind-the-scenes tours, dinners with the cast of your favorite Broadway plays, and more.
Luxury Card Concierge
The 24-hour Luxury Card Concierge offers VIP service tailored specifically to your needs. Experience true luxury with agents available around the clock via phone, live chat, and email.
The Luxury Card Concierge can assist you with personal requests such as travel booking and suggestions, restaurant reservations, gift and activity recommendations, and research. Best of all, this service is available to all cardmembers without any hidden fees. This lifestyle management tool is customized to each cardmember’s specific needs, setting it apart from competitors and elevating the Black Card to an even higher elite status.
Services Offered
The Luxury Card Concierge service covers all aspects of day-to-day life and one-off exclusive requests and assistance. Some of the services provided to current cardholders include:
- Travel information, including hotel, resort, and B&B information and reservations
- VIP airport lounge information
- Airline and hotel reservations
- Food and wine recommendations
- Dinner reservations (especially for large groups)
- Client-specific and luxury gift-purchasing assistance
- Checking stores for inventory and price comparison
- Golf tee times
- Camping and parks information
- Roadside assistance
World Elite Mastercard Benefits
Like other prestigious cards, the Mastercard® Black Card™ is a World Elite Mastercard product. World Elite Mastercard goes above and beyond expectations, providing cardholders with an array of features and benefits that truly make it stand out:
| Zero Liability Protection | Airport Concierge | Cell Phone Protection |
| Mastercard Global Services | Priceless Experiences | Lyft Credits |
| ID Theft Protection | Priceless Golf | Mastercard Travel Services |
| Mastercard Hotel Stay Guarantee | ShopRunner Membership | Hello Fresh Savings |
Other Card Benefits
Other notable features of the Mastercard® Black Card™ include:
- Luxury Card mobile app: Exclusive to Cardmembers, the Luxury Card App provides cutting-edge services from the convenience of your mobile device. Available in the Apple iTunes and Google Play stores.
- Luxury Magazine: Cardmembers receive LUXURY MAGAZINE, an exclusive publication that covers a broad range of categories—including travel, fashion, real estate, vehicles, and technology. Each issue showcases an artist’s work as the cover art, making it a limited-edition collector’s item.
Comparison
| Mastercard® Black Card™ | Capital One Venture X | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rewards | Flat-rate redemption value of 1.5% for cash back or 2% value for airfare redemption with no airline or seat restrictions and no blackout dates. | Earn 10X miles on hotels & rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 3X on flights through Capital One Travel, and 1X on all other purchases | Earn 5X on flights through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 10X on hotels and car rentals through Ultimate Rewards, 10X on Chase Dining, 3X on all other travel purchases, 3X on dining, and 1X on all other purchases |
| Lounge access | Priority Pass Select | Priority Pass Select and Capital One Lounge access | Priority Pass Select |
| Credits | $200 | $400 | $400 |
| Annual fee | $495 | $395 | $550 |
Luxury Card Comparison
| Mastercard® Gold Card™ | Mastercard® Black Card™ | Mastercard® Titanium Card™ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $995 | $495 | $195 |
| Airfare redemption | 2% back | 2% back | 2% back |
| Cash back redemption | 2% back | 1.5% back | 1% back |
| Luxury Concierge access? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Luxury Travel access | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lounge access | Yes | Yes | No |
| Travel credits | Up to $200 | Up to $100 | N/A |
What We Like About the
Luxury Concierge
The Luxury Concierge service is Luxury Card’s calling card and what it takes most pride in – and it’s easy to see why. The level of dedication and personalization is truly extraordinary. Luxury Card concierges help you live your best life regardless of your wants or needs.
Slick, Stylish Design
Having a metal and carbon-based credit card might not be important to some, but the impressive look and feel of the Mastercard Black Card is hard to deny. The 22g. weight really provides a feeling of luxury in your hand and is destined to turn heads wherever you use it.
Things to Consider
Annual Fee
The biggest concern with Luxury Card’s lineup is the annual fee. With the Black Card, that annual fee is $495, with authorized users charged another $195 annually each). While that annual fee is $500 cheaper than the Gold Card, it is still significantly higher than most other credit cards – and even top-of-the-line travel cards, like the Capital One Venture X ($395).
As with the Gold Card, there are ways to recoup the nearly $500 annual fee, including by using the “up to $500 per trip” in credits and perks Luxury Card Travel provides. But if you don’t plan on making at least a handful of trips each year, you might be better suited with one of its rivals (or even the Titanium version of the Luxury Card).
Barclays Ratings
How does Barclays, the Black Card’s issuer, rate as a card issuer? Here is a selection of ratings from experts and other consumers:
| BestCards | Better Business Bureau | TrustPilot |
|
3.5/5 |
4.5/5 |
3/5 |
Should You Apply for the Mastercard® Black Card?
The Mastercard Black Card from Luxury Card is a complete and versatile payment option for those who want to stand out, make more of the experiences that already fit their lifestyle, and be treated to a wide range of benefits and conveniences. However, the card is exclusive, and there is a strict approval rate. Regardless, those who qualify can take advantage of a plethora of perks.
Though its $495 annual fee is not insignificant – and places it among the company of the Chase Sapphire Reserve and The Platinum Card from American Express – the Black Card’s perks can easily offset the yearly charge if used to their full potential.
From the always-available Concierge service – which opens countless doors to exclusive events, experiences, and goods – to the VIP treatment enjoyed when booking and carrying out your travel plans, this card always places customers first. Its rewards redemption value is above the competition; its portfolio of dining and accommodation amenities is expansive; and its list of consumer protections covers nearly every major incident travel enthusiasts could contend with.
If you enjoy making a statement and value specialty services and preferential treatment – all the while earning and redeeming rewards towards future getaways – you’ll make a wise choice in considering adding the Mastercard Black Card to your arsenal of credit cards.
For those looking for more affordable general rewards card, the Citi Premier® Card and Chase Sapphire Preferred feature $95 annual fees and more versatile rewards.
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