MoneyGeek’s Take

Mastercard® Gold Card™ Review

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Mastercard® Gold Card™

Rewards Summary
Earn one point for every one dollar spent.
APR
20.74% – 28.74% Variable
Annual Fee
$995
Recommended Credit
740-850 (Excellent)
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As one of the most expensive luxury cards on the market, the Mastercard® Gold Card™ has a list of luxurious first-class travel benefits and access to members-only perks. If you don’t mind paying higher annual fees in exchange for luxury concierge services, then this card might be for you. The actual gold-plated card might be a flashy bonus. However, it is not for the average consumer. Other high-end cards offer better benefits and allow more flexibility in terms of using earned points.

Mastercard® Gold Card™ Overview

With the Mastercard® Gold Card™, you can earn one point for every dollar spent on net purchases. Points can be redeemed in several ways.

Quick Take

  • $995 annual fee ($295 for each Authorized User added to the account)
  • Patented 24K-gold-plated stainless steel front
  • Access to Luxury Card Concierge, Luxury Card Travel and Luxury Card Experiences
  • One reward point per dollar spent on purchases
  • Redeem reward points for flight tickets, as cash back or as a statement credit
  • VIP airport lounge access with Priority Pass Select
  • Airline credits of up to $200 each year
  • Airport meet & assist
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Travel insurance coverage
  • Mobile phone protection

Important Card Details

Before getting a credit card, you should review costs like APR, annual fees and other possible penalties that you might have to pay when you use the card.

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    Regular APR

    The Mastercard® Gold Card™ has a high variable APR of 20.74% – 28.74%. Non-promotional purchases and balance transfer APR have an additional 11.74% after the prime rate. Cash advance APR has an additional 21.99% after the prime rate. The prime rate varies based on the highest prime rate on the last business day of each month as listed in The Wall Street Journal.

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    0% Introductory APR for Balance Transfers

    A 0% introductory APR applies on balance transfers made within 45 days of opening. After 15 billing cycles, the APR will be 19.99%, which will vary based on the prime rate.

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    Annual Fee

    This card charges a hefty $995 annual fee. It also costs $295 for each authorized user.

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    Foreign Transaction Fee

    There is no foreign transaction fee for this card.

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    Late Fees

    If you are late on a payment, you’ll pay a $39 fee.

Additional Benefits

The Mastercard® Gold Card™ has an extensive list of features and benefits to consider that set it apart from other cards in the space.

  • Cellular Telephone Protection: Using the card to pay your telephone bill automatically provides coverage for damage and theft, as well as yearly coverage for phone repairs.
  • Travel Accident and Baggage Delay: In case of baggage delay of four hours from the time of arrival, you are eligible for a reimbursement of covered items up to $100 a day for a maximum of three days. In case of a travel accident, you will receive up to $250,000 coverage at no additional cost.
  • Access to Porsche Experience Centers: Cardmembers who book a 90-minute driving experience at either the Atlanta or Los Angeles Porsche Experience Center can take advantage of exclusive perks and personalized coaching.
  • Luxury Card Experiences: As a card member, you get privileged access to exclusive events. However, this is subject to availability. The Luxury Card is not very clear about which kind of experiences are included in this benefit.
  • Golf Program: If you’ve been wanting to take up golf, having this card gives you access to golf travel experiences, tournaments and private club courses.

How the Mastercard® Gold Card™ Compares To Other Cards

Other travel rewards credit cards come with a cheaper annual fee or no fee. If you are really looking for experiences and first-class access, you might consider the Titanium or Black Credit Card. This offers almost the same luxury card benefits as the Mastercard® Gold Card™.

How the Mastercard® Gold Card™ Compares

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Mastercard® Gold Card™

  • Annual Fee: $995
  • Purchase APR: 29.99% variable
  • International Transaction Fee: 0%
  • Rewards Rate: Two cents per dollar
  • Best For: Affluent travelers looking for an exclusive card that offers luxury perks
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Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average credit score needed to get approved for a Mastercard® Gold Card™?
Does the Mastercard® Gold Card™ report to all three credit bureaus?
Is the Mastercard® Gold Card™ application process lengthy? Can you prequalify?
What information is needed to apply for a Mastercard® Gold Card™?
Does the Mastercard® Gold Card™ have good customer service or satisfaction?
Does the Mastercard® Gold Card™ have a mobile app or the option to pay or manage your account online?
Does the Mastercard® Gold Card™ raise credit limits automatically or charge for limit increases?
Does the Mastercard® Gold Card™ offer the option to freeze your credit/account or have other security features?
Does Barclays offer other credit cards besides the Mastercard® Gold Card™?

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, please click here.

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.


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*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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