With this card, you earn one point per dollar spent on every purchase. These points do not expire as long as the account remains open. You can redeem these points at a rate of 1.5 cents for every point as cash back or for airline tickets at 2 cents for every point.
MoneyGeek’s Take
Mastercard® Black Card™ Review
The Mastercard® Black Card™ is a luxury card with no foreign transaction fees. It offers complimentary access to more than 1,200 airport lounges, a 2% bonus for airfare redemption and other travel benefits.
Updated: December 10, 2024
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- PROS
- No foreign transaction fee
- 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers
- Earn one point for every dollar spent
- No expiration date for the points
- $100 airline credit
- Travel accident insurance
- Trip cancellation insurance
CONS- Very high annual fee
- No sign-up bonus
- High regular APR
Rewards
- Earn a flat-rate redemption value of 1.5% for cash back and 2% for airfare, with no airline or seat restrictions and no blackout dates.
- Earn one point for every dollar spent, with no earning caps or rotating categories.
Perks & Benefits
- Enjoy an annual airline credit of up to $100 for flight-related purchases, automatically applied to your account.
- Receive up to a $120 application fee credit for TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry.
- Gain automatic enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select, with access to over 1,500 airport lounges worldwide.
- Benefit from 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge® service for assistance with various tasks.
- Access exclusive Luxury Card Travel® benefits, averaging $500 per stay at over 3,000 properties.
- Protect your cell phone with coverage for eligible claims up to $1,000 each year.
- Carry a Black PVD-Coated Metal Card, weighing 22g, designed for frequent shoppers and big-ticket purchases.
APRS, Fees, and Penalties
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Annual fee of $495, with an additional $195 for each authorized user.
MoneyGeek’s methodology for this review involves collecting credit card information, standardizing data points, analyzing potential cardholder profiles, considering annual and introductory bonuses, establishing the card values and reviewing data monthly to reprocess rankings.
Mastercard® Black Card™ Overview
The Mastercard® Black Card™ offers a premium list of rewards and bonuses for its customers. These rewards are tailored to the needs of frequent travelers.
Quick Take
- Pay no foreign transaction fees
- Get up to $250,000 travel accident insurance
- Transfer balance from another card at 0% intro APR
- Get $100 in airline credit
- Get other travel benefits worth $500
- Get up to $100 per day in baggage delay insurance
- Get up to $5,000 in trip cancellation insurance
Important Card Details
The fine print of the Mastercard® Black Card™ will help you understand the various fees and charges associated with the card like its regular APR, annual fee, points rewards rate, balance transfer APR and foreign transaction fee.
Regular APR
This card has a reasonable variable regular APR of 20.49% to 28.49%. You should pay off your balance in full every month to avoid accumulating a high amount of interest on your balance.
Annual Fee
With a striking $495 yearly fee ($195 for each Authorized User added to the account), this card can prove to be quite expensive if you are not a frequent traveller. Although many travel benefits are offered, the annual fee is still high.
Points Reward Rate
You get one point for every dollar you spend with this card. To maximize your rewards, you should use it for travel expenses as much as possible.
Balance Transfer APR
You can transfer the balance from another card within 45 days of opening the account, and you’ll qualify for an intro balance transfer APR of 0%, then a variable APR of 20.49% to 28.49% thereafter.
Foreign Transaction Fee
This card is mainly focused on travelers; that’s why it doesn’t have foreign transaction fees.
Additional Benefits
With the Mastercard® Black Card™, you also get access to more travel benefits.
- 24/7 concierge service: To help you save time while traveling, you have access to a 24/7 luxury concierge service through phone, live chat and email.
- Baggage delay insurance: If your baggage gets delayed for any reason, you can get up to $100 per day as compensation.
- Trip cancellation insurance: In case of canceled flights due to covered reasons, you’ll have insurance up to $5,000 worth of coverage.
How the Mastercard® Black Card™ Compares To Other Cards
As compared to other cards in the same category, Mastercard® Black Card™ has a very high annual fee and does not offer enough rewards to justify it.
How the Mastercard® Black Card™ Compares
Mastercard® Black Card™
- Purchase APR: 20.49% to 28.49% Variable
- Annual fee: $495 ($195 for each Authorized User added to the account)
- International transactions fee: $0
- Points reward rate: 1 point per dollar spent
- Best for: Elite travelers looking for a luxury travel rewards card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Purchase APR: 20.74% - 27.74% variable
- Annual fee: $95
- International transactions fee: $0
- Points reward rate: 1-5 points in different categories
- Best for: Frequent travelers looking for a card with a good points reward rate
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average credit score needed to get approved for Mastercard® Black Card™?
You need an excellent credit score exceeding 800 to get approved for a Mastercard® Black Card™.
Does Mastercard® Black Card™ report to all three credit bureaus?
Yes, Mastercard® Black Card™ reports to all three credit bureaus.
Is the Mastercard® Black Card™ application process lengthy? Can you prequalify?
In some cases, you can get a response to your application instantly; however, it can also take up to 10 working days. You can apply online for the card.
What information is needed to apply for a Mastercard® Black Card™?
Generally, your legal name, birth date, address, Social Security number and annual income are required.
Does Mastercard® Black Card™ have good customer service or satisfaction?
Yes, Mastercard® Black Card™ has strong customer support, and its customers are frequently pleased with the service they receive.
Does Mastercard® Black Card™ have a mobile app or the option to pay or manage your account online?
The Mastercard® Black Card™ has a mobile app that lets you manage your account effectively.
Does Mastercard® Black Card™ raise credit limits automatically or charge for limit increases?
The Mastercard® Black Card™ raises credit limits automatically after analyzing the account after a few months.
Does Mastercard® Black Card™ offer the option to freeze your credit/account or have other security features?
Mastercard® Black Card™ offers many security features to keep your account safe, and you can easily freeze your account at any time.
Does Luxury Card offer other credit cards besides Mastercard® Black Card™?
Yes, Luxury Card also offers the Mastercard® Gold Card™ and Mastercard® Titanium Card™.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
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.
sources
- Luxury Card. "Mastercard® Black Card™." Accessed December 10, 2024.
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