Mastercard Black Card Review 2024

Is the Mastercard Black Card Worth It? Let’s Find Out.

The Mastercard® Black Card™ comes with a hefty annual fee, a lot of marketing around its physical weight, and an average rewards system. Is it truly the elite travel rewards card it claims to be? Read on to find out.

Mastercard Black Card is often marketed as a luxurious choice for travelers and high spenders, with various perks designed to justify its $495 annual fee. This review dives into its features, benefits, and drawbacks, comparing it to other high-end cards.

Mastercard Black Card: Key Features and Benefits

What the Mastercard Black Card Offers

Annual Fee: $495 ($195 for each Authorized User)
APR: 21.24%, 25.43% or 28.24% variable
Credit Score Required: Excellent

Perks and Benefits

No Foreign Transaction Fees
Rewards Redemption Rates: 1.5% for cash back, 2% for airfare
Travel Perks:

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry credits
Annual airline credit up to $100
Priority Pass Select membership for access to 1,300+ airport lounges

24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®

Rewards System

The card earns 1 point per dollar spent. Points can be redeemed for 2% value on airfare and 1.5% value for cash back, with no airline or seat restrictions, and no blackout dates. This simplicity is appealing, but the rewards are not competitive with other high-fee cards.

Rewards Comparison Table

Card	Airfare Redemption Value	Cash Back Redemption Value	Annual Fee
Mastercard Black Card	2%	1.5%	$495
Chase Sapphire Reserve	1.5 cents per point	N/A	$550
Amex Platinum	5 points per dollar	N/A	$695
Citi Double Cash	N/A	2%	$0

Drawbacks of the Mastercard Black Card

Despite its high fee, the Mastercard Black Card falls short in several areas:

Annual Fee: At $495, it’s comparable to other premium cards but offers less in return.
Rewards Earning Rate: Other cards provide higher rewards rates and welcome bonuses.
High Balance Transfer Fee: A 5% fee makes it less appealing for those looking to transfer balances.

Fee Breakdown

Fee Type	Cost
Annual Fee	$495 ($195 per authorized user)
Balance Transfer Fee	5% (minimum $5)
Foreign Transaction Fee	$0

How It Compares to Other Premium Cards

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Annual Fee: $550
Welcome Bonus: 60,000 points
Rewards: 5 points per dollar on flights, 10 points per dollar on hotels and car rentals through Chase Travel, 3 points per dollar on other travel and dining
Travel Credit: $300 annually

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Annual Fee: $695
Welcome Bonus: 80,000 points
Rewards: 5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels
Travel Credits: Up to $200 in annual hotel credits, $200 airline incidentals, $189 CLEAR® Plus credit, $240 digital entertainment credit

Citi Double Cash® Card

Annual Fee: $0
Rewards: 2% cash back (1% when purchases are made, 1% when paid off)
Balance Transfer Offer: 0% intro APR for 18 months

Rewards Comparison Table

Feature	Mastercard Black Card	Chase Sapphire Reserve	Amex Platinum	Citi Double Cash
Annual Fee	$495	$550	$695	$0
Welcome Bonus	None	60,000 points	80,000 points	None
Rewards Rate (General)	1 point per dollar	3 points per dollar	1 point per dollar	2% cash back
Travel Credit	$100 airline credit	$300	Various (up to $1,000)	N/A
Lounge Access	Priority Pass	Priority Pass	Centurion Lounges	N/A

Detailed Perks and Benefits

Luxury Travel Benefits

The Mastercard Black Card offers various luxury travel benefits, though they are not the most competitive in the market.

Annual Airline Credit: Up to $100 in statement credits for airline purchases, including tickets, baggage fees, and upgrades.
TSA PreCheck or Global Entry Credit: Up to $100 application fee credit.
Priority Pass Select Membership: Access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.

24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®

The concierge service offers assistance with various tasks, such as:

Recommending spa services
Delivering gifts and flowers
Booking tee times
Accessing concert and event tickets
Making travel arrangements

Protection Benefits

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: Up to $5,000 per insured person.
Auto Rental Collision Waiver: Secondary coverage for eligible rentals.
Travel Accident Insurance: Up to $250,000 in coverage.
Baggage Delay Insurance: Up to $100 per day for a maximum of three days.
Cell Phone Protection: Up to $1,000 per year for eligible claims.

FAQs About the Mastercard Black Card

1. What is the annual fee for the Mastercard Black Card?

The annual fee is $495, with an additional $195 fee for each authorized user.

2. What are the rewards redemption rates?

The card offers a 2% redemption rate for airfare and 1.5% for cash back.

3. Does the Mastercard Black Card offer any travel perks?

Yes, it offers perks such as TSA PreCheck and Global Entry credits, annual airline credit, and Priority Pass Select membership.

4. Are there any introductory APR offers?

Yes, the card offers a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles for transfers made within 45 days of account opening.

5. How does the concierge service work?

The 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge® can assist with various tasks such as booking travel, making dinner reservations, and more, accessible via phone, email, SMS, and app chat.

6. What protection benefits does the card provide?

It includes trip cancellation and interruption insurance, auto rental collision waiver, travel accident insurance, baggage delay insurance, and cell phone protection.

The Bottom Line

The Mastercard® Black Card™ boasts several luxurious perks and a sleek metal design, but its high annual fee and average rewards system make it less appealing compared to other premium cards. While it may be attractive to those looking for a status symbol and straightforward redemption rates, other cards offer better rewards and benefits for the same or lower fees.

Mastercard Black Card is ideal for those who value simplicity and the prestige of carrying a metal card. However, for those looking to maximize rewards and benefits, other options like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or The Platinum Card® from American Express provide more value.