Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial
research influence how products appear on a page.
Credit Cards

Mastercard Black Card Review

Updated Feb 28, 2022   |   6-min read

Some offers mentioned on this page may be outdated. To confirm offers and credit card details, check the issuer’s website.


Mastercard Black Card
on Mastercard’s secure website
Editorial Rating

Editorial Rating

What we like:

The high value for airfare redemptions beats most other premium cards and you get a $100 annual airline credit

Intro OfferNone
Rewards RateEarn 1 point for every dollar spent on purchases

Get a 2% redemption rate for airfare and 1.5% redemption rate for cash back
Regular APR0% APR for 15 billing cycles on balance transfers

17.24% APR variable for purchases
Annual Fee$495 and an additional $195 for each authorized user
See how this card stacks up to our top rated credit cards

Card Details

Pros

  • High redemption rate for airfare makes it ideal for travelers
  • Receive luxury gifts through its special program
  • A competitive redemption rate for cash back
  • Receive an annual airline credit

Cons

  • You must book airfare through the card’s partner agency to get the highest redemption value
  • The annual fee is quite high
  • You have to pay a high annual fee for each authorized user
  • No sign-up bonus

Recommended Credit Score

Good to excellent

Luxury Card Review: Does the Black Card Come with the Best Luxury Rewards Available?

If you’re looking for a credit card that doubles as a status symbol, the Luxury Mastercard Black card might be just what you’re looking for.

With a sleek stainless steel design and perks such as access to top-notch golf courses, this card is aimed directly at people who want exclusive status and luxury benefits. Unfortunately, in addition to a Luxury Magazine and other gifts, this black credit card comes with an equally luxurious annual fee.

In this review:

Black Card Benefits

If you enjoy luxe gifts and feeling like a superstar, the Mastercard black card can provide that vibe. The card comes with a number of high-end perks and rewards.

Rewards

Earning rewards with the Black credit card is fairly straightforward. You receive one point for each dollar you spend in purchases. The main rewards bonuses come on the redemption end.

If you redeem your points on airfare, you get a 2% redemption value. Basically, if you spend enough to get 50,000 points on your card, you can redeem those points for a $1,000 ticket on any airline — without worrying about seat restrictions or blackout dates. However, to take advantage of this perk, you must book your airfare using Luxury’s partner agency.

You can also choose to get cash back at a rate of 1.5%. So, those 50,000 points would be worth $750 if you get cash instead of an airline ticket.

Annual Airline Credit

Each year that you’re a Mastercard black card holder, you receive $100 in airline credit, helping you reduce the cost of flying. You can apply this credit to tickets, baggage fees, and even in-flight purchases.

Luxury Card Concierge

Consultants are available 24/7 to help you manage just about anything you’re interested in, whether you’re at home or traveling. You can get help choosing a travel destination that appeals to you, find tickets to a sold-out show, find hard-to-get gifts for loved ones, or even get advice on finding a restaurant you’d enjoy. Basically, it’s like having a hotel concierge available to you at any time.

>> Read More: Which Credit Cards Have the Best Concierge Services

Luxury Gifts 

In addition to the concierge, the Mastercard black card also offers a unique perk in its Luxury Gifts program. However, gifts don’t come on a schedule. The website just promises “iconic and recognized brand names” will surprise you in the mail on occasion.

VIP Travel Perks

If you’re looking for the royal treatment when you travel, the Mastercard Black Card’s VIP perks might be a good place to start. Travel perks include:

  • Global luggage delivery
  • Chauffeured services
  • “Meet and greets” at airports
  • Global Entry application fee credit & TSA Precheckfee credit
  • Cruise privileges
  • Upgrades at thousands of luxury hotels worldwide
  • Access to a worldwide network of luxury lounges (some even have showers)

Many of these perks are somewhat unique, taking the concept of credit card travel benefits to the next level.

Mastercard Priceless Access

The Priceless program offered by the Mastercard Black card offers access to exclusive experiences. You might be able to see a dress rehearsal before opening night, get courtside seats to a basketball game, or enjoy other curated experiences. Additionally, you have access to the Tournament Players Club, a network of private club golf courses.

Downsides of the Black Mastercard

While there are some pretty heady perks, there are also downsides to the Luxury Black card. One of the biggest downsides is the steep annual fee of $495. This fee is already quite high, but if you add an authorized user you’ll pay another $195 per year. It’s hard to overcome that fee unless you spend big and redeem points regularly.

Additionally, while the redemption rate on airfare is higher than many competitors, you have to book through Mastercard’s affiliate portal. This makes booking trips more restrictive so you need to be aware of that before you move forward.

How it Compares to Similar Cards

The Mastercard Black card has more luxury perks than many competitors, but it’s possible to get more flexible rewards from other cards at a lower cost. Indeed, the Luxury card is more expensive than some other premium cards and the restrictions make it less valuable.

Mastercard Black Card vs Amex Platinum

You’ll pay a higher fee for the Platinum Card from American Express ($550), but the rewards redemption is a little more flexible. Additionally, with the Amex Platinum, you get a Priority Pass membership that offers access to more airport lounges than the lounge access provided by the Luxury Black card.

You do get a higher redemption with the Luxury Mastercard Black card, though. You only get a rate of about 1% on redemption with the Amex Platinum while the Black card comes with 1.5% to 2% redemption.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for unique, status-based perks, the Luxury Mastercard Black card can be a good choice. There’s some special features that make it worth it, especially if you spend enough to redeem for a $1,000 plane ticket each year or if you take advantage of the concierge service. However, there are other premium credit cards that offer you more flexible (and even more valuable) rewards without costing as much.