Mastercard® Black Card™ vs American Express® Gold Card

Compare Rewards, Interest Rates, Fees, and Benefits

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Mastercard Black Card is a stainless steel and carbon card with luxury benefits. How does it compare to American Express Gold, a points card? Read our comparison chart below.

	Mastercard® Black Card™	American Express® Gold Card


	Credit Card Summary
	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. See Current Offer	Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year. $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required. Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property. Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold. No Foreign Transaction Fees. Annual Fee is $250. Terms Apply. See Rates & Fees See Current Offer
	Credit Card Interest Rates & Fees
Introductory APR for Balance Transfers	0% introductory APR for the first fifteen billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening.	N/A
Purchase APR	21.24%, 25.43%, 28.24% (Variable) based on your creditworthiness and other factors	See Pay Over Time APR
Balance Transfers APR	21.24%, 25.43%, 28.24% (Variable) based on your creditworthiness and other factors	N/A
Foreign Transaction Fee	0% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.	No foreign transaction fee
Annual Fee	$495 annual fee ($195 for each Authorized User added to the account)	$250 annual fee
	Credit Card Rewards & Benefits
Introductory Bonus Offer		Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Cash Back Rewards	1.5% value for cash back redemptions
Airline Rewards	2% value for airfare redemptions with no blackout dates or seat restrictions.	3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
Point Rewards		Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
Airline Status	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.
Grocery Rewards		Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
Dining Rewards		Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
Airline Transfer Partners		Airline transfer partners include Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air France, Emirates, Cathay Pacific (Asia Miles), Virgin Atlantic, Singapore Airlines, Etihad, Alitalia, All Nippon Airways and more.
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	CreditDonkey® Credit Card Reviews

Pros & Cons	Pros: Stainless steel and carbon card Concierge service Travel benefits Cons: $495 annual fee No signup bonus	Pros: Welcome bonus 3x points for flights booked directly with airlines Cons: $250 annual fee
Bottom Line	Stainless steel and carbon card with luxury benefits... Read full review	Good rewards card for cardholders who fly frequently or eat out... Read full review

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