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Mastercard® Black Card™ vs American Express® Gold Card

Compare Rewards, Interest Rates, Fees, and Benefits

Luxury Card and American Express are CreditDonkey partners. We receive compensation if you apply and get approved for a card through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do. (read more)

Mastercard Black Card is a sleek metal credit card with luxury benefits. How does it compare to American Express Gold, a points card? Read our comparison chart below.

 Mastercard Black CardAmerican Express Gold Card
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Mastercard® Black Card™

American Express® Gold Card

 

Credit Card Summary

 
  • Patented black-PVD-coated metal card—weighing 22 grams.
  • 2% value for airfare redemptions with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. 1.5% value for cash back redemptions. Earn one point for every one dollar spent.
  • Annual Airline Credit—up to $100 in statement credits toward flight-related purchases including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more. Up to a $100 application fee credit for the cost of TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry.
  • Enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select with access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide with no guest limit. Includes credits at select airport restaurants for cardholder and one guest.
  • 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®—available by phone, email and live mobile chat. Around-the-clock service to help you save time and manage tasks big and small.
  • 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.
  • Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard® benefits.
  • Annual Fee: $495 ($195 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.
  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 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.
  • Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $250.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees
 

Credit Card Interest Rates & Fees

Introductory APR for Balance Transfers0% 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 APR19.49% (Variable) based on your creditworthiness and other factorsSee Pay Over Time APR
Balance Transfers APR19.49% (Variable) based on your creditworthiness and other factorsN/A
Foreign Transaction Fee0% 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 $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
Cash Back Rewards1.5% value for cash back redemptions 
Airline Rewards2% 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 StatusAnnual Airline Credit—up to $100 in statement credits toward flight-related purchases including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more. Up to a $100 application fee credit for the cost of TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry. 
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.
 Go to issuer's official application, terms, and detailsGo to issuer's official application, terms, and details
 

CreditDonkey® Credit Card Reviews

 Mastercard Black CardAmerican Express Gold Card
Pros & ConsPros:
  • Metal design
  • 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 LineSleek metal credit card with luxury benefits... Read full reviewGood rewards card for cardholders who fly frequently or eat out... Read full review
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See issuer's website for details including terms and conditions. While reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate and updated information, the information shown on this site may vary, be out of date, or not applicable to you. All information is provided without warranty. When you click on the Apply Now button, you can review the terms and conditions on the issuer's website.

Blank fields may indicate the information is not available, not applicable, or not known to CreditDonkey. Please visit the issuer's website for details.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.


Articles on Mastercard® Black Card™

Mastercard Black Card

Does Mastercard® Black Card™ provide enough benefits to justify the steep annual fee? Read our in-depth review and find out the requirements to qualify.

Articles on American Express® Gold Card

American Express Gold

If you spend a lot, the American Express® Gold Card may be worth considering. Read on for the pros and cons of the AMEX Gold Card.

Which Do You Like and Why?





Compare Mastercard Black Card to:

Chase Sapphire Reserve
Intro APR for PurchasesIntro APR for Balance TransferRegular APRAnnual Fee
N/AN/A
21.49% - 28.49% Variable
$550

American Express Platinum
Intro APR for PurchasesIntro APR for Balance TransferRegular APRAnnual Fee
N/AN/ASee Pay Over Time APR
$695

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Compare American Express Gold to:

Chase Sapphire Preferred

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Intro APR (Purchases)Intro APR (Balance Transfer)Regular APR
N/AN/A
20.49% - 27.49% Variable
Annual Fee
$95
Blue Cash Preferred

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Intro APR (Purchases)Intro APR (Balance Transfer)Regular APR
0% on purchases for 12 months
0% on balance transfers for 12 months
18.49% - 29.49% Variable
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Delta SkyMiles Gold

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card

Intro APR (Purchases)Intro APR (Balance Transfer)Regular APR
N/AN/A
20.24% - 29.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99

About CreditDonkey
CreditDonkey is a credit card comparison website. We publish data-driven analysis to help you save money & make savvy decisions.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed on this page are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

†Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which CreditDonkey receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CreditDonkey does not include all companies or all offers that may be available in the marketplace.

*See the card issuer's online application for details about terms and conditions. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However, all information is presented without warranty. When you click on the "Apply Now" button you can review the terms and conditions on the card issuer's website.

CreditDonkey does not know your individual circumstances and provides information for general educational purposes only. CreditDonkey is not a substitute for, and should not be used as, professional legal, credit or financial advice. You should consult your own professional advisors for such advice.

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