Chip Lupo, Credit Card Writer
@CLoop
The Mastercard® Black Card is better than the Mastercard® Gold Card because it has a lower annual fee and provides better overall value, despite its own high cost. The Mastercard® Black Card also has a higher WalletHub Rating.
Mastercard® Gold Card is very expensive, with an annual fee of $1,199. This card offers decent travel benefits and rewards but has no initial bonus, making it very hard to justify its high yearly price tag.
Other Key Things to Remember
- The Mastercard® Black Card is pricey in its own right, with a $699 annual fee.
- Both cards come with airport lounge access, but Mastercard® Gold Card offers a bigger annual airline credit than the Mastercard® Black Card.
- The Mastercard® Gold Card and the Mastercard® Black Card have 0% introductory APRs on balance transfers, but anyone interested in transferring high-interest debt should check out the best balance transfer credit cards for much better offers.
- The Mastercard® Black Card charges a $249 annual fee for each authorized user added to the account, compared to $349 per year for the Mastercard® Gold Card.
Mastercard® Gold Card vs. Mastercard® Black Card
| Card | Mastercard® Gold Card | Mastercard® Black Card |
| WalletHub Rating | 1.48 / 5 | 1.83 / 5 |
| Initial Bonus | N/A | N/A |
| Ongoing Rewards | 1 - 2 point per $1 | 1 - 2 point per $1 |
| Annual Fee | $1,199 | $699 |
| Intro Balance Transfer APR | 0% for 15 months | 0% for 15 months |
| Balance Transfer Fee | 5% (min $5) | 5% (min $5) |
| Regular APR | 19.74% - 27.74% (V) | 19.74% - 27.74% (V) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% | 0% |
| Credit Requirement | Good credit | Good credit |
It’s important to note that neither of these cards should be confused with the actual Black Card, the Centurion® Card from American Express. This is the epitome of an exclusive credit card, as it is available by invitation only and reserved for high-net-worth individuals who spend hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. For more information on the Amex Black Card and other high-end offers, refer to WalletHub’s most exclusive credit cards page.
To learn more about Mastercard’s options, check out our full reviews of the Mastercard® Gold Card and Mastercard® Black Card.
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