Editorial take: The Platinum Card from Amex
The granddaddy of premium cards with Centurion Lounge access, hotel elite status, and a mountain of credits. The $895 fee stings, but if you use even half the credits, you come out ahead.
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Side-by-side
The Platinum Card from Amex vs Mastercard Black Card
Both are travel travel cards. The The Platinum Card from Amex comes from American Express at $895/yr; the Mastercard Black Card from Barclays (Luxury Card) at $699/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the The Platinum Card from Amex is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($3,500 more in estimated value) than the Mastercard Black Card's. Get the The Platinum Card from Amex first; revisit the Mastercard Black Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | The Platinum Card from Amex | Mastercard Black Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $895 | $699 |
| Sign-up bonus | 175,000 points | No public welcome offer |
| Bonus value (est.) | $3,500 | $0 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $12,000 in 6 mo | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Barclays (Luxury Card) |
| Card category | travel | travel |
| Best earning category (Flights) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | amex-mr | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
The Platinum Card from Amex
$895/yr · 175,000 points
Read the full review
Mastercard Black Card
$699/yr · No public welcome offer
Editorial take: Mastercard Black Card
The mid tier of the Barclays Luxury Card lineup. The $200 airline + $100 dining credits offset $300 of the $699 AF before lounge value, and the 1.5cpp cash-back rate is the best of the Luxury Card tiers. Still hard to beat Sapphire Reserve or Venture X on transferable-points flexibility, but the all-stainless body and concierge appeal to some.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, The Platinum Card from Amex or Mastercard Black Card?
- The The Platinum Card from Amex has the bigger bonus, 175,000 points, worth roughly $3,500, versus No public welcome offer (~$0) on the Mastercard Black Card.
- Is the The Platinum Card from Amex's $895 annual fee worth it compared to the Mastercard Black Card?
- Premium cards like the The Platinum Card from Amex ($895/yr) earn their fee through credits, travel, dining, lounge access, statement reimbursements. If you'd actively use $895+ of those credits, the math works. The Mastercard Black Card at $699/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
- Can I have both the The Platinum Card from Amex and Mastercard Black Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Barclays (Luxury Card)) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
- Should I get the The Platinum Card from Amex or the Mastercard Black Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. The Platinum Card from Amex: $12,000 spend in 6 months. Mastercard Black Card: $0 in 0 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.
Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.