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Side-by-side

TAP Miles and Go American Express Card vs Mastercard Black Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The TAP Miles and Go American Express Card comes from Cardless at $79/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

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureTAP Miles and Go American Express CardMastercard Black Card
Annual fee$79$699
Sign-up bonus40,000 bonus milesNo public welcome offer
Bonus value (est.)-$0
Min spend to unlock bonus$2,500 in 3 mo$0 in 0 mo
IssuerCardlessBarclays (Luxury Card)
Card categoryairlinetravel
Best earning category (Tap_air_portugal)3x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • 3x miles on TAP purchases
  • 2 Lisbon lounge passes per year
  • Free extra checked bag
  • Star Alliance redemptions
  • $200 airline credit
  • $100 dining credit
  • Priority Pass Select
  • 1.5cpp cash back, 2cpp airfare
Read the full review
TAP Miles and Go American Express Card
$79/yr · 40,000 bonus miles
Read the full review
Mastercard Black Card
$699/yr · No public welcome offer

Editorial take: TAP Miles and Go American Express Card

The only US co-branded card for a European Star Alliance carrier. Useful if you fly TAP to Lisbon or onward Europe several times a year, since the lounge passes, free extra bag, and Premium Boarding can each be worth more than the $79 annual fee on a single transatlantic trip.

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, TAP Miles and Go American Express Card or Mastercard Black Card?
The Mastercard Black Card has a public bonus (No public welcome offer, worth roughly $0), while the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card doesn't advertise one right now.
Is the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card's $79 annual fee worth it compared to the Mastercard Black Card?
At $79/yr, the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Mastercard Black Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the TAP Miles and Go American Express Card and Mastercard Black Card?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Cardless 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 TAP Miles and Go American Express Card or the Mastercard Black Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. TAP Miles and Go American Express Card: $2,500 spend in 3 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.