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Side-by-side

Amazon Business Prime American Express Card vs Mastercard Black Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Amazon Business Prime American Express Card comes from American Express at $0/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.

FeatureAmazon Business Prime American Express CardMastercard Black Card
Annual fee$0$699
Sign-up bonus$125 Amazon.com Gift CardNo public welcome offer
Bonus value (est.)$125$0
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 0 mo$0 in 0 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressBarclays (Luxury Card)
Card categorybusinesstravel
Best earning category (Amazon_business_amazon_aws_whole_foods_with_prime)5x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
    • $200 airline credit
    • $100 dining credit
    • Priority Pass Select
    • 1.5cpp cash back, 2cpp airfare
    Read the full review
    Amazon Business Prime American Express Card
    $0/yr · $125 Amazon.com Gift Card
    Read the full review
    Mastercard Black Card
    $699/yr · No public welcome offer

    Editorial take: Amazon Business Prime American Express Card

    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, Amazon Business Prime American Express Card or Mastercard Black Card?
    The Amazon Business Prime American Express Card has the bigger bonus, $125 Amazon.com Gift Card, worth roughly $125, versus No public welcome offer (~$0) on the Mastercard Black Card.
    Is the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Mastercard Black Card?
    The Amazon Business Prime American Express Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Mastercard Black Card's $699 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Mastercard Black Card's benefits to clear $699 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card.
    Can I have both the Amazon Business Prime American Express Card 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 Amazon Business Prime American Express Card or the Mastercard Black Card first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Amazon Business Prime American Express Card: $0 spend in 0 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.