Editorial take: Discover it Miles
A rare card that effectively earns 3x in year one (1.5x + match). Miles aren't transferable, but the simplicity + first-year match make this a strong starter travel card.
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Side-by-side
Discover it Miles vs Mastercard Black Card
Both are travel travel cards. The Discover it Miles comes from Discover 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.
| Feature | Discover it Miles | Mastercard Black Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $699 |
| Sign-up bonus | Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled) | No public welcome offer |
| Bonus value (est.) | $450 | $0 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $0 in 12 mo | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | Discover | Barclays (Luxury Card) |
| Card category | travel | travel |
| Best earning category (All_purchases) | 1.5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Discover it Miles
$0/yr · Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled)
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, Discover it Miles or Mastercard Black Card?
- The Discover it Miles has the bigger bonus, Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled), worth roughly $450, versus No public welcome offer (~$0) on the Mastercard Black Card.
- Is the Discover it Miles's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Mastercard Black Card?
- The Discover it Miles 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 Discover it Miles.
- Can I have both the Discover it Miles and Mastercard Black Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Discover 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 Discover it Miles or the Mastercard Black Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Discover it Miles: $0 spend in 12 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.