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Mastercard Black Card vs Mastercard Gold Card

Both are travel travel cards. The Mastercard Black Card comes from Barclays (Luxury Card) at $699/yr; the Mastercard Gold Card from Barclays (Luxury Card) at $1199/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

Both cards come from Barclays (Luxury Card) and target travel spenders, so the choice usually comes down to whether you'll use the premium-tier benefits. The Mastercard Gold Card costs $500 more per year, only worth it if you'll actually use the upgraded perks.

FeatureMastercard Black CardMastercard Gold Card
Annual fee$699$1199
Sign-up bonusNo public welcome offerNo public welcome offer
Bonus value (est.)$0$0
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 0 mo$0 in 0 mo
IssuerBarclays (Luxury Card)Barclays (Luxury Card)
Card categorytraveltravel
Best earning category (Luxury_card_travel)2x2x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • $200 airline credit
  • $100 dining credit
  • Priority Pass Select
  • 1.5cpp cash back, 2cpp airfare
  • $300 airline credit
  • $200 dining credit
  • $120 Global Entry credit
  • 2cpp cash back or airfare
Read the full review
Mastercard Black Card
$699/yr · No public welcome offer
Read the full review
Mastercard Gold Card
$1199/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.

Editorial take: Mastercard Gold Card

The top tier of Barclays' Luxury Card lineup at $1,199. The $300 airline + $200 dining + $120 Global Entry credits chip away at the AF (about $620 of stated value before lounge access), and the 2cpp redemption on cash back is unusual. Still a status play more than a smart-points play; Amex Platinum or Sapphire Reserve win on credits-to-fee math for most travelers. Authorized-user fee is steep at $349 each.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Mastercard Black Card or Mastercard Gold Card?
The two cards offer comparable sign-up bonuses around $0. Pick based on which earning categories you actually use.
Is the Mastercard Black Card's $699 annual fee worth it compared to the Mastercard Gold Card?
Premium cards like the Mastercard Black Card ($699/yr) earn their fee through credits, travel, dining, lounge access, statement reimbursements. If you'd actively use $699+ of those credits, the math works. The Mastercard Gold Card at $1199/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
Can I have both the Mastercard Black Card and Mastercard Gold Card?
Yes, though both are issued by Barclays (Luxury Card) so the same issuer-specific application rules apply (Chase 5/24 if applicable, Amex once-per-lifetime bonus, etc.). 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 Mastercard Black Card or the Mastercard Gold Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Mastercard Black Card: $0 spend in 0 months. Mastercard Gold 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.