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Side-by-side

Mastercard Black Card vs Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Mastercard Black Card comes from Barclays (Luxury Card) at $699/yr; the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa from Upgrade at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

If you're not sure you'll use premium perks, start with the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa, its annual fee is significantly lower and the bonus values are similar. Upgrade later if you find yourself using the higher-tier benefits.

FeatureMastercard Black CardUpgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa
Annual fee$699$0
Sign-up bonusNo public welcome offer$200 statement bonus
Bonus value (est.)$0$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 0 mo$0 in 2 mo
IssuerBarclays (Luxury Card)Upgrade
Card categorytravelcash-back
Best earning category (Luxury_card_travel)2x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
  • $200 airline credit
  • $100 dining credit
  • Priority Pass Select
  • 1.5cpp cash back, 2cpp airfare
    Read the full review
    Mastercard Black Card
    $699/yr · No public welcome offer
    Read the full review
    Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa
    $0/yr · $200 statement bonus

    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: Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Mastercard Black Card or Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
    The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa has the bigger bonus, $200 statement bonus, worth roughly $200, versus No public welcome offer (~$0) on the Mastercard Black Card.
    Is the Mastercard Black Card's $699 annual fee worth it compared to the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
    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 Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa at $0/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
    Can I have both the Mastercard Black Card and Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (Barclays (Luxury Card) and Upgrade) 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 Mastercard Black Card or the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Mastercard Black Card: $0 spend in 0 months. Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa: $0 in 2 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.