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Side-by-side

Mastercard Black Card vs U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power Visa Signature Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Mastercard Black Card comes from Barclays (Luxury Card) at $699/yr; the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power Visa Signature Card from U.S. Bank at $195/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power Visa Signature Card is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($750 more in estimated value) than the Mastercard Black Card's. Get the U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power Visa Signature Card first; revisit the Mastercard Black Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureMastercard Black CardU.S. Bank Business Altitude Power Visa Signature Card
Annual fee$699$195
Sign-up bonusNo public welcome offer75,000 Altitude points
Bonus value (est.)$0$750
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 0 mo$10,000 in 4 mo
IssuerBarclays (Luxury Card)U.S. Bank
Card categorytravel
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
    U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power Visa Signature Card
    $195/yr · 75,000 Altitude points

    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: U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power Visa Signature Card

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Mastercard Black Card or U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power Visa Signature Card?
    The U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power Visa Signature Card has the bigger bonus, 75,000 Altitude points, worth roughly $750, 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 U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power Visa Signature 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 U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power Visa Signature Card at $195/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
    Can I have both the Mastercard Black Card and U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power Visa Signature Card?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (Barclays (Luxury Card) and U.S. Bank) 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 U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power Visa Signature Card first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Mastercard Black Card: $0 spend in 0 months. U.S. Bank Business Altitude Power Visa Signature Card: $10,000 in 4 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.