Why I'm Considering Applying for the Mastercard<sup>®</sup> Black Card™ Why I'm Considering Applying for the Mastercard<sup>®</sup> Black Card™

Why I'm Considering Applying for the Mastercard® Black Card™

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For all we talk about points, miles, and credit cards, you'd think there'd be more press about the Mastercard® Black Card®. While in the past its best benefit has been “well, it's pretty heavy,” there's something else the card provides that we've all been sleeping on.

Mastercard® Black Card®
Mastercard® Black Card®
Annual Fee$699
Featured Benefit Enjoy automatic enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select with access to 1,700 airport lounges worldwide with no guest or lounge limits. Includes credits at select airport restaurants for cardholder and one guest.
The Mastercard® Black Card® delivers luxury perks and a robust fixed-value reward structure. Cardholders enjoy a generous 2% redemption value for airfare and 1.5% redemption value for cash back, paired with exclusive benefits such as 24/7 concierge service, airport lounge access with Priority Pass™, and a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® fees. Its distinctive stainless steel design underscores its premium status.
  • Redeem at 2% value for airfare and 1.5% for cash back. Just 50,000 points will get you a $1,000 ticket on any airline or $750 cash back, issued as a direct deposit statement credit.
  • Earn 2X points on Airfare and Hotel reservations booked through LuxuryCardTravel.com. One point for every one dollar you spend for all other categories, earning points every time you spend.
  • $200 Annual Airline Credit: Receive up to $200 in annual air travel credits toward flight-related purchases, including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more.
  • $100 Annual Dining Credit: Get up to $100 in annual statement credits when you use your Luxury Card at qualifying restaurants.
  • Receive up to $120 reimbursement credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee. Global Entry includes access to TSA PreCheck® with no additional application or fee required.
  • 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®: Exclusive to Cardmembers. Your busy life never stops, and neither do our Luxury Card Concierge agents. Enjoy around-the-clock lifestyle management and planning support tailored to your specific needs—and designed to save you time. Our personalized one-on-one service delivers solutions, suggestions and even surprises to make every day exceptional. Book the trip. Get the reservations. Score the tickets.
  • With your Luxury Card, enjoy complimentary access to over 1,700 airport lounges and travel experiences in more than 600 cities across 145 countries with Priority Pass™ Select. Access includes unlimited visits for yourself as well as your guests.
  • Black-PVD-Coated Metal Card and Made of Stainless Steel®: Beautifully crafted and exceptionally premium, Luxury Card is a statement piece designed to stand out in the most refined way. Weighing in at an impressive 22 grams, its stainless steel, contactless patented card design and metal construction raises the standard. Carry a card with distinction.
  • Exclusive Luxury Card Travel® benefits—average value of $500 per stay (e.g., resort credits, room upgrades, free wifi, breakfast for two and more) at over 3,000 properties. Receive protection benefits like trip cancellation and interruption, auto rental car collision waiver, travel accident and baggage delay. Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard® benefits.
  • Annual Fee: $699 ($249 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.
  • Earn one point for every dollar spent

In the wake of Chase removing Priority Pass restaurant access from its credit cards, I'm giving the Mastercard Black Card some serious thought. Let's discuss the card's benefits and why it's a card more people should consider.

Mastercard Black Card and Priority Pass

Sure, that introduction may have been a little sensationalist, but it's for good reason. That's because the Mastercard Black Card, among its other benefits, grants cardholders a Priority Pass Select membership. Even better, its Priority Pass Select membership includes restaurant access.

What's morethat Priority Pass Select membership provides unlimited visits to cardholders and an unlimited number of guests.

That may sound unbelievable, but it's true. The Mastercard Black Card will allow you to bring your family, your friends, and anyone else you know into the lounge for free. They'll also be able to join you at one of Priority Pass' participating restaurants, sleep pods, spas, and game lounges.

Stephanies Restaurant at Boston Logan Airport is a part of the Priority Pass program.
Stephanie's at Boston-Logan International Airport participates in the Priority Pass program. Credit: Priority Pass

If you're familiar with credit card lounge access, you're probably drooling on the screen right now. In an era where lounge access is becoming more restricted, spending requirements are being implemented, and guests are going the way of the Dodo, an uncapped and unlimited Priority Pass membership is astounding.

There aren't any close competitors for this card's airport lounge access. Some cards come close, but they all miss an important aspect:

Other Benefits of the Mastercard Black Card

The Mastercard Black Card charges a $699 annual fee, which puts it firmly in premium credit card territory. For that amount, you get a few benefits, but not as many as you'd expect elsewhere:

  • Access to Luxury Card travel
  • Complimentary travel insurance
  • 24/7 concierge services
  • $100 annual airline credit
  • Up to $100 TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit once every five years
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Up to $5 monthly Peacock statement credit
  • $5 monthly credit with Lyft after three paid rides
  • $10 off the second Instacart order each month
  • Cell phone protection

While the card only earns 1x point per $1 spent (which is dismal), it does allow you to redeem for airfare at a rate of 2 cents each or 1.5 cents as cash back. That puts it above Chase and American Express competitors on non-bonused spending, but not much else.

There can be a case made for those who maximize every penny of those statement credits, which ring in at more than $300 each year, as well as Luxury Card travel, which is similar to programs like Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts. However, much of what this card offers can be had elsewhere. It's truly in its Priority Pass membership that it shines.

Credit Cards That Offer Priority Pass Restaurant Access

I'm halfway convinced about getting the Mastercard Black Card since I've always relied on my Chase Sapphire Reserve® for restaurant access at the airport. The fact that anyone I'm traveling with can come with me to nap pods and meals is a big draw for this card, even if its other benefits are lackluster. However, the Mastercard Black Card isn't the only player on the block for Priority Pass benefits.

A few of the cards on this list are probably already known, but I'm betting that many of them (like the Mastercard Black Card), aren't. That's because card issuer websites often fail to specify the particular benefits, so it's only through official confirmation that we truly understand who offers what.

That being said, here is the limited list of cards that offer Priority Pass restaurant access past the June 30, 2024 removal on Chase cards:

The biggest issue with these cards is that they either have limited visits (such as U.S. Bank cards), aren't available to new applicants (such as the Prestige Card), or otherwise limit Priority Pass access.

Still, if I had to pick an alternative, I'd maybe go for the Bank of America Premium Elite Card. It's got a $550 annual fee, but I'm trying to climb the Preferred Rewards ladder, which will (hopefully) one day earn me a 75% bonus on my points.

The Bottom Line

The Mastercard Black Card is looking more appealing than ever, now that so many credit cards are dropping Priority Pass restaurant accesss. Along with unlimited visits, cardholders can bring unlimited guests, which is unheard of in the credit card world. Imagine treating all of your aunts and uncles to a meal at the airport.

Mastercard® Black Card®
Mastercard® Black Card®
Annual Fee$699
Featured Benefit Enjoy automatic enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select with access to 1,700 airport lounges worldwide with no guest or lounge limits. Includes credits at select airport restaurants for cardholder and one guest.
The Mastercard® Black Card® delivers luxury perks and a robust fixed-value reward structure. Cardholders enjoy a generous 2% redemption value for airfare and 1.5% redemption value for cash back, paired with exclusive benefits such as 24/7 concierge service, airport lounge access with Priority Pass™, and a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® fees. Its distinctive stainless steel design underscores its premium status.
  • Redeem at 2% value for airfare and 1.5% for cash back. Just 50,000 points will get you a $1,000 ticket on any airline or $750 cash back, issued as a direct deposit statement credit.
  • Earn 2X points on Airfare and Hotel reservations booked through LuxuryCardTravel.com. One point for every one dollar you spend for all other categories, earning points every time you spend.
  • $200 Annual Airline Credit: Receive up to $200 in annual air travel credits toward flight-related purchases, including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more.
  • $100 Annual Dining Credit: Get up to $100 in annual statement credits when you use your Luxury Card at qualifying restaurants.
  • Receive up to $120 reimbursement credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee. Global Entry includes access to TSA PreCheck® with no additional application or fee required.
  • 24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®: Exclusive to Cardmembers. Your busy life never stops, and neither do our Luxury Card Concierge agents. Enjoy around-the-clock lifestyle management and planning support tailored to your specific needs—and designed to save you time. Our personalized one-on-one service delivers solutions, suggestions and even surprises to make every day exceptional. Book the trip. Get the reservations. Score the tickets.
  • With your Luxury Card, enjoy complimentary access to over 1,700 airport lounges and travel experiences in more than 600 cities across 145 countries with Priority Pass™ Select. Access includes unlimited visits for yourself as well as your guests.
  • Black-PVD-Coated Metal Card and Made of Stainless Steel®: Beautifully crafted and exceptionally premium, Luxury Card is a statement piece designed to stand out in the most refined way. Weighing in at an impressive 22 grams, its stainless steel, contactless patented card design and metal construction raises the standard. Carry a card with distinction.
  • Exclusive Luxury Card Travel® benefits—average value of $500 per stay (e.g., resort credits, room upgrades, free wifi, breakfast for two and more) at over 3,000 properties. Receive protection benefits like trip cancellation and interruption, auto rental car collision waiver, travel accident and baggage delay. Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard® benefits.
  • Annual Fee: $699 ($249 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.
  • Earn one point for every dollar spent

AwardWallet Tip of The Day
Did you know that AwardWallet doesn’t solely focus on travel-related loyalty programs? We support many retail loyalty programs including grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies and more. You can browse the full list of the programs that AwardWallet supports.
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