Something I spent way too much time typing up on a Facebook group:
Oh that’s a big misconception. The MasterCard Black is a problematic credit card product.
The American Express has an exclusive invite-only card for big spenders (people who spend 500k/millions of dollars each year using their credit card). It’s called the American Express Centurion Card. It’s a thick metallic card (like the Platinum) and painted all black: https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/reviews/amex-centurion-black-card/
It can only be obtained by invitation from Amex. It costs $10,000 to open a card, and $5,000 each year in annual fees. It has some benefits similar to platinum.. but I think mostly it just allows you to spend very large amounts of money.
So there’s this general notion in the public that this “thick metal black card” is for rich people showing off their money.
So another company decided to hijack the prestige of the Amex Centurion Card by just copying its looks. It pained it all black, and called it “The Black Card”. The card has some sad benefits, really not worth more than an annual fee of $150/year. But instead, they ride on the aura of the Centurion, and charge $495/year: https://www.valuepenguin.com/mastercard-black-card
In every aspect, the Black card comes short to other expensive cards. Most notably, it has no transferable points. But let’s just compare the lounge benefits:
Amex’s access to lounges:
- 27 Centurion Lounges
- 1,300 Priority Pass Lounges
- 14 Escape Lounges
- 50 Delta Lounges, when flying in any Delta flight
- Other lounges: Lufthansa, Virgin, Plaza Premium, Plaza Premium, Aspire
Which Airport Lounges Can I Access With The Amex Platinum Cards? [April 2023]
This means that in most major airports around the world, you will have access to 3-8 lounges. Is one lounge too busy or too far from your terminal? There will be another one to choose from.
Mastercard Black’s lounges:
- 1,300 Priority Pass Lounges
And that’s it. If Priority Pass Lounges is all you need, you could get a Priority Pass Select subscription for $430, and you won’t have:
- Gotten a card with mediocre benefits
- Used up a personal card slot that will count against Chase 5/24
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/how-to-maximize-priority-pass-select-membership
If your goal is squarely “I want to access airport lounges with my credit card for cheaper”, then the superior choice is the Capital Venture One X card. It costs $395/year, it comes with 75k transferable miles as a sign-up bonus, many perks and point multipliers, $300 travel credit, and also includes Priority Pass Select: https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/reviews/capital-one-venture-x/airport-lounge-access/
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