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Luxury Card Mastercard® Black Card™ vs The Platinum Card® from American Express

Both are premium travel cards, but one is far and away the better choice.

Megan Horner
Megan Horner

Updated . What changed?

Fact checked
The Luxury Card Mastercard® Black Card™ is a $495 travel card offering a $100 annual airline credit and 2% rewards rate on airfare redemptions. But it’s outclassed by The Platinum Card® from American Express — a premium, $550-a-year option — which offers hundreds of dollars in statement credits annually. Starting January 2021, Amex’s card pays a stellar 5x points on eligible flights and hotel stays on up to $500,000 annually, reverting to 1x points after, giving you a 10% or higher rewards rate when you transfer points to airline partners.

Luxury Card Mastercard® Black Card™

Luxury Card Mastercard® Black Card™

Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Rates & Fees
finder.com's rating
finder.com's rating

★★★★★

2.9 / 5.0

★★★★★

4.4 / 5.0
Best for
Best for
  • Luxury travel perks
  • Excellent travel rewards
Welcome offer
Welcome offer

N/A

60,000 points after spending $5,000 in your first 3 months
Rewards
Rewards

1x points on all purchases with 2% point value when you redeem for airfare and 1.5% for cash back

5x points on directly-booked flights or on flights and hotels on Amex Travel. 1x points on all other purchases. Starting January 1, 2021, your 5x points on flights will be capped on up to $500,000 annually (then 1x points).
Purchase APR
Purchase APR

14.99% variable

Annual fee
Annual fee $495 $550
Balance transfer APR
Balance transfer APR

0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles, then 14.99% variable

Cash advance
Cash advance

APR: 25.24% to 0% variable

Fee: $10 or 5% of the transaction, whichever is greater

APR: 25.24% variable

Fee: $10 or 5% of the transaction, whichever is greater
Foreign transaction fee
Foreign transaction fee None None
Late payment fee
Late payment fee Up to $39 Up to $40
Additional cardholder fee
Additional cardholder fee $195 $175
Interest-free period
Interest-free period 23 days 25 days
Minimum interest
Minimum interest $0.50
Minimum credit score
Minimum credit score 700 670
Card type
Card type Credit Other
Learn more
Learn more

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Summary of card features

Luxury Card Mastercard® Black Card™

Luxury Card Mastercard® Black Card™

  • Global Entry application fee credit.
  • Luxury gifts.
  • Rewards program.
  • Airline credit.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express

  • Membership reward points. Earn 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked directly through Amex Travel. Starting January 1, 2021, your 5x points on flights will be capped on up to $500,000 annually (then 1x points).
  • You can use your points toward gift cards, travel rewards, statement credit and more. If you redeem these points for the highest valued rewards, you'll get 5% back. On all other eligible purchases, you'll earn 1x points.
  • Welcome offer. Get 60,000 membership rewards points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of card membership. That's up to $1,200 worth of rewards when transferred to travel partners.
  • Airline fee credit. Select a qualifying airline and receive a $200 airline fee credit each year to cover incidental charges, such as checked bags or in-flight purchases.

Compare premium credit cards

Name Product Welcome offer Rewards Annual fee Filter values
American Express® Gold Card
American Express® Gold Card
60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
3x points on directly-booked flights; 4x at restaurants; 4x at US supermarkets on up to $25,000 annually (then 1x points)
$250
Earn up to 4x points on select purchases, a bevy of travel perks, and a welcome offer worth up to $600 with this upper-mid tier travel card. Rates & fees
Apply now
View details
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
100,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months, plus earn 25,000 after the first anniversary of card membership (offer expires 1/13/2021)
6x points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3x at US restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2x for all other purchases
$450
Earn 100,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 or more within your first 3 months, plus earn 25,000 after the first anniversary of card membership (offer expires 1/13/2021). Rates & fees
Apply now
View details
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
10x points on Lyft rides, 3x points on dining and travel after earning your $300 travel credit and 1x points on all other purchases
$550
Get a generous $300 in annual travel credits, 3x points on travel and dining, and a 50% bonus on point redemptions with Chase's premier card.
Apply now
View details
CardMatch™ from creditcards.com
CardMatch™ from creditcards.com
See terms
See terms
See terms
Use the CardMatch tool to find cards you're likely to qualify for with your credit score, without a hard pull on your credit.
See offer
View details
Luxury Card Mastercard® Titanium Card™
Luxury Card Mastercard® Titanium Card™
N/A
1x points on all purchases with 2% point value when you redeem for airfare and 1% for cash back
$195
Enjoy unique excursions, privileged access to exclusive events and insider opportunities.
Apply now
View details
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Compare American Express credit cards

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