This luxury travel card comes with a high annual fee but a low rewards rate. Apr 23, 2025 / 12 min
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The Luxury Black Card, also known as the Mastercard Black Card, is an ultra-exclusive credit card aimed at affluent consumers. With luxury perks like airport lounge access, travel credits, and concierge service, the Black Card offers an elite travel and lifestyle experience However, it comes at a steep price with its $495 annual fee. As you’d expect for such a premium credit card, the Luxury Black Card also has strict eligibility requirements, particularly when it comes to your credit. So what credit score do you need to get approved for the coveted Luxury Black Card?
Overview of the Luxury Black Card
Let’s start with a quick rundown of the Luxury Black Card and its key features
- $495 annual fee
- Made of metal with a weighty 22-gram feel
- 1 point per $1 spent on all purchases
- Points worth 1.5 cents each as statement credits or 2 cents each when redeemed for airfare
- 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months
- Travel perks like $100 annual airline credit, airport lounge access, and luxury hotel upgrades
While the Luxury Black Card skimps on rewards earning rates, its luxury perks and travel benefits aim to justify the high annual fee for frequent travelers. However, as you’ll see, earning approval requires pristine credit.
What is the Minimum Credit Score for the Luxury Black Card?
The recommended minimum credit score to get approved for the Luxury Black Card is:
740 credit score
According to the issuer you need at least a “good” credit score. This generally corresponds to a minimum FICO score of 670. However, anecdotal reports from applicants indicate a much higher credit score is expected. Most applicants approved for the Black Card had FICO scores of 740 or higher.
A 740 credit score is toward the top of the good credit range. Having a score in the good credit tier usually suggests a positive credit history with few missed payments and a moderate use of available credit. However, excellent credit—a 740 score or higher—is ideal for luxury cards with high annual fees.
What Credit Score Gets You Automatically Approved?
While there are no guarantees with credit card approvals, you should be automatically approved for the Luxury Black Card if you have:
800+ credit score
According to feedback from real applicants, an 800+ FICO score resulted in instant approval in many cases.
A credit score over 800 falls into the “exceptional” credit range. This suggests a spotless credit history with no late payments, a low credit utilization rate, a significant history of managing credit, and a mix of credit types. If you have exceptionally high credit, you’re nearly guaranteed approval for this premium card.
Other Requirements for the Luxury Black Card
In addition to a very good credit score, other eligibility requirements must be met:
- Minimum annual income of $200,000
- At least 21 years old
- No recent bankruptcies
- FICO Bankcard Score 8 model may be used in review
- Must meet bank’s creditworthiness criteria
The Luxury Card company also emphasizes that black metal card is NOT the famous Centurion Card from American Express, which is invitation-only. The Mastercard Black Card has no special invitation requirement.
How to Check If You Meet the Credit Score Requirement
Wondering if your credit score makes the cut for the Luxury Black Card? Here are some options to check your score for free:
-
Check your credit score through Credit Karma. This provides a VantageScore based on TransUnion data.
-
Use the free credit score available through your credit card company. For example, Discover provides free FICO scores.
-
Review the credit report summary on Bankrate, which includes a credit score range estimate.
Keep in mind these scores may differ somewhat from your FICO Bankcard 8 score that the issuer will review. But checking them can give you a good idea of whether you meet the 740+ credit score recommendation. If your free scores are significantly under 740, the Black Card is likely out of reach for now.
How to Improve Your Chances of Approval
If your credit score falls a bit short of 740, take steps to boost it before applying for the Luxury Black Card or other premium rewards cards:
- Pay down balances to decrease credit utilization
- Avoid new credit applications in the short term
- Pay all bills on time to have a perfect payment history
- Verify your credit reports and dispute any errors
- Become an authorized user on a spouse or family member’s old account
With diligent credit management, you can build your score into the “exceptional” range—and enjoy your pick of top rewards credit cards.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for the Luxury Black Card
If the Black Card’s lofty credit score requirement disqualifies you, consider one of these premium travel cards instead:
-
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Great travel rewards and perks with a 740 minimum credit score
-
Capital One Venture X: Valuable annual travel credit and airport lounge access; recommended 670 minimum credit score
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American Express® Gold Card: Strong rewards multipliers and $250 annual airline fee credit; no official minimum credit score
The bottom line: While the metal-crafted Luxury Black Card has undeniable appeal, its astronomical credit requirements put it out of reach for many. But with a high 700s credit score, you can qualify for plenty of premium travel cards with generous rewards and benefits.
Summary: What Credit Score You Need for the Luxury Black Card
The Mastercard Black Card offers luxury perks and a metal build for high-spending travelers. But its $495 annual fee and strict eligibility make it unattainable for most. You should have an exceptional credit score of 740 or higher for the best approval odds. A score over 800 will nearly guarantee instant approval. If your score falls short, focus on credit building and apply for a premium card like the Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, or Amex Gold instead. With responsible credit use over time, a pristine credit score—and the Luxury Black Card—could be within reach.
Rewards: Low rate for a luxury travel card
You might expect a luxury card to have a superior rewards program. But the Mastercard Black earns rewards at a remarkably low flat rate for a card in its class: For every $1 you spend on purchases, you will earn 1 point. You can stretch your points’ value by redeeming them for cash back at a flat rate of 1.5 percent or by redeeming them through the Luxury Card rewards site, where you can book airline travel and increase the rewards value to 2 cents per point. This actually surpasses the value offered by most travel cards.
However, even though you can get double the redemption value for airfare, this is unlikely to be enough to compensate for the card’s low rewards rate. Many top flat-rate travel and cash back cards offer higher rates and better value. You could fare even better with a tiered rewards card. Cards like the no-annual-fee Bilt Mastercard® earn elevated rewards for dining and travel, as well as a flat rate on rent. Also, according to Bankrates latest valuation, Bilt reward points are worth on average 2.1 cents when redeemed with the right transfer partner, even more than the Mastercard Black’s points.
How the Mastercard Black compares to other travel cards
While the Mastercard Black Card technically falls into the luxury card category, weve compared it to other premium travel cards since the card’s numerous travel benefits make it similar to a travel credit card. Plus, unlike most luxury cards, you can apply for it rather than receiving an invitation.
1 point for every $1 spent on all purchases (2% value for Airfare Redemptions & 1.5% value for Cash Back Redemptions).
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠. 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries. 2x on all other travel purchases. 1x on all other purchases.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers bonus rewards for dining, streaming services, online groceries, Lyft rideshare and travel with a relatively affordable annual fee. Unlike the Mastercard Black Card, you can offset the annual fee easily through rewards and its annual hotel credit. The Sapphire Preferred doesn’t have an introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers, and it lacks luxury perks like lounge access. However, it does come with a valuable welcome offer and account anniversary bonus points. If you’re the type of cardholder who values upfront rewards, prefers an affordable annual fee and can do without luxury, the Sapphire Preferred card may be the better choice for you. The Chase Sapphire Preferred offers bonus rewards for dining, streaming services, online groceries, Lyft rideshare and travel with a relatively affordable annual fee. Unlike the Mastercard Black Card, you can offset the annual fee easily through rewards and its annual hotel credit. The Sapphire Preferred doesn’t have an introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers, and it lacks luxury perks like lounge access. However, it does come with a valuable welcome offer and account anniversary bonus points. If you’re the type of cardholder who values upfront rewards, prefers an affordable annual fee and can do without luxury, the Sapphire Preferred card may be the better choice for you.
- If you are looking for a great travel card to accompany you on trips — whether they’re luxury getaways or casual escapes — the American Express Gold Card outshines the Mastercard Black Card in nearly every aspect. The Amex Gold boasts an impressive:
- 4X Membership Rewards points on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year (then 1X points for the rest of the year) and
- 4X points spent at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year (then 1X points for the rest of the year). Plus
- 3X points spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel.
It also comes with a lower $325 annual fee and a great welcome offer. While Amex points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for flights with Amex Travel, Bankrate values Amex points at around 2.0 cents each on average if you redeem with a high-value travel transfer partners. This gives Amex points a competitive value while earning about four times as many points as the Mastercard Black for select purchases. In addition to its stellar rewards rates, the Amex Gold also comes with plenty of travel perks and other cardholder benefits that, if used, can easily offset the card’s annual fee. If you are looking for a great travel card to accompany you on trips — whether they’re luxury getaways or casual escapes — the American Express Gold Card outshines the Mastercard Black Card in nearly every aspect. The Amex Gold boasts an impressive:
- 4X Membership Rewards points on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year (then 1X points for the rest of the year) and
- 4X points spent at U.S. supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year (then 1X points for the rest of the year). Plus
- 3X points spent on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel.
It also comes with a lower $325 annual fee and a great welcome offer. While Amex points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for flights with Amex Travel, Bankrate values Amex points at around 2.0 cents each on average if you redeem with a high-value travel transfer partners. This gives Amex points a competitive value while earning about four times as many points as the Mastercard Black for select purchases. In addition to its stellar rewards rates, the Amex Gold also comes with plenty of travel perks and other cardholder benefits that, if used, can easily offset the card’s annual fee.
Mastercard Luxury Black Card: Why Billionaires Love it? (Full Review)
FAQ
What is the credit limit on the luxury black card?
The average credit limit for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is $14,444, with $5,000 being the most common.
What credit score to get a black card?
Regardless, you should expect to need an excellent credit score (scores of 800 and above) to qualify for a black card.
Who qualifies for the Black Card?
“Black cards,” referring to premium, invitation-only credit cards like the American Express Centurion Card, are generally reserved for the ultra-wealthy. Qualification typically involves a combination of factors including excellent credit, high spending on existing cards, and a substantial net worth. While specific requirements are not publicly disclosed, it’s generally understood that invitation-only black cards like the Centurion require high spending on other Amex cards, often in the six-figure range annually.
What is the rarest black credit card?
Centurion Card. The American Express Centurion Card, colloquially known as the Black Card, is a charge card issued by American Express. It is reserved for the company’s wealthiest clients who meet certain net worth, credit quality, and spending requirements on its gateway card, the Platinum Card.