There are many things that public relations teams from banks can choose as the “hook” they can set that gets you to apply for a specific credit card. Maybe you’re looking to get customers looking for a card offering a low-interest rate or interest-free balance transfers. Others like a cashback card or one that has the appearance of ease when redeeming points. Points and miles people love a card with a high signup bonus and excellent bonus categories. Even better if you earn transferrable points which can be used to book awards on aspirational aircraft or luxury hotels.
But this card has figured it out and their pitch is brilliant.
Get our card ‘cuz it’s the heaviest one available.
How can I resist? Look at their marketing comparing the weight between cards. They’re they Heavyweight Champion!
Want to know why the card is so heavy? It’s a secret!
Each Mastercard Black Card is designed with a unique black-PVD-coated stainless steel front and carbon back. With 57 patents issued globally, Luxury Card leads the industry in metal card design and construction by combining advanced technology and design principles to create durability and distinction. Every detail of your card reflects excellence and represents the exclusivity of your membership.
Hidden in the small print is the card’s $495 annual fee. What benefits does it provide?
Since it’s not that clear, I’ll break it down.
You receive one point per dollar spent. Those points are worth:
- 2 cents each when used for travel redemptions
- 1.5 cents each as a cashback credit
You also get a Priority Pass membership, which they auto-enroll you for, unlike other cards where you have to apply after getting the card, $100 annual airline credit and a $100 Global Entry or TSA Precheck credit. The $500 travel value is actually benefits when booking through their concierges such as early check-in, free Wi-Fi or free breakfast. At least the card doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees.
Despite the weight of the card, it doesn’t stand out of the crowd except for its exceptionally high annual fee. In fact, when I told Sharon that I received an application for the Black Card, I assured her it wasn’t for THAT Black Card.
I’m sure that the company marketing this card is hoping the confusion between the two cards might get some additional applications.
The same could be said when I mentioned to my dad I wanted a set of wireless noise-canceling headphones and received these for my birthday.
When it comes to the Black Card, all I have to say is:
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and get emailed notifications of when we post. Or maybe you’d like to join our Facebook group – we have 21,000+ members and we talk and ask questions about travel (including Disney parks), creative ways to earn frequent flyer miles and hotel points, how to save money on or for your trips, get access to travel articles you may not see otherwise, etc. Whether you’ve read our posts before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
