Which Top Tier MasterCard?

[iced]

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@jbestman007 wrote:

You are defining top tier subjectively. I mean top tier by any objective definition. In other words, flagship cards issued by international brands. And we all know what those are. Example, the Chase Freedom, while a very good card, is not Chase's flagship card. Chase Sapphire Reserve is its flagship/top tier card. So, you not having any use for it does not change the fact that it is innately a flagship. 

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You seem to be under the impression there is an objectively measurable top-tier for each brand. Sorry, but there isn't. The only answers available to you will be subjective.

If your (subjective) definition of flagship in this thread is a non co-branded offering that the bank tries to put forth as a premium card, then for MC you're going to want something like Citi's TY Prestige or one of Barclays' non co-branded offerings. Or a Venture.

If your goal is to say you won the credit card game by having the objectively best card from each brand, you're going to lose because that game has no end and the rules change a few times a year.

[Remedios]

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@jbestman007 wrote:

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@Remedios wrote:

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@jbestman007 wrote:

You are defining top tier subjectively. I mean top tier by any objective definition. In other words, flagship cards issued by international brands. And we all know what those are. Example, the Chase Freedom, while a very good card, is not Chase's flagship card. Chase Sapphire Reserve is its flagship/top tier card. So, you not having any use for it does not change the fact that it is innately a flagship. 

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Well, in that case, pick a Mastercard with highest annual fee and hardest to get approved for

Boom, your first top tier card. 

Good luck ! 

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LOL

There is no way I could have asked this question without coming across as smug and irrational but believe me, I am not. We can all agree that we are all different and cannot all fit in one box. When I first got an electric car, I got crushed by car enthusiasts that thought it was pricey, inconvenient and a joke. All true, from their perspective. However, I once poured engine oil in my wiper fluid container. In other words, I am not a car person. The electric car is charge. Drive. Zero to no maintenance. You have no idea how valuable that is to a non car person like me. 

There are built in benefits to these cards that are valuable to me. It might not be to a lot of people but they are infinitely valuable to me at this stage of my life. Remember, I am not getting 20 cards. I am getting just 4 or 5. If I am keeping a thin portfolio, I want only the best for me (within reason of course).  The two cards I mentioned, the Amex Platinum and the CSR. I have researched those extensively and will have the AFs covered easily. If there is any doubt, I would stay with the Gold and the CSP. But for now, given my lifestyle and needs, the AF is not an issue. 

Again, sorry if I am coming across as ridiculous. But I get how I can be judged harshly without the benefit of context. 

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I am not judging you, I just think that card should be useful to you. Tiers have nothing to do with that. 

In your original post, you specified a network and top tier.  We got network covered but you need to define what top tier to you is. Why just carry a card around when you could get suggestions for the card you get to carry and use to your benefit, hence meeting all the requirements without it being a wallet decoration

When you say there are "built in" benefits, are you referring to benefits provided by network or lender? The best benefits come from the issuers themselves, so your top tier will simply depend on your definition of it. 

If you're willing to pay AF, might as well get something in return. 

[Remedios]

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@odd_dog wrote:

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@SouthJamaica wrote:

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@jbestman007 wrote:

My credit card strategy is to have a top tier card from each major network by the time my portfolio is complete. 

So....  

Amex:  Amex Platinum

Visa: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Discover: Discover IT 

Business: Amex Business Gold or Chase Ink Preferred

MasterCard: ?

Right now, I have no clue what MasterCard to get. I am leaning towards getting the Apple Titanium card but.... there's gotta be a better card out there, right?

I know this question is partly based on needs. To be frank, The CSR and the Amex Platinum would have my needs pretty covered. The MasterCard would be to cover all my bases since I travel internationally and never want to be caught unprepared, when it comes to networks. I don't care about SUBs or point chasing. I care more about member benefits, hence the top tier cards. 

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Since you travel a lot I would suggest the Citi Premier card.

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But isn't Citi DUMPING a lot of the benefits this September to that and many other of their cards?

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Only all of them. 

[odd_dog]

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@Remedios wrote:

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@odd_dog wrote:

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@SouthJamaica wrote:

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@jbestman007 wrote:

My credit card strategy is to have a top tier card from each major network by the time my portfolio is complete. 

So....  

Amex:  Amex Platinum

Visa: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Discover: Discover IT 

Business: Amex Business Gold or Chase Ink Preferred

MasterCard: ?

Right now, I have no clue what MasterCard to get. I am leaning towards getting the Apple Titanium card but.... there's gotta be a better card out there, right?

I know this question is partly based on needs. To be frank, The CSR and the Amex Platinum would have my needs pretty covered. The MasterCard would be to cover all my bases since I travel internationally and never want to be caught unprepared, when it comes to networks. I don't care about SUBs or point chasing. I care more about member benefits, hence the top tier cards. 

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Since you travel a lot I would suggest the Citi Premier card.

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But isn't Citi DUMPING a lot of the benefits this September to that and many other of their cards?

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Only all of them. 

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Hey my AA executive says although they are dropping benefits I should WAIT to see all the NEW benefits they are adding!!!  SO EXCITED (NOTE MyFico NEEDS a sarcastic font) I did find it strange that the other citi cards I have did NOT display this new benefits message.....so I got that going for me....

[Anonymous]

Not an answer to a top tier MasterCard but another item for your consideration? Would a Master Card from an issuer that would have Chip & Pin priority be of use to use internationally? Several in this Forum can shed some light on who issues them and what if any challenges there are?

[Anonymous]

Since you have Amex Platinum, you have Gold status for Hilton and Marriott. Your CSR can cover your travel and dining. Maybe you can get a Chase IHG World Elite Mastercard. The metal card gives you Platinum Elite status. If you can take advantage of the free annual certificate, the annual fee would be negative, althoug the non-IHG purchase rewards are pretty bad.

[jbestman007]

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When you say there are "built in" benefits, are you referring to benefits provided by network or lender? The best benefits come from the issuers themselves, so your top tier will simply depend on your definition of it. 

If you're willing to pay AF, might as well get something in return. 

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By benefits, I mean the ones provided by the lender. I know there are banks (NFCU, Wells Fargo) that issue excellent cards using the Amex network. However, for the benefits that I care for, Amex is the best suited for me. I plan on using the "experiences" they provide. Including early access to exclusive tickets and events. Chase has the same with their VIP access and their Sapphire exclusive offerings. Depending on where you live, these experiences could be invaluable. I live in the DC area and frequent NY quite a bit. Broadway and the Kennedy Center are two of my favorite places to attend events. Note, these benefits, amongst others, come with the cards, even without a single swipe. Yes, I know there are probably other cards that might give you access to these exclusive events but when it comes to NY, DC, and LA, you cannot top Chase and Amex. Correct me if I am wrong. 

So, I was only asking to find a MasterCard that can give me similar benefits. From Visa and Amex, those turned out to be their flagship cards which is why I just asked outright for a flagship. To save me the trouble. Now, if there are other cards that would do that I would be very happy to get one of those. 

[Kforce]

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@odd_dog wrote:
I should WAIT to see all the NEW benefits they are adding !!! 

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Maybe true "Vantage 3 scores"  

[Anonymous]

The Citi Double Cash card provides all those VIP and entertainment options through Citi Entertainment but its not "top tier" and doesn't have an annual fee.

[jbestman007]

Thank you. I did not know that. That is a card I’ve actually looked at getting. I will compare it with the other ones I’m now considering.
Thanks again.