In April 2019 we had published a complete comparison of black credit cards, which usually provide travel benefits, as well as insurance and assistance. A little over three years have passed, so we feel it is necessary to update this article.
Black or premium credit cards are plastics considered more “exclusive” or “high-end”, which banks usually issue for their clients with higher incomes. In general, financial institutions require income of more than $2,500,000 to grant you one, although this amount varies from bank to bank.
Unlike the Classic, Gold, Standard or Universal cards, these provide various benefits to their holders. Most benefits are offered for trips abroad, such as assistance with health requirements or car rental insurance. To access them, you must have purchased the air ticket in its entirety with the card, or the boarding fees if the points, award dollars or miles associated with the same card were used.
However, they are not the only benefits. Some have price protection and product damage insurance that you acquire They even usually have an extended warranty for the sole fact of paying for the purchase of your computer, cell phone or other item, increasing the duration of the manufacturer’s warranty in the event of a failure by up to twice as long.
The “black” cards that currently operate in Chile are the Mastercard Black, Visa Signature y Visa Infinite. In addition, we have included in this update the American Express WorldMember card issued by Banco Santander, the only entity that works with AMEX in the country. We do not consider The Platinum Card from AMEX in the analysis, since it is only offered to clients upon invitation.
Banks that issue black credit cards
Practically all banks offer some type of black or “high-end” Mastercard or Visa credit card. Meanwhile, from the so-called financial retail, Banco Falabella (CMR) and Cencosud Scotiabank have this type of plastic.
| plastic type | Banks that issue them |
|---|---|
| Mastercard Black | • Chile bank • State Bank • Security • Scotiabank • Cencosud Scotiabank • CMR Falabella • Itau • International • Bci |
| Visa Signature | • Chile bank • BICE • Bci • Itaú • Scotiabank • Santander • Consortium Bank |
| Visa Infinite | • Chile bank • BICE • Bci • Scotiabank • Santander |
| American Express | • Santander |
Benefits by type of card Visa, Mastercard and American Express
The Chócale team analyzed the benefits and coverage offered by the cards Mastercard Black, Visa Signature, Visa Infinite y American Express WorldMember.
It must be considered that these benefits are delivered by each brand. For their part, banks also add benefits such as free VIP use at Chilean airports or the accumulation of points (you can review our analyzes here).
Benefits when traveling
| Benefit | Mastercard Black | Visa Signature | Visa Infinite | AMEX WorldMember |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIP access at airports abroad | • Access to more than 850 LoungeKey lounges in the world. $32 per access | • Lounges attached to DragonPass: US$32 per access (US$27 before 06/30/22) • LoungeKey affiliated lounges: US$27 per access • Rooms adhered to Priority Pass: US$27 for access. The bank must be consulted. |
• Lounges attached to DragonPass: US$32 per access (US$27 before 06/30/22) • LoungeKey affiliated lounges: US$27 per access • Rooms adhered to Priority Pass: US$27 for access. The bank must be consulted. |
• Access to more than 340 LoungeBuddy lounges around the world. Value for access: From US$25 |
| VIP access at airports in Chile | The benefit is offered directly by each bank. Check it here | The benefit is offered directly by each bank. Check it here | The benefit is offered directly by each bank. Check it here | The benefit is offered directly by each bank. Check it here |
| Emergency cash disbursement | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| lost connection | ❌ | ❌ | Yes, US$300 per holder | US$200 |
| Traveler information service | Mastercard Global Service | Visa Information Service | Visa Information Service | does not report |
| trip cancellation | Up to US$3,000 per event | ❌ | US$3,000 per person, in case of serious illness or accident, serious loss in home or own business, pregnancy complications, court summons, unemployment, etc. | does not report |
| travel delay | US$200 for delay of more than 4 hours | ❌ | US$300 per holder, for more than 4 hours delay | Up to US$600 for delays greater than 6 hours |
| baggage delay | Maximum US$600 | Up to $500 | Up to $600 | For up to US$200 for more than 6 hours |
| baggage loss | Maximum US$3,000 | Up to $1,000 | Up to $3,000 | Up to $3,000 |
| airport transportation | ❌ | 2 transfers a year in Santiago for international flights | 4 transfers a year in Santiago for international flights | ❌ |
| international travel insurance | Medical coverage up to US$150,000. Valid for 60 days for owner, spouse and dependent children |
Medical coverage up to US$100,000 Valid for 60 days for holder and beneficiaries |
Medical coverage up to US$100,000 Valid for 60 days for holder and beneficiaries |
• Travel accidents: Up to US$1,000,000. • Travel assistance for medical expenses and hospitalization up to US$150,000, and medical care with US$20,000 |
| Schengen travel insurance (Europe) | €30,000 minimum | Medical coverage up to €30,000 | Medical coverage up to €30,000 | • Medical expenses or hospitalization: €30,000 • Medical care: €20,000 |
| car rental insurance | Up to $75,000 when you waive CDW coverage | Yes, by declining CDW/LDW insurance | Yes, by declining CDW/LDW insurance | Yes. $75,000 per incident. |
| Global Wi-Fi Access | Free access to public Wi-Fi networks affiliated with Boingo. | Free access to Wi-Fi networks in airports through the App | Free access to Wi-Fi networks in airports through the App | does not report |
| ATM theft insurance | Yes. Up to US$1,000 per event and US$3,000 per year. Death coverage of US$10,000. |
❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Price guarantee for hotels | Yes. The difference is refunded if the same hotel, room, dates and passengers are found at a lower price | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Hotel stay guarantee | Troubleshooting or hotel change assistance | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Benefits on purchases and subscriptions
| Benefit | Mastercard Black | Visa Signature | Visa Infinite | AMEX WorldMember |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Card replacement due to loss or theft | Yes, one business day in the US and two days in the rest of the world | Yes. Within 24 hours in the US and Canada, and from one business day in other countries | Yes. Within 24 hours in the US and Canada, and from one business day in other countries | does not report |
| Concierge | Mastercard Concierge | Visa Concierge | Visa Concierge | Concierge Service, providing personal lifestyle assistance |
| Extended warranty | It is doubled for up to one year that of the manufacturer. Up to US$2,500 per event and US$5,000 per year. | Extension to double the manufacturer’s warranty for up to one year. Goods with a guarantee of 4 or more years do not have the benefit. | The manufacturer’s warranty is doubled for up to one year. Goods with a guarantee of 4 or more years do not have the benefit. | Extended warranty ($5,000 per attendee and up to $25,000 per year) |
| price protection | ❌ | Maximum of US$500 per item, capped at US$2,000 per year | $4,000 per year cap | ❌ |
| purchase protection | 90 days for theft or accidental damage, for replacement or repair. Up to US$5,000 per event. Up to $20,000 a year | 180 days for theft or accidental damage, for up to US$5,000 per event. Up to US$10,000 a year. | 180 days for theft or accidental damage, for up to US$10,000 per event. Up to US$20,000 a year. | 90 days from the date of purchase for accidental damage or theft. US$5,000 per incident, capped at US$25,000 per year. |
| ATM theft insurance | Yes. Up to US$1,000 per event and US$3,000 per year. Death coverage of US$10,000. |
❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Other benefits
| Benefit | Mastercard Black | Visa Signature | Visa Infinite | AMEX WorldMember |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| discounts | • Discounts on experiences. It can be reviewed at priceless.com. | • Up to 30% discount in Casacostanera member stores until June 12 • Free 36-month membership to SkyBox, plus US$10 credit on first shipment. |
• Free 36-month membership to SkyBox, plus US$10 credit on first shipment. | • 50% discount at selected restaurants, one day of the week until August 31, 2022: Malva Loca (Mon), El Toro (Tue), La Picantería (Wed), MIA (Thu), Bocacielo (Fri), Oporto (Sat) and Floor One (Sun) |
| subscriptions | • 50% discount for the first 3 months of HBO Max subscription. | • Subscription for 3 months to Bloomberg Line • 3 months of Disney Plus at no cost • 3 months of Star Plus |
• Subscription for 4 months to Bloomberg Line • 4 months of Disney Plus • 4 months of Star Plus |
|
| events | • Access to the American Express Lounge of the Movistar Arena (2 courtesy drinks, 30% off on the menu and fast track to the north lower stalls) |
