MasterCard Gold plastic card: service, advantages and disadvantages

MasterCard Gold - prestigious gold cards of a premium class, opening before the owners a lot of opportunities. This is an excellent service and convenience in use, no matter where in the world the owner is located. MasterCard Gold provides holders with a plethora of pleasant bonuses in the form of discounts, increased limit of withdrawal of money and high-quality service in restaurants and hotels around the world. To issue a gold card is easy in any bank of the country. Consider the conditions for obtaining it and the features of use.

About MasterCard and premium cards

MasterCard is an international payment system that is popular all over the world. There are several types of cards that have their own characteristics and are suitable for certain purposes and users. They differ in the cost of annual service, a package of services and a withdrawal limit. Regardless of what type of card the user has chosen, with MasterCard, he gets many advantages:

• You can pay for purchases in 210 countries;
• A 24-hour support service is always ready to help;
• Convenience of using non-cash money in any currency;
• A high level of security of storage of funds on the card account;
• A long service life of the card - from 2 years with a further re-issue if necessary.

Each of the payment systems has a series of gold or platinum cards. In Europe and the USA, their owners are wealthy and successful people, since registration is carried out only with confirmation of incomes of a sufficient level. The card service really pours out a lot of money, but at the same time, services are provided that can be useful to the businessman at the right time. In Russia, any interested citizen can apply for debit MasterCard Gold. Acquire this banking product at times not only for work or travel, but also to emphasize your status. Any bonus card is a kind of part of the image of a successful person.

What is it that attracts "gold" credit cards? Gold product of any payment system guarantees high quality of service and maximum of useful services. The user is waiting for pleasant bonuses and discounts, participation in discount programs, increased limit for withdrawing money, free medical insurance in foreign countries. In each bank, the premium card holder will be the preferred customer.

Types of plastic cards

Payment systems are many, like the products they offer, but the main difference between them is the type of bank card: debit, credit or overdraft. Let's consider each of them separately.

A debit card allows the holder to dispose of funds stored in a bank account linked to it. Money can be transferred to it by third parties or by the holder. For example, most organizations transfer their salaries to a bank account. The employee draws up a debit card, with which he receives the payment. Commission for service is withdrawn once a year. Its size depends on the type of card and the issuing bank. The card can be issued by an adult citizen upon presentation of a passport. In this case, it is possible to link an existing bank account to it or create a new one. The owner can dispose of funds as early as the day of application for opening an account / issuing a card. And getting the latter takes about a week or two.

A credit card allows you to use bank funds by borrowing on certain terms. It can only hold money borrowed. Get a credit card is somewhat more complicated than a debit card. To do this, it is required to confirm the solvency of the applicant by providing relevant information (on income, from employment, on pension contributions). This is a very convenient way of lending: you do not have to run to the bank all the time and wait for the contract to be made for one or another purchase. Having issued it once, you can use the funds until the limit is over.

There is also a combined plastic card with overdraft, which in Russian banking practice is also called credit. However, it is a debit, but with the possibility of using borrowed funds. Initially, the user's money is stored on the card. If the holder does not have enough money to make a purchase, the missing amount will automatically be withdrawn from the bank account. Overdraft has a limit.

MasterCard Gold card can be issued in any of the mentioned types. Moreover, the limit for withdrawing cash and using loans for it is much higher than for other banking products (Maestro, Standard).

MasterCard Products

In order to appreciate the offers on the MasterCard Gold card, it is worth to familiarize yourself with other products of the payment system. Among them are:

• Maestro, Electronic - the simplest cards, cheap in service (150-300 rubles). In this case, the surname and name of the owner are written, but not extruded on plastic. Such a card can make any payments, except for Internet transactions. Often they are meant for beginners.
• Standard - one of the most common cards of the MasterCard system. This is the optimal combination of services provided and the cost of service. Issued as a debit or credit. There are Internet payments, a system of bonuses and discounts.
• World - a find for avid travelers. A special service program provides insurance system, bonuses and discounts when paying for various services.
• World Black Edition - provides a special level of comfort. Access is provided to the private club of travelers, which will help to organize a trip to any country. Concierge service is available.

Thus, MasterCard Gold is something between standard and high-end cards.

MasterCard Gold: advantages

With MasterCard Gold, the user gets a lot of privileges. For example, the credit limit can be more than 300 000 r. With the grace period period (using the amount without interest) 50 days. The annual interest rate is also lowered. For holders of the "golden" card it is 23%. The monthly payment for repayment of the loan on the Gold credit card will be 5% of the total amount.

When using the debit card holder are also waiting for pleasant bonuses. Interest is charged for the storage of funds. It is worth mentioning that the "gold" MasterCard card has a high degree of protection. It supports the 3D Secure system, which ensures the security of Internet payments. If the card is lost, it is blocked, and the account holder is entitled to receive its funds for the "emergency money" service.

In addition, the "gold" MasterCard card has the following advantages:

• Possibility of payment for services and goods all over the world;
• Withdraw cash from ATMs of any country in the required currency;
• medical insurance;
• Discounts and bonuses when paying for purchases, hotel reservations;
• Favorable conditions when renting a car.

You can issue a card in one of the banks of the country. The conditions for obtaining and using it may differ slightly.

"Gold" cards of the Savings Bank

Sberbank of Russia is trusted to deposit their money for a lot of citizens. The credit and financial institution, in turn, offers its customers participation in bonus programs and discounts, and also provides convenience of service. The bank executes gold cards such as Visa Gold, Gold MasterCard. From the conditions of receipt - age from 18 to 70 years, the presence of a passport and propiska. It is possible to open an additional card for a child of 7 years of age.

MasterCard Gold makes out Sberbank on the following terms:

• The annual maintenance cost is 3000 rubles;
• Daily withdrawal limit - 300 000 rubles, € 9000, $ 12000;
• The credit limit is 15-600 thousand rubles. With an annual rate of 17.9-23%;
• Grace period up to 50 days;
• Action card - 3 years;
• Commission for withdrawal in ATMs of Sberbank - 3%, others - 4%;
• Penalty for the loss of the card - 3000 r.

In addition, the user is waiting for bonuses and discounts on MasterCard + programs and "Thank you" from Sberbank. Among the amenities in service - "Mobile Bank" and "Savings Bank Online", the possibility of paying utilities and creating auto payments, binding to electronic wallets.

"Gold" MasterCard in other banks

In Russia, there is a huge number of credit and financial institutions that offer payment card processing. "Alfa-Bank", for example, offers special types of insurance and an attractive interest rate on "gold" credit cards - from 17% per annum with a limit of 210 000 rubles.

"VTB 24" to the owner of the Gold card provides a free concierge service, insurance protection of purchases and increased security of storage of funds. On credit cards, this bank offers special conditions: a rate of no more than 18% per annum with a limit of 600,000 rubles.

Gold cards in the Russian Standard Bank

In the bank "Russian Standard", in addition to the usual plastic cards of payment systems MasterCard or Visa, you can get and distributed in the US, Canada and some European countries cards "American Express" and "Diners Club." These proposals will be of interest to avid travelers and businessmen, often traveling abroad.

What does the bank offer to users of MasterCard Gold? The card is released with a contact chip and a magnetic strip. The Holder automatically takes part in the "Discount Club" program, with which you can get a bonus up to 30%. If Sberbank provides a concierge service only to owners of the "golden" Visa card, the bank "Golden Standard" grants it to all owners of MasterCard. With its help it is easy to organize a trip to any country, and the information service will tell the nearest food establishments.

The credit card MasterCard Gold in the Russian Standard has an increased limit of up to 750,000 rubles. But the annual rate is slightly higher than in the Savings Bank - up to 28%.

AmEx Gold

An alternative to the "golden" MasterCard card can become American Express Gold. The payment system is very popular in the US and European countries. Increasingly, it is purchased in Russia and CIS countries. It can be issued by citizens aged 25 to 65 with the provision of a passport and an additional document at the discretion of the bank. The annual maintenance of the card will cost the holder 4000 rubles.

The user is offered the following package of services:

• Insurance against accidents during travel (up to $ 250,000), extending to the cardholder, his wife (husband) and children under 23 years of age;
• Possibility in an emergency situation to get a free consultation of a lawyer, a doctor and other specialists;
• Insurance of purchases from theft and damage for 90 days (refundable $ 1000 for each case or $ 50,000 per year);
• Insurance with loss of luggage (up to $ 1000), cancellation or delay of flight, other road inconveniences (up to $ 250);
• Participation in the Membership Rewards program;
• Access to a travel agency that will support the holder around the world;
• Benefits when booking a hotel;
• Discounts up to 30% and special offers when making purchases and paying for services;
• Free statement on the use of funds for the year;
• 24-hour free service (technical support, "Mobile Bank", "Internet Bank", SMS-notification.

The holder of the American Express credit card is granted a grace period of up to 55 days, and the interest rate is from 19.9%.

Premium card "Diners Club"

The products of this payment system are designed for travelers and avid visitors of restaurants. Diners Club (DCI) cards are a high level of service. A member of the club is a welcome guest in all prestigious institutions of the world. Among the advantages of the DCI card: a low percentage of fraudulent activities, no restrictions on a one-time transaction, privileges from the best hotels, cultural and entertainment complexes and food networks, life insurance.

You can withdraw money at any ATM with the logo of MasterCard Maestro (Cirrus), paying 3.9% commission (at least 200 rubles). However, it is inconvenient and expensive to use Diners Club in Russia: it is easier to purchase a card of the more common Visa or MasterCard payment system. With great success, they take with them on trips, since all prestigious institutions are waiting with the arms open.

With a DCI credit card, you can use a loan of up to 750,000 rubles. With an annual rate of 29%. A grace period of 55 days is provided, however, it only applies to purchases.

Visa, MasterCard, AmEx or DCI?

Having considered the proposals of different payment systems, it's easy to make sure that all of them are interesting and beneficial to the user in their own way. To not lose with the choice, it is necessary to clearly determine the purpose of registration. For example, for travel the best cards "American Express" or "Diners Club" can do. They have extended insurance programs and privileges for the issuance of tickets, visits to hotels, restaurants and entertainment complexes. It is worth considering that it will be more profitable to use them in the dollar currency area.

If the card is planned to be used in Russia and CIS countries, it is more rational to use Visa or MasterCard systems, since almost all banks work with them. Find the necessary terminal is also not difficult. "Golden" cards offer services for travelers, including medical insurance, hotel and air tickets booking. MasterCard Gold discounts reach up to 30%, and bonuses of the issuing bank supplement them.

"Gold" cards of the MasterCard system are an excellent option to get maximum comfort from using non-cash money. The owner will be satisfied with the profitable offers, bonus programs and constant discounts. For business and travel with the family, life and health insurance is provided, a convenient service of booking hotels and tickets, a privileged attitude in all institutions of international level. With MasterCard Gold you can not only emphasize your status, but also make life more comfortable both at home and abroad.