Gold cards Visa Gold and MasterCard Gold
Today only a lazy person or a person living in the wilderness does not know what a plastic card is. Everyone also knows that there are also so-called golden cards. But not everyone knows what good they are. So, it’s time to tell you in more detail about what gold plastic cards are and what benefits they provide to their owners.
In Russia, the most common plastic cards are Visa and MasterCard payment systems, although Diners Club and American Express payment systems are slowly entering the market. However, this process will not be quick - creating a technical infrastructure with an extensive network of ATMs and ensuring reception in the retail network will not be easy and will not happen soon.
So in today’s material we will consider only Visa and MasterCard gold cards, as the most common and well-known to citizens in Russia.
Benefits of a gold card
Let's start with the fact that “plastic”, as you know, can be debit (settlement) and credit. Both of them can be Gold class, from both payment systems.
Looking ahead, let’s say that, by and large, the amount of “chips” and privileges that holders of premium cards receive depends not so much on the payment system, but on the bank that issued them.
The main reason why payment systems came to the idea that it was time to release premium products was the hidden human need to stand out among others. Abroad, the holder of gold plastic is perceived as a VIP person. It was for wealthy citizens that these proposals were primarily developed.
To motivate rich people to become owners of plastic cards, in addition to emphasizing their status, something else was needed. The main advantage was the wide network of payment system partners who provide discounts and gifts to holders of premium products.
Alas, the greatest amount of privileges for gold plastic holders are available only abroad. The chain of discount stores is simply huge. In addition, there are special specific services that have not yet been particularly developed in Russia. For example, the owner of a Gold card can book a hotel room by phone and receive minimal medical services under insurance from a payment system partner company.
So, if you live in Russia and do not plan to travel abroad, owning a gold card will not provide all the benefits for you. But if you are planning to go at least on vacation to a European country, then it makes sense to get one “on occasion” in order to save money on vacation and use free services.
A complete list of discounts, promotions and privileges provided to cardholders abroad can be viewed on the websites of Visa and MasterCard payment systems.
In Russia, you will also be able to take advantage of special services, discounts and privileges, but this largely depends not on the payment system, but on the bank where you will issue a gold plastic card.
Naturally, banks, in company with partners, offer either joint co-branding programs or motivate stores to give discounts for “Gold” class clients. A complete list of “freebies” can be found on the website of any bank in the plastic card descriptions section.
Recently, bonus programs have become popular with banks - this is when you pay with plastic in stores, and for the money spent, banks award bonuses (or points), which can then be spent as a discount in partner stores.
However, keep in mind that the tax inspectorate is trying to create a precedent: Citibank has been presented with a requirement that accrued bonuses are income for individuals, from which the bank (as a tax agent) would have to withhold and transfer income tax to the budget.
The amount of claims presented is 600 million rubles. It is possible that this unexpected debt burden will be transferred to the “lucky” Citibank plastic holders.
However, in addition to discounts and promotions, there are also quite interesting offers. For example, Citibank has special premises and special VIP service for holders of debit gold cards. And at some airports there are even special VIP departure areas.
Gold Debit Card
Sberbank
The Gift of Life Visa Gold card in rubles is intended for clients who want to help seriously ill children. When registering, half the cost of the first year of service and 0.3% of the purchase amount are transferred to the Gift of Life fund. All bank cards are valid for 3 years, and you will have to pay 4,000 rubles annually for maintenance.
Owners of MTS MasterCard Gold receive points that can be exchanged for free SMS, MMS, and communication minutes. The card is issued in rubles, US dollars and euros. For its maintenance every year you will have to pay 3,500 rubles, 120 US dollars, euros.
With the Aeroflot Visa Gold card, customers have the opportunity to receive free tickets for Aeroflot or Sky Team airlines. The service fee is the same as for the MTS bonus card.
Classic Sberbank MasterCard Gold and Sberbank Visa Gold cards, protected by an electronic chip, are also issued. The service fee is slightly lower than for co-branding ones and amounts to 3,000 rubles.
Gold cards have a wide range of capabilities, but the disadvantages of the gold version are that its cost is much higher than the classic one. For example, for MasterCard Gold and Visa Gold cards you need to pay 3,000 rubles every year, and for classic cards - 750.
The bank offers a multi-currency debit card, which is issued simultaneously in rubles, US dollars and euros. An annual fee of 3,000 rubles is charged for its use, but holders participate in the “Collection” program: for every 30 rubles you can receive 1 bonus.
Alfa Bank
The Alfa-Miles card with PayPass contactless payment technology allows you to accumulate miles and then use them to book hotels, air tickets and train tickets. Plastic card holders withdraw funds from ATMs abroad without commission. The product is released free of charge, but the service fee is 3,500 rubles per year.
The Aeroflot card is suitable for customers who use the services of Aeroflot and Sky-Team companies, and the S7 PRIORITY card is suitable for S7 airlines and Oneworld companies. Accumulated miles can be exchanged for a free flight. Aeroflot's service fee reaches 2500-3500 rubles per year, and S7 PRIORITY - 349-799 rubles (and 450-550 rubles per issue).
Classic Alfa-Bank Visa Gold and MasterCard Gold cards are issued as part of the “Comfort” or “Maximum” packages and are serviced free of charge. They allow you to withdraw money abroad without commission (limited).
Russian Standard Bank
“Bank in Pocket Gold Promo” is issued at the initiative of the bank for a period of up to 5 years. Conditions: it can be issued in rubles, and there is no fee for using the card in the first year. The balance of funds is charged 12% per annum, and when paying for purchases, up to 10% of the cost of the funds spent is returned to the account.
By signing up for “Bank in your pocket Prestige” with a Travel Premium card, you can accumulate points and use them to pay for travel expenses. It is issued for 5 years, and the maintenance fee reaches 3,000 rubles annually. Miles & More Visa Gold Debit Card holders can take advantage of the Miles & More program and exchange miles for Lufthansa Group airline tickets.
Review of credit cards
Sberbank
At Sberbank you can get a Visa Gold “Aeroflot” credit card, Visa Gold “Gift of Life” and classic Visa and MasterCard Gold. The advantages of the Aeroflot program are contactless payment technology and a bonus program that allows you to exchange miles for air tickets. The interest rate on all loan products of the bank is 21.9% -23.9% per annum. A grace period of up to 50 days and a limit of up to 600,000 rubles are provided.
“VTB24 Transaero”, “VTB24 Yakutia” and “VTB24 World Map” are also intended for travelers. When you make purchases, you earn miles that can be redeemed for air travel. And the VTB 24 Russian Railways Visa product allows you to get premium trips on the trains of JSC Federal Passenger Company and Sapsan.
“VTB24 Impression Card” MasterCard and “VTB 24 Autocard” are interesting because when paying for purchases, from 1% to 3% of the amount spent is returned to your account. With the Collection program you can exchange bonuses for gifts, pay for hotels, air tickets and bank commissions.
The cost of registration and monthly servicing of VTB 24 credit cards is 350 rubles. The credit limit reaches 750,000 rubles, money can be used at a rate of 26% per annum (for classic cards - 28% per annum).
Alfa Bank
Gold credit cards are presented with a limit of up to 300,000 rubles and a grace period of up to 60 days for co-branded cards and up to 100 days for classic ones. The interest rate for affiliate programs is 23.99% per annum (for standard programs - 24.99%), the cost of service is 3250-4000 rubles per year.
Among the partner cards, “Alfa-Miles”, “Aeroflot”, “S7 PRIORITY” and “Anywayanyday” stand out (up to 7% discount when paying for air tickets and hotels). The bank also has the classic “100 days” options MasterCard Gold and Visa Gold with a grace period of up to 100 days. The minimum rate is 23.99% per annum, and an annual commission of 3,000 rubles is charged.
Alfa-Bank also offers a unique Gemini program with a limit of up to 300,000 rubles and a grace period of up to 100 days. One side of the card is credit, the other is debit. To use the credit side, the client must pay 1990 rubles per year. Money is issued at 23.99% per annum.
Russian Standard Bank
The bank offers a line of credit cards from American Express, MasterCard and Visa payment systems with additional benefits. Owners of plastic cards can accumulate bonuses and exchange them for flights, goods and communication services, as well as participate in joint promotions with program partners.
The maximum limit for almost all “Gold” programs is 750,000 rubles, the grace period is up to 55 days. Interest rate – from 19.9% per annum.
Additional privileges
Privilege programs, bonuses, promotions, and other promotional features are offered by most banks to their clients. But not everyone knows that payment systems also provide such opportunities.
The holder of even the simplest Visa card can receive a pleasant discount or reward within the Visa Bonus program by using the card to pay for a purchase in a store, a ticket to a museum, a hotel stay, and much more. etc.
More privileges for premium clients:
Special offers for travelers - from discounts on hotel stays to exclusive excursion offers.
For residents and guests of Moscow and St. Petersburg, together with Afisha-Restaurants, a 10% discount is provided in restaurants participating in the Visa Premium Restaurant Program.
Together with Rambler/Kassa, Visa is running the “Cinema Thursdays with Visa” promotion - when you buy one movie ticket, the second one is free.
“Offers and promotions” - nice free bonuses, discounts in restaurants, shops, cinemas and much more. etc. The program is mainly limited to Moscow and St. Petersburg.
The Priceless Cities program operates throughout the world and combines unique, exclusive offers that guarantee vivid emotions and priceless impressions. Another nice thing is that holders of both premium and standard cards can become participants in these promotions.
The MasterCard Rewards bonus program is valid only for those who have issued a card at the Moscow Credit Bank. Members receive points when paying with the card for any purchases and services. On the program website, accumulated points can be exchanged for any offer from the catalog.
A MasterCard Business Lounge is open for premium cardholders at Sheremetyevo.
So which is better, MasterCard or Visa? The choice depends on your needs and capabilities.
When using a card abroad, the payment system is involved in currency conversion. Here the choice is important only for the purpose of saving money.
In terms of capabilities, MasterCard offers more, but at the same time, this payment system has many unfinished, limited programs. Visa is more generous for premium clients, while owners of standard cards can be content with little.
VISA payment system
The modern VISA payment system is characterized by American roots, so its share in the market for issuing plastic cards is about 28.6-29.0%. VISA Corporation operates in accordance with its own unique security system - VISA 3-D Security, which simplifies the system of servicing the card product via the Internet. VISA constantly improves the level of confidentiality of all information relating to its clients.
In general, the VISA payment security system is represented by three main independent domains:
- the issuer, which includes merchants and the payment instruments they sell;
- an acquirer, including financial organizations that issue card plastic, as well as its potential owners;
- a union that includes elements that ensure interaction between any other domains.
Within such a security system, all financial transactions are checked, and the VISA Corporation, which entered the domestic banking market less than ten years ago, today cooperates with all Russian financial organizations.
Premium plastic cards of the VISA payment system:
- Visa Premium;
- Visa Gold;
- Visa Platinum;
- Visa Signature;
- Visa Infinite.
Features of premium cards include emergency assistance when traveling around the world in case of loss or theft of payment plastic, full protection of purchases and an extended warranty for them, international medical and informational assistance to all holders. Traveling cardholders are also insured and given the opportunity to attend the most exciting and interesting events of the year without paying or queuing. Thanks to the 24/7 Concierge program, booking tickets is easy for the most discerning users.
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The main differences between MasterCard and VISA
Thanks to a comparative analysis of two payment systems popular in the domestic banking products market, the following important conclusions can be drawn:
- depending on the level of market coverage, VISA is of greater interest, and MasterCard Corporation currently owns about 25% of issued payment cards;
- in accordance with the territorial criteria, VISA today operates in 200 countries, and MasterCard is used in 210 countries;
- According to innovative development, VISA Corporation has created the basis for non-cash payments through ATMs and terminals. The MasterCard system carried out its development using the existing experience of its competitor, which resulted in lower costs for card development;
- in accordance with the code used for conducting all transactions on the Internet, any electronic transactions using a VISA card are carried out with the mandatory use of the secret code CVV2, and MasterCard - CVC2.
This is interesting! Virtual cards are issued by Visa and MasterCard, and payment instruments that do not have a physical medium significantly increase the security of payments made online.
In terms of recognition, the two international payment systems are approximately the same, therefore they are characterized by the release of debit, credit and co-branded “plastic”. At the same time, the speed of any payment transactions is also approximately equal, with similar security parameters. It is impossible to compare cards from payment systems such as MasterCard and VISA in terms of the annual commission charged for servicing, because tariffs are set by the bank on a strictly individual basis.
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Various bonuses and promotions on cards
All bank payment “plastic” offered by issuers is represented by three main groups:
- the first group - bank cards from the initial segment, including Visa Electron, MasterCard Maestro and instant non-personal cards;
- the second group - bank cards from the middle segment, including Visa Classic and MasterCard Standard;
- the third group is premium bank cards, including Visa Gold and MasterCard Gold.
In accordance with the technical parameters, there are no differences in service and security level between plastic cards from the initial segment. Any premium “plastic” provides the holders of this banking product with some additional services, including:
- emergency assistance outside Russia in case of theft or loss of the card;
- medical support for traveling cardholders;
- qualified legal advice;
- reliable insurance for bank card holders;
- a profitable loyalty program for customers.
Of particular interest are bonuses and promotions in the field of leisure and recreation. In addition to bank cards in the usual format, some partner banks of the famous payment systems Visa and Mastercard issue so-called mini-cards or key fob cards. The functionality of such a card is standard, but this option cannot be used at ATMs. The Visa payment system in Russia is supported by approximately five dozen partner companies, in which all bank card holders can receive discounts ranging from 5-10%. Also, many partners of the banking system conduct interesting and profitable temporary promotions with enviable regularity.
MasterCard has a Mastercard Rewards bonus program, so when paying for purchases with plastic, the holder is awarded bonus points that can be exchanged for prizes presented in a special catalogue. At the moment, the Mastercard Rewards program is ready to offer its customers more than 200 various gifts. There are also interesting discounts, but there are not too many of them right now.
MasterCard Rewards is a program for holders of MasterCard IPS plastic cards, which provides for the accrual of bonus points. By making non-cash payments around the world, the participant receives special points to his bonus account, which can be exchanged for prizes presented in the program catalog.
You can also order goods from the catalog by telephone. To spend points, you need to select the logo of your bank on the program portal - the telephone number for contact will be posted on its website. When you order an offer, points are debited from your account (redeemed) in chronological order.
Rewards for program participants are presented in the following categories:
- beauty and health- gifts and gift cards to sports stores, magazine subscriptions;
- Trips- leisure goods, accessories, video equipment, travel certificates;
- Leisure and hobbies- game sets and consoles, phones, books;
- The world of childhood- DVDs with cartoons, games, accessories for children, magazines, gift cards;
- Cooking- dishes and kitchen utensils, cookbooks, appliances, gastronomic tours;
- Home and interior- music CDs and DVDs, decorative items, home appliances, gift cards.
It is worth remembering that the selected offer cannot be exchanged. You also cannot receive a monetary reward instead of a gift. The delivery time for the order is 30 days from the moment it is placed.
Bonus points are valid for 3 years from the date of their accrual. Unused ones are canceled on a monthly basis.
Banks participating in the program
Svyaznoy Bank currently participates in the program. By signing up for a World MasterCard credit card here, customers become members of the MasterCard Rewards program and can accumulate bonus points. It is expected that other banks will join soon.
MasterCard Plus is a program that provides discounts and special offers for MasterCard and Maestro cardholders. By paying with such a card, you can receive discounts from partner companies, including shops, cafes, cinemas and other organizations.
To become a member of the Plus program, you need to apply for a MasterCard or Maestro payment system card at any bank. The promotion includes cards of any level. No special connection to the program is required, just make a purchase from a partner organization and receive a discount or special offer.
How to get
If the organization is a partner of the Plus program, then you will receive a discount or bonus automatically when paying for your purchase. For example:
- 15% discount in the Shokoladnitsa coffee shop chain when paying for an order to go (the discount can be combined with other discounts), as well as 10% on desserts;
- Free cappuccino coffee when paying for an order over 400 rubles at Burger King and a 30% discount on snacks;
- Free delivery when ordering on the OZON.ru website;
- 10% discount at the Formula Kino cinema chain;
- 10% discount when paying for tickets on the website kinohod.ru;
- 10% discount in the network of sports stores "INTERSPORT".
All current offers can be viewed on the program website. Sorting by organizations and cities is available.
Today, no one can be surprised by the CashBack option or bonuses for non-cash payments made using a bank card. They are calculated not only by issuing banks, but also by international payment systems. The MasterCard Rewards incentive program allows holders of MasterCard payment instruments to receive points on their purchases around the world and exchange them for special offers on the member web page or the official website of the plastic issuer.
What is special about the program?
The organizer of the incentive program is the international MasterCard system, so when accumulating points you don’t have to limit yourself only to Russian stores. If you have a bank card on a tourist trip or business trip abroad, the program participant will continue to receive bonuses - at retail outlets that accept MasterCard payment instruments. Since this payment system is one of the leading in the world, it is difficult to find a store where the seller will refuse to accept its plastic to pay for a purchase.
Participant registration
In order for the MasterCard Rewards bonus program to bring benefits, get a special plastic card from a partner bank and use it to pay for everyday purchases. There is no need to take any steps to register as a participant - it is enough to give written consent to participate in the program when applying for a plastic card at the bank office. Then collect and exchange points for prizes from the organizer.
Accumulation of points
The MasterCard Rewards program in Russia has granted the right to determine the number of reward points to its partner banks, so your rewards directly depend on the chosen issuer. From time to time, a participant may receive additional bonuses, the procedure for accrual of which is notified at the service office of the financial institution at the time of receipt of the plastic.
In order to receive bonuses, you use a card received from a partner bank to pay for goods and services around the world. However, there are operations for which points are not awarded:
- transfers between your own or to the accounts of third parties and organizations;
- receiving cash;
- purchasing traveler's checks;
- payment of taxes, duties and commissions;
- participation in gambling and betting;
- return of purchased goods;
- charging fees for automatic conversion when making purchases with the card;
- various contributions made in order to receive a prize.
All of the above restrictions are established by the MasterCard system, but this list can be expanded at the discretion of the partner bank.
Depending on the place of purchase, the procedure for accruing bonuses can take up to five weeks, and their total number is specified in the current account statement or by calling the program’s contact center by phone at 8-800-707-01-51. All unused points will be canceled after three years without notice. 
Receiving prizes from the catalog
In order to use accumulated bonuses, you should go to the MasterCard Rewards catalog on a special web page of the partner bank or contact the program’s contact center (see above). All products in the catalog have their value in points and are divided into the following categories:
- “Travel” - booking tourist trips, as well as leisure goods and certificates for tours.
- “Cooking” - books with recipes, cutlery, dishes and accessories for the kitchen.
- “Home and Interior” - household goods and gift cards from popular retail chains.
- “Beauty and Health” - gift certificates from famous cosmetics stores, sporting goods stores, subscriptions to fashion magazines and personal care products.
- “Leisure and Hobbies” - games, consoles, discs and electronic gift certificates for online stores.
- “World of Childhood” - CDs with cartoons, children's games, toys and creativity kits.
- “Seasonal offers” - goods for the garden, for growing indoor flowers and sets for a children's sandbox.
- “Shokoladnitsa” - gift certificates for visiting the “Shokoladnitsa” coffee shop.
If there are not enough points to select any prize from the catalog, consolidation of bonuses accumulated on the cards of one participant or members of his family is allowed. This feature allows a group of users to quickly collect points for joint purchases from the program catalog. If you do not have the required number of points to receive a prize, you can pay the remaining amount at your own expense.
Promotional companies
The payment system and partner banks, at their discretion, organize various promotions, competitions or incentive lotteries, with participation in which users increase the number of points. The necessary information is posted on the official website of the MasterCard Rewards program or on partner resources.
Program partners
In 2017, only one partner of the MasterCard Rewards program was registered in Russia - Moscow Credit Bank, which awards one point for every 20 rubles spent. To become a member, you must obtain a MasterCard Rewards Black Edition card by contacting one of its service offices. 
When new financial institutions are admitted to participate in the program, their names will be published in the “Partner Banks” section on the program website. For residents of Ukraine, PrivatBank provides the opportunity to accumulate points around the world when issuing a MasterCard Rewards Gold card.
Termination of participation in the program
Any MasterCard Rewards program member may withdraw from the MasterCard Rewards program by providing written notice to their card issuer 30 calendar days prior to the end of points accrual. The partner bank may, on its own initiative, exclude a participant for the following reasons:
- non-compliance with program rules;
- suspicion of fraud using a card;
- in case of an unsuccessful attempt to contact the client to correct errors in the details;
- termination of the agreement between the MasterCard system and the partner bank.
Advantages and disadvantages
The bonus program from the MasterCard payment system can be considered a good way to combine business with pleasure and receive material benefits from every purchase using a bank card. However, a very limited number of partner banks often becomes an obstacle to accumulating points and receiving prizes. Not everyone will be able to obtain the bank card necessary to participate.
MasterCard Rewards Program Review: Video
Payment system, on a free basis, can become participants in the international bonus program, which provides for the accumulation of points and their exchange for Offers (goods and services) of partner companies.
World MasterCard Black Edition
Pay with a card and get privileges around the world
Member Benefits
Users connected to MasterCard Rewards, can accumulate points by making purchases using a card that participates in the program. Accrual occurs automatically after the transaction is completed. In the personal account on the official page, the user can track receipts to his bonus account.
Through his account, the client can select an Offer from the catalog and exchange it for existing points.
MasterCard Rewards provides a wide range of bonus offers, including:
- household appliances, interior items
- Products for children
- cooking utensils
- travel gift certificates
- leisure items
- sports store maps
How to participate in the program
To register in the system MasterCard Rewards the user must issue a card of the same name payment system in one of the participating banks. A list of banking institutions that provide this option is presented on the official resource. Currently, the service is available when registering a payment instrument MC Black Edition V Moscow Credit Bank.
