UBS World Mastercard Gold

A gold card without travel insurance. That's unusual, and it should make you pause.

The UBS World Mastercard Gold sits in a strange position among Switzerland's gold cards. It doubles the earning rate of the Standard card and adds lounge access, but skips the travel insurance that makes most gold cards worth their fee. At CHF 200 annually, you need to understand exactly what you're paying for.

Is CHF 200 Worth It?

Let's be direct: you're paying CHF 200 for lounge access and better rewards. That's it. No medical coverage abroad. No trip cancellation protection. Most CHF 200 gold cards in Switzerland include CHF 250,000+ in medical coverage. UBS doesn't.

The math only works if you value lounge access and don't need insurance. Priority Pass at EUR 30 per visit means 7 lounge visits would cost CHF 189. If you fly 10+ times a year and use lounges, the access has value. But you'd save money buying standalone lounge membership and getting a card with insurance elsewhere.

What Actually Stands Out

The 4 KeyClub points per CHF 1,000 spent is double the Standard card's rate. On CHF 50,000 annual spending, you'd earn 200 points versus 100. KeyClub points redeem for travel, merchandise, or statement credits through UBS KeyClub.

The dual-card set (Mastercard + Visa) for one annual fee provides network flexibility. And unlike some competitors, there's no income requirement, making it accessible. Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay all supported. The 1.75% FX fee is average for Switzerland.

What Most Reviews Miss

Here's what frustrated me when researching this card: UBS markets it as "Gold" but it lacks fundamental gold-tier benefits. Compare it to ZKB's or Raiffeisen's gold cards at the same price, and you'll find CHF 250,000 medical coverage, trip cancellation, and similar lounge access. UBS gives you none of the insurance.

The lounge access isn't free either. You pay EUR 30 per visit. That's discounted from walk-in rates, but cards like the Cornèrcard Miles & More Gold include 5 free visits with CHF 7,500 spending. If you have separate travel insurance through work or another policy, this might not matter. But if you're assuming "gold card = travel protection," you'll be disappointed.

The Bottom Line

This card makes sense in one specific scenario: you're already a UBS customer, you want KeyClub points, you use lounges occasionally, and you have travel insurance elsewhere. For everyone else, there are better gold cards at CHF 200. Check our best premium credit cards in Switzerland comparison to see options with actual insurance.

Verdict: A half-finished gold card. Consider UBS Platinum for complete benefits, or look at cantonal bank gold cards for better value at the same price.