Below are our staff ratings of 2021's best Mastercard® credit cards. Issued by a variety of banks globally, Mastercard® is accepted at more than 40 million locations worldwide.
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases
No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; 15.49% - 25.49% variable APR after that
One-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; 15.49%-25.49% variable APR after that
Earn cash back twice! Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time
Balance Transfer Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.99% - 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance Transfers do not earn cash back and will have a fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within 3 months of account opening. That's a $500 value in travel, anytime, with no blackout dates when booked through the ThankYou Travel Center!
Earn 5X Points at restaurants and on air travel
Earn 3X Points on hotels and cruise lines, all other purchases earn 1X Points
Complimentary 4th Night at a hotel of your choice after a minimum 4 consecutive night booking through ThankYou.com (benefit can be used 2X per calendar year)
Up to a $250 travel credit every calendar year, no need to enroll
Enjoy complimentary access to hundreds of VIP lounges through Priority Pass™ Select
Get a $300 statement credit when you make at least $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of your account opening
Earn 3% cash back on your choice of one of the following six categories: gas stations (default), office supply stores, travel, TV/telecom & wireless, computer services, or business consulting services and 2% cash back on dining on the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each year, 1% thereafter
Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
Get 75% more cash back on every purchase when you're a Preferred Rewards for Business Platinum Honors tier member. That means you'll earn 5.25% on your selected choice category, 3.5% on dining, and unlimited 1.75% cash back on all other purchases.
0% on purchases for 9 billing cycles from account opening, then a variable APR applies
Earn 60,000 Bonus Points after making $4,000 in purchases with your card within the first 3 months of account opening
Earn 3X Points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and on air travel and hotel purchases — all other purchases earn 1X Points
Enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, through thankyou.com, once per calendar year
Transfer ThankYou® Points to participating airline loyalty programs including TrueBlue®, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, to get flights faster. There is no fee, and the minimum transfer is only 1,000 points.
Earn 50,000 Rewards Bonus Points worth $750 in airfare – when booked online through HSBC Rewards – after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening
You’ll earn 3X Rewards Points on new travel purchases – including airline, hotels, and car rentals -- 2X Points on new dining purchases, and 1X Points on all other purchases
Receive up to $100 in statement credits annually as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card, including tickets, seat upgrades, baggage fees, or in-flight purchases
Enjoy complimentary membership to over 1000 airport lounges worldwide
Take 5 rides per month and receive a $10 Lyft App credit, and earn $5 in Fandago rewards for every 2 movie tickets purchased
0% Intro APR for 12 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days, then a variable APR will apply
An optional overdraft protection service is available to help prevent declined purchases, returned checks or other overdrafts when you link your eligible Bank of America® checking account to your credit card. Transfer fees may apply.
No penalty APR. Paying late won't automatically raise your interest rate (APR). Other account pricing and terms apply.
Access your FICO® Score for free within Online Banking or your Mobile Banking app
Earn 15,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $150 in gift cards
Earn 2X ThankYou® Points at supermarkets & gas stations for the first $6,000 per year and 1 point per $1 spent thereafter
Earn 1 ThankYou® Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 ThankYou® Points on every purchase - with no cap, and get 10% Points Back for the first 100,000 ThankYou® Points you redeem per year
0% Intro APR offers on purchases and balance transfers (balance transfer fee applies), then a variable APR applies
0% Intro APR for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers (balance transfer fee applies), then a variable APR applies
Get free access to your FICO® score online
With Citi Entertainment®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including presale tickets and exclusive experiences for the year's most anticipated concerts, sporting events, dining experiences, and more
Shop with confidence knowing that you have dependable protection benefits, including $0 Liability on Unauthorized Purchases and Citi® Identity Theft Solutions.
24/7 access to customer service representatives
Enjoy the flexibility to choose the payment due date that works best for you - the beginning, middle or end of the month
Patented 24K-gold-plated front and carbon back—weighing 22 grams.
2% value for airfare redemptions with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. 2% value for cash back redemptions. Earn one point for every one dollar spent.
24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®—available by phone, email and live mobile chat. Around-the-clock service to help you save time and manage tasks big and small.
Exclusive Luxury Card Travel® benefits—average value of $500 per stay (e.g., resort credits, room upgrades, free wifi, breakfast for two and more) at over 3,000 properties.
Annual Airline Credit—up to $200 in statement credits toward flight-related purchases including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more. Up to a $100 application fee credit for the cost of TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry.
Enrollment in Priority PassTM Select with access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide with no guest limit. Includes credits at select airport restaurants for cardholder and one guest.
Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard® benefits.
Annual Fee: $995 ($295 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.
Patented brushed stainless steel front and carbon back—weighing 22 grams.
2% value for airfare redemptions with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. 1% value for cash back redemptions. Earn one point for every one dollar spent.
24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®—available by phone, email and live mobile chat. Around-the-clock service to help you save time and manage tasks big and small.
Exclusive Luxury Card Travel® benefits—average value of $500 per stay (e.g., resort credits, room upgrades, free wifi, breakfast for two and more) at over 3,000 properties.
Members-only LUXURY MAGAZINE®.
Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard® benefits.
Annual fee: $195 ($95 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.
Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days
Earn 3X points on eligible JetBlue purchases, 2X points at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1X points on all other purchases
Enjoy 50% inflight savings on cocktails and food purchases
0% introductory APR for the first 12 billing cycles following each balance transfer that posts to your account within 45 days of account opening (3% transfer fee applies), then a variable APR applies
No foreign transaction fees, no blackout dates, and points never expire
Earn 140,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus points after you spend $20,000 on purchases and make one additional purchase each account anniversary year.
Earn up to 25X points total per dollar at IHG® -- That's 10X points at IHG® Hotels and Resorts as an IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Cardmember, plus up to 10X points from IHG® for being an IHG® Rewards Club member, plus up to 5X points from IHG® with Platinum Elite Status, a benefit of this card.
Earn 2X points per dollar on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants -- all other purchases earn 1 point per $1
Enjoy a reward night after each account anniversary year at IHG hotels worldwide
Enjoy a reward night when you redeem points for any stay of 4 or more nights
Get unlimited 3% Daily Cash back on everything you buy from Apple and other select merchants when you use Apple Card with Apple Pay
Get unlimited 2% Daily Cash back when you use your iPhone or Apple Watch to pay with Apple Card
Pay for your new Apple products over time, interest‑free with Apple Card Monthly Installments
With advanced security technologies like Face ID, Touch ID, and unique transaction codes, Apple Card with Apple Pay is designed to make sure you're the only one who can use it
The only credit card made of titanium — a sustainable metal known for its beauty and durability
No annual, over-the-limit, foreign-transaction, or late fees. No Fees.
Patented black-PVD-coated metal card—weighing 22 grams.
2% value for airfare redemptions with no blackout dates or seat restrictions. 1.5% value for cash back redemptions. Earn one point for every one dollar spent.
24/7 Luxury Card Concierge®—available by phone, email and live mobile chat. Around-the-clock service to help you save time and manage tasks big and small.
Exclusive Luxury Card Travel® benefits—average value of $500 per stay (e.g., resort credits, room upgrades, free wifi, breakfast for two and more) at over 3,000 properties.
Annual Airline Credit—up to $100 in statement credits toward flight-related purchases including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more. Up to a $100 application fee credit for the cost of TSA Pre✓® or Global Entry.
Enrollment in Priority PassTM Select with access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide with no guest limit. Includes credits at select airport restaurants for cardholder and one guest.
Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard® benefits.
Annual Fee: $495 ($195 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening
Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings and 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter, then earn 1%
Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
0% Introductory APR on new purchases and balance transfers for 12 billing cycles (3% balance transfer fee applies), then a variable APR applies
Optional overdraft protection option helps prevent declined purchases, returned checks or other overdrafts when you link your eligible Bank of America® checking account to your credit card. Transfer fees may apply.
Earn $100 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first 90 days
Earn 1.25% cash back on every purchase
Receive a 15% bonus on your total cash back when you link your Upromise Program account to an eligible 529 College Savings Plan
0% introductory APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening (3% balance transfer fee applies), then a variable APR applies
Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending 4,000 within 4 months of account opening
Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on American Airlines purchases and at cable and internet providers, gas stations, select telecommunications merchants, and car rental services — all other purchases earn 1X points
First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 4 travel companions
25% savings on American Airlines inflight WiFi, food, and beverage purchases when you use your card
Earn an American Airlines Companion Certificate for domestic travel after $30,000 in purchases each card membership year and card membership is renewed. Fees apply.
Citi® Secured Mastercard® is an option for customers with little or no credit history and can help you build your credit when used responsibly
Unlike a debit card, Citi® Secured Mastercard® is a real credit card that helps build your credit history with monthly reporting to all 3 major credit bureaus
Once available, you will also have free access to your FICO score online. Tracking your score is a great first step to managing your credit history and taking control of your financial future.
A minimum security deposit of $200 is required for this product
Earn 40,000 bonus points plus a $100 Companion Flight Voucher after making at least $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days of account opening
Receive a $100 Companion Flight Voucher each anniversary after making at least $5,000 in purchases within the prior year
Earn 3 points per $1 spent on eligible Spirit purchases and 2 points per $1 spent on eligible dining and grocery store purchases. Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Zone 2 shortcut boarding on all flights, plus a 25% rebate on all inflight food and beverage purchases when you pay with your card
Introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year; a $79 fee will apply to World Elite Mastercard® accounts thereafter
A secured credit card designed to help establish, strengthen or rebuild credit
A minimum refundable security deposit of $300 (maximum of $4,900) is required to open this account
Access your FICO Score updated monthly for free within your Mobile Banking app or in Online Banking
Your account will periodically be reviewed, and, based on your overall credit history (including other credit cards and loans), you may qualify to have your security deposit returned. Not all customers will qualify.
Earn 30,000 bonus points when you make at least $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of your account opening which can be redeemed for a $300 statement credit towards travel purchases
Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 you spend on all purchases, everywhere, every time – no matter how much you spend
Earn 3 points per every dollar spent when you book your travel (car, hotel, airline) through the Bank of America® Travel Center
You can earn up to 75% more points on every purchase, if you have a business checking account with Bank of America and qualify for Preferred Rewards for Business. That means you could earn up to an unlimited 2.62 points per $1 spent on all purchases and 5.25 points per $1 spent at the Bank of America Travel Center.
0% introductory APR on purchases for 9 billing cycles from account opening, then a variable APR applies
Unlike a prepaid card, there is regular reporting to the 3 major credit bureaus
Accepted at millions of locations worldwide
Make the minimum required security deposit and you'll get an initial credit line of $200. Plus, deposit more money before your account opens to get a higher credit line
Access to an authorized bank account is required to make your $49, $99 or $200 refundable security deposit
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months with no additional deposit needed
We will monitor your account, and as you use it responsibly by doing things like making on-time payments, you may be able to earn back your deposit as a statement credit
Easily manage your account 24/7 with online access, by phone or using our mobile app
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Fraud coverage if your card is lost or stolen
Use online banking to access your account, even from your smartphone, with our mobile app
Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee - and pick the monthly due date that works best for you
Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
Mango is a safe and convenient way to manage and access your money when and where you need it
The Mango Card is a prepaid card account and there are no hidden fees or interest charges. See your Cardholder Agreement for fees and details.
You can use your Mango Card everywhere debit Mastercard is accepted
Manage your account anywhere you are. Securely check your balance, transaction history, and send money to friends and family.
Once you activate and load your Mango Card, you can open a Savings Account with as little as $25 and get up to 6.00% Annual Percentage Yield with up to 6 transfers out each month
The credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which CardRates.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers.
17 FAQs About Mastercard Credit Cards
By: Adam West
Updated:
CardRates.com Guide: Mastercard®
Curating a list of the best Mastercard credit cards is not an easy task. So many banks and credit unions across the country partner with the credit processing giant that there seems to be an endless number of cards fighting for the top of the list.
But one thing is for certain — if your credit card features the Mastercard logo, you are going to receive quick and reliable transaction processing, some nice perks, and you won’t have any trouble finding a merchant who accepts your card.
But to be the true best Mastercard credit card, you have to offer much more — including lucrative rewards, great customer service, and low fees and finance charges. Below we’ll answer some frequently asked questions about Mastercard and how to choose the best Mastercard credit card for you.
Many people confuse a credit card issuer and network. Your card’s issuer is the bank that lends you the money to pay for every transaction when you swipe, tap, or insert your credit card chip. The network — in this case, Mastercard — is the technology behind the transaction that checks to make sure your card is valid and you have enough funds to cover the transaction.
Mastercard partners with banks, including Chase, Capital One, and Citi — whose Double Cash card is one of the most popular offerings on the Mastercard network.
Mastercard began as Interbank from 1966 until 1969 before changing its moniker to Master Charge from 1969 until 1979. The company began as part of an alliance between several regional banks, which joined forces to compete against Bank of America’s groundbreaking BankAmericard — the first consumer credit card in the United States.
The alliance began not only in response to the BankAmericard but because of several Federal laws that prohibited interstate banking. By joining forces, the banks could circumvent the law and create a consumer credit card network that worked across state lines throughout the eastern portion of the United States.
The plan worked — and by 1979, MasterCard was born. The name remained the same until 2016 when the company rebranded with a lowercase “c” to spell Mastercard. Mastercard controls a 24.46% market share in the credit card processing field.
Ironically, the BankAmericard eventually became what is known today as Visa. Mastercard and Visa continue to compete after nearly 60 years in the marketplace.
These days, Mastercard is one of the largest payment processors in the world, handling billions of transactions each year. With a wide range of issuing partners, there are hundreds of distinct products sporting the Mastercard logo, including some of the top rewards, travel, and no annual fee offerings on the market.
2. How Does a Mastercard Credit Card Work?
Mastercard plays a massive role in completing your transaction quickly and accurately. To date, Mastercard is one of the world’s largest providers of technology and network solutions to complete your credit and debit card transactions.
Whenever you swipe, tap, or insert your credit card, the merchant’s point of sale system sends the sale information to an acquirer (or merchant bank). This is a financial institution that is licensed by Mastercard to help a merchant fulfill its obligation to accept Mastercard.
The acquirer then communicates with the issuing bank — or the bank that issued your debit or credit card and sends the money for your sale. This is just the beginning of the process that, according to Mastercard, includes:
The customer pays with Mastercard: This covers the cost of goods or services from a merchant.
The payment is authenticated: The merchant point-of-sale system captures the customer’s account information and securely sends it to the acquirer.
The transaction is submitted: The merchant acquirer asks Mastercard to get an authorization from the customer’s issuing bank.
Authorization is requested: Mastercard submits the transaction to the issuer for authorization.
Authorization response: The issuing bank authorizes the transaction and routes the response back to the merchant.
Merchant payment: The issuing bank routes the payment to the merchant’s acquirer who deposits the payment into the merchant’s account.
This entire exchange of information typically happens in a matter of seconds.
3. How Do I Get a Mastercard Credit Card?
The first step to obtaining any credit card is to research the best option for your financial situation and goals. The next step is to apply for the card you want to add to your wallet.
Mastercard partners with most major banks throughout the world. Many of the leading credit card issuers, including Capital One and Citi, partner with both Visa and Mastercard and offer both options to its customers. Community banks and credit unions issue some of the best Mastercard credit cards too.
You can tell which network a card uses by looking for the network logo on the front of the card. You will either see a Mastercard, Visa, American Express, or Discover logo. These are the four major payment networks in the U.S.
Discover and American Express, however, are both the bank and the payment network, which means they directly issue their own cards to consumers.
The list of Mastercards above can serve as your jumping-off point for finding the best card for your needs. Most credit card issuers let you prequalify for the card of your choice. This preliminary application form requires you to submit your name, Social Security number, address, and income information to the bank.
The bank will generate a soft credit pull that gives it access to a modified version of your credit history and does not generate a hard inquiry on your credit report.
Most issuers let you see if you prequalify for a card without hurting your credit score.
If you prequalify, the bank will invite you to officially apply for the credit card. In most cases, prequalifying is not mandatory, but it does give you the peace of mind needed before submitting a full application that will generate an inquiry.
Keep in mind that prequalifying does not guarantee that you will receive the credit card when you apply. The bank may see something on your hard credit pull that it did not see prior to accessing your full credit reports. That information may affect the bank’s decision to accept or decline your application.
If the bank accepts your application, you will receive your new credit card in the mail in between seven and 10 business days. As soon as it arrives, you can activate it over the phone or online and begin using it immediately.
In some cases, a bank may allow you to have immediate access to your credit line as soon as it approves your application. You are issued a temporary credit card number that you can access through the bank’s website or mobile application.
4. What are the Benefits of Having a Mastercard?
Most of the benefits that cardholders receive from their cards come directly from the issuing bank. The bank determines what — if any — rewards you will receive. The bank also decides your interest rate and overall fee structure.
Check your credit card disclosure document before you apply to get a full list of the benefits and perks your card will provide to you if you apply and are approved.
5. What is the Best Mastercard Credit Card?
This depends on your credit score and which Mastercard you qualify for. But, generally speaking, we like the Chase Freedom Flex℠.
Chase is the largest credit card issuer in terms of market share, and its valuable rewards program is one reason why. Cardholders of the Chase Freedom Flex℠ can earn bonus cash back in quarterly rotating categories and tiered bonus categories. This is the first card we know of to combine rotating and tiered cash back rewards on a single card.
And if you pair this card with one of Chase’s Sapphire cards (both Visas), you can turn your cash back into flexible Ultimate Rewards Points to really maximize your rewards.
Signup bonuses and welcome offers change regularly, so check for the card’s current offer before you apply.
Another excellent Mastercard for consumers with good credit is the Citi® Double Cash Card, particularly if you don’t want to keep track of quarterly rotating merchants. This card offers a unique reward structure of 1% cash back when you buy and another 1% when you pay for an industry-leading 2% cash back rate with no annual fee.
6. What Credit Score is Needed to Get a Mastercard?
Cards that use the Mastercard network have a wide range of approval standards, including several credit cards for bad credit that feature the Mastercard logo. Many of these cards, including the top-ranked Surge Mastercard®, will consider applicants who have credit scores in the mid to high 500s.
If you have damaged credit and think that you may not qualify for a traditional unsecured Mastercard credit card, consider a secured Mastercard credit card.
A secured card may not require a full credit check for approval. Instead, issuers of these cards base their approval decisions on your refundable security deposit that the bank holds in case you stop making payments or default on your credit card account. You’ll also likely need a bank account for approval.
Just about every secured Mastercard will base your credit limit on the amount of your security deposit. For example, a $500 security deposit will net you a secured card with a $500 credit limit.
These cards, just like traditional unsecured credit cards, will report your payment history to the three major credit reporting bureaus. With on-time payments and low balances, you can improve your credit score with a secured card and work your way toward an upgrade to an unsecured Mastercard offering.
And since your security deposit backs up your account, you will almost always find approval when you apply for a secured credit card. The lone exceptions are if you have an active or recent bankruptcy case, you have currently reported late payments, or a credit account is currently in collections.
7. Does Mastercard Have Cards for Bad Credit?
Many banks offer credit cards for bad credit and partner with Mastercard to process transactions.
As mentioned above, you can consider a secured Mastercard to help build or rebuild your credit score. A secured credit card may require a large upfront security deposit, but the low cost of these cards overall sometimes makes them a more affordable option for working on your credit.
The Surge Mastercard®, Indigo® Unsecured Mastercard®, and Milestone® Mastercard® – Less Than Perfect Credit Considered all use the Mastercard network and give you access to a revolving credit line. These cards won’t dismiss your application because of previous financial mistakes.
In fact, the Indigo offering states that it will still consider your application even if you have a discharged bankruptcy on your credit history.
That’s a risk that no bank wants to take. While some credit cards will consider you once you have completed your court-ordered classes and paperwork, you will almost certainly have to wait until the judge signs off on your case before you apply for new credit.
Keep in mind that credit cards for bad credit rarely come with the same rewards as their good credit counterparts. You will also likely find yourself paying higher fees — be it an annual fee, foreign transaction fee, or interest charges — on your account.
These fees are not set by Mastercard. Instead, your issuing bank determines how much it will charge you for your access to credit.
8. What Kind of Rewards Can I Get from a Mastercard?
All credit card rewards are paid by the bank that issues your card. This means Mastercard does not determine your rewards rate or structure.
That said, dozens of banks that partner with Mastercard offer tremendous rewards for cardholders. You may have one of three main reward structures with your card. The one that works best for you will consider your financial situation, goals, and interests.
Cash Back: While it may not always be the most lucrative, cash back remains one of the most popular credit card rewards options because of its ease of use and simple terms. A cash back rewards card pays you back a percentage of every eligible purchase you charge to your card. An eligible purchase typically means any new purchase (a balance transfer or cash advance rarely qualifies for cash back). Cash rewards rates can range between 1% and jump all the way to 6%. The most common rate tends to rest around 2%, which means for every $100 you charge to your card, the bank will refund you $2 in cash back. Your rewards will accrue in your credit card account until you decide to redeem them. Most banks allow you to receive your rewards as a statement credit against your current balance or through a paper check or direct deposit into a linked checking or savings account. Popular cash back Mastercards include the Chase Freedom Flex℠, Citi® Double Cash Card, and Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Rewards Points: This can be the most lucrative rewards program, but may take the most time and work to master. With rewards points, you earn a set number of points for every dollar you charge to your card. You can redeem your points for a host of rewards, including gift cards, merchandise, travel rewards, or cash back. Some card issuers also let you transfer your points to a partnered loyalty or frequent flyer program, share them with a loved one, or donate them to a charitable cause. The work with these rewards comes from finding the best ways to maximize your rewards earnings. Redemption bonus categories will have different rates of return. For example, you will earn far more travel discounts with your points than you would earn cash back. But once you’ve mastered the rewards game and understand how far you can stretch your points, you can get a big bang for your buck when it comes time to redeem your rewards. Popular points Mastercards include the Citi Rewards+® Card and the Citi Prestige® Credit Card, both of which earn Citi ThankYou points.
Travel Rewards: If you’re a frequent traveler, a travel rewards card is for you. While you can earn travel discounts through a bonus points credit card, you won’t see as many options as you would through a dedicated travel credit card. Travel rewards come in two forms. One will provide you with miles which, similar to bonus points, you can redeem for future travel accommodations — including airfare, hotels, rental cars, experiences, or ride-sharing services. Other cards will allow you to rack up miles that you will use as a statement credit to erase all or part of a previous travel-related expense. This may not seem as exciting, but these cards don’t impose blackout dates or carrier restrictions and allow you to travel however you like, while covering all or part of your cost for the trip. Popular travel Mastercards include the Citi Prestige® Credit Card, JetBlue Card, and Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®.
Depending on your credit history, you shouldn’t have an issue with finding a Mastercard network credit card that offers any of the rewards program options listed above. Just remember that the amount of cash back, points, or miles you receive will vary depending on the card. Be sure to choose a card that you qualify for.
9. Which is Better, Visa or Mastercard?
You won’t find many differences when choosing between Visa or Mastercard as your credit card network. The only thing that may separate the two in your eyes is the banks that each network partners with to issue cards.
Visa and Mastercard each provide the security and technology needed to process your credit and debit card transactions. They don’t issue your account, pay for your transactions, or have a say as to whether your application is approved.
It’s like the engine that drives your car — it’s an obviously important part of your vehicle, but not the only thing you consider when shopping for a new ride. If Visa and Mastercard were engines, they’d both be NASCAR-quality motors. Let’s break it down:
Global Merchants Serviced: Mastercard — 52.9 million, Visa — 52.9 million
Card Processor: Mastercard — yes, Visa — yes
Card Issuer: Mastercard — no, Visa — no
Countries and Territories Supported: Mastercard — 210+, Visa — 200+
The defining factor may be the partnered banks. While many banks offer both Visa and Mastercard card options, partnerships make certain networks more prominent within a bank.
For Mastercard, you can find those partnerships with Bank of America, Chase, Citi, Capital One, United, and SunTrust, among others. Visa partners with Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and U.S. Bank, among others. These partnerships can change at any time.
10. Is Visa More Accepted than Mastercard?
Both networks partner with 52.9 million merchants worldwide that accept the network’s cards as a form of payment. Mastercard services more than 210 countries and territories and 150 currencies. Visa works in more than 200 countries and territories.
But while Mastercard remains the most popular in terms of Google Trends data — and most widely issued — credit card in 22 countries, Visa has the edge in 123 countries. That doesn’t necessarily equate to a broader acceptance rate in those countries.
Overall, Mastercard leads the way with more than 551 million credit cards in circulation around the world.
What’s most interesting when you look at the list is that the most popular network in the United States isn’t Visa or Mastercard — it’s American Express. That shows that you can still be present and widely accepted in a country without being the most popular.
11. What are the Different Types of Mastercards?
While thousands of different Mastercards are issued from various financial institutions around the world, Mastercard has four main types of cards:
The Standard Mastercard is Mastercard’s basic card for everyday purchases and offers worldwide service and access to valuable benefits.
The Titanium & Platinum Mastercard® is associated with premium cards and gives its cardholders added benefits, including Mastercard Global Services™.
The World Mastercard® is found on travel rewards cards and comes with even more features and benefits that include Mastercard Global Services and concierge services.
The World Elite Mastercard® is Mastercard’s premier offering and provides a truly personalized credit card experience with a dedicated travel advisor and concierge service to make every trip more seamless and unforgettable. This is comparable to Visa Signature® cards.
Each type of Mastercard has its own set of benefits that come directly from the network, but the banks that issue these types of cards dictate the rewards and payment terms offered.
12. Which Major Banks Issue Mastercard Credit Cards?
Just about every major bank has a partnership with Mastercard and issues cards that use its network. Many banks spread their credit card portfolio between both Mastercard and Visa to give their customers more options.
Mastercard has partnerships with Citi, Capital One, United, and SunTrust to provide debit card access to members. And you can find Mastercard branded credit card options with all of the other major banks, including Chase and Bank of America.
One of the few exceptions is Wells Fargo Bank, which partners with Visa and American Express for its credit card options.
13. Do Credit Unions Issue Mastercards?
Mastercard also partners with many of the largest credit unions in the U.S. to provide network services for both debit and credit cards.
If you belong to a credit union or are considering joining one, check on the credit union’s website or with an employee in member services to see which payment network the credit union partners with.
14. Does Mastercard Allow Balance Transfers?
Since Mastercard is not your issuing bank and does not handle any of the money you charge or repay, it does not provide a balance transfer option.
Instead, Mastercard provides the security and technology needed for your card’s issuing bank to process each transaction you make. Consider Mastercard as the bridge that connects you and the merchant to the bank.
You will need to work with the bank that issues your credit card to initialize a balance transfer. Most banks allow you to transfer a balance from an existing credit card to a different card. You may have to pay a balance transfer fee — typically a percentage of the total amount you transfer — and your balance transfer APR will likely be different from your regular purchase APR.
Many of the best balance transfer credit cards work on the Mastercard network — meaning that you can still move your debt around while possibly enjoying a long period of interest-free financing on your transferred balance.
15. Does Mastercard Charge an Annual Fee?
As your credit card network and processor, you will never have to pay for Mastercard’s services. Instead, the network charges a transaction processing fee to the merchant and to the issuing bank for its services.
Any annual fee that you may find on a credit card comes directly from the card’s issuing bank. This fee may work to help offset the cost of the processing fees or rewards you receive. But the fee does not go directly to Mastercard or any other processing company.
16. Does Mastercard Offer Business Credit Cards?
Mastercard does not directly issue any business credit cards. Instead, the network partners with banks and credit unions that issue business credit cards to qualified applicants.
Since Mastercard isn’t the issuer of your card, the company will have no influence on whether your application is approved. Many banks that issue business credit cards will examine your company transactions and credit history, as well as your personal credit score, to determine your eligibility for a business credit card.
17. Do Mastercard Credit Cards Have Signup Bonuses?
Mastercard does not provide any rewards, promotional offers, or signup bonus offers for your credit cards. Those offers come directly from the bank that issues your credit card.
That said, you can find many cards that work on the Mastercard network and provide very lucrative signup bonus offers from the bank. These may include bonus cash back, points rewards, or travel rewards when you reach certain spending thresholds.
You may also find a promotional period that extends from six months to as long as 21 months and offers interest-free financing for new purchases and/or balance transfers. These offers are typically only available to new cardholders.
Ask the credit card issuer for a cardholder agreement document before you apply to make sure you understand any promotions you may qualify for. Our list of the best Mastercard credit cards above updates the most recent promotions and welcome bonus offers in real time.
Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
The information on this page was reviewed for accuracy on .
About the Author
Adam West
As Managing Editor for CardRates, Adam oversees content and regularly interviews some of the payments industry's biggest influencers and decision-makers so our site can bring high-quality and engaging stories to our audience and keep readers informed on the latest trends and technology in the space.
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