Browse the Best Mastercard Credit Cards

What Is Mastercard?

Mastercard is the world’s second-largest payment network, behind only Visa. Over 230 million credit cards, debit cards, and prepaid cards bear the Mastercard logo worldwide.

Mastercard is a global financial corporation with its main headquarters in O’Fallon, Missouri. The company, like Visa and American Express, helps banks and lenders conduct electronic funds transfers – the process by which card payments are made.

Like Visa, Mastercard does not issue credit cards itself. The company partners with thousands of banks, lenders, and other financial institutions to provide diverse payment solutions for customers worldwide.

Where Is Mastercard Accepted?

While the Mastercard payment network is smaller than the Visa network, Mastercard products are accepted in more countries than Visa. Where the Visa logo can be seen in 200 countries, Mastercard is currently accepted in 212 countries worldwide. This impressive coverage means both Visa and Mastercard have nearly identical global footprints. This means no matter where you go you’ll likely see the Mastercard logo.

Types of Mastercard Credit Cards

There are few distinct tiers of Mastercard, all of which offer benefits, perks, and security protection for cardholders. These tiers are:

• Mastercard
• World Mastercard
• World Elite Mastercard

Mastercard

The standard Mastercard product is the basic level of protection and features. These cards offer basic protections and benefits that most cardholders have come to expect from Mastercard, and usually do not have an annual fee – except for some secured cards.

Basic Mastercard Features

All Mastercard’s feature the following protections and security features:

• Zero Fraud Liability: Cardholders pay nothing if their card is subject to unauthorized use or theft.
• Mastercard Global Service: Emergency assistance nearly anywhere in the world, 24/7. Services include lost card reporting and replacement, emergency cash disbursement, and more.
• ID Theft Protection: Complimentary credit report monitoring that alerts cardholders to any changes or fraud concerns.

World Mastercard

World Mastercard is the next tier, offering enhanced benefits and security. Cards with the World name often include travel rewards points, and additional perks – and may charge an annual fee.

World Mastercard Benefits and Features

World Mastercard’s feature the following benefits:

• ShopRunner: Free membership providing 2-day shipping with over 120 leading online retailers.
• World VIP Concierge: 24/7 concierge service for airports, travel, and any other concerns.
• Mastercard Luxury Hotel Collection: Complimentary upgrades, late checkout, and more at over 2,000 properties worldwide.
• Cell Phone Protection: $1,000 in coverage per year ($600 per claim) if your phone is lost, stolen, or broken. Cardholders must pay their phone bill with an eligible card. Terms and conditions apply.
• DoorDash: Existing DashPass members – Automatic $5 discount on their first 2 DashPass orders each month; New DashPass members – free 3-month DashPass membership.
• Hello Fresh: 5% back on all HelloFresh purchases (excluding taxes, discounts, delivery fees, and credits) made with World Mastercard to be used on future purchases.
• Lyft: $5 in Lyft credit for every 3 rides taken in a calendar month with World Mastercard that will automatically be applied to the next ride, capped at once per month (details apply)
• ID Theft Protection
• Zero Fraud Liability
• Global Emergency Services

World Elite MasterCard

World Elite is the ultimate in credit card perks and protections. These credit cards are the most prestigious of travel cards, offering luxury, statement credits, and hefty annual fees to match. These cards are the best of a bank’s credit card lineup.

World Elite Mastercard Features

World Elite products feature the highest tier of protection and benefits for cardholders. These benefits include:

• Lyft: Take five rides in a month and get a $10 Lyft credit. This is a recurring benefit and can be earned multiple times.
• Boxed: Earn a 5% cashback reward on all Boxed orders. Boxed offers to ship for bulk orders worldwide.
• Fandango: $5 off future movie tickets or at-home purchases for every two movie tickets purchased.
• Free ShopRunner Membership
• Mastercard Luxury Hotel Collection
• World Elite Concierge
• Cell Phone Protection
• ID Theft Protection
• Zero Fraud Liability
• Global Emergency Services

Many World Elite Mastercard credit cards come with additional issuer perks, such as lounge access, statement credits for travel incidentals or Global Entry application fees, and more.

Priceless Cities

All Mastercard credit cards feature access to the unique Mastercard Priceless program. This program allows members to purchase once-in-a-lifetime experiences, such as one-on-one experiences with sporting heroes, wine tours, and more.

Business Cards

Business cards from Mastercard come with many of the same features personal credit cards, but with additional tools to help businesses thrive and grow. These tools include payment management by combining statements, extra employee cards, and business monitoring tools. These protections allow companies to keep control of their finances, while the travel benefits of World and World Elite cards lets employees travel in comfort.

Issuers Who Only Offer Mastercard

Some issuers provide a variety of payment network options for customers. others, however, specialize in just one network. Some of the credit card issuers who offer only Mastercard cards include:

• Bank of the West – including the Business Mastercard, Cash Back, Platinum Mastercard, and Secured Card.
• BMO Harris – including the Business Platinum Rewards, Cash Back, Platinum, and Platinum Rewards Cards. 
• Bethpage Federal Credit Union – including the Cash Back Card and Low Rate Mastercard. 
• Citizens Bank – including the Cash Back Plus, Clear Value Mastercard, Everyday Points Business Card
• First Tech Federal Credit Union – Including the Blazers Rewards Mastercard, the Platinum Rewards Card, and the Platinum Secured.
• Quorum Credit Union -including the Cash Back and World Mastercards. 
• SunTrust Bank – including the Secured, Business, and Non-Profit Business Cards. 
• University Credit Union – including the Traditional and Rewards Mastercards. 

• Mastercard® Black Card™ – Best Luxury Rewards Card
• Milestone® Gold Mastercard® – Best Card for Rebuilding Credit
• First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® – Best Secured Card
• Priority Destinations® World Elite Business Mastercard – Best Business Travel Card
• ABOC Platinum Rewards Mastercard® – Best Rewards Card
• AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® – Best Airline Credit Card