- $100 annual hotel savings benefit could offset the $95 annual fee.
- 70,000 welcome points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of opening an account.
- Points can be redeemed for flights or hotels at a 1:1 ratio, which is better than redeeming for cash, gift cards, or Amazon purchases.
Personal Finance
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updated: September 5, 2024
When it comes to something as important as how you use credit, you only want the best credit cards in your wallet. It’s just not worth it to have cards that don’t offer very much value, particularly in regard to annual fees, APRs, and other benefits.
Mastercards are accepted in more than 200 countries around the world. They come with standard fraud and liability protection, but the benefits and perks will vary from card to card. We’ve narrowed down Mastercard credit cards worth considering for a variety of spending needs.
If you’re looking for a Mastercard, there are plenty of competitive options. While this list isn’t exhaustive, it’s a good place to find one to match your spending habits.
Our recommendations
Best for travel rewards: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Why we like it:
There are some sweet spots on the redemption side of Citi Strata Premier℠ Card that make this travel rewards card worth considering, including possible business class redemptions on partner airlines. In addition to the welcome offer, you can also earn 10 Thank You points for every $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Cititravel.com portal. The card’s annual fee is
$95 (Rates & Fees)
, but it is possible to completely offset that by using the $100 hotel credit made available in the credit card’s online travel booking portal.Earnings on the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card include three points for every $1 spent at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, other hotel purchases, and airfare. In short, it earns a lot in quite a few categories.
Card details:
- Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
- Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
- Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Pros & cons:
Pros:
Cons:
- Doesn't include major U.S. airlines or hotels as transfer partners, besides JetBlue, Wyndham, and Choice Privileges
- Not worth the annual fee if you don't spend a lot on the types of purchases that earn elevated rewards.
Best for cash back: Citi Double Cash® Card
Citi Double Cash® Card
Citi Double Cash® Card
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
(Rates & Fees)
Welcome offer
bonus_miles_full
Why we like it:
The Citi Double Cash® Card is a credit card that offers 2% flat cash back on all purchases. It comes in the form of 1% cash back when the purchase is made and 1% cash back when a payment is made.
Its simple rewards structure coupled with no annual fee make this a competitive cash back earner. There’s no bonus offer of rewards, but it is possible you may be able to take advantage of an balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration with a intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration.
Card details:
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- 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. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- 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.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Pros & cons:
Pros:
- No annual fee.
- 2% cash back with no caps.
- $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months after account opening.
Cons:
- No intro APR period on purchases.
- Must pay balance to get the full rewards amount.
- 3% foreign transaction fee.
Best for no annual fee: card_name
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome offer
bonus_miles
Why we like it:
The card_name earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases and 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One.
In addition to its bonus, there is a balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration. The card does not have an annual fee or charge foreign transaction fees.
Card details:
Introductory Offer:
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after spending $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that (balance transfer fee applies)
Card Rewards:
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options (terms apply)
- 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
Additional Benefits:
- Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Member FDIC
- Balance transfer fee: balance_transfer_fees
- Cash advance fee: cash_advance_fee
- Foreign transaction fee: foreign_transaction_fee
Pros & cons:
Pros:
- No annual fee.
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
- 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
Cons:
- Requires good or excellent credit.
- No bonus categories.
- High APR (29.99%) if you maintain a balance.
Best for balance transfers: card_name
Citi Simplicity® Card
Citi Simplicity® Card
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome offer
bonus_miles_full
Why we like it:
The Citi Simplicity offers a lengthy 21 months with a 0% APR for balance transfers. There is also 12 months with a 0% APR for new purchases. It’s a unique card in that there are no late fees, penalty fees, or an annual fee. Beyond the balance transfer, the card doesn’t have other frills.
Card details:
- No Let Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
- 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.99% based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- Stay protected with Citi® Quick Lock
- Balance transfer fee: balance_transfer_fees
- Cash advance fee: cash_advance_fee
- Foreign transaction fee: foreign_transaction_fee
Pros & cons:
Pros:
- Offers a long (21 month) 0% intro APR on balance transfers.
- No late fees or penalty APR for a late payment.
- Flexible payment due date.
Cons:
- No rewards program or welcome offer.
- Intro APR for purchases (12 months) vs. 21 months for balance transfers.
- 3% foreign transaction fee.
Best for students: card_name
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome offer
bonus_miles
Why we like it:
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card earns the most bonus points in categories where many students spend the most money. The card earns 3x on dining, grocery stores, popular streaming services, and entertainment.
Card details:
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), with 1% on all other purchases
- Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
- Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they're approved for a Capital One credit card
- Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you're at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
Pros & cons:
Pros:
- No annual fee.
- Unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming services, and eligible groceries.
- $50 cash back after spending $100 in the first three months.
Cons:
- No introductory APR for new cardholders.
- Only 1% cash back on non-bonus categories.
Best for bad credit or no credit history: card_name
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome offer
bonus_miles
Why we like it:
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is one of the few credit cards that will consider borrowers who have fair, poor, or limited credit. There is no annual fee, but the APR is high. There is also a secured option for the Capital One Platinum Credit Card if you need an even more flexible option.
Card details:
Card Benefits:
- No annual or hidden fees. Check your approval status in seconds.
- Looking to build your credit? Responsible use of the Capital One Platinum Secured card can help.
- Start with a refundable security deposit as low as $49 to get a $200 initial credit line.
- Earn back your security deposit as a statement credit by making timely payments.
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in just 6 months, with no extra deposit required.
- Enjoy $0 Fraud Liability, so you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges.
- Monitor your credit score for free with CreditWise from Capital One. Access your account anytime, anywhere with online banking and the Capital One mobile app.
- Balance transfer fee: balance_transfer_fees
- Cash advance fee: cash_advance_fee
- Foreign transaction fee: foreign_transaction_fee
Pros & cons:
Pros:
- No annual fee.
- May be approved with fair credit.
- Automatically considered for a higher credit line after six months.
Cons:
- High variable APR (30.74%).
- No rewards program.
- Late payment fee of up to $40.
Best for sign-up bonus: card_name
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome offer
bonus_miles
Why we like it:
It earns up to 17x points on IHG stays, 3x on monthly bills, 3x on gas and restaurants, and 2x on everything else. In addition to its generous welcome offer and rewards rate structure, this card also allows you to get an extra night free when you book three nights.
Card details:
Introductory Offer:
- Earn 140,000 Bonus Points
- Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts.
- Get a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
Card Rewards:
- Earn up to 26 points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts.
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on travel, gas stations, and restaurants.
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
** Additional Benefits:**
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember.
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 ($120 starting 10/1/24) every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card.
- IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at Hotels & Resorts such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®.
Balance transfer fee: balance_transfer_fees
Cash advance fee: cash_advance_fee
Foreign transaction fee: foreign_transaction_fee
Pros & cons:
Pros:
- Earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months of opening the account.
- Earn 26x points on IHG purchases and 3x points in a catch-all category.
- Receive an Anniversary Night certificate each year worth up to 40,000 points.
Cons:
- The card has a $99 annual fee.
- You may need to stay at IHG properties to maximize your points.
- No intro APR period.
Best for fair/average credit: Citi Custom Cash® Card
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Credit score needed
Excellent, Good
Annual fees
annual_fees
(Rates & Fees)
Bonus rewards
bonus_miles_full
Why we like it:
The Citi Custom Cash® Card automatically selects your top earning category for 5% back in rewards each billing cycle (then 1% thereafter). Also earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025. This card is ideal for consumers who don't want to invest a lot in order to earn significant cash back rewards on everyday spending.
Card details:
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
- No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
- No Annual Fee
- Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.
Pros & cons:
Pros:
- No annual fee.
- 5% bonus categories.
- 0% intro APR period.
Cons:
- Low 1% rate outside bonus category.
- Bonus category cap is low ($500).
- Foreign transaction fees.
Best for small businesses: card_name
IHG Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
IHG Rewards Premier Business Credit Card
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome offer
bonus_miles_full
Why we like it:
Spending at IHG properties could potentially net up to 26x points. When you redeem three nights, you get the fourth night free. There is also a free night awarded each year (capped at 40,000 points). The annual fee is $99. There are many other small business cards you may also want to consider.
The one thing to keep in mind with this card is the point value is considered much less than other cards. This means that the amount of points you earn may not go as far as with other cards. You may earn points faster with the elevated earnings structure, but the redemptions are also much higher. There may be better small business cards available from other issuers.
The card_name earns a lot of rewards with 5x points earnings on travel, gas stations, dining, advertising on social media or search engines, and 3x points on all other purchases.
Card details:
Introductory Offer:
Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Card Rewards:
- Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels and Resorts.
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on travel, gas stations, select advertising, and restaurants.
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Additional Benefits:
- Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts, plus a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier Business cardmember. Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 ($120 starting 10/1/24) every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card.
- IHG One Rewards Bonus points are redeemable at hotels such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®.
Member FDIC
- Balance transfer fee: balance_transfer_fees
- Cash advance fee: cash_advance_fee
- Foreign transaction fee: foreign_transaction_fee
Pros & cons:
Pros:
- Free anniversary night certificate.
- Redeem three award nights, get the fourth night free.
- Includes Platinum Elite status.
Cons:
- IHG One Rewards are worth less than a penny a point on most redemptions.
- The $50 United Travel Bank credit can be complicated to maximize.
- Need excellent or good credit score.
Best for dining rewards: card_name
Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One® SavorOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
Annual fees
annual_fees
Welcome offer
bonus_miles
Why we like it:
If you’re looking for a card with bonus earnings for dining and groceries, you may want to consider one with the word “savor” in the title. As a new cardmember, you will also earn a lucrative bonus. This card offers 3x earnings on dining, supermarket, entertainment, and certain streaming services.
Card details:
- 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, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- 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 and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
Pros & cons:
Pros:
- Excellent cash back offers of unlimited 3% on dining, entertainment, streaming, and groceries, 5% on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 8% on Capital One Entertainment purchases.
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months.
Cons:
- May not get the most benefits if spending doesn't fall within the card's tiered rewards categories.
- Excludes superstores such as Walmart and Target.
- Streaming excludes Prime Video.
Best Mastercard Credit Cards Comparison Chart
| Card name | Annual fees | Credit score needed | Bonus rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
$95 (Rates & Fees) | credit_score_needed | bonus_miles_full | |
annual_fees
(Rates & Fees) | credit_score_needed | bonus_miles_full | |
annual_fees | credit_score_needed | bonus_miles | |
annual_fees | credit_score_needed | bonus_miles_full | |
annual_fees | credit_score_needed | bonus_miles | |
annual_fees | credit_score_needed | bonus_miles | |
annual_fees | credit_score_needed | bonus_miles | |
annual_fees
(Rates & Fees) | Excellent, Good | bonus_miles_full | |
annual_fees | credit_score_needed | bonus_miles_full | |
annual_fees | credit_score_needed | bonus_miles |
Our methodology
More than 40 Mastercards were evaluated for their potential to meet cardmember needs, such as cards best for travel rewards, cash back, students, and so on. The merits of each were considered, including APRs, annual fees, rewards, or credit-building features.
How to choose the best Mastercard credit card
Choosing a Mastercard should come down to what works for you. To choose a Mastercard that benefits you the most, consider the following:
Examine your lifestyle and spending habits
The best credit card for you may not be the one all your friends have. It’s cool to have a travel card, but if you spend most of your money on groceries and gas, you may want to choose a card that earns bonus points in those categories vs. one that earns bonus points on flights and hotels.
Look for a card you can qualify for
If you’re at a point where you still need to build your credit, you may want to hold off on applying for a premium rewards card. Building your credit with a secured credit card might be a route to consider.
Look for benefits you’ll actually use
When you’re looking at what cash back features and rewards are offered by a credit card, find one that offers bonus points or cash back in categories where you spend the most.
Avoid cards with limited redemptions
When you’re looking at cards side-by-side, keep in mind that you’re probably not seeing the full picture. A point earned on an IHG-branded credit card is very different from a point earned from a Capital One or a Citi credit card. This is largely because of what you can redeem these points for.
Points may be limited to redemptions with hotels that fall under the IHG hotel chain. There are other cards with Citi and Capital One that are attached to more flexible rewards programs, making a point with them much more valuable.
Alternatives to Mastercard credit cards
If you’re looking for a card that’s not associated with the Mastercard payment processing network, you’ll want to considerVisa and American Express.
Mastercard vs. Visa
Mastercard and Visa credit cards are both accepted worldwide and have a similar fee structure for merchants.
Visa and Mastercard have different levels of card membership. Visa has Traditional, Signature, and Infinite cards, which have progressively better levels of benefits and perks. MasterCard has Standard, World, and World Elite, which also have progressively more robust benefit levels
Specific credit cards are issued by Mastercard or Visa (or other issuers); you can’t choose which issuer you prefer. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a Visa card.
Since Mastercard and Visa are similar enough, it makes sense to pick the credit card you want based on its benefits rather than on whether it’s a Visa or Mastercard.
Mastercard vs. Amex
You’ll see the biggest difference between Amex and Mastercard if you travel internationally. You’ll notice that it can be hard to find a merchant that will accept your American Express card. Amex also issues its own cards, so the benefits that come with an American Express card are different from those on a Mastercard.
TIME Stamp: Choose a Mastercard that benefits your finances
If you’re looking for a Mastercard, you’ll want to evaluate how it can benefit your finances. You may want to look for one that earns rewards that you’ll actually use. You may also want to look for one that caters to your financial situation, such as if you need a student card or a secured card.
In any case, the list we’ve compiled is a step in the right direction towards finding a Mastercard that will benefit you the most.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is the best credit card from Mastercard?
The best Mastercard credit card is the one that suits your individual situation. If you’re looking for a robust travel rewards program, you may want to take a look at the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card. If you’re looking for a balance transfer card, take a look at the Citi Simplicity. For cash back, the Citi Double Cash, Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards, or Capital One SavorOne Rewards Credit Card are worth considering.
What are some good Mastercards?
If you’re looking for a good Mastercard, consider one from our list above.
Is Amex or Mastercard better?
Whether or not Amex or Mastercard credit cards are better is highly subjective as both payment cards and networks have their merits. Mastercard is more widely accepted worldwide. Mastercard is not a credit card issuer, but American Express is.
The information presented here is created by TIME Stamped and overseen by TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About Us page.
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