Best Mastercard® Credit Cards for 2024

What is Mastercard?

Mastercard has been a staple in the financial industry since the 1960s. A Mastercard is an electronic payment method — such as a credit or debit card — that uses the Mastercard network to process transactions. Mastercards are widely accepted worldwide, making them some of the most convenient and flexible cards you can have.

Is Mastercard accepted everywhere?

Just about every store/business accepts Mastercard as a form of payment — this is true in the U.S. and abroad — making Mastercards a convenient choice for customers across the globe. 

Is Mastercard a credit card?

Though Mastercard doesn’t issue its own credit cards, it offers one of the widest selections of credit, debit, and prepaid cards through its various partners. For example, you could have a card through Capital One, but it operates on the Mastercard payment network. There are over 244 million Mastercards in circulation in the U.S. and over 700 million worldwide.

Which is better, Visa or Mastercard?

Visa and Mastercard offer similar benefits to their cardmembers. However, Mastercard shines in the luxury card category and with its purchase protection features such as identity theft monitoring and cell phone protection (up to $1,000) every year. 

What is the difference between Visa and Mastercard?

Visa and Mastercard are both accepted almost everywhere, with few differences between them. Additionally, they are both publicly traded American companies. When choosing a Visa or Mastercard, it comes down to the card that aligns with your needs and offers the best features.

How to get a Mastercard card

You can compare and apply for Mastercards through our website or in-person at your bank or local credit union. The process of applying for a Mastercard credit card through our website typically only takes a few minutes, and in most cases, you find out if you’re approved instantly. Be sure to take some time to review the options above to identify the card that aligns with your credit goals.

Which banks provide Mastercards?

Thousands of banks around the world offer Mastercards. Here are some of the most well-known financial institutions with Mastercards on their credit card roster:

• First PREMIER Bank
• Capital One
• CitiBank
• The Bank of Missouri
• Celtic Bank
• Santander
• Tesco Bank
• Bank of America

Will I be approved for a Mastercard?

With one of the widest selections of credit cards in the world, it shouldn’t take you long to find a Mastercard with the benefits and suggested credit score range you need. Mastercards are available for customers of all credit levels — whether you are new to credit, looking to repair your score, or have a long history of responsible credit use. 

What are the benefits of Mastercard?

Benefits vary depending on your specific card — however, all Mastercards come with a few standard features. For example, all Mastercards offer free identity theft monitoring, zero liability protection, and its Mastercard Global Service hotline. This service provides 24-hour assistance if you need to report a lost or stolen card, request an urgent card replacement or emergency cash advance.