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The 11 Best Mastercard Credit Cards for Points and Rewards [2024]

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Christine Krzyszton

Senior Finance Contributor

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Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services offices. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-dep...
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Our seasoned and experienced team brings years of expertise in the credit card and travel sectors. Committed to integrity, we offer data-driven guides to help you find the card(s) that best fit your requirements. See details on our intensive editorial policies and card rating methodologies.

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If your credit card boasts a Visa or Mastercard logo, you can have confidence knowing your card will be widely accepted throughout the world.

And while Visa and Mastercard are both brands that are recognized globally, these companies do not actually issue credit cards, but rather serve as payment processors that facilitate the purchases you make with your affiliated card.

Visa and Mastercard credit cards are actually issued by financial institutions, and that’s where the majority of benefits found on your card are derived.

For this reason, Visas and Mastercards end up being issued with varying levels of features and benefits. We’ve written previously on some of the best credit cards that utilize the Visa network so today we’re turning our focus to seeking out some of the best cards that can be found in the Mastercard network.

There are so many types of Mastercards that it’s impossible to list all of the available options, however, in this article we’ve selected some of the best to share with you today.

But first, let’s briefly look at how the Mastercard network works.

Card Summary

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Card

Welcome Offer and Annual Fee

Earning Rates

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
  • 75,000 points

    Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

    For a limited time: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards on thankyou.com.
  • Annual fee of $95
1x-10x points

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

  • Earn 10X points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com.
  • Earn 3X points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations.
  • Earn 1X point per $1 on all other purchases.
Chase Freedom Flex℠
  • $200

    Chase Freedom Flex®

    Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
  • Annual fee of $0
1%-5% cash-back

Chase Freedom Flex®

  • 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
  • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠.
  • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases.
  • 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
  • 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases.
Citi Double Cash® Card
  • $200 cash-back

    Citi Double Cash® Card

    Earn $200 cash-back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
  • Annual fee of $0
2% cash-back

Citi Double Cash® Card

  • Earn 2% cash-back on purchases: 1% when you buy and 1% as you pay with no categories, caps, or annual fee.
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
  • $200

    Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

    Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Annual fee of $0 (rates & fees)
1%-8% cash-back

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

  • 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
  • Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
  • Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases

Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards credit card®

  • Get a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
  • Annual fee of $0

3% cash-back in the category of your choice and 2% cash-back on dining purchases (on the first $50,000 combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, then 1%)

CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
  • 75,000 miles

    CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®

    For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening.
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99
1x-2x miles

CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®

  • Earn 2x AAdvantage® miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, and on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations
  • Earn 1x AAdvantage® miles spent on other purchases
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
  • 140,000 points

    IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

    Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Annual fee of $99
3x-26x points

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

  • Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts.
  • Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants.
  • Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
  • 50,000 miles

    Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

    Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
  • Annual fee of $99, waived for first 12 months
1x-2x miles

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

  • Earn 2x AAdvantage® miles at restaurants
  • Earn 2x AAdvantage® miles gas stations
  • Earn 2x AAdvantage® miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
  • Earn 1x AAdvantage® mile on all other purchases

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®

  • Earn 70,000 bonus HawaiianMiles after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 90 days.
  • Annual fee of $99
  • 3x miles on Hawaiian Airlines
  • 2x miles on gas, dining, grocery store purchases
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
  • None 
  • Annual fee of $0
None 

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

  • None
  • Annual fee of $0
None 

How Does the Mastercard Network Work?

Without diving too deep into the topic of credit card association networks, allow us to take just a minute to explain how the Mastercard credit card network relates to your credit card.

First, Mastercard does not issue credit cards, it simply serves as the payment processor between the merchant from which you’re purchasing and the financial institution that issued your card.

Mastercard also offers a menu of benefits from which the financial institution can select to pass on to the cardholder.

There are 3 levels of Mastercard benefits — Mastercard Standard core benefits, elevated Mastercard World benefits, and the highest level Mastercard World Elite benefits.

Most of the cards mentioned here will offer Mastercard World or Mastercard World Elite benefits.

The financial institution decides which benefits it wants to pass on but could also add its own level of benefits. For example, a card issuer may choose to offer additional benefits such as bonus earnings, airport lounge membership, or statement credits for food delivery services.

That’s where the diversity comes in, and the reason different Mastercards have different levels of benefits.

Let’s now look at some of the Mastercard versions that stand out.

Bottom Line: Mastercard does not issue credit cards; it serves as a network that facilitates the processing of payments between the merchant and the card issuer. Mastercard also provides a collection of benefits that the financial institution can select to pass on, or not, to the cardholder. 

Best Travel Rewards Card

Travel rewards credit cards are commonly referred to as such because the earnings, redemption options, and benefits tend to be travel-related. While the Mastercard network issues a lot of co-branded travel-related cards (we’ll cover those shortly), the network does not host a large collection of general travel rewards credit cards compared to Visa or American Express.

You will, however, find worthy Mastercard travel rewards cards from which to select. Here’s our favorite:

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

For a limited time: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards on thankyou.com.
75,000 points
$1,200
$95
20.49% to 28.49% Variable APR
Why We Like This Card

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a great all-around travel rewards card that allows you to earn big rewards on a variety of purchases like air travel, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and more, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
  • 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
  • $100 annual hotel benefit
Cons
    • $95 annual fee
Card Highlights
  • For a limited time: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards on thankyou.com.
  • Earn 10X points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
  • Earn 3X points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations.
  • Earn 1X 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.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 20.49% to 28.49% Variable APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Travelers who are looking for a travel rewards credit card with a lower annual fee, bonus rewards on everyday and travel purchases, plus flexible redemption options, might want to look closer at the Citi Strata Premier card.

Here’s why we like this Mastercard for travel rewards:

  • Redeem points for 1 cent each for other travel via the portal
  • Transfer points to airline partners for greater potential value
  • Luxury Hotels and Resorts benefits
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty
  • World Elite benefits

Best Cash-Back Cards

There’s no shortage of cash-back-earning Mastercards. Here are a few of the most popular cards — some that do not even charge an annual fee.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Chase Freedom Flex®
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)
The Freedom Flex card is an excellent no-annual-fee card that still earns big with 5% cash-back on travel and other bonus categories.
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
$200
$0
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ sure does pack quite a punch — especially for a no-annual-fee card.

The Freedom Flex card is an incredible option for those looking for a well-rounded cash-back card, or a powerful point-earner when paired with a premium card in the Ultimate Rewards family.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%.
  • Powerful cash-back earner: 5% back on quarterly categories and travel purchases through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% back on dining and drugstore purchases, and 1% back on all other purchases
  • No annual fee
Cons
    • 3% foreign transaction fees in U.S. dollars
Card Highlights
  • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
  • 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
  • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
  • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74%-28.49%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.74% - 28.49%
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

Packed with more earnings at grocery stores and quarterly bonus categories, flexible redemption options, and benefits you can use, the no annual fee Freedom Flex card offers easily-recognized value.

We also like its collection of additional benefits:

  • 5% cash-back on travel purchased via the Chase travel portal
  • 3% cash-back on dining purchases, take-out, and eligible food delivery
  • 5x cash-back on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025)
  • 1% cash-back on all other purchases
  • Redeem points at 1 cent each for statement credit or travel via the Chase travel portal
  • Transfer points to premium Chase cards for even greater potential value
  • 3 months of free DoorDash DashPass with an additional 9 months at 50% off
  • Secondary collision loss damage waiver car rental insurance
  • Trip cancellation and trip interruption
  • Up to $800 in cell phone protection
  • Purchase protection and extended warranty

Citi Double Cash® Card

Citi Double Cash® Card
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!
Earn $200 cash-back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
$200 cash-back
$0
0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 18.49% to 28.49% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Fair to Excellent (580-850)
Why We Like This Card

The Citi Double Cash® Card has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!

This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points. This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.

Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
  • Flexible redemption options
  • No annual fee
Cons
  • No bonus categories
  • 3% foreign transaction fees
Card Highlights
  • Bonus Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This 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.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers; after that, the variable APR will be 18.49% to 28.49%, 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).
  • Citi Double Cash® Card Travel Portal Special Offer
    Earn a total of 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rental, and attractions, excluding air travel, when booked through the Citi Travel℠ portal via cititravel.com or by calling 1-833-737-1288 (TTY: 711). Offer is valid through 12/31/2025.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 18.49% to 28.49% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase
Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

For those who reach out for simplicity, the Double Cash card will match that requirement perfectly.

  • Simply earning structure
  • No limit on the amount of rewards you can earn
  • Introductory 0% APR on balance transfers for 18 months (fees apply)
  • Redeem points for cash-back, travel through the Citi Travel Portal, transfers to select partners, or gift cards

Capital One Savor Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Savor card is a great no-annual fee card for those who regularly spend on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target).

The Capital One Savor card is a great no-annual fee card for those who regularly spend on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target).
Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
$200
$0
19.49% - 29.49% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Savor card is a phenomenal option when it comes to no-annual-fee cash-back credit cards. With popular bonus categories like dining, grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), entertainment, and popular streaming services, and the ability to earn 3% cash-back on these purchases, it is easy to see why those who use the card can earn some serious cash-back throughout the year.

The card also allows you to take your rewards and experiences even further by offering access to Capital One Travel, Capital One Dining, and Capital One Entertainment.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
  • 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
  • 3% cash-back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target)
Cons
    • Rewards are purely cash-back, so there is no option for miles transfers to transfer partners for redemptions
Card Highlights
  • Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
  • 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; 19.49% - 29.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
  • No foreign transaction fee
  • No annual fee
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 19.49% - 29.49% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

If you enjoy dining out, ordering carryout, or indulging in regular restaurant delivery, receiving unlimited cash-back on those purchases could make the Capital One Savor cardInformation collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One. a wallet necessity. Add in more bonus earnings at grocery stores and on entertainment and cash-back rewards will accumulate quickly.

Plus, there are additional reasons this Mastercard offers value:

  • Secondary car rental insurance
  • Shopping benefits such as purchase protection, price protection, and extended warranty
  • No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)

Bottom Line: Cash-back rewards are normally simple to earn and redeem. It’s also common to find Mastercard cash-back cards that do not charge an annual fee or charge a lower annual fee yet still deliver good earning levels and, in some cases, benefits you can utilize. 

Best Business Cards

Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards credit card®

For those business owners who have a qualifying existing relationship with Bank of America, the earnings offered on this World Mastercard could be a game-changer.

The card is best for small businesses, however, as there is a $50,000 limit on purchases for 3% and 2% bonus categories combined.

Here is an overview of the benefits offered by the card:

  • No annual fee
  • 3% cash-back on your choice of category each month including travel, purchases at gas stations, office supply stores, TV/telecom/wireless, business consulting services, or computer services
  • 2% cash-back on dining
  • 1% cash-back on all other purchases

Hot Tip: Bank of America issues several personal and business credit cards, check out our complete overview here.

CitiBusiness®/AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®

CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A low annual fee, a free checked bag, and tons of perks and discounts make this card valuable for business owners who travel.

A low annual fee, a free checked bag, and tons of perks and discounts make this card valuable for business owners who travel.
For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening.
75,000 miles
$1,050
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99
20.49% to 29.49% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Excellent (740-850)
Why We Like This Card

With the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®, you get a card that gives you perks like boarding privileges, free checked bags, and discounts on inflight purchases, while also earning more miles for your next award redemption.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 2x miles per $1 spent on American Airlines purchases
  • 2x miles per $1 spent on cable and satellite providers, at gas stations, on car rentals, and on select telecommunications merchants
  • 1x mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Cons
  • $99 annual fee
  • Does not earn transferable rewards
Card Highlights
  • Designed for businesses
  • For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening.
  • First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries to reduce travel costs and boost your bottom line.
  • 25% savings on American Airlines inflight Wi-Fi when you use your card
  • Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
  • Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, and on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations
  • Earn 1 AAdvantage® mile per $1 spent on other purchases
  • Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 20.49% to 29.49% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program

If you’re a business owner and American Airlines is your preferred airline, you’ll find value in an American Airlines-branded credit card that focuses earnings toward business expenses.

You’ll also find benefits that save you money and make your journey more comfortable when flying on the airline:

  • Preferred boarding and 1 free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 4 traveling companions
  • 25% statement credit for in-flight purchases including food, beverages, and Wi-Fi
  • Spend $30,000 on the card in a calendar year and receive a $99 companion ticket
  • Add authorized users at no charge
  • Shopping benefits such as purchase protection, extended warranty, and ShopRunner membership
  • World Elite Mastercard Travel and Lifestyle Services (register here)

Bottom Line: There are a limited number of business credit cards that utilize the Mastercard card network. To view a more expansive collection, and compare options, check out our recommendations for the best small business credit cards.

Best Airline- and Hotel-Branded Cards

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The perfect card for IHG fans, offering a free night every year, automatic Platinum Elite status, and your fourth night free on award stays.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)
The perfect card for IHG fans, offering a free night every year, automatic Platinum Elite status, and your fourth night free on award stays.
Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
140,000 points
$700
$99
20.74% - 27.74% Variable
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent (670-850)
Why We Like This Card

If you regularly visit IHG hotels throughout the year, then the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is probably a perfect card to have in your wallet.

The IHG Premier card offers a great bundle of perks and benefits, including automatic Platinum elite status, an annual free night certificate, and travel protections.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Up to 26x points per $1 on IHG stays
  • 5x points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants
  • 3x points per $1 on all other purchases
Cons
  • $99 annual fee
  • Does not earn transferable points
Card Highlights
  • Earn 140,000 Bonus Points
  • Enjoy an Anniversary Free Night at IHG Hotels & Resorts. Plus, enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
  • Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG Hotels & Resorts
  • Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • 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®
  • Member FDIC
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 20.74% - 27.74% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

IHG loyalists will find tremendous value with the IHG One Rewards Premier card. If you frequent IHG properties and enjoy instant elite status, free hotel nights, and a nice collection of travel benefits, the card can easily earn a place in your wallet.

  • IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status
  • Free hotel night each card anniversary, worth up to 40,000 rewards points
  • Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or Nexus fee statement credit
  • 20% discount on IHG point purchases
  • Redeem points for free hotel nights, starting at 5,000 points
  • Secondary car rental insurance
  • Trip interruption and trip cancellation insurance
  • Baggage insurance

Citi®/AAdvantage® Platinum Select World Elite™ Mastercard®

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Status lovers will enjoy the variety of benefits that come with this card. From free bags to reduced-price inflight beverages, AA still flies in style.

Status lovers will enjoy the variety of benefits that come with this card. From free bags to reduced-price inflight beverages, AA still flies in style.
Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
50,000 miles
$700
$99, waived for first 12 months
20.49% to 29.49% Variable
Why We Like This Card

Blue skies and fair winds make for a good day to fly! Choosing your airline can be difficult, since factors like location, time, and destination all go into whether or not you can fly somewhere.

An easy choice for many people is American Airlines, because they’re the largest airline in the world. If you’re an American, you’ve probably flown American Airlines at least once.

Frequent fliers tend to enjoy the treatment they can get, from boarding privileges to free bags to lounge access. There’s many reasons to fly with AA, and if so then getting a Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® could be for you.

Card Highlights
  • Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening
  • Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases
  • Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
  • Earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after you spend $20,000 or more in purchases during your card membership year and renew your card
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees
  • First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation
  • Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 20.49% to 29.49% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 0%
Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Program

American Airlines travelers will welcome the benefits offered on this AAdvantage-branded card that aligns well with the American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer program.

  • Generous welcome bonus
  • $99 fee is waived the first year
  • 2x miles earned per dollar spent on American Airlines, at restaurants, gas stations
  • Free checked bag and priority boarding for the cardholder and up to 4 travel companions
  • 25% statement credit for in-flight food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases
  • $125 airfare certificate after spending $20,000 each cardmember year

Both cards come with Mastercard and World Elite shopping benefits such as purchase protection, extended warranty, and Shoprunner membership. In addition, cardholders may register for World Elite Mastercard Travel and Lifestyle Services here.

Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard®

If you’re a frequent Hawaiian Airlines traveler or just want to earn HawaiianMiles for that annual vacation to Hawaii, the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite card may offer some appealing attributes.

  • Welcome bonus offer
  • 3x miles on Hawaiian Airlines
  • 2x miles on gas, dining, grocery store purchases
  • 50% discount on companion roundtrip airfare purchase
  • $100 off a companion ticket at each card anniversary
  • Free checked bag on Hawaiian Airlines
  • Access to discount award flights
  • Share miles between family members and friends at no charge

Bottom Line: If you have loyalty preferences when it comes to specific airlines or hotel brands, a branded card is a great way to elevate the benefits you receive when utilizing that brand. Most airline and hotel-branded cards align well with the loyalty programs to provide accelerated earnings, perks, and even a faster path to elite status. 

Best Cards for No Credit or Poor Credit

You’ll generally need a good to excellent credit score to secure the cards mentioned previously in this article. But having no credit or even bad credit won’t eliminate the possibility of securing a card that utilizes the Mastercard network.

Here are several Mastercard options for those with no credit or bad credit:

Fortunately, there are so many options to choose from when you decide to start building credit or rebuilding poor credit. We’ve discussed the topic in-depth in several articles on secured cards, and cards for no credit or bad credit.

Final Thoughts

Knowing the differences between card processing networks can help you diversify your credit card holdings so you always have a card the merchant will accept.

Having cards that use various networks is also imperative if you’re a frequent traveler, as not all networks are widely accepted globally.

While Visa and Mastercard are the largest card networks, American Express and Discover are growing quickly and in third and fourth place respectively.

It’s worth noting that we’ve only mentioned a sampling of available Mastercards here, and even the cards we’ve featured may have additional benefits not listed. We have also abbreviated the benefit descriptions, so you’ll want to access any Guide to Benefits for complete information, including the applicable terms and conditions.

When comparing card options, pay close attention to the benefits offered as many Mastercards, especially those issued by Citi, do not offer a full collection of travel benefits.

Finally, finding the right Mastercard for you will involve determining your highest expenditures and making sure the card you’re considering will earn well on those purchases. The right card should also have an appropriate annual fee that matches your situation, redemption options that deliver value, and benefits that can be easily utilized.

The information regarding the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards credit card® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The information regarding the Capital One Platinum Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 
The information regarding the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Citi Double Cash® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better Mastercard or Visa?

Fortunately, both Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted globally, so selecting a card that utilizes either network will serve you well.

American Express and Discover are next in line when it comes to card network acceptance. Having a diverse selection of cards that utilize most of these networks, especially if you travel, can be a good strategy to ensure that you have a card that the merchant will accept.

How does Mastercard work?

Mastercard is a card network that serves as a link between the merchant from which you make a purchase to the financial institution that issued your credit card.

Mastercard only facilitates card transactions and does not issue credit cards.

However, Mastercard does offer benefits that the financial institution can choose to pass on to the cardholder.

What are Mastercard benefits?

Mastercard offers 3 levels of benefits — Standard core benefits, World benefits which are broader, and the highest level, World Elite benefits.

The bank that issues your credit card can select benefits from these options and pass those benefits on to the cardholder, or choose not to. The bank can also add its own benefits beyond what it is offered by Mastercard.

Which is the best Mastercard?

The best Mastercard for you may be different than the best Mastercard for another consumer.

Compare Mastercards based on to what extent the card you’re considering rewards your highest expenses, if the redemption options result in added value to your business or household, and if the offered benefits are ones you will actually use.

Additionally, you’ll want to select a Mastercard with an annual fee you’re comfortable paying.

There are so many Mastercards with varying benefits that no 1 card is the best for every consumer.

Christine Krzyszton's image

About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services offices. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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