Top 10 World Elite Mastercard Benefits & Best World Elite Mastercard Cards [2024]

Updated: February 6, 2024, 4:28am CST

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Top 10 World Elite Mastercard Benefits & Best World Elite Mastercard Cards [2024]

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The Mastercard credit card payment processing network is one of the largest and most widely-accepted worldwide. Payment processing networks such as American Express, Visa, and Mastercard are important links that facilitate charges made to merchants with your credit card and then onward through the associated financial institution that issued your card.

While serving as a payment processor is its primary function, Mastercard also provides a long list of valuable benefit options. The bank that issues your credit card can select from the Mastercard benefit menu to decide which benefits it will add to each individual credit card.

In addition to the selected Mastercard benefits, a bank will also add its own benefits to the cards it issues. The result is a card that has a mix of both Mastercard and bank perks that can be unique to each card.

Today, we’re going to take a closer look specifically at the collection of World Elite Mastercard benefits, the highest level of benefits you’ll find on a Mastercard.

Here are some of the top benefits and examples of the best World Elite Mastercard credit cards available.

Top 10 World Elite Mastercard Benefits

World Elite Mastercard cardholders can count on access to a long list of benefits and protections that come complimentary with the card. Here are some of the top benefits you may find on a World Elite Mastercard credit card:

Cell phone protection
Car rental insurance
Trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance
Baggage insurance
Purchase protection, price protection, and extended warranty protection
Mastercard Luxury Hotels & Resorts Portfolio benefits
Priceless Experiences
World Elite Concierge
Shopping discounts and services
Car rental program perks

Note that most of these benefits you’ll also find on World Mastercard credit cards and even 1 or 2 on a Platinum Mastercard.

Also, note that any list of “top” benefits is subjective, as the best benefits for you will ultimately be the ones you can actually use.

Now let’s look at a high-level overview of some of the best World Elite Mastercards, then we’ll dig deeper into the details of how Mastercard benefits work.

Bottom Line: The Mastercard network offers a menu of available benefits from which card issuers can select. World Elite Mastercard cards offer the highest level of benefits but you’ll also find Mastercard benefits on World Mastercard cards and Platinum Mastercard cards.

Top World Elite Mastercard Cards — Overview

Before we expand on some of the benefits that come with the top World Elite Mastercard credit cards, let’s look at an overview of cards that have World Elite Mastercard benefits, including their current welcome offers and some of the key World Elite Mastercard benefits you’ll find on each card.

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Card	Welcome Offer	Key World Elite Mastercard Benefits
Citi Premier^® Card	Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel portal through June 30, 2024.	Purchase protection, extended warranty
Chase Freedom Flex℠	Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months.	Trip cancellation, trip interruption Secondary car rental insurance Cell phone protection Purchase protection, extended warranty
Citi Double Cash^® Card	Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months.	Purchase protection, extended warranty
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card	Earn $300 after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.	Trip cancellation, trip interruption Secondary car rental insurance Purchase protection, price protection, extended warranty
Bilt World Elite Mastercard^® Credit Card	No welcome offer available.	Primary car rental insurance Trip cancellation, trip interruption Cell phone protection Purchase protection, extended warranty
CitiBusiness^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® Mastercard^®	Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first 5 months	Purchase protection, extended warranty
Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^®	Earn 50,000 miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months.	Purchase protection, extended warranty
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.	Trip cancellation, trip interruption Secondary car rental insurance Cell phone protection Purchase protection, extended warranty

Bottom Line: World Elite Mastercard credit cards are issued by several financial institutions including Chase, Citi, Capital One, Bank of America, and more. The card issuer determines the package of benefits for each specific card.

Mastercard Benefit Levels Overview

Mastercard Lifestyle Services — Access a host of travel discounts and benefits via Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle benefits. Image Credit: Mastercard

The Mastercard network offers several levels of card benefits — Standard Mastercard, Platinum Mastercard, World Mastercard, and World Elite Mastercard, with the World Elite Mastercard having the highest level of benefits.

Let’s look at each level and the associated individual services and perks you may expect to receive.

Standard Mastercard Benefits

Each Mastercard comes with basic protections such as theft and liability protection, digital access, and services that can help you get your life back in order when your card is lost:

Mastercard ID Theft Protection — Monitor fraud, receive alerts for suspicious activity, and receive assistance should you experience ID theft.
Mastercard Zero Liability Protection — You are not responsible for unauthorized activity on your card. Terms apply.
Mastercard Global Service — Receive help if you lose your card anywhere in the world. Plus, you can receive an emergency card replacement and emergency cash.
McAfee Free Trial — Receive a free 30-day trial and a discounted 1-year membership for $29.95. The virus protection software can be used with 5 devices.

Example of a Standard Mastercard: BankAmericard^® Credit Card

Platinum Mastercard Benefits

On a Platinum Mastercard, you’ll find all the standard benefits mentioned above plus access to the Priceless collection of benefits:

Platinum Mastercard Priceless Rewards and Experiences — Enjoy Priceless Experiences such as a helicopter ride over Paris, dining with a Michelin chef, playing a bucket-list golf course, or booking a photographic excursion in Turkey. These, and more, are all possible with access to Priceless Experiences. Note that you still have to pay for these experiences.

Example of a Platinum Mastercard: Capital One Platinum Credit Card

Bottom Line: A basic Mastercard comes with ID theft protection, zero liability, Mastercard Global Service assistance, and a McAfee virus protection discounted membership. A Platinum Mastercard comes with all of these benefits plus Mastercard Priceless Rewards and Experiences.

World Mastercard Benefits

Mastercard Travel Benefits — World Mastercards can offer valuable travel benefits and shopping discounts. Image Credit: Mastercard

The World Mastercard level is where the majority of lifestyle benefits, travel benefits and protections, and shopping benefits and protections kick in.

In addition to Standard and Platinum benefits, World Mastercard cardholders enjoy a selection of these additional benefits:

Mastercard Hotels & Resorts Collection Benefits — Enjoy onsite benefits including daily breakfast for 2, an onsite amenity worth up to $100, a room upgrade, and early check-in and late checkout, when available.
Mastercard Airport Concierge — Save 15% on airport meet and greet services when using your Mastercard World card.
Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle Services — These services are provided by the travel company Ten Lifestyle Management USA and include booking flights, hotels, rental cars, event tickets, golf experiences, and more. You’ll have access to special hotel offers, car rental upgrades/status, and discounted private jets.
Lowest Hotel Rate Guarantee — If you book your prepaid stay via Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle Services and find the same hotel stay for less, you could receive a refund of the difference in rates.
Mastercard Hotel Stay Guarantee — Book a 3-star or better hotel stay via Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle Services and if you have a problem with your stay, a Lifestyle manager will be assigned to make it right.
Lyft Credits — Use your card just 3 times each month for Lyft rides and receive $5 off your next ride purchase.
DoorDash DashPass Membership — Your Mastercard may come with a 3-month DoorDash DashPass membership that offers free delivery, reduced fees, special offers, and $5 off your first order.
ShopRunner Membership — Enjoy discounts at nearly 100 retailers and free 2-day shipping and returns with the complimentary membership that comes with your World Mastercard.
Car Rental Insurance — Reserve and pay for your entire car rental with your card, decline the rental agency’s CDW/LDW coverage, and receive secondary or primary car rental coverage for damage and theft. Secondary coverage means that you must first file a claim with any other applicable insurance. Primary coverage means that you do not need to do this as card coverage will kick in immediately.
Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Insurance — Purchase your trip with your card (and/or points accumulated with your card) and if your trip needs to be canceled or is disrupted due to a covered reason, you will receive reimbursement for eligible non-refundable expenses.
Baggage Insurance — Pay for your entire common carrier ticket with your card and if your baggage is lost or stolen, you could receive compensation up to the coverage limit stated in your Guide to Benefits.
Cell Phone Protection — Pay for your monthly bill with your World Elite Mastercard and receive protection for damage and theft, up to $800 per claim, with a limit of $1,000 or 2 claims per year. Coverage limits can vary by card.
Purchase Protection — Purchase an eligible item with your card and receive coverage for damage or theft for up to 90 days from the purchase date.
Extended Warranty — Eligible items will receive double the manufacturer’s warranty, up to a maximum of 24 total months.
Price Protection — While it’s rare to find price protection, the coverage will reimburse you if you find that an eligible item purchased with your card, within 60 days from the purchase date, is advertised as lower in price.

It can be a bit daunting to navigate all the benefits, sub-benefits, and information available with World Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle services, but it can be worth registering your card and exploring the offers available to you.

Note that this is not an all-encompassing list of benefits and descriptions have been abbreviated. The actual terms and conditions and limits on coverages will be listed in each card’s Guide to Benefits.

Examples of World Mastercard Credit Cards: The JetBlue Card and the Amtrak Guest Rewards® Preferred Mastercard® (could be issued as a Platinum or World Mastercard)

World Elite Mastercard Benefits

World Elite Mastercard benefits are in addition to basic Mastercard, Platinum, and World Mastercard benefits.

World Elite Concierge — Receive 24/7 assistance with reserving that special restaurant, finding a gift for a special occasion, securing tickets to a special event, and more, with access to your own concierge.
Car Rental Perks — World Elite Mastercard cardholders receive up to 35% off Avis car rentals, President’s Circle Status and discounts at Hertz, perks and discounts at SIXT, and more.
Fandango Discounts — Each time you spend $20 on movie tickets at Fandango you’ll receive $5 toward a future purchase.

Now that you have an overall idea of some of the benefits you can expect when holding a World Elite Mastercard, let’s look at some of the best cards available.

Bottom Line: The actual collection of benefits on any given Mastercard will depend on which perks the card issuer (i.e. financial institution) has selected to include from the Mastercard menu of benefits. The card issuer will also add its own collection of proprietary benefits to the card, in addition to Mastercard benefits.

The Best World Elite Mastercard Cards

Enjoy onsite amenities and a discounted stay with Mastercard benefits at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach. Image Credit: The Ritz-Carlton

If you want to take advantage of the highest level of Mastercard benefits, you’ll want to select a World Elite Mastercard.

Here are some of the best World Elite Mastercard credit cards:

Citi Premier^® Card

U.P. Rating

Frequent flyers will enjoy 3x ThankYou Points at restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, air travel, and hotels.

Learn More(at our partner's secure site)

Citi Premier^® Card

Frequent flyers will enjoy 3x ThankYou Points at restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, air travel, and hotels.

Welcome OfferEarn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$960

Annual Fee

$95

APR

21.24% - 29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

The Citi Premier^® Card is an excellent option for anyone looking for an all-around travel rewards credit card. The card helps you earn points fast with great 3x bonus categories such as restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels. Plus, it offers access to airline and hotel transfer partners, doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, and has a reasonable annual fee!

Pros

3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotel purchases
Access to Citi transfer partners
Annual hotel credit
No foreign transaction fees

Cons

$95 annual fee

Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou^® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou^® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
60,000 ThankYou^® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
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: 21.24% - 29.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

Receive elevated points-earning on everyday purchases and travel plus enjoy flexible redemption options with the Citi Premier card.

Here are just a few reasons the card is a favorite World Elite Mastercard:

Modest annual fee
Elevated points-earnings in everyday purchase categories
Redeem ThankYou Points earned on the card via the Citi Travel With Booking.com portal for 1 cent each in value
Transfer ThankYou Points to Citi’s airline and hotel partners for greater potential value
Receive onsite benefits with Mastercard Luxury Hotels & Resorts
$100 annual hotel credit when booking a prepaid hotel of $500 or more via the Citi Travel With Booking.com portal
Purchase protection and extended warranty
No foreign transaction fees

Hot Tip: Explore transferring Citi ThankYou Points to partners such as Choice Privileges, the rewards loyalty program for Choice Hotels, at the rate of 1:2. Citi also has several airline transfer partners with transfer ratios of 1:1 that can offer you elevated value for your ThankYou Points.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

U.P. Rating

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.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

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.

Welcome OfferEarn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
$200

Annual Fee

APR

0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

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

0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.
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
Excellent cell phone insurance
Ability to pool points
Mastercard World Elite benefits

Cons

3% foreign transaction fees in U.S. dollars

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 Ultimate Rewards^®, 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 20.49%-29.24%.
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 20.49%-29.24%.
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

The no-annual-fee Freedom Flex card is packed with earning potential, flexible redemption options, and travel and shopping benefits and protections you can actually use.

Here are some of the top reasons you’d want to consider the Freedom Flex card:

$0 annual fee
Elevated earnings via the Chase travel portal, drugstores, dining
Quarterly 5% bonus-earning categories, up to $1,500 in purchases each quarter
Redeem points for statement credits or redeem via the Chase travel portal for 1 cent each
Transfer points to premium Chase cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve^® for even greater potential value
Cell phone protection
Purchase protection and extended warranty
0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49%-29.24%.

Citi Double Cash^® Card

U.P. Rating

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

Learn More(at our partner's secure site)

Citi Double Cash^® Card

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

Welcome OfferEarn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.
$200 cash back

Annual Fee

APR

0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable

Credit Recommended

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

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

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
Lack of premium travel benefits

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 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).

Financial Snapshot

APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

When simplicity is your priority, the Double Cash card can fit that objective. The card also serves the purpose of making sure every purchase you make earns a solid amount of rewards.

Here’s why consumers who pay off their cards each statement period like this World Elite Mastercard:

$0 annual fee
2% cash-back on all purchases (1% cash-back when you make the purchase, and an additional 1% when you pay your bill)
0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%
Redeem points for cash-back, travel, shopping, charitable contributions, or select loan payments

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating

An excellent cash-back card that offers rewards for categories like dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and grocery stores. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Welcome OfferEarn a one-time $300 cash bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
$300

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.74%-28.74% Variable

Credit Recommended

Excellent (740-850)

When it comes to rewards credit cards, you can break up most savvy consumers into 2 camps: those who prefer travel rewards and those who prefer cash-back.

Both options can be very lucrative to you and your wallet, especially if you’re using the right card. For those who fall in the “cash is king” camp, you’ll likely find the Capital One Savor card quite compelling.

Pros

10% cash-back on Uber and Uber Eats
8% cash-back on Capital One Entertainment
5% cash-back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
4% cash-back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services
3% cash-back at grocery stores
1% cash-back on all other purchases
Complimentary Uber One membership through November 14, 2024
Roadside assistance and rental car insurance
Purchase protection/price protection/extended warranty
No foreign transaction fees

Cons

$95 annual fee
This is strictly a cash-back card, so it features no travel rewards like other cards offer

Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases.
Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment.
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.

Financial Snapshot

APR: 20.74%-28.74% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees:

Card Categories

If you’re a foodie, the Capital One Savor card will never leave your wallet. Here are some of the additional reasons foodies will love this World Elite Mastercard:

Elevated cash-back earnings on dining, entertainment, select streaming services, grocery stores, hotels/rental cars via Capital One Travel, Uber/Uber Eats
Redeem rewards for cash, statement credits, gift cards, shop with Amazon, or PayPal

Bilt World Elite Mastercard^® Credit Card

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Bilt World Elite Mastercard^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating

Learn More(at Bilt's secure site)

Bilt World Elite Mastercard^® Credit Card

Annual Fee

Never before has there been a credit card built specifically with renters in mind. Enter the Bilt World Elite Mastercard^® Credit Card, designed specifically to help renters earn rewards on their rent payments with no transaction fees.

Of course, aside from rewards on rent, there are many other solid benefits that the card offers that add extra value to cardholders. In this guide, we provide a complete breakdown of everything the Bilt card has to offer to help you decide whether the card makes sense for you.

Pros

3x points per $1 at restaurants including eligible delivery
2x points per $1 on travel booked directly with airlines, hotels, and car rental agencies
1x point per $1 on rent payments, without a transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year
No foreign transaction fee
Access to airline transfer partners

Cons

Does not offer a welcome bonus
Must use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points

$0 annual card fee
1X points on rent payments with no transaction fee (up to $100,000 in rent payments every calendar year) and non-bonus purchases
2X points on travel (when booked directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company)
3X points on dining
Use the card 5 times each statement period to earn points

Financial Snapshot

Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

Card Categories

The Bilt card was introduced especially for renters, but it has so much more to offer than just being able to earn rewards when paying rent.

This World Elite Mastercard has some excellent benefits for cardholders:

Earn up to 50,000 points each calendar year by paying rent with the card
Double points can be earned on Bilt Rent Day for dining, travel, and other purchases made with the Bilt card
Redeem points via the Bilt Rewards Travel portal for 1.25 cents each or transfer to travel partners for even greater potential value
Cell phone protection
Primary car rental insurance
Trip cancellation, trip interruption, and trip delay
Purchase protection
No foreign transaction fees

Best Airline and Hotel Program World Elite Mastercard Credit Cards

Man in Business Class American Airlines — Airline or hotel program branded Mastercards can come with complimentary associated travel benefits. Image Credit: American Airlines

Several airlines and hotel loyalty programs have co-branded World Elite Mastercard credit cards that offer additional benefits specific to that brand.

Here are some of the best airline and hotel programs World Elite Mastercard cards:

CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®

CitiBusiness^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® Mastercard^®

U.P. Rating

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

Learn More(at Citi's secure site)

CitiBusiness^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® Mastercard^®

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

Welcome OfferFor 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

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,050

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99

APR

21.24% - 29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Excellent (740-850)

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

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
Free checked bag for you and up to 4 traveling companions
Priority boarding
25% off inflight purchases including food, beverages, and Wi-Fi
Companion Certificate for domestic travel after you spend $30,000 or more in purchases in a cardmember year
No foreign transaction fees

Cons

$99 annual fee
Does not earn transferable rewards

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: 21.24% - 29.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program

Business owners who fly American Airlines often will benefit significantly from having an AAdvantage-branded credit card.

Here are the top benefits of having the CitiBusiness Platinum Select card for business travelers who frequent American Airlines:

2x miles on American Airlines, cable and satellite providers, gas stations, car rentals, and select telecommunications
Free checked bag on domestic flights for the cardholder and up to 4 traveling companions
Priority boarding on American Airlines
25% statement credit for inflight purchases
Companion certificate for $99 (+taxes/fees) good for domestic travel after spending $30,000 on the card in a card anniversary year

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

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

U.P. Rating

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.

Learn More(at Citi's secure site)

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

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.

Welcome OfferEarn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
50,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$700

Annual Fee

$99, waived for first 12 months

APR

21.24% - 29.99% Variable

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.

Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 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: 21.24% - 29.99% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 0%

Card Categories

Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Program

If American Airlines is your airline of choice, you’ll find plenty of flight benefits just for having the card. Here are some of the top benefits of the card:

2x miles on American Airlines purchases
Free checked bag on domestic flights for the cardholder and up to 4 traveling companions
Preferred boarding on American Airlines
25% statement credit for inflight purchases
$125 flight certificate after spending $20,000 on the card in a card anniversary year

If having complimentary Admirals Club access is important to you and you don’t mind paying a higher annual fee, you’ll want to consider the Citi^®/AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®.

To learn more about the best credit cards for American Airlines loyalists, you’ll also want to read about our top picks for cards that deliver the best airline-related benefits, including additional World Elite Mastercard options.

Hot Tip: It’s worth noting that although Citi co-branded AAdvantage credit cards come with American Airlines benefits, many of the top World Elite Mastercard travel protections are not included on the cards.

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

U.P. Rating

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

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

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

Welcome OfferEarn 140,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
140,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$700

Annual Fee

$99

APR

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

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

Up to 26x points per $1 on IHG stays
5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, at gas stations, and restaurants
3x points per $1 on all other purchases
Automatic Platinum Elite status, and the ability to spend your way to Diamond Elite status
Free anniversary night certificate
Fourth-night free on award stays
20% off when buying IHG Rewards points
Up to $50 in United Airlines TravelBank Cash each year
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS fee credit (up to $100 every four years)
Earn a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on the card in a calendar year
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
Purchase protection
No foreign transaction fees

Cons

$99 annual fee
Does not earn transferable points

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 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: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

If you are a regular guest at IHG Properties, the IHG Premier card is a great card to consider and includes these benefits:

Earn up to 26x points per dollar spent at IHG
5x points per dollar spent on travel, dining, and gas stations
Receive a free reward night certificate, worth up to 40,000 points, each card anniversary year
Receive a 10,000-point bonus after spending $20,000 in a calendar year on the card
Complimentary Platinum Elite status
Spend $40,000 in a calendar year and receive Diamond Elite status
$50 United Travel Bank credit
Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS fee reimbursement
Travel and shopping benefits and protections

Learn more about the best card options for IHG loyalists.

Bottom Line: If you frequently fly a specific airline or stay often at 1 hotel chain, securing that brand’s credit card can deliver benefits that can make your trip more comfortable, provide travel and shopping benefits/protections, and make it easier to earn rewards quickly.

Final Thoughts

It can be confusing as to which benefits come with each Mastercard, but there’s no doubt a World Elite Mastercard has the highest levels of Mastercard benefits.

The bottom line is that you probably wouldn’t select a credit card based solely on a list of ancillary benefits. Elevated earnings on the purchases you make most, flexible redemption options, and an annual fee you’re comfortable paying should likely play a much larger role in your decision.

You can find more information on some of the best overall Mastercard credit cards in our article on the topic.

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 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 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 JetBlue Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Featured Image Credit: Christine Krzyszton

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Mastercard is the best?

The World Elite Mastercard offers the best collection of Mastercard benefits. Examples of World Elite Mastercard cards include the Citi Premier card, Freedom Flex card, and Bilt card.

Is it hard to get a Mastercard?

For the best Mastercards, you will need to have good to excellent credit, which means you’ll want to have a score from 670 to 850. You can however qualify for a secured Mastercard or Platinum Mastercard if your credit score is fair (580 to 689).

Does the Citi Premier card have cell phone protection?

No, the Citi Premier card does not come with cell phone protection. The Freedom Flex card and the Bilt card are examples of World Elite Mastercard cards that do offer cell phone protection.

Is the Mastercard Luxury Hotels & Resorts program worth it?

It can be. Benefits include daily breakfast for 2, an upgraded room (when available), early check-in and late checkout (when available), an onsite amenity worth up to $100, and even special discounted offers.

Which is more accepted worldwide, Visa or Mastercard?

You’ll find that both Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted domestically and worldwide.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. 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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