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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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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 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.
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 Aviscar 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:
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.
Frequent flyers will enjoy 3x ThankYou Points at restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, air travel, and hotels.
Frequent flyers will enjoy 3x ThankYou Points at restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, air travel, and hotels.
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.
60,000 points
$960
$95
21.24% - 29.24% 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)
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
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.
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.
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
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)
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.
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:
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!
$0
19.24% - 29.24% 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)
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: 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase
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
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.
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.)
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.)
Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
$300
$95
20.74%-28.74% 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.
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
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.
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
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.
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 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 and takeout
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 50,000 points each year
No annual fee
No foreign transaction fees
Access to airline transfer partners
Cell phone protection
Trip delay insurance
Purchase security
Primary rental car coverage
Cons
Does not offer a welcome bonus
Requires at least 5 transactions that post each statement period to earn bonus rewards
$0 annual card fee
1X points on rent payments with no fees (on up to $50,000 in rent payments every year) and non-bonus purchases
2X points on travel (when booked directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company)
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.
Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
65,000 miles
$910
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99
21.24% - 29.99% 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)
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
Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
21.49% - 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.
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
Earn a $100 statement credit and 10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on the card in a calendar year
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 reward night when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
Earn up to 26 points total 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 card member
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®
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.
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 Bilt World Elite Mastercard® Credit 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 BankAmericard® Credit Card 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. The information regarding the Amtrak Guest Rewards® Preferred Mastercard® 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.
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.
This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.
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