Best Mastercard Credit Cards of 2024
Best for Cash Back: Chase Freedom Flex®
How we rate our cards Advertiser disclosure
Chase Freedom Flex®
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
20.49% – 29.24% variable
Intro Bonus
Earn a $200 bonus Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
Credit Score
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Good – Excellent
Why we chose it: The Chase Freedom Flex® earns cash back on every purchase: 5% cash back in combined bonus categories every quarter you activate (up to $1,500 in spending), 5% cash back on purchases made through Chase Travel℠, plus 3% cash back on dining and drug stores and 1% cash back on everything else.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers
- Bonus rewards on some purchases
Cons
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- Rotating bonus categories require activation
- Penalty APR and an up to $40 late fee may apply if you don’t pay on time
Best for Bonus Categories: Citi Custom Cash® Card
How we rate our cards Advertiser disclosure
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% – 29.24% variable
Intro Bonus
$200 cash back After spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening
Credit Score
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Good – Excellent
Why we chose it: The Citi Custom Cash® Card earns 5% cash back on purchases in your highest eligible spending category each billing cycle, which could include restaurants, gas stations, transit or home improvement stores (among others; spending cap applies). Other purchases earn 1% cash back.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Intro APR offer
- No activation necessary
Cons
- Bonus earnings capped after $500 in spending
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- 5% balance transfer fee
Best Travel Card: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
How we rate our cards Advertiser disclosure
Annual Fee
$95
Regular APR
19.99% – 29.99% variable
Intro Bonus
(Limited-Time Offer) $250 travel credit + 75,000 bonus miles Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, plus receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit in your first cardholder year – that’s equal to $1,000 in travel.
Credit Score
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Good – Excellent
Why we chose it: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card lets you earn unlimited 2X miles on purchases and 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through the card’s travel portal, Capital One Travel. You’ll also get special travel benefits like status with Hertz and an up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years when you charge membership to your card.
Pros
- Travel credits
- No blackout dates for travel redemptions
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- No bonus miles for air travel purchases
- Limited travel transfer partners
Best for Luxury Travel Perks: Mastercard® Titanium Card™
How We Rate Our Cards Advertiser Disclosure
Annual Fee
$195
Regular APR
21.24% – 29.24% Variable
Intro Bonus
None
Recommended Credit Score
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Excellent
Why we chose it: Though you’re more likely to find more travel benefits with a Visa or American Express travel credit card, the Mastercard® Titanium Card™ may satisfy people looking for a Mastercard with premium travel perks. The card offers valuable protections for travelers, including baggage delay insurance, trip insurance, travel assistance and 24/7 concierge service.
Pros
- Twice the redemption rate on airfare
- No foreign transaction fees
- Baggage, purchase and trip protections
Cons
- $195 annual fee
- No bonus reward rate
- No travel transfer partners
Best for Flat-Rate Rewards: Citi Double Cash® Card
How we rate our cards Advertiser disclosure
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% – 29.24% variable
Intro Bonus
$200 cash back $200 cash back when you spend $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of opening your Citi Double Cash® card account
Credit Score
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Good – Excellent
Why we chose it: The Citi Double Cash® Card is a Mastercard with 2% cash back: 1% when you make the purchase and the other 1% when you pay it. The rewards are unlimited, plus you can earn a bonus of 3% cash back—for a total of 5%—when you book hotels and rental cars through the card’s travel portal (through December 2024).
Pros
- No annual fee
- Intro APR offer
- Access to Citi Entertainment events
Cons
- Foreign transaction fees
- Potentially high APR
- No intro APR
Best for 0% Intro APR: BankAmericard® Credit Card
How we rate our cards Advertiser disclosure
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
16.24% – 26.24% variable
Intro Bonus
0% APR for first 18 statement closing dates
Credit Score
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Good-Excellent
Why we chose it: You can get 18 billing cycles of 0% APR (then 16.24% to 26.24% variable APR) on purchases with the BankAmericard® Credit Card from Bank of America. The intro APR offer also applies to balance transfers made in the first 60 days (3% balance transfer fee applies).
Pros
- No annual fee
- Access to free FICO score
- Low APR compared to some other Mastercard cards
Cons
- No rewards program
- No travel perks
- No welcome bonus
Best for Balance Transfers: Citi Simplicity® Card
How we rate our cards Advertiser Disclosure
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% – 29.99% variable
Intro Bonus
N/A
Credit Score
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Good – Excellent
Why we chose it: The Citi Simplicity® Card gives you 21 months of 0% intro APR for balance transfers before the regular APR of 19.24% to 29.99% kicks in. The 21-month clock starts ticking when you make your first balance transfer—not when you open the card. Purchases are eligible for the intro APR for 12 months.
Pros
- Long intro APR period for balance transfers
- No annual fee
- No late fees or penalty APR
Cons
- No rewards program
- No welcome offer
- Introductory balance fee is only for four months
Best for No Annual Fee: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
How we rate our cards Advertiser disclosure
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.99% – 29.99%
Intro Bonus
$200 cash bonus Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Credit Score
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Good – Excellent
Why we chose it: The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 1.5% cash back with no annual fee. Plus, this card offers an intro APR on purchases and balance transfers and a welcome offer. You can earn a $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on your card within three months from account opening. The card offers plenty of extra benefits, too, like price drop protection and travel accident insurance.
Pros
- Extended warranty protection
- Travel accident insurance
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Limited bonus rewards
- High APR after intro offer period
- Recommended for good-to-excellent credit
Best Student Card: Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
How we rate our cards Advertiser disclosure
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.99% – 29.99% variable
Intro Bonus
$50 cash bonus Earn a one-time $50 cash bonus once you spend $100 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Credit Score
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Fair – Good
Why we chose it: Students looking to build their credit can earn cash back on purchases with the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card. The card earns bonus rewards for categories including dining and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Target and Walmart), plus a welcome cash bonus when you meet the spending requirements.
Pros
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Available for fair-to-good credit
Cons
- High APR
- Lower cash back rate than some other student cards
- Must be an admitted or enrolled student to qualify
Best Business Card: Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards
How we rate our cards Advertiser disclosure
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
18.49% to 28.49% variable
Intro Bonus
$300 online statement credit Get a $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening.
Credit Score
Credit ranges are derived from FICO® Score 8, which is one of many different types of credit scores. If you apply for a credit card, the lender may use a different credit score when considering your application for credit.
Excellent
Why we chose it: The Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards is a Mastercard that offers business owners 1% cash back plus 3% cash back in the category of your choice and 2% cash back on dining. If you have a bank account with Bank of America, you could earn even more.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Intro APR offer
- Free access to business credit score
Cons
- Spending cap on bonus categories
- Best reward rates reserved for certain customers
- 3% foreign transaction fee
A Closer Look at the Best Mastercard Credit Cards
Best for Cash Back: Chase Freedom Flex®
Why we love this card: The Chase Freedom Flex can earn bonus cash back on popular spending categories, such as restaurants, grocery stores and gas stations. Plus, the card’s introductory APR offer provides a period of 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening (then 20.49%–29.24% variable APR).
Who should have this in their wallet: Since the Freedom Flex has bonus categories that require activation, this card is best for people who don’t mind taking an extra step to earn extra rewards. It’s also a good card for people seeking an intro APR offer.
Other cards to consider: The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards is a Mastercard that earns 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no annual fee.
Best for Bonus Categories: Citi Custom Cash® Card
Why we love this card: There’s no activation required to earn bonus cash back with the Citi Custom Cash card. The category you spend the most in is the category you earn the most in—subject to the $500 cap—and you receive cash back in the form of Thank You points. You can redeem your points in a variety of ways, including direct deposit to your bank account.
Who should have this in their wallet: The Citi Custom Cash card would be a good fit for people who want the opportunity to earn bonus cash back but don’t want to fuss with activating categories each quarter.
Other cards to consider: For another Mastercard that offers bonus categories, look at the Chase Freedom Flex or consider the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, which earns unlimited 3% cash back on dining, grocery stores (excluding superstores like Target and Walmart) and entertainment.
Best Travel Card: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Why we love this card: The Venture Rewards card earns unlimited miles on purchases, offers plenty of travel perks and protections, and provides the ability to use your rewards on prepaid travel, past purchases and even shopping. The limited-time welcome bonus is equal to $1,000 in travel according to Capital One or about $1,150 based on Newsweek Vault’s valuation of Capital One Miles at 1.21 cents apiece. You’ll receive $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening.
Who should have this in their wallet: People who want a Mastercard with travel rewards will appreciate the Venture Rewards card’s flexible miles program and variety of travel benefits.
Other cards to consider: Another Mastercard with travel rewards and a $95 annual fee is the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, which earns 3X points on travel and offers a $100 hotel credit each calendar year. For premium travel benefits, take a look at the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which is a Visa card.
Best for Luxury Travel Perks: Mastercard® Titanium Card™
Why we love this card: The Mastercard Titanium Card is a luxury card offering premium travel benefits, including 24/7 concierge service, trip interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance and auto rental collision damage coverage.
Who should have this in their wallet: The Titanium Card is designed for people looking for a Mastercard with luxury perks with heft: the card itself is 22 grams of brushed stainless steel.
Other cards to consider: In general, you’ll find more premium travel benefits with other card networks; both Visa and American Express offer premium travel cards, though they also carry premium annual fees. Check out The Platinum Card® by American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® for luxury perks on other payment networks.
Best for Flat-Rate Rewards: Citi Double Cash® Card
Why we love this card: Earning a generous 2% on purchases makes the Citi Double Cash Card the best Mastercard with a flat-rate rewards program. Plus, cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of $200 when they spend $1,500 in the first six months.
Who should have this in their wallet: The Double Cash card is a good fit for people who are looking for a flat-rate cash back card with no annual fee and strong earning potential.
Other cards to consider: Another Mastercard that earns 2% cash back is the Key Cashback® Credit Card, but it’s only available to residents of particular states. The Capital One Quicksilver Rewards card is available in all states but earns 1.5% cash back instead.
Best for 0% Intro APR: BankAmericard® Credit Card
Why we love this card: With an 18-month-long introductory APR period, the BankAmericard credit card offers one of the longest promo periods for purchases with 0% APR (then 16.24% to 26.24%). You can use the card for balance transfers, too, but that promo period is 60 days instead.
Who should have this in their wallet: The BankAmericard would be a great fit for people who are looking for a Mastercard and want extra time to pay off big purchases without paying interest.
Other cards to consider: There are several other Mastercards with periods of intro APR, though the promo period and variable APR that applies thereafter varies. Check out the Chase Freedom Flex, Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card or Citi Custom Cash for cards with intro APR offers to consider.
Best for Balance Transfers: Citi Simplicity® Card
Why we love this card: If you’re looking for a 0% APR card for balance transfers, not purchase purposes, the Citi Simplicity card is a good choice. This card offers 0% APR for 21 months on balance transfers (3% fee applies). After the promo period ends, balance transfers have a regular variable APR of 19.24% to 29.99%
Who should have this in their wallet: The Citi Simplicity is ideal for people looking to transfer and consolidate high-interest debt.
Other cards to consider: The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card also offers 21 months of 0% APR on balance transfers, after which the regular APR is 18.24% – 28.99%.
Best for No Annual Fee: Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Why we love this card: An earning rate of 1.5% cash back, one-time $200 cash bonus (when you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months) and no annual fee make the Quicksilver a wallet workhorse. Plus, you can receive a monthly statement credit for complimentary Uber One membership through November 14, 2024 when charged to your card.
Who should have this in their wallet: The Quicksilver Cash Rewards card is recommended for people with good to excellent credit who want to earn rewards on spending.
Other cards to consider: The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is another Capital One Mastercard with no annual fee; you’ll earn 1.25X miles on every purchase, with the option to redeem miles for past travel purchases or prepaid travel booked through the card’s portal, among other redemption options.
Best Student Card: Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Why we love this card: For a student card, the SavorOne card offers great cash back rates: 3% cash back earned on dining, streaming, entertainment and at grocery stores (superstores like Walmart and Target excluded), plus 1% cash back on everything else that is not included among its bonus categories. Students with this card also get access to Capital One Travel and Capital One Entertainment, plus bonus cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases (as well as statement credit for a complimentary UberOne membership) until November 14, 2024.
Who should have this in their wallet: Students looking to build their credit while earning rewards on everyday spending should check out the SavorOne Student card, as well as people who are looking for bonus rewards on eligible travel booked through the Capital One travel portal.
Other cards to consider: Check out the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card. This Mastercard offers 1.5% cash back on every purchase as well as no annual fee.
Best Business Card: Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards
Why we love this card: The central perk of the Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards card from Bank of America is the card’s customizable rewards, where you choose which category earns 3% cash back. There is a $50,000 limit on combined spending in your customized category and dining (which earns 2%) each calendar year; after that, purchases earn 1%.
Who should have this in their wallet: Business owners looking for a Mastercard with bonus cash back should explore the Bank of America Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards.
Other cards to consider: Other Mastercard business credit cards worth checking out are the Bank of America® Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard® Credit Card with unlimited 1.5% cash back and the Everyday Points® Business Mastercard® from Citizens Bank, also offering 1.5% cash back earned.
What Is a Mastercard Credit Card?
A Mastercard credit card uses the Mastercard payment network to facilitate payments between a cardholder and a merchant. These cards are typically issued by a financial institution (such as Capital One or Citi) but branded with the Mastercard logo.
Mastercard is accepted worldwide and is one of the largest payment networks, alongside Visa, American Express and Discover.
Why Would You Need a Mastercard Credit Card?
Mastercard credit cards offer a convenient method of payment when you can’t or don’t want to pay by cash or check. Although Mastercard also offers debit cards on its payment network, its credit cards provide additional features and benefits beyond paying for purchases. These generally include:
- Zero liability: If someone makes an unauthorized purchase with your credit card, you won’t be held responsible for the charge.
- Worldwide acceptance: Mastercard is accepted in more than 210 countries and territories around the world.
- 24/7 assistance: You can get emergency assistance and a replacement card sent to you, no matter when or where you are.
How To Choose the Best Mastercard Credit Card for You
To pick the right card, there are some factors you’ll want to consider.
Your Credit Score
Knowing your credit score will help you target the right cards to apply for. A higher credit score could make it easier for you to be approved for the card you want. If your credit isn’t where you’d like it to be, work on being a better borrower: make sure all your payments are on time and pay down high balances.
Your Spending Habits
Consider what you’ll use the card for most; you’ll earn more rewards if you can match the card to your unique spending habits. Also consider whether you plan to pay the card in full every month or carry a balance.
Perks and Benefits
Another way to choose the best Mastercard for you is to weigh which perks and benefits matter most to you. You might feel the urge to finally upgrade to a luxury travel card ahead of a big trip you’ve got planned, for example.
Rates and Fees
Finally, keep in mind the costs to own the card as well as the interest rate if you carry a balance. For cards with an annual fee, consider whether you’ll use enough of the card’s benefits to make it worth the yearly cost.
Mastercard Credit Cards vs Visa Credit Cards
Mastercard and Visa, together with Chinese-owned UnionPay, make up more than 96% of global credit card transactions. In the U.S., Visa and Mastercard are numbers one and two, respectively, for largest card processors. The other top payment networks include Discover and American Express. Here’s how Mastercard compares.
Mastercard Credit Cards vs Visa Credit Cards
Mastercard and Visa credit cards both are widely accepted in the U.S. and worldwide. Visa Signature cards and Visa Infinite cards offer lifestyle and travel benefits such as travel assistance. Mastercard World and World Elite credit cards offer ID theft protection and concierge services. Both issuer cards offer zero liability protection and emergency assistance.
Mastercard Credit Cards vs American Express Credit Cards
American Express controls about 15% of the U.S. credit card market, offering both its own proprietary credit cards as well as co-branded cards with partner institutions. Though it’s a much smaller credit card network, American Express is accepted at 99% of merchants and retailers in the U.S. that accept credit cards. However, it’s not as widely accepted overseas as Mastercard.
Mastercard Credit Cards vs Discover Credit Cards
Discover makes up about 3% of the U.S. credit card market, with credit cards that are accepted at 99% of the places that take cards, according to the company. While Discover is also accepted internationally, acceptance depends on the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Highest Level of Mastercard Credit Card?
Mastercard offers three tiers of credit cards: standard, World, and World Elite. The World Elite Mastercard is the highest level, with travel rewards, partner discounts, concierge services and other high-end benefits.
What Is the Highest Credit Limit on a Mastercard?
The highest credit limit you can get on your Mastercard is going to depend on your income and credit history, among other factors. Typically, you’ll get a higher credit limit (think: tens of thousands of dollars) if you have high income and excellent credit.
What Are the Disadvantages of Using Mastercard?
Compared to a debit card, a Mastercard credit card could cost you money in interest and lead to added debt if you carry a balance. Mastercards may offer fewer benefits than Visa cards as well. Some benefits offered on a particular credit card may only be available for the Visa version of the card.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
