Best Mastercard credit cards of July 2024
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“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.
BLUEPRINT
Updated 5:20 a.m. UTC July 1, 2024
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Mastercard credit cards are among the most widely accepted in the world. As an issuer who partners with financial institutions, there’s wide variety of benefits you’ll find with each Mastercard, which can include money-saving perks like primary auto rental coverage, cellphone protections, ID theft protection and more. We’ve analyzed the options to create this list of the best Mastercard credit cards for 2024.
Best Mastercard credit cards
- Best Mastercard for rewards: Chase Freedom Flex®*
- Best Mastercard for balance transfers: Citi Simplicity® Card *
- Best Mastercard for 2% cash back: SoFi Unlimited Credit Card *
- Best Mastercard for airline miles: Aeroplan® Credit Card *
- Best Mastercard for hotel rewards: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card *
- Best Mastercard secured card: Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card *
Why trust our credit card experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of credit cards and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best card for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 250+ cards analyzed.
- 20+ data points considered.
- 5-step fact-checking process.
Best Mastercard for rewards
Chase Freedom Flex®
*The information for the Chase Freedom Flex® has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best Mastercard for balance transfers
Citi Simplicity® Card
*The information for the Citi Simplicity® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best Mastercard for 2% cash back
SoFi Unlimited Credit Card
*The information for the SoFi Unlimited Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best Mastercard for airline miles
Aeroplan® Credit Card
*The information for the Aeroplan® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best Mastercard for hotel rewards
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
*The information for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Best Mastercard secured card
Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card
*The information for the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Compare the best Mastercard credit cards
Earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening,
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Earn 70,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, apply and get approved for your first Aeroplan card from July 8th to July 17th, and earn 40% bonus points on purchases for 40 days on up to $40,000 spent. First purchase must be made by August 31, 2024. Conditions apply.
Earn 5 Free Nights (worth up to 60,000 points each) after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening that’s up to 300,000 total points.
The information for the Chase Freedom Flex® has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
The Chase Freedom Flex® * The information for the Chase Freedom Flex® has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. offers multiple opportunities for high-value, cash-back rewards. On a regular basis, you’ll earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in categories that rotate quarterly (requires activation), 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
On top of abundant opportunities for rewards, Chase Freedom Flex also offers a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% to 29.24%. There is an intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of each transfer, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days. Then the fee is the greater of $5 or 5% of each transfer. The card’s Mastercard perks are extensive and include cell phone protection when you pay your bill with the card, purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance and access to travel and emergency assistance.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in categories that rotate quarterly (requires activation), 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Welcome bonus: $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- APR: 0% intro APR for the first 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% to 29.24%. There is an intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of each transfer, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days. Then the fee is the greater of $5 or 5% of each transfer.
- Foreign transaction fees: 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars.
The information for the Citi Simplicity® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
The Citi Simplicity® Card * The information for the Citi Simplicity® Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. shines when it comes to debt payoff. The card offers a 0% intro balance transfer APR for 21 months from the first transfer and 0% intro purchase APR for 12 months from account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% to 29.24%. There is an intro balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the transfer, whichever is greater, for transfers made in the first four months. After that, a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.
Beyond the intro APR offer, the card doesn’t charge late fees or penalty fees, which can be helpful if you accidentally skip a payment. As a Mastercard, it also comes with ID Theft protection (enrollment required) to help monitor your account and alert you to any suspicious activity.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: None.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- APR: 0% intro balance transfer APR for 21 months from the first transfer and 0% intro purchase APR for 12 months from account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% to 29.24%. There is an intro balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the transfer, whichever is greater, for transfers made in the first four months. After that, a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.
- Foreign transaction fees: 3%.
The information for the SoFi Unlimited Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
The SoFi Unlimited Credit Card * The information for the SoFi Unlimited Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is a simple option for those looking to maximize cash back rewards. The card earns a straightforward 3% cash back when booking trips through SoFi Travel and 2% cash back on all other purchases. Rewards can be redeemed at a rate of 1 cent each for cash, investments or loan payments. They can also be redeemed as statement credits for 0.5 cents each.
As a World Elite Mastercard®, the card’s benefits include cell phone protection, ID Theft protection with enrollment, Lyft $5 monthly credits, a free annual membership to Shoprunner and a three-month free trial of DashPass.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: 3% cash back when booking trips through SoFi Travel and 2% cash back on all other purchases.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- APR: 20.24% to 29.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers.
- Foreign transaction fees: $0.
The information for the Aeroplan® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
The Aeroplan® Credit Card * The information for the Aeroplan® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is issued by Chase, which comes with its own set of perks.
Not only can you redeem your points for Air Canada flights, you can also choose to redeem them via Chase’s Pay Yourself Back program, which applies to travel purchases like taxis, rideshares, car rentals, hotels and flights on any airline — not just Air Canada. You’ll get a point value of 1.25 cents each on points redeemed with this method.
The Aeroplan card comes with a unique bonus rewards feature that allows you to earn additional points each month: 3 points per $1 spent on dining, takeout and eligible delivery services, grocery stores and directly with Air Canada and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. Earn 500 points for every $2,000 spent in a month (maximum 1,500 points per month).
Mastercard benefits with this card include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, roadside assistance and purchase protection.
- Annual fee: $95.
- Rewards: 3 points per $1 spent on dining, takeout and eligible delivery services, grocery stores and directly with Air Canada and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. Earn 500 points for every $2,000 spent in a month (maximum 1,500 points per month).
- Welcome bonus: 70,000 points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Plus, apply for the card for the first time between 7/8 to 7/17 and earn 40% bonus points on purchases for 40 days on up to $40,000 spent (first purchase must be made by 8/31; conditions apply).
- APR: 21.74% to 28.74% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.
- Foreign transaction fees: $0.
The information for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
If you stay at IHG properties on a regular basis, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card * The information for the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is one worth opening. The card comes with impressive rewards potential and also grants IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, which earns you even more rewards.
- Annual fee: $99.
- Rewards: 10 points per $1 at IHG Hotels and Resorts, another 10 points per $1 as an IHG One Rewards member, 6 points per $1 from IHG with Platinum Elite Status (a benefit of this card), 5 points per $1 on travel, dining and gas stations and 3 points per $1 on all other purchases.
- Welcome bonus: five Free Nights (worth up to 60,000 points each) after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- APR: 21.49% to 28.49% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.
- Foreign transaction fees: None.
The information for the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Why this card made the list
Secured cards are best for those who are trying to build credit. Credit requirements aren’t strict, but you will have to put down a security deposit with your own money. You’ll then borrow against your own security deposit for purchases that you make.
The Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is unique in that it requires as little as $49, $99 or $200 for a security deposit, depending on your credit profile. The card also comes with no annual fees and no foreign transaction fees, so it can be a good option for those traveling while rebuilding their credit.
Like most secured cards, its primary purpose is to help you rebuild credit, so the Mastercard perks are light but include the standard benefits of ID theft protection (enrollment required), zero liability protection and access to Mastercard Global Service.
- Annual fee: $0.
- Rewards: None.
- Welcome bonus: None.
- APR: 29.99% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers.
- Foreign transaction fees: None.
Methodology
Our credit cards team has spent hours analyzing hundreds of credit cards. We took a deep dive into the details of each product and that analysis, combined with our years of experience covering credit cards, informed us as we developed these credit card rankings. Factors we considered when selecting the best Mastercard credit cards included analyzing which Mastercards received the highest rankings in their respective intended use categories.
Should you get a Mastercard credit card?
If you have the resources and discipline to handle a Mastcercard credit card advantageously, they can provide some big net wins. Cash-back credit cards can earn you money back on the purchases you’re already making, introductory 0% APR offers on balance transfers can help you pay down higher-interest debt at a much faster clip and secured credit cards can help you rebuild your credit if you have a rocky history.
However, getting a credit card as a replacement for an emergency fund is a bad idea. If you don’t have enough money to pay off your statement in full, you may incur interest. Credit card interest tends to be high and can add up quickly. If you already can’t afford your bills with the money you have on hand, you’re likely to fall behind on your credit card bill, too. Late payments on credit cards could have a devastating impact on your credit score.
The most important consideration when considering a new credit card should be if the specific attributes on a credit card match up with your goals and not just solely on which payment network a particular card runs on.
Guide to Mastercard credit cards
The best Mastercard credit card for you will be entirely dependent on your financial goals. If you’re interested in using credit cards for travel rewards, you may look at cards with the best travel benefits or welcome offers.
This contrasts with those who are looking for credit cards that will help them pay off debt at a faster rate. If that’s your goal, you’ll want to look at Mastercards with the longest 0% introductory APR offer on balance transfers.
Another goal may be rebuilding credit or establishing it for the first time. If you find yourself in this situation, you’d want to search for a secured Mastercard with the most favorable terms and fees.
Finally, you’ll want to consider whether you can qualify for a Standard Mastercard, World Mastercard or World Elite Mastercard. Because each of these tiers offer differing benefits, you may want to narrow down your search by only considering cards that hold elevated Mastercard status.
About Mastercard credit card tiers
Aside from any rewards you may earn through the partner bank, airline or other entity, Mastercards come with their own behind-the-scenes benefits. Your card’s tier will determine which benefits are available to you.
Standard Mastercards come with zero liability protection should you ever find yourself the victim of fraud. It also offers ID theft protection with enrollment and a 13-month subscription discount to McAfee. Mastercard Global Service is available no matter where you are in the world, allowing you to report a lost or stolen card, request an emergency replacement card or request an emergency cash advance.
The next level up is a World Mastercard. You’ll get everything that comes with a Standard Mastercard, plus travel and lifestyle benefits including:
- Three free months of Doordash.
- Opportunity to earn bonus credits through Lyft.
- Free access to ShopRunner.
- Access to Priceless Golf.
- Access to Priceless travel deals.
- Lowest hotel rate guarantee when you book through Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle Service.
- Complimentary breakfast and up to $100 vouchers at select hotels and resorts.
- Opportunities for free nights at partner hotels and status upgrades on car rentals.
- Savings on air travel, including private jets.
The highest level of Mastercard is World Elite Mastercard. This card level comes with everything you get with World Mastercard status, plus the opportunity to earn Fandango/Vudu bonus credits and cash-back rewards through the Mastercard Travel Rewards® program. Some World Elite Mastercard credit cards also offer cell phone protection.
Mastercard vs Visa
Mastercard and Visa are both considered the most widely accepted credit cards. If you’re a global traveler, Mastercard has a slightly larger reach, with acceptance in more than 200 countries
That said, even in the U.S., you’ll want to consider your own personal shopping habits. It isn’t that either Mastercard or Visa is better than the other, but certain retailers may have specific rules regarding which cards they accept.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The highest level of Mastercard is World Elite Mastercard. Even within the World Elite Mastercard class, the best card for you will vary. For example, both the Chase Freedom Flex and the IHG One Rewards Premier are World Elite Mastercard credit cards.
While Mastercard isn’t accepted everywhere, it is one of the most widely accepted credit card networks on the market and is accepted in more than 200 countries.
No, Mastercard is not a bank, it is a credit card network. To get a Mastercard, you will need to apply with a partner bank or financial institution.
Mastercard and Visa are two different companies. The biggest difference between the two is which merchants will accept them. For example, Costco only accepts Visa and not Mastercard — but Mastercard is accepted by businesses in a greater number of countries than Visa is.
*The information for the Aeroplan® Credit Card, Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card, Chase Freedom Flex®, Citi Simplicity® Card, IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card and SoFi Unlimited Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
