Skip to Main Content

Best Mastercard credit cards for January 2025

Updated December 23, 2024

Advertiser Disclosure: The listings that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which Bankrate receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Here's an explanation for and how we rate our cards.

Best for getting more value from small purchases

Citi Rewards+® Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
3.9
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Citi's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

20,000 points

Rewards rate

1X - 5X

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

17.99% - 27.99% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: Rounding your rewards up to the nearest 10 points is an easy way to boost your everyday earnings.

Best flat-rate cash back card

Citi Double Cash® Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.2
Bankrate review
Recommended credit score:(670 - 850)
Apply nowLock

on Citi's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

$200 cash back

Rewards rate

1% - 5%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: It offers one of the best flat cash back rates you can get, making it a great fit with any card stack.

Best for building credit

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.2
Bankrate review
No Credit History
Apply nowLock

on Capital One's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Regular APR

29.99% (Variable)

Annual fee

$0

Why you'll like this: It offers a clear credit-building path without charging excessive fees.

Best for average credit

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.0
Bankrate review
No Credit History
Apply nowLock

on Capital One's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Regular APR

29.99% (Variable)

Annual fee

$39

Why you'll like this: It features one of the best cash back rates you can get with fair credit, allowing you to build credit without missing out on rewards.

Best for college students

Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

Bankrate score

star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
star iconstar iconstar iconstar iconstar icon
4.6
Bankrate review
No Credit History
Apply nowLock

on Capital One's secure site

See Rates & Fees

Intro offer

$50

Rewards Rate

1% - 8%

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.49% - 29.49% (Variable)

Why you'll like this: It boasts one of the best everyday cash back rates you can get on a student card — the same rate as its full-fledged version.

compare
Compare

Compare Bankrate’s top Mastercard credit cards

Card Name Best For Bankrate Review Score

Getting more value from small purchases

3.9 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Citi's secure site

Flat-rate cash back card

4.2 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Citi's secure site

Building credit

4.2 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Capital One's secure site

Average credit

4.0 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Capital One's secure site

College students

4.6 / 5

Info Icon
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock Icon
on Capital One's secure site

What is a Mastercard credit card?

A Mastercard credit card is any card on the Mastercard payment network. Payment networks, like Mastercard, partner with issuers to provide credit card options to people. These issuers are financial institutions, including financial giants like Chase, Citi and Capital One, as well as community banks and credit unions.

Mastercard credit cards may include Mastercard-specific credit card benefits, but whether you have access to them depends on the issuer. In fact, the issuer — not the payment network — determines most of the features consumers look for in credit cards, including credit limits, rates and fees, rewards and other perks. 

Mastercard credit card pros and cons

Pros

  • Checkmark Icon

    Special benefits: By qualifying for a Standard/Platinum World or World Elite Mastercard credit card, you can access extra travel benefits and protections (depending on issuer).

  • Checkmark Icon

    Great card variety: With choices that earn on dining, gas, entertainment and supermarket purchases, there’s no shortage of ways to earn rewards with Mastercard.

  • Checkmark Icon

    High acceptance: Mastercard is one of the most connected payment networks in the world. If you carry a Mastercard, you can feel confident that you won’t run into issues using your card while traveling the globe.

Cons

  • Rewards limitations: Some of Mastercard’s options have less-than-ideal caps on how much you can earn in certain rewards categories. Also, some cards earn rewards you can’t transfer to travel partners.

  • Lack of travel options: While there are ways to earn travel rewards with a Mastercard, you can find more rewarding, flexible and travel-focused cards that belong to other payment networks.

  • Confusing benefit tiers: Understanding your benefits can be difficult because there are different tiers of elite status and issuers determine which perks are included.

Mastercard World and World Elite benefits

One of Mastercard’s major features is its broad acceptance — more so than American Express and Discover credit cards. Along with Visa, Mastercard is one of the most widely accepted credit card networks worldwide. 

Additionally, Mastercard credit card benefits come in two tiers: Mastercard World and Mastercard World Elite. Which of the two tiers you receive on a card depends on the issuer as well as your creditworthiness.

Additional Mastercard features

On top of the World Mastercard benefits, the network offers a few other notable features.  

Caret Down Icon

A private code for your Mastercard account that can help keep your account secure when you make online purchases.

To take a stand for inclusion and the LGBTQIA+ community, Mastercard worked with other financial institutions to introduce True Name cards in 2020. This allows people applying for Citi cards, BMO Bank cards and other cards to choose their desired name without proof of a legal name change.

Mastercard's digital wallet, Masterpass, stores your card information and address online, facilitating safe online, in-app and in-person shopping. Like in-store purchases, Masterpass purchases are also protected by Zero Liability for unauthorized purchases.

Expert advice about Mastercard credit cards

Several members of the Bankrate editorial staff are familiar with a wide range of credit cards and how each payment network compares. One of our experts, Re’Dreyona Walker, shares this perspective on Mastercard: 

“What sets Mastercard apart is its impressive range of benefits. Many Mastercard credit cards offer enticing rewards programs, enhanced security features and valuable perks, such as extended warranties, price protection and travel insurance — providing immense value for cardholders.

It also boasts a widespread network with acceptance at millions of merchants worldwide. Whether you're shopping online, traveling abroad or simply making everyday purchases, the chances of encountering a merchant that accepts Mastercard are extremely high, making it a convenient and reliable choice for cardholders.

Additionally, Mastercard's commitment to innovation and technological advancements, such as Mastercard Contactless and biometric authentication, shows that the network strives to enhance transaction security and provide a seamless and secure payment experience for its users.

While Visa is certainly a well-established network, Mastercard's benefits, global acceptance and commitment to innovation give it an edge.”

— Re’Dreyona Walker, Editor, Bankrate

Tips on choosing the best Mastercard credit card

When you’re ready to choose the right credit card, the Mastercard logo should not be the most important factor. To find the card that best fits your finances and lifestyle, follow these steps:

  • Credit Good Icon

    Check your score

    Your credit score is one factor that determines your eligibility for different credit cards. If you have good-to-excellent credit (FICO score of 670 and above), you’ll have an easier time qualifying for great cards with some of the best features available. 

  • Credit Card Search Icon

    Know what type of credit card you want

    Whether you want to earn rewards, take advantage of low-interest and balance transfer offers or focus on building credit, you’ll have an easier time finding your ideal card type if you know the category that best aligns with your goals and spending habits. Consider using an online comparison tool like CardMatch. This can help match you with credit cards you may be eligible for using a soft credit pull, which won’t impact your credit score. It may also help find cards with special offers and welcome bonuses.

  • Badge Icon

    Know the features that matter most to you

    Once you know the type of credit card you’re after, it helps to know the features that will give you the most value. For example, if you’re looking for a rewards card, you’ll want to determine what kind of card rewards you want or what perks would increase the card’s value for you. 

  • Credit Card Apr Icon

    Look at the rates and fees

    On top of an APR, your card may have other common credit card fees, such as an annual fee, balance transfer fee, foreign transaction fee and late payment fee. Keep these in mind before you apply for a credit card. If you think you risk incurring one of these fees, you should factor that fee into your card comparisons.

Based on your specific goals and preferred network features, a Mastercard credit card may be well worth it. Apart from its Standard, World, and World Elite tiers, you have the opportunity to earn competitive rewards, have $0 annual fees and even pay away debt with an introductory APR offer, depending on the card you choose.

How we assess the best Mastercard credit cards

Document Icon
250+
cards rated
Congrats Icon
50+
rewards programs valued
Search Icon
5000
data points analyzed
Credit Card Reviews Icon
40+
perks evaluated

When evaluating the best Mastercard credit cards, we take into account several factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether they offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards to scoring a large sign-up bonus to saving on interest. 

Our rating database covers over 250 of the most popular credit cards, allowing us to compare the quality of various Mastercard cards to each other and to cards in the same category that use different credit card networks. 

We scored each card based on the factors most relevant to its primary category, including its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, intro APR period, ongoing APR, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup. 

Here’s a look at how our card ratings are distributed as of August 2024, as well as some of the key factors that we considered in selecting this month’s best Mastercard cards.

5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Overall Score
  • 5 stars 2%
  • 4 - 4.9 stars 35%
  • 3 - 3.9 stars 39%
  • 2 - 2.9 stars 22%
  • 1 - 1.9 stars 2%

Frequently asked questions about Mastercard credit cards


Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.