MasterCard- Best MasterCard Credit Cards 2024 - 2025

Headquarter in New York, United States of America, MasterCard provides cashless payment services on credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, gift cards, etc. Every MasterCard card transaction takes place over the MasterCard network, and therefore, these cards have a MasterCard logo on them. MasterCard credit card is a globally accepted service and has one of the highest user base worldwide.

What is a MasterCard Credit Card?

Founded in 1966, MasterCard Incorporation, earlier known as the Interbank Card Association, is one of the first financial service providers in the United States of America. It basically facilitates a secure medium for transaction between the merchant’s Bank and the card issuer’s bank.

It offers exciting features like Cash Back, rewards, discounts, gift vouchers, etc. Many top banks like ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, HSBC Bank, Citi Bank, HDFC Bank, etc., issues MasterCard network.

Benefits of MasterCard Credit Card

Here are some of the benefits of MasterCard offers-

• It provides damage insurance on lost or impaired luggage

• MasterCard cards offer an advanced security system for its card users. An EMV chip is embedded in the card, which basically offers confidentiality for carrying out high-value transactions.

• It offers zero per cent liability in case of frauds and theft. Suppose an unauthorized transaction is made using your credit card, then you won’t have to pay the equivalent amount to the company if you report about the issue in time.

• A lot of the banks prefer MasterCard as a card service. Buying a MasterCard card of your preferred bank is quite simple.

• MasterCard offers travel accident insurance to its card users for accidental death as well as accidental injuries.

Variants of MasterCard Credit Cards

The MasterCard credit cards come in three different variants to choose from-

1. Standard MasterCard Credit Card

This is meant for everyday purchases like stores, online shopping, restaurants, etc. This can be suitable for almost every individual.

2. Platinum MasterCard Credit Card

A Platinum MasterCard is accepted worldwide. MasterCard offers 24/7 customer care support for the cardholders.

3. World MasterCard Credit Card

The World MasterCard is also a globally accepted credit card. It offers a lot of mentionable benefits for travel and dining.

What are the MasterCard credit card Issuing Banks?

Following is a list of banks Offering MasterCard credit cards-

• State Bank of India
• HSBC bank
• Citi Bank
• HDFC Bank
• IndusInd Bank
• ICICI Bank
• Union Bank of India
• Standard Chartered Bank

Best MasterCard credit cards

Today, many banks offer a MasterCard credit card. The annual fee being one of the important parameters of a credit card, ensure you check it twice.

Here are some of the most famous MasterCard credit cards with their annual fees are:

SBI Prime Business Credit Card

• Welcome e-gift voucher worth Rs. 3,000 from Yatra.com
• Earn reward points for every purchase on dining, utilities and office supplies
• Complimentary international & domestic lounge access
• Complimentary access to the MasterCard global linker program

IndusInd Bank Platinum Credit Card

• Get a welcome gift from MakeMyTrip
• Get vouchers from ALDO or William Penn or Raymonds
• Earn 1.5 reward points on a minimum spend of Rs 150
• Get golf services from various golf clubs in India and enjoy complimentary golf games and lessons.
• Get free access to more than 600 international lounges with complimentary priority pass

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

• Get welcome vouchers on shopping and travel
• Get up to 20,000 payback points every year on the bank anniversary
• 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per quarter and 2 complimentary international airport lounge visits per year
• You get up to 4 complimentary rounds of golf every month
• Get up to Rs.500 off on the second movie ticket you purchase twice every month via BookMyShow
• Minimum 15% savings on dining bills

First Citizen Citibank Titanium Credit Card

• Get 2 shoppers stop vouchers worth Rs. 250
• Get 7 points for every Rs. 100 spent at partner brands and earn 5 points otherwise
• Earn 1 point per Rs. 100 spent elsewhere
• Get home stop vouchers worth Rs. 500

Standard Chartered Super Value Titanium Card

• Earn 5% cashback on fuel spends up to Rs. 2000 per month
• Earn a 5% cashback on utility bills for a minimum transaction of Rs. 750
• Get 1 reward point for every Rs. 150 you spend
• Get complimentary priority pass allowing access to 1000+ airport lounges all around the globe

HSBC Premier MasterCard

• Avail reward points for brands like Tumi Bose, Apple, Jimmy Choo, etc.
• Get 2 reward points every time you spend Rs. 100
• Get free access to more than 850 airport lounges internationally
• Complimentary access and discounts at selected golf courses in India
• Get 1% fuel surcharge waiver at any fuel pumps
• Get cashback and rewards on international spending

Axis Bank Miles & More Credit Card

• Earn unlimited and never expiring miles
• Two complimentary airport lounges access annually
• Earn 20 points for every Rs. 200 spent
• Get 5000 points on joining
• Get multiple reward options from the award miles program

How to Apply for a MasterCard Credit Card?

You can apply for MasterCard credit card online as well as offline

Online

• Go to the respective bank’s official website
• Choose the credit card option and choose the type of card you wish to apply for
• Enter your name, phone number and email id
• Click on the Apply Online option An OTP (One Time Password) is sent to your registered mobile phone.
• Use this OTP to receive a card request form
• Enter your personal details
• Select Apply, and proceed further.

Offline

You can apply offline by simply visiting the nearest respective bank and meeting the credit card representative. The representative will help you complete the application and choose the appropriate card. Your eligibility is checked based on your Credit Score, monthly Income, credit history, etc.

What is MasterCard Network?

MasterCard is a financial service provider that partners with various financial institutions, to offer various modes of cashless electronic payments like debit cards, credit cards, gift cards etc.

It is basically a payment network service provider for making transactions amongst banks, consumers and merchants. The MasterCard offers a premium secure mode of payment which gets authorized at every level of transaction.

What are the Documents required?

Following are the documents required to get a MasterCard credit card -

• An identity proof issued by the government of India like Voter ID, driving license, aadhaar card, passport, ration card, etc.
• Proof of income
• Address proof
• PAN Card
• Passport size photograph

MasterCard Vs VISA Vs RuPay

MasterCard, VISA and RuPaY are the most well-known credit card networks in India. MasterCard and Visa are internationally accepted and their headquarters are in the USA. RuPay, on the other hand, is a domestic financial provider for the people of India.

Following are the differences between MasterCard, VISA and RuPay

Founded in

VISA is the first financial service launched in the USA followed by MasterCard. RuPay is recently launched i.e, in 2014.

Acceptance

The Rupay credit card is a domestic card, meaning it is accepted only in India. Whereas, VISA and MasterCard are accepted in over 200 countries.

Processing Fee

In the case of RuPay, all transactions happen within the country. This reduces the processing fee and makes transactions cheaper as compared to MasterCard and VISA.

Processing Speed

A RuPay credit card being a domestic service has the fastest processing speed as compared to international services.