Best Mastercard credit cards of September 2024
Our top choices for the best Mastercard credit cards made the cut thanks to their global acceptance, range of offerings and annual fees — and lack thereof — that fit every budget.
Our list includes Mastercard’s premium line of credit cards, World Mastercard and World Elite Mastercard, which feature additional benefits like cellphone protection, complimentary Shoprunner membership and Lyft credits.
With a Mastercard option for every type of consumer, our guide can help you find the right credit card to align with your spending and individual needs. Whether you’re looking to get the most cash back on your grocery bill or rack up travel points, Mastercard has a credit card to help get you there. Here are our top picks for the best Mastercard credit cards from our partners.
- Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for foodies and entertainment
- Citi Custom Cash? Card: Best for cash back in a select category
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for straightforward cash back
- Citi Double Cash? Card: Best for no-frills cash back rewards
Browse by card categories
| 8% | 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases |
| 5% | 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply) |
| 3% | 3% Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart? and Target?) |
| 1% | 1% Cash Back on all other purchases |
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card serves as a great introduction into the world of rewards credit card. For starters, there’s no annual fee, so you’ll rest easy knowing that you’re at an automatic net positive by opening this card. From there, earn 3% on four popular everyday spending categories, redeeming for valuable cash-back rewards back in your pocket. If you travel internationally from time to time, you can even bring this card with you, as there are no foreign transaction fees. Read our full review of the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Pros
- Earning 3% back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services, and at grocery stores (excluding superstores, like Walmart? and Target?) is a great return for a no-annual-fee credit card
- This card is great for beginners
- The intro APR offer that comes with this card makes it a solid choice for those looking to finance a large purchase. You’ll get 0% intro APR on purchases for the first 15 months (19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after, there's a 3% balance transfer fee for the first 15 months or at the promotional APR offered at any other time. No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR)
Cons
- If you spend a lot on dining and entertainment each year, there are cards that provide better value with higher rewards potential
- The sign-up bonus isn’t anything to write home about (though it is easy to earn)
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart? and Target?), plus 1% on all other purchases
- Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- 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
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- No foreign transaction fee
- No annual fee
| 5% | Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. |
| 4% | Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel? portal through 6/30/2025. |
| 1% | Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. |
This card offers true flexibility to earn rewards depending on your spending habits. Adding the Custom Cash may also be a good idea for existing Citi cardholders seeking to maximize their rewards. Read our full review of the Citi Custom Cash Card.
Pros
- This card allows you to earn up to 5% back on your top spending category each billing cycle on up to the first $500 spent
- No annual fee
Cons
- Light on other benefits
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou? Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
- No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
- No Annual Fee
- Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash? Card account per person.
| 5% | Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply |
| 1.5% | Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day |
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards takes the guesswork out of earning cash-back rewards by offering an unlimited 1.5% earning rate on all purchases. Read our full review of the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card.
Pros
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- No annual fee
- Cash back doesn't expire
- The intro APR offer that comes with this card makes it a solid choice for those looking to finance a large purchase. You’ll get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months (19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after, there's a 3% balance transfer fee for the first 15 months or at the promotional APR offered at any other time. No fee for amounts transferred at the Transfer APR)
Cons
- Limited card perks and benefits
- Other cards offer more potential and upside when it comes to redeeming cash back
- Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- 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
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
| 1% | 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. |
| 5% | Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel? portal through 12/31/24. |
The Citi Double Cash Card takes all of the stress and complication away from credit card rewards with a simple (yet lucrative) 2% earning scheme and straightforward cash-back redemption options. Read our full review of the Citi Double Cash Card.
Pros
- Earning 2% back on every purchase is an industry-leading return on everyday spending for a no-annual-fee credit card
- Now that you have the ability to convert rewards to ThankYou points with an eligible card, your redemption options are even more flexible
- It’s great for those looking to consolidate debt, since it offers new cardmembers 18 months of 0% intro APR on balance transfers made. After that, the variable APR of 19.24% - 29.24% applies
Cons
- Those looking to make a balance transfer will have to pay 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)
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou? Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- 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. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
- 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).
Comparing the best Mastercard credit cards
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Capital One's secure site | foodies and entertainment | $200 Open Intro bonus Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening | 1 - 8% cash-back | $0 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Citi's secure site | cash back in a select category | $200 Open Intro bonus Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou? points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. | 1 - 5% cash-back | $0 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Capital One's secure site | straightforward cash back | $200 Open Intro bonus Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening | 1.5 - 5% cash-back | $0 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Citi's secure site | no-frills cash back rewards | $200 cash back Open Intro bonus Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou? Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. | 1 - 5% cash-back | $0 |
More details on the best Mastercard credit cards
The Capital One SavorOne is a true cashback card with numerous bonus categories and no spending cap. Earn 3% back on dining, grocery stores (excluding superstores), popular streaming services and entertainment. And with no annual fee, it’s a no-brainer.
Anyone whose spending is within the card’s bonus categories should consider the Capital One SavorOne. The card also waives foreign transaction fees which makes it a great companion when traveling outside the U.S.
The Capital One SavorOne has no annual fee and a superb cash-back model. The elevated cash-back categories can be a catch-all for people who want to earn more cash back or help fill in the missing categories that your other cards don’t earn rewards on.
If you want to stick with Capital One but are looking for a card that offers higher earning rates and more perks, consider the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.
The information for the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Citi Custom Cash? Card is a cash-back card that is customizable to your spending habits. You can earn 5% back on up to $500 of purchases in your top spending category each billing cycle. In addition, it offers no annual fee, a solid sign-up bonus and a long introductory APR for purchases and balance transfers.
Those with spending habits that vary widely each month can find great value in the flexibility of the Citi Custom’s reward model.
The Citi Custom Cash allows cardmembers to maximize their reward earnings without having to commit to typical bonus categories.
The Chase Freedom Flex? offers a formidable 5% cash back on rotating bonus categories every quarter after activation (up to $1,500 in spending). In addition, it also comes with a sign-up bonus and no annual fee.
There is no card quite as simple as the Capital One Quicksilver. It has a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases, no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
Card users who are looking for simplicity will find the Quicksilver to be a great fit for them. There is no fuss to maximize your earnings with the Quicksilver because you consistently earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase.
“This is my oldest credit card, but I’ve kept it open for more than just its history to aid my credit score. With no annual fee and a fair earning structure, it’s a good option for purchases that don’t fall into bonus categories on my other credit cards. I’m happy knowing I’ll never earn less than 1.5% back on spending.” — Ryan Smith, former credit cards writer
The Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card might be a better choice if you typically spend on dining, grocery stores, popular streaming services, and entertainment purchases. With the SavorOne, you will earn 3% cash back on these categories.
The Citi Double Cash? Card is a simple cash-back card that earns 2% back on every purchase (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay your bill). It comes with no annual fee, and if you have a card that earns full ThankYou Rewards points, you can convert your cash back to fully transferable rewards.
This card is best suited for someone who is looking for a simple cash-back card that will help them earn on every purchase.
“The Citi Double Cash card was one of my very first credit cards and remains one of my favorites. I use the card to earn 2% back on categories that are not covered by my other credit cards. There is no annual fee, no capped earnings and no fuss!” – Christina Ly, credit card writer
If your spending typically centers around dining, grocery stores, popular streaming services, and entertainment purchases, consider the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card. The SavorOne earns 3% back on these categories.
Maximizing Mastercard credit cards
Pay off your balance in full each month
To best take advantage of your card, you’ll want to avoid paying interest and fees on your card. You should aim to pay off your entire statement balance before your due date every billing cycle. This way, you will never pay interest on your balance.
Utilize your Mastercard credit card benefits
There are tons of benefits to having a Mastercard — including worldwide acceptance and, depending on the type of card, extensive travel perks. The “Types of Mastercard credit cards” section of this page offers more details on what benefits are available to cardholders at each membership tier.
Earn the rewards you want
It is important to select a card that earns the rewards that best align with your reward strategy. Mastercard offers a wide range of options to satisfy any reward earning strategy, whether it is cash back or transferable miles. Knowing what type of rewards you want is key for optimized earnings.
How we rate
What is Mastercard?
Mastercard is a credit card network that partners with other financial institutions to issue credit cards. Mastercard credit cards use this network to support transactions. You can tell that you have a Mastercard credit card because of the Mastercard logo on either the front or back of your card.
How to choose the best Mastercard credit card
- Choose a Mastercard that offers a sign-up bonus you can redeem for future travel or cash back to pay down a balance, for example.1Sign-up bonus
- Credit cards come with varying annual fees; from those with no fee to those with eye-watering fees, opt for a card that matches your budget and financial needs. Several no-annual-fee cards are great starters for getting into the points and miles game.2Annual fee
- If you want to maximize your earnings, choose a card with elevated earning rates in categories you most frequently use.3Bonus categories
Ask our experts
What's your favorite Mastercard — and why?
Pros + cons of Mastercard credit cards
Pros
- Mastercard is a major issuer and is accepted in most places in the U.S.
- There are tons of great Mastercard credit cards to choose from
- Different Mastercard credit cards offer varying protections whether you hold an everyday earner or a more premium rewards card
Cons
- Mastercard is not as popular in places like Europe
Frequently asked questions
There are four major credit card networks in the United States: Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover. Not all cards issued by financial institutions use Mastercard’s network.
There isn’t a single “best” Mastercard credit card that will apply to everyone. The best card for a person will depend on their spending habits, budget, financial goals and more. Luckily, there are hundreds of credit cards available to choose from, across various issuers and networks, ensuring you’ll still be able to find one that best suits your needs. Since the process of finding the best card can be overwhelming, we’ve compiled a list of our top picks offered by Mastercard.
Most credit cards have an online application process. Mastercard partners with various financial institutions, so the process might differ slightly among different banks that issue Mastercards. You can apply for any of the credit cards on this list by clicking on the “Apply Link” under each card.
Mastercard itself is not a credit card, it is a major credit card network that partners with financial institutions that actually issue credit cards. Other major credit card networks include Visa, American Express and Discover. Mastercard’s network is a communication system that allows banks to process their users’ purchases.