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MasterCard offers dozens of credit cards with many unique rewards programs. Wherever you shop, whatever you buy, you get rewarded just for using your MasterCard. The wide spectrum of its rewards includes cash back, points, air miles, gas, as well as hotel rewards. But these types of rewards are basically only available if you have a good to excellent credit rating. But what about those who are either trying to establish credit or are improving it after being delinquent on their account? Well, there are credit cards that offer certain perks and benefits, but the number of cards offered is considerably smaller.
Regardless of your credit rating, a little search on the Internet can help you find a MasterCard which is designed to meet your particular needs.
In order to save you time, we looked through the latest MasterCard rewards offers and picked out some of the most attractive. We then grouped them into two categories - one for people with good credit and the other for those with less than perfect credit. This was done to simplify the search and comparison between them.
MasterCard credit cards for those with very good or excellent credit that are looking to earn cash back or miles rewards are available with such issuers as HSBC and Capital One. Most of them require no annual fee and offer a competitive APR on purchases and balance transfers. The process of earning rewards is standard - a cardholder receives 1 mile or 1%-5% cash back per dollar spent with their MasterCard. Typically, there's no limit to miles and cash back rewards earned, as well as no expiration dates. This helps increase flexibility and maximizes profit. For example, the more cash back you collect during a billing cycle, the more free money you receive. Remember, the payout is not necessarily done at the end of the billing cycle and you can request the money at any time and get it as credit to your account, as a gift card or as a check. Cash back rewards will mostly benefit those who want to save on their everyday purchases. If you shop frequently, using a cash back MasterCard is the best tool you can have to save money.
Frequent flyer miles, just like points, gas and hotel rewards, are designed for people who look for more various and flexible rewards programs. Almost all MasterCard cards for good credit offer qualifying customers the ability to take advantage of these rewards. In this case, a cardholder's profit depends on how wisely, they use their card. If you're a frequent flyer, it's wise to apply for an air miles MasterCard and use it obviously for air-related purchases. If you drive a lot, consider getting a gas rewards MasterCard which gives points or rebates on each gas purchase.
If you have less than perfect credit, there are still some benefits and perks to enjoy. New Millennium Bank, for example, issues a number of secured MasterCard applications which offer rewards and benefits that are typically found on regular bank cards. Cardholders can still enjoy such benefits as auto rental insurance, travel accident insurance and extended warranty on purchases. In addition, they can also earn discounts and cash rebates on specified purchases.
Keep in mind, if you decide to get a prepaid MasterCard card, you won't be able to earn rewards. But you'll have all the standard benefits and privileges offered by the world's second largest payment network.
Twenty-four-hour customer service, acceptance at millions of locations around the world, emergency assistance and online shopping are just a few of the first-class services offered by MasterCard.
