Choosing a Card

How to find the card that's right for you.

There are several factors to consider, such as card features, worldwide acceptance, annual fees and more.

Interest rates

These charges will determine the costs you pay on your card over time. The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is the yearly interest rate or percentage rate that you pay on an outstanding balance in the form of interest. Finance charges are what you pay for the use of borrowed money. Interest is charged as a percentage of your outstanding balance (purchases and charges reduced by payments or credits posted).

Rewards

Rewards programs can enhance the value of credit and debit cards. A rewards program is typically based on accumulating points based on the purchases or transactions you make on your card. These points can be redeemed for incentives, including various products and services, airline travel, vacations and more.

Annual fees

Various card issuers charge an annual fee, which can help offset costs that issuers incur in maintaining accounts.

Worldwide acceptance

An important aspect of a card is its level acceptance. With more than 22 million acceptance locations, no card is accepted in more places and by more merchants than MasterCard.

How to apply for a card

MasterCard International does not issue cards directly. Instead, cards are issued through our member institutions.