Mastercard reward points are designed to incentivize cardholders by awarding them points for their credit card purchases. These points can usually be redeemed for travel, merchandise, cash back, or gift cards.
However, the rate at which points are earned are determined by your card issuer and card type, and not by Mastercard. Mastercard is simply a card network (like Visa) that dictates where your credit card can be used.
How Mastercard Reward Points Work
Where they come from: Credit card points come from your card’s issuer or the company it’s co-branded with, not card networks like Mastercard.
How to redeem them: Typically, you can redeem Mastercard reward points for a variety of different things, like cash back/statement credits, travel, gift cards, merchandise, charitable donations, exclusive experiences and more. Just note that some issuers’ redemption options are more limited than others.
Mastercard benefits: There are some special benefits available for cardholders from Mastercard directly. These benefits include travel insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty and access to exclusive events. Mastercard benefits come in three levels: Standard Mastercard, World Mastercard, and World Elite Mastercard.
Assuming you’re in the market for a Mastercard with reward points, there are several really good options to choose from. The best Mastercard points credit cards are the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card and the Citi Strata Premier Card because they give big initial bonuses and high reward earning rates. You’ll find good options from other major issuers, too.
Notable Mastercard Reward Points Credit Cards
High Earning Rate: Citi Strata Premier Card Rates & Fees High Earning Rate: Citi Strata Premier Card Citi Strata Premier Card Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website Rates & Fees High Earning Rate: Citi Strata Premier Card Citi Strata Premier Card Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's websiteHigh Earning Rate: Citi Strata Premier Card Citi Strata Premier Card Learn MoreLearn MoreHigh Earning Rate: Citi Strata Premier Card
Initial bonus: 60,000 points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
Ongoing rewards: Earn 10 points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com, 3 points per $1 spent on air travel, at hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations, as well as 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
Annual fee: $95
Credit requirement: Good credit
Hotel Points: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Hotel Points: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Learn MoreLearn MoreHotel Points: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Learn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's websiteHotel Points: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card Learn MoreLearn MoreHotel Points: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Initial bonus: 140,000 bonus points for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
Ongoing rewards: Earn 10 points per $1 spent at IHG hotels, 5 points per $1 at gas stations, restaurants and on travel, as well as 3 points per $1 on all other purchases.
Annual fee: $99
Credit requirement: Good credit (700+ credit score recommended)
Mastercard’s rewards credit cards aren’t all about points. There are also cards with miles like the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard and cash back like the Citi Double Cash Card. You can check out our editors’ picks for the best Mastercard credit cards and see which best fits your needs. Plus, you don’t have to confine yourself to just one network. Visa’s acceptance is as wide as Mastercard’s, and the best Visa credit cards also bring competitive rewards to the table.