Ad Disclosure Ad Disclosure
Report Abuse
This question is about Mastercard Credit Cards
see this user
WalletHub, Financial Company
@WalletHub
Permalink Report Abuse
Mastercard is not accepted at certain stores and merchants that only take cash, such as vendors at a local fair. Mastercard is also not accepted at retail chains that have an exclusive agreement with another card network. For example, Costco accepts Mastercard only for online purchases. There are also some websites that only take electronic currency though outlets like PayPal, Venmo, or Bitcoin. Additionally, Mastercard credit cards can’t be used to pay a credit card bill, but no credit cards can be used for that.
Outside of those exceptions, you can use Mastercards globally, in over 210 countries and territories. Plus, millions of merchants within those countries take Mastercard.
Here’s where Mastercard is not accepted:
- Merchants who don’t take credit cards. Small businesses may not always want to bother with the fees they get charged for accepting credit cards. So, you’ll probably run into some cash-only merchants at some point. In addition, you might not be able to use your credit card at certain events, like a food stall at your local fair, for instance.
- Merchants with exclusive deals. Sometimes, a merchant will give its business to only one credit card network. Costco is a good example. They used to only accept American Express cards, and now they only accept Visa cards. However, you won’t find a lot of places that accept credit cards and exclude Mastercard.
- Certain online purchases. Some online purchases can only be completed using virtual currency (e.g. bitcoin).
- Monthly credit card bills. You can’t use any credit card, whether from Mastercard or another network, to pay another credit card’s bill on a monthly basis. You can transfer a balance from one card to another, just not regularly. That usually makes sense only if you’re opening a new account with a 0% introductory balance transfer APR.
So, if you’re able to use credit cards at a merchant, it’s almost guaranteed they’ll take your Mastercard. In case they don’t, it helps to have some cash on you or a backup credit card from another network.
This answer was last updated on 08/09/24 and it was first published on 12/28/17. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.
Popular Mastercard Credit Cards from Our Partners
-
Initial Bonus
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
LEARN MORE
-
Cash Back
See AlsoI don't live in France yet, am I eligible for N26 bank account?Traveling with debit card | Capital One Help CenterMastercard® Cross-Border Payment Services | How it Works?Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
LEARN MORE
-
Fair Credit
Citi Double Cash® Card
LEARN MORE
-
Bad Credit
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit Card
LEARN MORE
see this user
Diana Fincher, Member
@fincher_diana
Permalink Report Abuse
Only in smaller shops, that don't take cards, or ones with specific partnerships. Visa and Mastercard are the biggest networks on the planet, so you'll have to look hard to find a place that doesn't take them.
This answer was first published on 02/15/18. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.
see this user
Keira Johnson, Member
@keira_johnson
Permalink Report Abuse
Mastercard is accepted in more than 210 countries, according to their website. I don't think you'll find a list anywhere of the places where you can't use it, but what's certain is that you can't pay with a Mastercard at Costco.
This answer was first published on 02/15/18. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.
Report Abuse
I have tried everywhere in noumea to pay with Mastercard or obtain cash from an atm without success I have found one tiny corner store that can process my Mastercard payment so I am sitting in my hotel eating instant noodles for my month long holiday Be warned and have a Visa card in case
People also ask
Is Mastercard accepted everywhere?
Yes, Mastercard is accepted almost everywhere you can use a credit or debit card. Millions of merchants in more than 210 countries and territories take Mastercard. And that includes more than 10.7 million retailers in the U.S. alone. Furthermore, Visa is accepted in just over 200 countries and territories, while American Express lags well behind.
Here’s what you should know about Mastercard’s acceptance:
- Mastercard isn’t accepted everywhere that you may find yourself...
read full answer
What is the most widely accepted credit card?
Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards, as both types can be used at 100+ million locations in 200+ countries and territories. Mastercard is accepted in more countries than Visa, yet roughly 20 million more merchants worldwide take Visa. Both have a claim to the title of most widely accepted credit card as a result. Visa is also the most widely used type of credit card.
There isn’t a single credit...
read full answer
Is Mastercard or Visa more widely accepted?
There isn’t much of a difference between Mastercard and Visa when it comes to acceptance. Both card networks are accepted in more than 200 countries and territories, and almost every merchant that takes credit cards accepts both Visa and Mastercard.
Mastercard does have a slight advantage over Visa in terms of worldwide acceptance. Mastercard works in 210+ counties and territories, compared to 200+ for Visa.
You can find out more in our guide comparing Visa...
read full answer
Did we answer your question?
Important Disclosures
Ad Disclosure: Certain offers that appear on this site originate from paying advertisers. For full transparency, here is a list of our current advertisers.
Advertising impacts how and where offers appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear and their prevalence). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.
Advertising enables WalletHub to provide you proprietary tools, services, and content at no charge. Advertising does not impact WalletHub's editorial content including our best picks, reviews, ratings and opinions. Those are completely independent and not provided, commissioned, or endorsed by any company, as our editors follow a strict editorial policy.
WalletHub is not a financial advisor. Our goal is to provide you with top-notch content, data, and tools. You are responsible for deciding what financial products and providers are best for your needs.
WalletHub members have a wealth of knowledge to share, and we encourage everyone to do so while respecting our content guidelines. This question was posted by WalletHub. WalletHub does not endorse any particular contributors and cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of any information posted.
Irrespective of whether an institution or professional is a paid advertiser, the presence of information on WalletHub does not constitute a referral or endorsem*nt of the institution or professional by us or vice versa.
We work hard to show you up-to-date product terms, however, this information does not originate from us and thus, we do not guarantee its accuracy. Actual terms may vary. Before submitting an application, always verify all terms and conditions with the offering institution. Please let us know if you notice any differences.
* The information about the following cards has been independently collected by WalletHub: U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card, Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card, Petal® 2 Visa® Credit Card, U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card, and U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard®.
