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The World Elite Mastercard is the highest level of Mastercard’s three benefit levels, right above the Mastercard and the Mastercard levels. It offers a range of benefits and perks, many of which are geared towards improving travel and lifestyle experiences. This includes trip planning assistance, a lowest hotel rate guarantee, a hotel satisfaction guarantee, luxury hotel benefits, and an airport concierge service.
In addition to these, the World Elite Mastercard offers a concierge service that can help with tasks like getting tickets or making dinner reservations. These benefits come with certain Mastercard credit cards. In this guide, we'll explore Mastercard benefits, including World Mastercard and World Elite Mastercard benefits.
Key takeaways
- World Elite Mastercard is the highest level of Mastercard, offering a range of benefits and perks focused on travel and lifestyle experiences.
- World Mastercard and World Elite Mastercard are the top two tiers of Mastercard, providing the most extensive benefits. Many of the best travel credit cards fall into one of these two Mastercard tiers.
- World Elite Mastercard can help you get free or reduced membership to various services, including online protection, food delivery, and transportation.
- Some notable World Elite Mastercard benefits include zero liability protection, global service hotline, identity theft protection, McAfee subscription, priceless experiences, golf experiences, hotel stay and rate guarantees, airport concierge, professional travel services, luxury hotel and resort benefits, and more. These benefits can vary by card issuer and specific card.
Compare Mastercard, World Mastercard, and World Elite Mastercard benefits
The highest Mastercard tier is the World Elite Mastercard, followed by the World Mastercard. These two tiers offer the most and best benefits. When you compare credit cards, you'll find that some of the best travel credit cards offer one of these two tiers.
Keep in mind
Mastercard is a card network, not a card issuer. A credit card’s benefits are ultimately up to the card issuers, like Chase, Citi, Barclays, and more. So it’s possible to have a World Elite Mastercard without all the World Elite benefits.The following table shows which benefits are included for the standard Mastercard, World Mastercard, and World Elite Mastercard tiers.
| Benefit | Mastercard | World Mastercard | World Elite Mastercard |
| Zero liability protection | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Global service hotline | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Identity theft protection | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| McAfee subscription | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Priceless experiences | No | Yes | Yes |
| Golf experiences and offers | No | Yes | Yes |
| Hotel stay and rate guarantees | No | Yes | Yes |
| Airport concierge | No | Yes | Yes |
| Professional travel services | No | Yes | Yes |
| Luxury hotel and resorts benefits | No | Yes | Yes |
| Car, air, cruise, and vacation packages | No | Yes | Yes |
| World Elite concierge | No | No | Yes |
| ShopRunner membership | No | Yes | Yes |
| Lyft rewards | No | Yes | Yes |
| Instacart membership | No | Yes | No |
| DoorDash membership | No | No | Yes |
| Fandango rewards | No | No | Yes |
| Peacock discount | No | Yes | No |
World Elite Mastercard benefits
It’s nice to see long lists of perks, but how useful are all these Mastercard benefits? Let’s go over each of the World Elite Mastercard benefits in more detail so you can decide which are potentially the most valuable to you.
Zero liability protection
Mastercard’s zero liability protection covers you in the event your card is lost or stolen and someone uses it to make unauthorized purchases. This applies to in-store purchases, over-the-phone purchases, online purchases, purchases made from a mobile device, and ATM transactions. You must immediately contact your financial institution if your card is lost or stolen to not be held responsible for unauthorized purchases.
Global service hotline
Mastercard’s global service hotline is available virtually to offer emergency assistance whenever you need it, in any location, and in any language. It can help you report a lost or stolen card and help you get a replacement card if you need it. It can also answer any questions about your account or help you find an ATM location.
Identity theft protection
Millions of people are victims of identity theft each year in the U.S., which is why Mastercard offers free identity theft protection. This benefit can help you monitor changes on your credit that may indicate fraud, including new accounts opened in your name or new credit inquiries.
You’ll be sent alerts about detected suspicious activity so you can immediately work to mitigate any potential damage. Mastercard ID theft protection specialists are available 24/7 to help you take the necessary steps to further protect your accounts and resolve existing issues.
McAfee subscription
You can improve your online security and protection using this 13-month subscription to McAfee Total Protection. You still need to pay $29.50, but this compares to an original cost of $119.99.
You can use this McAfee Total Protection offer for up to 5 devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. McAfee Total Protection includes a secure VPN, a password manager, and more.
Priceless experiences
Priceless offers Mastercard cardholders exclusive access to a wide range of experiences. This may include culinary, travel, celebrity experiences, and more. Past experiences have included virtual tours of popular global landmarks, cooking classes, and sending messages to loved ones from famous athletes.
Golf experiences and offers
Mastercard’s Priceless Golf program provides Mastercard World Elite cardholders with exclusive golf offers and experiences. This includes access to private country club golf courses across North America, savings on Topgolf reservations, and access to multiple golf tournaments and events.
Hotel stay and rate guarantees
If you aren’t satisfied with your three-star or higher hotel stay booked through the Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle Services program, a designated agent will help to resolve your issue(s) or find you comparable accommodations thanks to the Mastercard hotel stay guarantee.
The hotel rate guarantee gives you pece of mind by ensuring that if you’ve booked a qualifying hotel stay through the Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle Services program and you find the same booking at a lower price online, you can submit a claim to receive a reimbursement for the difference.
Airport concierge
You can schedule a dedicated agent to guide you through any of over 700 airport destinations worldwide through which you’re arriving, departing, or connecting on a flight. These agents are available 24/7 to help ease your process of traveling through a new airport.
Professional travel services
Use this Mastercard benefit to get professional help planning your upcoming trip. Experienced travel advisors are available 24/7 to offer assistance for your travel needs. As you provide more of your preferences, you’ll receive more personalized and curated results.
Luxury hotel and resorts benefits
The Mastercard luxury hotel and resorts portfolio provides valuable benefits for travelers who can take advantage of the program. This includes free daily breakfast, available room upgrades, and a special amenity gift worth up to $100. In addition, you’ll also receive complimentary early check-in and late checkout when available.
Car, air, cruise, and vacation packages
If you’re planning a trip, you could save money by checking for exclusive discounts and benefits through Mastercard. You automatically receive elite membership status with car rental agencies like National, Avis, and Sixt. Plus, you might find deals on other aspects of your travel as well.
World Elite concierge
Receive complimentary access to a 24/7 concierge that functions similarly to a personal assistant. Your World Elite concierge can help with specific needs and requests, which makes this a helpful and unique benefit. If you need tickets to a sold-out concert or want to reserve a table at a popular restaurant, contact your World Elite concierge for assistance.
ShopRunner membership
Receive a free ShopRunner membership as a Mastercard World Elite cardholder. ShopRunner members get free two-day shipping and free return shipping on purchases from over 100 online retailers. Popular stores include Saks Fifth Avenue, Under Armour, and Tommy Hilfiger.
Lyft rewards
If you take three eligible Lyft rides in a month and pay with your Mastercard World Elite credit card, you’ll receive $5 in Lyft credit. This credit is limited to once per month.
DoorDash membership
You can enjoy DoorDash membership for free for three months. This membership gives you a $0 delivery fee, reduced service charges, and exclusive savings and offers through DashPass. You also get $5 off your first order every month.
Fandango rewards
Receive $5 off future movie tickets or at-home purchases whenever you spend $20 on movie tickets at Fandango or at home on Vudu with your Mastercard World Elite credit card.
Our favorite World Mastercard and World Elite Mastercard cards
There are loads of World Mastercard and World Elite Mastercard credit cards, but we’ve picked a few of our favorites to give you an idea of what’s available.
Chase Freedom Flex®
The Chase Freedom Flex® is a unique Chase card because it’s part of the Mastercard network, whereas many other Chase credit cards are Visa. This is a huge benefit because it’s part of the Mastercard World Elite program.
The Chase Freedom Flex earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points at a rate of 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories you activate (on up to $1,500 spent) and travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service); and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Because this card has a $0 annual fee, it makes sense for daily spending and everyday purchases in its bonus categories. With its great earning potential and benefits such as cell phone protection and purchase protection, the Chase Freedom Flex is one of the best cashback credit cards available.
The Freedom Flex also has the added Mastercard benefit of extended warranty that extends U.S. manufacturer’s warranties by one year on eligible purchases.
Learn more about this card with our Chase Freedom Flex review.
JetBlue Plus Card
The JetBlue Plus Card is an excellent option for travelers who can take advantage of flying JetBlue Airways on a frequent basis. This Barclays credit card is part of the World Elite Mastercard program and earns 6X points on JetBlue purchases, 2X points at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1X points per $1 spent on all other purchases. It does have a $99 annual fee, but you can offset the annual cost with the card’s benefits.
Benefits include 5,000 anniversary points each year, a 50% discount on in-flight cocktail and food purchases, and a free checked bag for you and up to three companions traveling on the same reservation. You’ll also be able to earn elite status with JetBlue more easily with this card.
For another World Elite Mastercard card with different air travel benefits, consider the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® if you’re a frequent flyer of American Airlines.
Check out our JetBlue Plus Card review.
Citi Double Cash® Card
The Citi Double Cash® Card is often issued as a World Mastercard, but sometimes you might see it as a World Elite Mastercard as well. However, the World Elite upgrade will likely happen after you’ve already had the World Mastercard version and later become eligible for an upgrade.
This card is often regarded as one of the best rewards credit cards available because of its high earning potential. You can earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25. Even better, there’s no limit to how much cash back you can earn, no category restrictions on purchases, and it has a $0 annual fee.
The Citi Double Cash also offers a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for the 18 months after account opening (then 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)).
Get more details at our Citi Double Cash® Card review.
World Elite Mastercard FAQ
Is the World Elite Mastercard worth it?
World Elite Mastercard credit cards are well worth applying for if the benefits are valuable to you. For example, the World Elite Mastercard program provides many travel-related perks, like concierge services and complimentary benefits within the Mastercard luxury hotel and resorts portfolio. Some World Elite Mastercard products might also offer cell phone protection in the event your cell phone is stolen or damaged. If the benefits make sense for you, World Elite Mastercard credit cards are worth it.
What is the highest level of Mastercard?
Mastercard credit cards are typically categorized into three different levels, including standard Mastercards, World Mastercards, and World Elite Mastercards. World Elite is the highest level of Mastercard and includes benefits like a World Elite concierge and exclusive partner discounts and offers.
Which is better Visa or Mastercard?
The better credit card network between Visa and Mastercard depends on the individual card and your specific financial goals. Both Visa and Mastercard are accepted worldwide and partner with major credit card issuers like Chase, Citibank, and Capital One. Overall, they’re similar companies with plenty to offer, so it comes down to comparing each card to see which one would be better for you.
World Elite Mastercard benefits: bottom line
World Mastercard and World Elite Mastercard benefits offer a lot more value than what you’d find on a standard Mastercard credit card. However, between the two highest Mastercard tiers, there’s not too much that’s different. It may not be worth it to specifically apply for a card because of its World Elite Mastercard benefits, but they can be useful if one of your cards already has these benefits.
Seriously Powerful Cashback Card
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Chase Freedom Flex®
Current Offer
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories you activate (on up to $1,500 spent) and travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service); and 1% cash back on all other purchases