Where is Mastercard NOT accepted?

Mastercard is accepted almost everywhere you can use a credit card or debit card. Millions of merchants in more than 210 countries and territories take Mastercard. And that includes more than 10.5 million retailers in the U.S. alone. For context, fewer than 8 million people live in the nine smallest U.S. states combined. Furthermore, Visa is accepted in just over 200 countries and territories, while American Express and Discover lag well behind.… read full answer

Here’s where Mastercard isn’t accepted:

But Mastercard isn’t accepted everywhere that you may find yourself spending money. Some stores and other merchants (like vendors at a local fair, for example) might only take cash. Transactions at some websites, or between you and other individuals, may require using electronic currency though outlets like PayPal, Venmo, or Bitcoin.

It’s impossible to give an exhaustive list of every place that does or does not accept Mastercard. But those that accept only non-Mastercard plastic are extremely rare. For example, Costco only accepts Mastercards for online purchases. On the other hand, Sam’s Club used to only take Discover, but now they accept cards from all four major networks.

Finally, it’s also important to note that more than 25,000 different financial institutions issue Mastercard credit cards and debit cards. That’s because Mastercard is a card network, not a card issuer. In other words, it dictates where your card will be accepted and what secondary benefits – rental car insurance, for example – you may receive.

You can compare Mastercard credit cards on WalletHub if you’re interested in applying for one. And if you’re not sure which Mastercard you’re likely to qualify for, you can check your latest credit score for free on WalletHub, too. We’ll also give you personalized card recommendations based on your score and spending habits.

Yes, Mastercard is widely accepted in Europe. You’ll be able to use your card in all European countries, at virtually every merchant that takes credit cards. Mastercard enjoys acceptance just about everywhere in the world, as does the Visa network.

Aside from merchants who don’t take credit cards, you may run into a few isolated businesses that don’t take your card. Some merchants may have exclusive deals with a certain issuer. Costco is one example, as they only take Visa. But don’t worry, this type of exclusivity is extremely rare. … read full answer

Here’s where Mastercard is accepted in Europe:

• Mastercard is accepted in all European countries, at just about all merchants who take credit cards within those countries.
• Some retailers have exclusive deals with card networks, both in Europe and the U.S. For example, Costco only takes Visa credit cards, and they have a few European locations – in the UK, Spain and Iceland.
• Many European payment terminals are equipped for “chip” cards. So if your Mastercard has a magnetic stripe but no chip, you may have trouble paying at an unmanned terminal. And you may find it harder to persuade a merchant to accept a card without a chip.
• In addition to a Mastercard credit card with no foreign transaction fee, make sure to bring a no foreign fee debit card to withdraw cash when you need it.

Mastercard is as widely accepted in Europe as it is in the United States. So if you have a Mastercard, you can travel in Europe with little worry. Your card should be accepted almost everywhere. Just make sure you get a card with no foreign transaction fees in order to save yourself a lot of money when making purchases abroad.