Christie Matherne, Credit Card Writer
@christie_matherne
You can qualify for a Mastercard credit card if you are at least 18 years old, have a physical U.S. address, and have enough income to afford monthly credit card payments. Teens as young as 11 years old may qualify for a Mastercard debit card if an adult helps out, though the age requirement depends on the bank.
Mastercard is one of the largest card networks, accepted in over 210 countries and territories worldwide. As a card network, Mastercard does not issue credit or debit cards, and the bank or credit union issuing each card determines the approval requirements. Some of the best Mastercard credit cards require good or excellent credit for approval, but there are options available for people at all credit levels.
7 Mastercard Credit Cards for 2026
- Excellent Credit: BankAmericard® credit cardLearn MoreLearn More
- Excellent Credit: BankAmericard® credit cardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Excellent Credit: BankAmericard® credit cardLearn MoreLearn More
- Rates & Fees Good Credit: Citi Strata Premier® CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Rates & Fees Good Credit: Citi Strata Premier® CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Good Credit: Citi Strata Premier® CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Rates & Fees Fair Credit: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Rates & Fees Fair Credit: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Fair Credit: Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Rates & Fees Limited Credit: Capital One Platinum Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Rates & Fees Limited Credit: Capital One Platinum Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Limited Credit: Capital One Platinum Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Rates & Fees Secured Card: Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Rates & Fees Secured Card: Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Secured Card: Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Rates & Fees Unsecured Card for Bad Credit: Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect CreditLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Rates & Fees Unsecured Card for Bad Credit: Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect CreditLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Unsecured Card for Bad Credit: Indigo® Mastercard® for Less than Perfect CreditLearn MoreLearn More
- Rates & Fees Student Card: Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Rates & Fees Student Card: Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn Moreon issuer's website
- Student Card: Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards Credit CardLearn MoreLearn More
- Excellent Credit:
- Good Credit:
- Fair Credit:
- Limited Credit:
- Secured Card:
- Unsecured Card for Bad Credit:
- Student Card:
Since there are so many Mastercard credit card options, you should narrow down your search based on how you’ll use the card and confirm you generally qualify for a card before you apply. Find more tips on how to qualify for a Mastercard credit card below.
How to Qualify for a Mastercard Credit Card
- Be at least 18 years old. You cannot get your own credit card account if you are under 18 years old.
- Meet the card’s income requirements. Every card issuer requires you to have some income for approval. If you’re at least 21 years old, you can report shared household income on your application.
- Only apply for Mastercards you’re eligible for. Check your credit score for free on WalletHub, and narrow down your search to only include Mastercards that accept people at your credit level.
- Try to get pre-qualified. Some issuers allow applicants to pre-qualify for certain credit cards on their website. Getting pre-qualified doesn’t guarantee approval, but it means you have good approval odds.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter much if you have a Mastercard as opposed to a Visa card. Both are accepted globally, and the issuer controls the card’s rewards and fees, not the credit card network. That is why you should focus on finding the best credit card offer to help you save money, rather than looking for a card from a specific network.
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The three levels of Mastercard benefits are Standard, World, and World Elite. World Elite Mastercard offers the most extensive benefits among them, but even a standard Mastercard provides perks such as a $0 fraud liability guarantee, emergency support, and ID theft protection.
Benefits by Mastercard Level
| Benefits | Standard | World | World Elite |
| Zero Liability Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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