Like Visa, MasterCard credit cards have grown to become a driving force at the heart of global commercial transactions and have contributed to making international commerce much faster, convenient, and secure. MasterCard today is accepted in more than 210 countries. The company provides the speedy and reliable electronic processing network that has made it easier and faster than ever before to make a payment, no matter where in the world you are. Mastercard credit cards are popular with consumers because they have the global reach to fit today's global lifestyle, wherever your travels may take you.

MasterCards are offered by financial institutions, banks, brand names, airlines, hotels, universities, charitable organizations and other types of institutions.

MasterCard benefits include zero liability (unauthorized purchases are not your responsibility), MasterRental Insurance for vehicle rentals, extended warranty coverage, purchase assurance coverage, baggage delay coverage, lost or damage luggage coverage, road assist service and numerous other benefits.

Together with its counterpart, Visa, MasterCard has been instrumental in spearheading the credit card revolution that has unfolded in less than 50 years. The company was founded in 1966 as the Interbank Card Association (ICA), and over the years developed into MasterCard Worldwide, a large, publicly traded company.MasterCard Worldwide does not itself issue credit cards or make credit card offers, but rather is a franchisor of MasterCard credit cards and other products and services. It acts as a link between the more than 25,000 financial institutions that are part of its network and the businesses and cardholders to which these institutions issue credit cards. Each individual bank or financial institution makes its own decision about how to structure the credit card deals it offers, including setting the APRs, annual fees, and other terms. Because of this flexibility, when you compare MasterCards, you will notice that MasterCards have many different interest rates, and even the same card may have different APRs for purchases, cash advances, balance transfers, and so on.