Using Mastercard

Whether you know it as Interbank, Master Charge, MasterCard or Mastercard, there’s no mistaking the massive command the company holds in the financial payments sector. Founded in 1979, the card provider is recognised around the world as a trusted payment method, and in many cases, an emblem of trustworthiness.

Nowadays, you’ll see Mastercard everywhere from your local shop to online casinos and even on the official jersey of the New Zealand All Blacks rugby team. But aside from the showy credentials, is the provider still the force it used to be, or is it being brushed aside by budding technologies?

Why Should I Use Mastercard?

Mastercard is one of the most widely used and reliable methods of payment available. It is accepted internationally in a massive number of businesses, from shops and restaurants to online shopping and casinos. Along with Visa, it is one of the most trusted ways to pay and fund your player account. And it also comes with a wide range of benefits which we we’ll divulge in this guide.

Is Mastercard Safe?

The fact that it’s a trustworthy payment source is one of its major appeals. Another is that it can be used worldwide. But there are many more perks, too.

Mastercard is an easily recognisable format of payment, available as a debit or credit card. It is linked directly to your bank account, meaning there’s less of a learning curve with payments than there are for some newer forms of deposit methods.

There are a number of distinct advantages to using Mastercard over other payment options. Extended warranty on items is one key selling point, with purchases by the provider often enjoying a warranty that is twice as long as normal. A price protection plan means that users may be eligible for a partial refund if they find the item cheaper elsewhere. And regular travellers will enjoy the perks at airports, including VIP lounges.

Another big plus for travellers is insurance for lost, damaged or delayed baggage. And if you end up in an accident, there’s cover for that too.

The brand also enjoys many exclusive partnerships. This allows them to offer special promotions that you won’t tend to find elsewhere, such as tickets to a Champions League football match.

Mastercard accounts are linked to the bank that supplies them. This means that the bank sets the ‘rules’ in place for the card. For many customers, having a central authority such as a high street bank acts as a very welcome assurance. If things go wrong, the bank may well be able to help.

Because of this structure, the card issuer is able to offer its customers Zero Liability protection. This means that the bank associated with the card will not hold customers responsible for fraudulent transactions, subject to some exceptions. In the case of something like this happening, the group’s support team is available 24/7 by phone to help you cancel any lost or stolen cards. Another bonus is their advanced chip technology which also helps protect against fraud.

What Is the Difference Between Prepaid Cards and Credit Cards?

When people refer to Mastercard, they generally reference the credit and debit card options. But did you know that you can also purchase a prepaid Mastercard?

Prepaid cards are very different from credit cards. The main difference is that prepaid cards are not linked to a bank account. And, as the name suggests, funds are loaded up onto the card in advance. This means you cannot spend more than you have already loaded onto the card, making it a good choice for people who want to keep track of their spending. Users may already be familiar with the prepaid card system from Pockit and other similar providers.

Though these types of cards may have a similar appearance to credit cards, their functions are very different.

Making Deposits and Withdrawals with Mastercard

If you’re using a prepaid Mastercard, it’s relatively easy to make a deposit and get in on the real money action quite quickly. You can get a card online or at selected stores. Then, once you’ve registered your card, you can top up at any store which hosts a Mastercard repower point. It will often be the same places that offer UKash and Paypoint services. There may be a small fee involved, and this will depend on the retailer’s own policy.

When using a standard Mastercard credit card, you may find that merchants charge you an additional fee on top of the purchase. This is supposedly offset against the benefits and security that credit cards offer. As well as this, you’ll have to pay monthly charges which can increase dramatically if payments are missed.

What Documentation Is Needed to Use Mastercard?

There is no easy way to get a Mastercard without extensive documentation. Your card is tied to a bank account, which means you will need to have an established account with a bank. This will usually involve multiple forms of identification, a recent utility bill paid by you that matches your current address, and possibly an in-branch visit.

Once this has been established, you will be able to apply for different types of credit and debit cards. For the credit cards alone, there are three levels – standard credit cards, World Mastercard and World Elite Mastercard. A number of criteria will be assessed before you are offered the type of credit card which is deemed most appropriate for your financial situation.

What Other Options Are There?

A statistical analysis from 2017 found that Mastercard had the second largest market share based on the number of cards in circulation: 200 million, or 31.6% of the market. This amounts to over $3.4bn of spending over the course of a year.

The major alternative, therefore, is the only other operator with similarly superior numbers. In the same analysis, Visa was found to have 335 million cards in operation accounting for 52.8% of the market.

Whilst Mastercard is one of the undoubted leaders in the industry, there are several other alternatives as well. We recommend Visa, Pockit, Optimum and Cashplus Credit Builder.

Which Online Casinos Accept Mastercard?

If you’d like to make a casino deposit via the provider, you won’t have to look too far. The vast majority of gambling sites are happy to accept Mastercard deposits and withdrawals. It’s a trusted method that has been around since 1966, and in that time, it has permeated the majority of online and offline transactions. This includes everything from high street boutiques and supermarkets to favourable online casinos where you play for real money.