World Elite vs. World Mastercard: What are the differences in benefits and value?

Nov. 20, 2024

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6 min read

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Editor's Note

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We're all aware of the useful benefits that come with our credit cards, from annual travel credits to free checked bags. But what about the less obvious ones?

If you own a credit card through Mastercard, it will be one of the following types: a Mastercard, World Mastercard or World Elite Mastercard.

You can find out which version you have by looking for the label above the Mastercard logo. World Elite Mastercards tend to carry higher annual fees. So, is it worth it to spend more? What benefits are you getting from owning a World or World Elite Mastercard?

Standard Mastercard benefits

The standard benefits of a Mastercard vary based on the card issuer and the product. However, benefits you'll get directly from the Standard Mastercard program include:

Zero liability protection: You won't be financially responsible for unauthorized charges to your card.
Mastercard Global Emergency Services: Get emergency assistance anytime, anywhere, helping you with card replacement, cash advances if your wallet or card is lost or stolen or other inquiries.
Mastercard ID Theft Protection™: Powered by Generali Global Assistance, this perk adds an extra level of security with exclusive technology to monitor fraud or suspicious activity on your account and assigns a resolution specialist in identity theft cases. Enroll your card on the Mastercard ID Theft Protection website to activate this benefit.

World Mastercard benefits

The next level is where you'll really start to reap the perks. In addition to all the standard Mastercard perks, World Mastercard cardholders enjoy the following:

Peacock: Get $3 off Peacock Premium each month.
Instacart: Get two free months of Instacart+ and $10 off your second qualifying Instacart order each month.
Lyft: After taking three Lyft rides in a calendar month, receive an automatic $5 credit once per month.
ShopRunner: Receive a complimentary ShopRunner membership, getting you unlimited free two-day shipping and return shipping on 100+ retailers, including Under Armour and Sephora.
HealthLock: Receive a complimentary medical claim monitor and a 90-day upgrade on HealthLock services with no monthly costs.

MIRKO VITALI/EYEEM/GETTY IMAGES

Priceless Experiences: Access exclusive events in your local city or destinations you're visiting. For golfers, you'll also enjoy Priceless benefits for golf experiences.
Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle Services: Offers trip planning assistance for cardholders, amenities, free nights, upgrades and premium travel offers from best-in-class travel companies across hotels, air travel, tours, cruises and car rentals. When booking through this program, you'll also receive:
Hotel stay guarantee: If you're not pleased with a three-star or higher-rated hotel stay, Mastercard will work to make it right.
Lowest hotel rate guarantee: If you find a lower price on a prepaid hotel stay, Mastercard may reimburse you the difference.
Mastercard Airport Concierge: Enjoy a 15% discount on personalized meet-and-greet services from over 700 airports worldwide.
ResortPass: Purchase day passes a select luxury resorts, and you'll earn a $30 statement credit on your next booking of $200 or more.
Mastercard Transit Benefit: Earn a $2.50 statement credit when you spend $10 or more each month at participating transit locations when you pay with tap and go.

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Two of our favorite World Mastercards are the JetBlue Card and the Amtrak Guest Rewards® Preferred Mastercard®.

The information for the JetBlue Card and Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuers.

World Elite Mastercard benefits

World Elite Mastercard cardholders enjoy all the standard and World Mastercard benefits (including Instacart and Lyft benefits) listed above, plus the following:

Peacock: Get $5 off Peacock Premium Plus each month
Alo Moves: Receive 50% on an Alo Moves membership when you pay with your World Elite Mastercard. When you sign up you will also receive 300 bonus points toward Alo Access.
World Elite Concierge: This 24/7 concierge service acts as a personal assistant, helping you with tasks like planning dinner reservations and booking tickets to events.
Cellphone protection: By paying your cellphone bill with your World Elite Mastercard, you'll receive up to $1,000 in yearly coverage (maximum two claims per year, for up to $800 per claim, $50 deductible) if your phone is damaged or stolen.*

*Cell phone protection is only available on select cards.

Three of our favorite World Elite Mastercards are the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees), the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) and the Bilt Mastercard® (see rates and fees).

TPG founder Brian Kelly is a Bilt adviser and investor.

Are World Elite Mastercard benefits worth the annual fee?

The easiest World Elite benefits to use (among those not included with World Mastercard) are probably the Lyft, Instacart and Peacock credits. All it requires is setting a World Elite Mastercard as your payment method.

The ShopRunner membership can also make the World Elite and World Mastercard worthwhile, with lots of savings available for shopping online.

Many of the benefits that come with World and World Elite Mastercards offer peace of mind. For instance, the included cellphone protection on select cards can come in handy, and it's nice to know that Mastercard has your back if you have a less-than-stellar hotel stay at a three-star or higher property.

Plus, having more personalized service through Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle Services is useful. But these aren't necessarily perks that will automatically translate into cost savings that offset a credit card's annual fee.

Bottom line

You probably didn't realize all of the included benefits that come with having a World or World Elite Mastercard. While standard Mastercards offer fraud protection and security perks, more useful benefits like statement credits kick in with mid-tier World cards. Rounding things out, World Elite cards offer superior cellphone protection (on select cards) and concierge services.

Related: Best Mastercard credit cards

For rates and fees of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.

For Bilt Mastercard rewards and benefits, click here.

Featured image by FILADENDRON/GETTY IMAGES

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.