Where Is Mastercard NOT Accepted? (2024)

Ad Disclosure Ad Disclosure

This question is about Mastercard Credit Cards

WalletHub, Financial Company

@WalletHub • 06/30/23

Mastercardis not accepted at certain stores and merchants that only take cash, such as vendors at a local fair. Mastercard is also not accepted at retail chains that have an exclusive agreement with another card network. For example, Costco accepts Mastercard only for online purchases. There are also some websites that only take electronic currency though outlets like PayPal, Venmo, or Bitcoin. Mastercard credit cards also can’t be used to pay a credit card bill, but no credit cards can be used for that.

Outside of those exceptions, you can use Mastercards globally, in over 210 countries and territories. Plus, millions of merchants within those countries take Mastercard.

Here’s where Mastercard is not accepted:

Merchants who don’t take credit cards.Small businesses may not always want to bother with the fees they get charged for accepting credit cards. So, you’ll probably run into some cash-only merchants at some point. In addition, you might not be able to use your credit card at certain events, like a food stall at your local fair, for instance.
Merchants with exclusive deals.Sometimes, a merchant will give its business to only one credit card network. Costco is a good example. They used to only acceptAmerican Express cards, and now they only acceptVisa cards. But you won’t find a lot of places that accept credit cards and exclude Mastercard.
Certain online purchases.Some online purchases can only be completed using virtual currency (e.g. bitcoin).
Monthly credit card bills.You can’t use any credit card, whether from Mastercard or another network, to pay another credit card’s bill on a monthly basis. But you cantransfer a balancefrom one card to another, just not regularly. That usually makes sense only if you’re opening a new account with a0% introductory balance transfer APR.

So, if you’re able to use credit cards at a merchant, it’s almost guaranteed they’ll take your Mastercard. But in case they don’t, it helps to have some cash on you or a backup credit card from another network.

This answer was first published on 12/28/17 and it was last updated on 06/30/23. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

see this user

Diana Fincher, Member

@fincher_diana • 02/15/18

Permalink Report Abuse

Only in smaller shops, that don't take cards, or ones with specific partnerships. Visa and Mastercard are the biggest networks on the planet, so you'll have to look hard to find a place that doesn't take them.

This answer was first published on 02/15/18. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.

see this user

Keira Johnson, Member

@keira_johnson • 02/15/18

Permalink Report Abuse

Mastercard is accepted in more than 210 countries, according to their website. I don't think you'll find a list anywhere of the places where you can't use it, but what's certain is that you can't pay with a Mastercard at Costco.

Simon Hermes @Simonhermes

Report Abuse

I have tried everywhere in noumea to pay with Mastercard or obtain cash from an atm without success I have found one tiny corner store that can process my Mastercard payment so I am sitting in my hotel eating instant noodles for my month long holiday Be warned and have a Visa card in case

Is Mastercard accepted everywhere?

Yes, Mastercard is accepted almost everywhere you can use a credit or debit card. Millions of merchants in more than 210 countries and territories take Mastercard. And that includes more than 10.7 million retailers in the U.S. alone. Furthermore, Visa is accepted in just over 200 countries and territories, while American Express lags well behind.

Here’s what you should know about Mastercard’s acceptance:

Mastercard isn’t accepted everywhere that you may find yourself...

read full answer

What is the most widely accepted credit card?

Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards. Visa credit cards can be used at 44 million merchant locations in more than 200 countries and territories. Mastercard credit cards are accepted at 37 million merchant locations in more than 210 countries and territories.

Mastercard is accepted in more countries than Visa, yet roughly 7 million more merchants worldwide take Visa. Both have a claim to the title of most widely accepted credit...

read full answer

Is Mastercard or Visa more widely accepted?

There isn’t much of a difference between Mastercard and Visa when it comes to acceptance. Both card networks are accepted in more than 200 countries and territories, and almost every merchant that takes credit cards accepts both Visa and Mastercard.

Mastercard does have a slight advantage over Visa in terms of worldwide acceptance. Mastercard works in 210+ counties and territories, compared to 200+ for Visa.

You can find out more in our guide comparing Visa...

read full answer

Thank you for submitting your comment! Please login or join Wallethub for your comment to post.

Did we answer your question?

WalletHub Answers is a free service that helps consumers access financial information. Information on WalletHub Answers is provided “as is” and should not be considered financial, legal or investment advice. WalletHub is not a financial advisor, law firm, “lawyer referral service,” or a substitute for a financial advisor, attorney, or law firm. You may want to hire a professional before making any decision. WalletHub does not endorse any particular contributors and cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of any information posted. The helpfulness of a financial advisor's answer is not indicative of future advisor performance.

WalletHub members have a wealth of knowledge to share, and we encourage everyone to do so while respecting our content guidelines. This question was posted by WalletHub. Please keep in mind that editorial and user-generated content on this page is not reviewed or otherwise endorsed by any financial institution. In addition, it is not a financial institution’s responsibility to ensure all posts and questions are answered.

Ad Disclosure: Certain offers that appear on this site originate from paying advertisers, and this will be noted on an offer’s details page using the designation "Sponsored", where applicable. Advertising may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). At WalletHub we try to present a wide array of offers, but our offers do not represent all financial services companies or products.

WalletHub Transparency

We are committed to being fully transparent with our readers. Opinions expressed here are the author’s and/or WalletHub editors'. WalletHub editorial content on this page is not provided, commissioned, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any company. In addition, it is not any company’s responsibility to ensure all questions are answered.