Mastercard Adds Great Benefits for Postmates, Lyft, and More
Caroline Lupini May 01, 2019
Outfit of traveler with cup of coffee on wooden background, Vintage style
Good news for MasterCard users: MasterCard has officially announced the formation of new brand relationships that stand to benefit World MasterCard and World Elite MasterCard cardholders. Beginning on April 16th, cardholders began enjoying automatic benefits with brands like Lyft, Postmates, Fandango, and Boxed.
The change is a response to the consumer trends of today; specifically, how can MasterCard simultaneously manage and meet consumer expectations in an ever-evolving economy that relies on user-friendliness and rewards availability? By partnering with digital brands and automatically linking rewards to cardholder accounts, MasterCard has done just that.
If you are a World or World Elite cardholder, you don’t have to sign up or register for the new benefits. They are always on, always digital, and automatic every time you take advantage of the relevant digital services.
Specifically, World Elite cardholders who take rides with Lyft will enjoy a $10 credit for every five rides taken within one calendar month, once per month. The $10 credit will automatically be applied to the sixth ride.
World Elite cardholders are also able to earn double Fandango VIP+ points for movie ticket purchases. This works out to be 500 Fandango VIP+ points (or $5) for every two movie tickets purchased through the Fandango app or website. Those rewards can be used towards purchasing more movie tickets through Fandango, or streaming movies and TV with FandangoNOW.
With Boxed, World Elite cardholders can earn 5% Cash Rewards on each purchase, which can then be redeemed on future purchases with Boxed.
I haven’t forgotten the World MasterCard members; both World and World Elite cardholders enjoy new benefits with Postmates. Both categories are entitled to $5 off every order of $25 or more with Postmates — up to a 20% discount.
Again, the best part about these benefits is that they’re already there. Cardholders don’t have to do anything but simply go about their everyday spending habits with applicable brands and enjoy the rewards.
These new partnerships aren’t the only thing MasterCard has in the cards for members; starting on July 1, World and World Elite cardholders will be eligible for enhanced ID Theft Protection as well as cell phone insurance.
But, what do they mean by “enhanced” ID Theft Protection? Essentially, cardholders who sign up for MasterCard ID Theft Protection will soon have the added benefit of comprehensive digital monitoring of their personal information. This means that, as a registered cardholder, you’ll have a vigilant team of identity monitoring surrounding your information. Additionally, if something does go wrong and your identity information becomes compromised, you’ll have access to an around-the-clock team of resolution specialists and customer service representatives that have your back 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
On top of that, if you choose to charge your monthly cell phone bill to your World or World Elite MasterCard, you will be eligible to register for MasterCard Cellular Telephone Protection. Depending on your device, this could be a pretty great benefit for you. World MasterCard members enjoy a maximum $600 liability per claim and World Elite cardholders are entitled to a maximum $800 liability per claim, but both cap out at $1,000 per year. The insurance covers damaged or stolen cell phones as well as cosmetic screen damage.
With this onslaught of new and upcoming benefits, it may be time to consider applying for a World MasterCard — World Elite if you’d like to take full advantage of the benefits. Not only does the World Elite MasterCard come with the full suite of benefits discussed above, but many of them are also pretty good options for travelers.
If you like to immerse yourself into exclusive experiences while you’re traveling, the World Elite MasterCard comes with exclusive access to the MasterCard repository of travel experience packages. For example, you and your travel buddy could head to the Jamaica Market in Mexico to learn about spicy chiles and make your own salsa. Or, if you have always dreamed of performing in a massive festival and having VIP access to dinners and after parties, you can purchase an exclusive package to the 70th annual Dubrovnik Summer Festival and actively participate in the festivities. Alternatively, if you like to stay on the sidelines, keep stateside and snag exclusive Red Sox tickets to enjoy the game from the Green Monster. Whatever your ideal activity, MasterCard probably has something cool to pique your interest.
World Elite MasterCard members also enjoy access to complimentary travel services, vacation packages, and lowest hotel rate guarantees.
Bottom line: World Elite cardholders come out on top here, but there are definitely a few new benefits for World cardholders.
How will you use your new benefits from MasterCard?
[Image Source: Shutterstock]
If the Lyft credit is applied to the 6th ride, then it isn’t really every 5 rides, as that implies you get the credit for taking 5 rides. Objectively, the AmEx Platinum Uber credit is a better deal if you aren’t brand loyal, though personally I’m not a fan of Uber as a company. It’s good to see MasterCard trying to be competitive at the mid-to-high end of the market though. There isn’t really much there apart from AmEx and Chase. (I hop between these as their offerings evolve.)