"Mastercard Standard": types, purpose of the card, conditions for obtaining, recommendations and reviews

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Plastic cards have become so firmly established in our lives that one can hardly imagine the modern world without this means of payment. This is especially true for those people who care about mobility, speed and practicality. Debit cards allow you not to carry around a bunch of banknotes and have round-the-clock access to your funds almost anywhere in the world. Credit cards provide an opportunity to purchase the desired product or service at the expense of the bank's borrowed funds and provide the right to use an interest-free loan during the grace period. The most common class of such payment instruments is "classic" cards belonging to the middle segment. They combine a reasonable cost of maintenance, the necessary set of services and services, as well as attractive bonus privileges. A representative of this segment is the Mastercard Standard card, the features of which are discussed below.

About Mastercard payment system

"Mastercard" is an international payment system, the second most popular after Visa. The share of payment cards issued by the company is about 25% of the total numberin the world. Mastercard cards are accepted for payment by more than a million service points in 210 countries around the world. About 22 thousand financial institutions cooperate with the corporation. The legal address is registered in the USA. The main difference from the main competitor of Visa is in the currency of payment: for Mastercard it is the euro; Visa works with dollars. Therefore, Mastercard is more preferable for those who travel to European countries more often, and Visa for the USA, Canada, Thailand, etc. The payment system processes up to 140 million transactions every hour, for a total of up to 20 billion per year. The share of Mastercard card holders in Russia is about 38.5%.

Types of MasterCard cards

All Mastercard payment cards can be divided into three segments:

• entry-level plastic cards (Maestro);
• mid-level cards (Standard);
• premium cards (Gold, Platinum, World, Black Edition, World Elite).

The differences between the categories are in the cost of service, security technologies, payment methods and additional services for travelers.

The Maestro electronic card is the best choice for those who do not plan to use the card regularly and do not make card transactions abroad. The payment instrument has some limitations due to its class:

• cannot pay for online purchases;
• cards are mostly non-embossed;
• Not all outlets support Maestro payment.

MC Standard is great for everyday use and travel. Affordable service price, pleasant bonus programs, no restrictions on use both on the Internet and abroad - all this makes the "classic" card from Mastercard a convenient and practical means of payment.

Premium segment cards are intended for the business stratum of society: top managers of companies, businessmen, politicians, etc. The presence of a card of this class emphasizes the status of the owner, his wide financial opportunities and influential position. The high cost of servicing premium cards is justified by exceptional benefits and features:

• priority service at many outlets and service providers;
• access to VIP areas of airports and lounges;
• increased bonuses when paying for purchases;
• free cash withdrawals from ATMs worldwide.

"Classic" from Mastercard

Mastercard Standard is the most common payment instrument that provides access to a wide range of services: free cash withdrawals from ATMs, cashback, bonus programs, transfers within the system, the ability to use the card abroad, full technical support 24/7. Standard cards are equipped with PayPass contactless payment technology, which allows you to make payments much faster, eliminating contact with a payment terminal. The "classic" variants are protected by 3D-Secure technology, which meansthat when making online purchases, to authenticate the cardholder on the merchant's website, you must enter the code sent to the cardholder's phone.

Who is this card for?

MC Standard is intended for use by the general public. Often, the issue of a debit "Mastercard Standard" is carried out as part of a salary project or to receive social benefits. Banks provide a choice of Standard cards with a different set of features and services. For example, among the “classic” segment of Mastercard cards, Sberbank has a regular Mastercard Standard, a “Youth Mastercard Standard”, a standard one with an individual design, as well as a Standard class credit card with a mass and pre-approved offer.

Mastercard Standard Benefits

• Versatility. "Mastercard Standard" - a personal card for all occasions. It can be kept for both everyday use and travel.
• Favorable service. The annual Standard service is inexpensive, given the package of services that the cardholder receives at his disposal. Some banks do not charge a service fee at all. For the most part, this applies to debit cards with a basic set of services and limit payment instruments. So, for example, for a credit card "Mastercard Standard" in Sberbank with the possibility of issuing a limit of up to 600,000 rubles and a grace period of up to 50 days, there is no commission for servicing the card throughout the entire period.
• Widegeography of use. Mastercard can be used to pay or withdraw cash almost anywhere in the world.
• Appearance. Cardholder data is applied to plastic by embossing, during which letters and numbers are squeezed out and take on a convex appearance. This method provides more opportunities for customer identification and removes the restrictions inherent in entry-level cards.
• Bonus program and special promotions. Mastercard Rewards is a special program for Mastercard cardholders. With each purchase, a certain number of bonuses are credited to the account, which can be exchanged for gifts from the bonus catalog of the payment system.
• Safety. 3D-Secure technology protects the payment card holder from unauthorized access to the account, and 24/7 Mastercard customer support will allow you to block the card in a timely manner and avoid financial losses as a result of loss or theft.

Where and how to get?

To get a Mastercard Standard debit card, you just need to submit an online application on the bank's official website or come to a branch with a passport and fill out an application for issuing plastic. A standard issue of a personalized embossed card lasts up to 5 business days. When applying for a credit card, proof of income is required in most cases. A positive credit history will also be a plus for the approval of the card limit.

Mastercard Standard in Russian banks

Let's consider the current offers of MC Standard onRussian market of plastic cards. Debit "Mastercard Standard" in Sberbank will cost 750 rubles in the first year, in subsequent years - 450 rubles. For this money, the client receives a card on the following conditions:

• valid for 3 years;
• cash withdrawal from Sberbank ATMs without commission up to 150,000 rubles per day;
• opportunity to open an account in rubles, dollars and euros;
• contactless payment;
• participation in the bonus program "Thank you";
• remote service through the Sberbank Online system.

"Alpha Card with Benefits" - an interesting Mastercard Standard card product from "Alfa-Bank" for those who make frequent purchases and like to enjoy all the bonus benefits. Card service for the first two months is free, in the next - 100 rubles, or also without commission if the amount of purchases per month on the card was more than 10,000 rubles or the average monthly balance exceeded 30,000 rubles. Cashback will be up to 2%, reward for the account balance - up to 6%. Access to Alfa-click Internet banking is provided, free transfers, payment of utilities, cellular communications, fines, etc.

There are interesting offers from smaller banks. So, "Severgazbank" issues a salary "Mastercard Standard" with free annual service during the entire validity period, the availability of Internet banking, the possibility of issuing additional cards, connectingoverdraft, etc.

Experience using Mastercard Standard: reviews and recommendations

Thanks to a reasonable ratio between service costs and the services offered, MC Standard cards are very popular among middle-income people. Among the positive qualities, the convenience of using a payment instrument abroad, prompt customer support service, fast contactless payments and favorable rates are noted. The disadvantages include a small number of affiliate bonus programs and additional services. This is the key difference between "Mastercard Standard" and "Mastercard Gold" - a card of a higher class, in which such a service is already included by default.

When issuing a card at a branch, you should carefully read the banking conditions and tariffs. In some cases, the increased cost of Standard service is due to a set of additional services that are not always valuable in daily use, but are necessary only, for example, when traveling abroad. These options include travel insurance, legal assistance, concierge service, etc.

You can use your payment card to your advantage. Mastercard, together with partner companies and banks, regularly holds promotions and offers for cardholders. Customers are offered to pay for purchases at certain retail outlets and chains of stores, and in return receive discounts or bonus points that can later be spent on prizes or the purchase of new products orservices.

The "classic" Mastercard Standard card is the right solution for those who are not ready to overpay extra money for unnecessary services and appreciate ease of use, versatility of use, security and special advantageous offers when paying for purchases. The presence of a chip and an embossed inscription on the card make it possible to use it at almost all service points and ATMs, and 3D-Secure technology guarantees protection when making online payments. Flexible tariff policy of banks and a wide range of offers will allow you to choose a Standard payment card with a set of services that best meets the needs and income of various categories of customers.