MasterCard and Maestro cards are both bank cards that are issued by MasterCard Incorporation, which is one of the most popular brands of bank cards all across the globe.
They are parts of the same company. Both of these cards can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs, or to make online transactions, because of which one often gets confused between them.
Maestro Card vs MasterCard
The main difference between the Maestro card and MasterCard is that the Maestro card is a brand of debit card of the MasterCard itself. The MasterCard can be a debit card, credit card, or a prepaid card, whereas a Maestro card is a debit card only.
Comparison Table Between Maestro Card and MasterCard
| Parameter of Comparison | Maestro Card | Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Maestro card is a debit card. | MasterCard can be either a debit card or a credit card, or even a prepaid card. |
| Transactions confirmation | A maestro PIN confirms the financial transactions of Maestro. | A signature confirms the financial transactions of a MasterCard. |
| Maximum limit | The current amount in the bank account is the maximum payment limit in a maestro card. | The maximum payment limit in the case of a MasterCard depends on many terms. |
| Rate of interest | Maestro card charges lower rates of interest as compared to MasterCard. | MasterCard charges high rates of interest in financial dealings. |
What is Maestro Card?
Maestro is merely a brand of prepaid and debit cards that are possessed by MasterCard. It was launched in 1991. The debit cards of this brand are acquired from related banks and are connected to the present bank account of the cardholder. For prepaid cards, there is no requirement of a bank account.
The amount of money present here is possessed by the cardholder and hence this is not a loan. The cardholder is simply using his own money for online transactions or shopping online. The amount is charged straight on the bank account and gets debited directly. The company issuing the debit card does not charge interest on that money.
These cards can be used at ATMs. It can also be used at any Point Of Sale. The cardholder swipes the card through the payment terminal. The card issuer authorizes the payment, provided enough funds are present in the account. The payment is then confirmed by the cardholder by entering the PIN or by signing the sales receipt.
A few benefits of a Maestro card:
- One does not have to carry a huge amount of currency.
- The bank statements are sent via email or mobile, which helps one to keep an account of their monthly expenditure.
- It can be used globally at retail stores.
- It can be used online as well as offline.
- There is no tension of month-end bills as the amount is debited directly from the bank account.
What is MasterCard?
MasterCard is a financial service company that is U.S based. It helps to process payments between the merchant’s bank and the MasterCard issuer bank. It was initially known as Interbank in 1966 when it was found. It was later known as Master Charge till 1979, after which it was named MasterCard officially.
MasterCard is the most commonly used card globally. It is used in more than 200 countries and 36 million places. Millions of ATMs all over the world and retail outlets accept MasterCard’s debit, credit, and prepaid cards.
A MasterCard can be either a debit card or a credit card, or even a prepaid card.
MasterCard issues credit cards in connection with banks or other partner brands, and these cards are known as MasterCard credit cards. They are accepted in millions of places all over the world. Depending on the credit history, the monthly income, the spending power, and other factors, a customer can apply for the type of credit card he wants.
The card can be used to make purchases from retail stores, to pay different bills, for online transactions, to withdraw money, and much more. There are different types of credit cards offered by the banks, such as World MasterCard, Standard MasterCard, and Platinum MasterCard.
There are also MasterCard debit cards that are popular because of the swift services they offer.
These cards are considered to be the best payment systems all over the world because of the attractive benefits they offer. For every transaction, they offer reward points.
One of the features of a MasterCard debit card is that it is accepted all across the globe. Another feature is that it provides undisturbed banking services. It also allows one to easily access their savings account.
Main Differences Between Maestro Card and MasterCard
Conclusion
The MasterCard is the most popular brand of bank cards globally. It offers flexible payment options, represents immediate buying power, instant and convenient access of deposits and most importantly, it ensures security.
The Maestro card is popular because of the swift services it offers. These cards are considered to be the best payment systems all over the world and it is the only PIN-based debit card that can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs or to make purchases. It also offers easy cash access.