Latest news with #WorldLegend
Business Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Citi charges US$595 for ‘Strata Elite' credit card to rival Amex, Chase
[NEW YORK] Citigroup launched a premium credit card designed to rival ones offered by JPMorgan Chase and American Express, the latest entrant in the increasingly crowded market for cards offering high-end perks. The 'Strata Elite' card will feature an annual fee of US$595, a price that the bank says can unlock almost US$1,500 in value if used to its maximum potential. It offers the largest points rewards for hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on Citigroup's travel platform, as well as restaurant dining at peak weekend times. The card also bakes in perks for customers who fly with American Airlines Group, giving four passes per year to the airline's airport lounges and the ability to transfer Citigroup 'ThankYou Points' into reward miles with the airline. That follows an expansion of the firms' existing card partnership in December, when American Airlines chose to make Citigroup the exclusive issuer of all its credit cards. In addition to American Express and JPMorgan, Citigroup will be competing with other banks trying to break into the premium space, including Capital One Financial. The customers they vie for are highly sought after, known for their willingness to pay annual fees, and reliably spending more and prioritising travel and hospitality. 'It's always been highly competitive, competition makes us all better,' Pam Habner, Citigroup's head of US branded cards and lending, said. At US$595, plus US$75 a year for each authorised user, the card is cheaper than JPMorgan's Sapphire Reserve, which Habner helped launch when she worked there in 2016. That card's annual fee will jump to US$795 from US$550, JPMorgan said last month. In addition to the perks rolled out by Citigroup directly, the Strata Elite card will be the first in Mastercard's recently announced World Legend tier of credit cards, meaning it comes with an additional suite of benefits. World Legend cards include access to the Mastercard Collection, which translates into ticket pre-sales and streamlined airport security access, among other rewards. 'We designed benefits that we know our customers can use,' Habner said, adding that the card was designed to give customers rewards for types of spending, rather than handing them coupon-style rewards to use with specific companies. The card offers perks designed for frequent travellers, including hundreds of US dollars worth of credit to spend on Blacklane, a chauffeur service, and on GlobalEntry or TSA PreCheck to get through airport lines faster. BLOOMBERG
Forbes
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Introducing The Mastercard World Legend: Dining, Entertainment And Travel
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Mastercard is stepping up its travel and lifestyle game. The company just announced the premiere of the World Legend Mastercard and the Mastercard Collection, a growing set of benefits aimed at making travel, dining and entertainment feel a little more first-class. Imagine standing in a long line with a heavy backpack and a rolling carry-on, just trying to make it through security so you can finally relax in the lounge. With Mastercard's new perks, launched on July 16, that stress might be a thing of the past. For frequent travelers, the real headline is an improved airport experience. This is part of Mastercard's push to make travel less stressful and more comfortable, well before you board the plane. Members of the Mastercard Collection—including eligible World, World Elite and the new World Legend cardholders—will now enjoy access to: over 1,350 Mastercard airport lounges in more than 600 cities across nearly 150 countries. 190 fast-track security lanes at 190 airports in over 30 airports. Mastercard-branded dining areas in select airports—coming soon. N/A Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed. But the perks don't stop at the terminal. Mastercard is also expanding its offerings around food and entertainment. Cardholders can now tap into a range of elevated perks that go beyond just making purchases. Think priority reservations at sought-after restaurants and early access to tickets for concerts, festivals and sports games. The idea is that your card shouldn't just cover the bill—it should open doors. For example, cardholders can now access presale and preferred tickets to events like Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons: The Last Encores concert, VIP passes to the ARC Music Festival in Chicago and Maroon 5's LOVE IS LIKE Tour. Although Mastercard hasn't released specific details yet, it's clear the company designed World Legend with today's lifestyle-centered consumer in mind. As Mastercard's most exclusive card tier to date, World Legend is a strategic leap into premium territory, offering elevated perks across travel, dining and entertainment. Aimed squarely at upscale consumers looking for experiences, the tier is set to launch in the U.S. in the third quarter of 2025. It's a card tier worth watching once partner banks begin detailing issuer-specific features. This move isn't just about adding flashy perks. It's about staying competitive in the premium credit card space. Mastercard is betting that more people, especially younger high earners, are spending on experiences over possessions. 'Time well-spent with people who matter most is truly priceless,' shares Mastercard's chief consumer product officer Bunita Sawhney. 'That's why we're thrilled to introduce The Mastercard Collection. Together with issuers around the world, we look forward to granting cardholders and their families access to memory-making experiences wherever they go.' Giving cardholders smoother travel days and better access to events is a way to keep those users loyal and active, while also offering Mastercard's partner banks new ways to attract big spenders and high-value customers. If you already carry a World or World Elite Mastercard, these new perks are worth checking out, especially if you travel often or love a live event. And if you're in the market for a premium card, these upgrades make Mastercard a more tempting contender. After all, the best credit card on the market no longer just earns you points—it unlocks moments that feel extraordinary.
Finextra
16-07-2025
- Business
- Finextra
New Mastercard cards centre experience benefits
New Mastercard research reveals a powerful paradigm shift: consumers are prioritizing connection and spending time and money on what genuinely fulfills them – experiences with people who matter the most. To meet these evolving needs, Mastercard is unveiling a new suite of elevated benefits – The Mastercard Collection – across its World, World Elite and newly created World Legend Mastercard cards. 0 This content is provided by an external author without editing by Finextra. It expresses the views and opinions of the author. Introducing The Mastercard Collection With The Mastercard Collection, cardholders and their friends and families can make the most of every moment with elevated, globally connected dining, entertainment and travel benefits. Dining: Priority reservations at sought-after restaurants, specially crafted menus and experiences that transform moments into memories. Entertainment: Ticket access, including presales, and premium seating for the most in-demand music events through our international partnership with Live Nation, as well as access to tickets for sporting events. Travel: Streamlined airport experiences, including access to 190 fast-track security lanes at over 30 airports and to more than 1,350 airport lounges at major international airports across 600 cities and nearly 150 countries, ensuring a smooth and stress-free start to their adventure. Coming soon to select international airports, Mastercard-exclusive dining spaces will also redefine the pre-flight experience by blending comfort, locally inspired flavors, and must-have travel amenities. The Mastercard Collection unlocks premium benefits for cardholders and their loved ones—at home and where their travels take them. During a vacation to London, for example, a U.S. cardholder and her family can enjoy streamlined travel, breezing through airport security; snag dinner reservations at an award-winning restaurant; and book front-row seats at Stranger Things: The First Shadow in the West End. These exclusively curated experiences and more are available to eligible World portfolio cardholders, complementing issuing banks' own benefits and rewards programs. Consumers can browse and book experiences via or their banking app. Debuting World Legend Mastercard Expanding its World portfolio for higher-spending cardholders, Mastercard is launching the World Legend Mastercard – its most prestigious consumer card to date. Designed for individuals who want access to exceptional and exclusive experiences that bring them closer to their passions, World Legend is available to banks globally today and will debut to cardholders in the U.S. in Q3 2025, followed by a broader international rollout. Building a Platform for Partners The Mastercard Collection and our portfolio of World, World Elite and World Legend cards are built for today's experience-driven consumers. Together, they offer a powerful, curated platform of dining, entertainment and travel experiences that enable issuers to create differentiated products that drive loyalty and brand affinity. The Mastercard Collection is grounded in the philosophy that life's most meaningful moments are truly priceless. Through and our integrated partner channels, cardholders can effortlessly browse, book and enjoy curated experiences that spark emotion, connection and lasting memories — all at their fingertips. Diving Deeper The Mastercard Collection caters to a growing demand from consumers for a more intentional way of living, where spending on meaningful experiences is prioritized over material things. Nearly 75% of cardholders say they feel their best when spending their time on their passions, including culinary exploration, artistic endeavors, and cultural immersion. Two-thirds are becoming more intentional with how they spend their time, focusing on the relationships that matter most (Mastercard proprietary research, 2024). While this shift towards experiences holds true for all demographics, it's especially true among the top 30% of earners, who spend more than twice the average cardholder (Mastercard internal data, 2023). For financial institutions, capturing this audience's attention and building long-term relationships is key. 'Time well-spent with people who matter most is truly priceless,' said Bunita Sawhney, chief consumer product officer, Mastercard. 'That's why we're thrilled to introduce The Mastercard Collection. Together with issuers around the world, we look forward to granting cardholders and their families access to memory-making experiences wherever they go." Mastercard is continuing to expand its benefit offerings available through The Mastercard Collection, meeting consumers where they are, and delivering what matters most to them.
Business Wire
16-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Elevating Cardholder Experiences Worldwide With the Mastercard Collection and Introduction of World Legend Mastercard
PURCHASE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--New Mastercard research reveals a powerful paradigm shift: consumers are prioritizing connection and spending time and money on what genuinely fulfills them – experiences with people who matter the most. To meet these evolving needs, Mastercard is unveiling a new suite of elevated benefits – The Mastercard Collection – across its World, World Elite and newly created World Legend Mastercard cards. "Time well-spent with people who matter most is truly priceless,' said Bunita Sawhney, chief consumer product officer, Mastercard. 'That's why we're thrilled to introduce The Mastercard Collection." Introducing The Mastercard Collection With The Mastercard Collection, cardholders and their friends and families can make the most of every moment with elevated, globally connected dining, entertainment and travel benefits: Dining: Priority reservations at sought-after restaurants, specially crafted menus and experiences that transform moments into memories. Entertainment: Ticket access, including presales, and premium seating for the most in-demand music events through our international partnership with Live Nation, as well as access to tickets for sporting events. Travel: Streamlined airport experiences, including access to 190 fast-track security lanes at over 30 airports and to more than 1,350 airport lounges at major international airports across 600 cities and nearly 150 countries, ensuring a smooth and stress-free start to their adventure. Coming soon to select international airports, Mastercard-exclusive dining spaces will also redefine the pre-flight experience by blending comfort, locally inspired flavors, and must-have travel amenities. The Mastercard Collection unlocks premium benefits for cardholders and their loved ones—at home and where their travels take them. During a vacation to London, for example, a U.S. cardholder and her family can enjoy streamlined travel, breezing through airport security; snag dinner reservations at an award-winning restaurant; and book front-row seats at Stranger Things: The First Shadow in the West End. These exclusively curated experiences and more are available to eligible World portfolio cardholders, complementing issuing banks' own benefits and rewards programs. Consumers can browse and book experiences via or their banking app. Debuting World Legend Mastercard Expanding its World portfolio for higher-spending cardholders, Mastercard is launching the World Legend Mastercard – its most prestigious consumer card to date. Designed for individuals who want access to exceptional and exclusive experiences that bring them closer to their passions, World Legend is available to banks globally today and will debut to cardholders in the U.S. in Q3 2025, followed by a broader international rollout. Building a Platform for Partners The Mastercard Collection and our portfolio of World, World Elite and World Legend cards are built for today's experience-driven consumers. Together, they offer a powerful, curated platform of dining, entertainment and travel experiences that enable issuers to create differentiated products that drive loyalty and brand affinity. The Mastercard Collection is grounded in the philosophy that life's most meaningful moments are truly priceless. Through and our integrated partner channels, cardholders can effortlessly browse, book and enjoy curated experiences that spark emotion, connection and lasting memories — all at their fingertips. Diving Deeper The Mastercard Collection caters to a growing demand from consumers for a more intentional way of living, where spending on meaningful experiences is prioritized over material things. Nearly 75% of cardholders say they feel their best when spending their time on their passions, including culinary exploration, artistic endeavors, and cultural immersion. Two-thirds are becoming more intentional with how they spend their time, focusing on the relationships that matter most (Mastercard proprietary research, 2024). While this shift towards experiences holds true for all demographics, it's especially true among the top 30% of earners, who spend more than twice the average cardholder (Mastercard internal data, 2023). For financial institutions, capturing this audience's attention and building long-term relationships is key. 'Time well-spent with people who matter most is truly priceless,' said Bunita Sawhney, chief consumer product officer, Mastercard. 'That's why we're thrilled to introduce The Mastercard Collection. Together with issuers around the world, we look forward to granting cardholders and their families access to memory-making experiences wherever they go." Mastercard is continuing to expand its benefit offerings available through The Mastercard Collection, meeting consumers where they are, and delivering what matters most to them. For more information about The Mastercard Collection, please visit
