Mastercard, like other payment networks, restricts or blocks card usage in countries facing sanctions or high fraud risks, with common blocked nations including North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba, Russia, Sudan, Belarus, and Myanmar, though specific lists vary by issuer (credit union, bank) and can also cover places like Afghanistan, Venezuela, parts of Ukraine, and Central African Republic, due to global sanctions or local security policies.
Mastercard Not Accepted in These Countries
Both are accepted nearly everywhere
There are just a few exceptions to this near-universal acceptance of Visa and Mastercard. Usually, they occur when a merchant has an exclusive deal with one payment network. Probably the best-known arrangement is at Costco wholesale clubs, which accept only Visa cards.
If you're wondering whether Mastercard is accepted everywhere, the answer is almost always yes. Both Visa and Mastercard are accepted at over 150 million merchant locations in more than 200 countries, making them nearly universal.
The 2/3/4 rule is a guideline, primarily used by Bank of America, that limits how many new credit cards you can get: no more than 2 in 30 days, 3 in 12 months, and 4 in 24 months, helping to prevent over-application and manage hard inquiries on your credit report. While not universal, it's a useful benchmark for responsible card application, though other banks have different rules (like Chase's 5/24 rule).
Yes, Amazon accepts MasterCard for most purchases, including credit and debit cards, as well as prepaid MasterCards (though some restrictions apply to combining prepaid cards with other payment methods). You can simply add your card to your account's payment methods for a quick checkout.
Chase, Citi, and Capital One are among the banks using Mastercard as a payment network for their credit and debit cards. Mastercard is one of the largest card networks in the world (alongside Visa), and is accepted in over 210 countries and territories, more than any other network.
Are there any countries that have card restrictions?
Walmart accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Japan Credit Bureau (JCB) and Union Pay.
Both are widely accepted nearly everywhere you're likely to travel, though, and each network supports credit cards that are excellent for traveling abroad.
The poorest countries rely most on cash: Myanmar (98%), Ethiopia (95%), and Gambia (95%) top the list, reflecting limited banking infrastructure. Wealthy nations are nearly cashless: Sweden (14%), Norway (10%), and South Korea (10%) show how digital payment infrastructure correlates with economic development.
Visa (V) commands a $652 billion market capitalization, while Mastercard (MA) follows closely behind at $504 billion (as of Nov. 12, 2025). 67 As neither company extends credit nor issues cards through a banking division, both have a broad portfolio of co-branded offerings. Their business models are very similar.
Places Where Mastercard Is Not Accepted
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.
Keep track of spending, your account balance, or how close you are to your card's credit limit — the maximum amount of credit you're approved for. If the balance on your bank account is too low, or you get close to or go over your credit card's credit limit, your card may be declined.
Verify your payment card information in Your Account. Ensure your billing address and phone number match your bank's records. Check that you have sufficient funds for the purchase. Review your bank's policies on electronic or internet purchases.
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What Is the 15/3 Rule?