The Mastercard World Elite and Visa Infinite programs are elite-tier programs that bundle exclusive perks, protections, and lifestyle benefits designed to enhance your travel and spending experiences.
It's impossible to say which of these premium programs is better than the other. The best Visa Infinite cards are a bit easier to qualify for and offer more choices, but World Elite Mastercards have better insurance packages. To help you decide, we’ll explore the differences, feature by feature.
Key Takeaways
- Mastercard offers World and World Elite cards as its mid-tier and premium card options.
- Visa issues Infinite and Infinite Privilege cards.
- In general, Visa Infinite cards are easier to qualify for and there are more cards to choose from, while World Elite Mastercards have higher income requirements and better airport lounge access.
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Overview of World Elite and Visa Infinite programs
Both Mastercard and Visa offer multiple levels within their programs. In addition to basic Mastercards, the network also issues Mastercard World and World Elite credit cards, while Visa offers Visa Infinite and Visa Infinite Privilege cards in addition to its basic lineup.
Mastercard is introducing an additional tier: Mastercard World Legend.
Each of these offers different levels of perks. For this guide, we'll pit Visa Infinite cards vs. Mastercard World Elite credit cards since they’re the closest to each other in terms of benefits.
Comparison of World Elite and Visa Infinite benefits
Here's an overview of the perks and benefits offered by World Elite Mastercards and Visa Infinite cards.
| Feature | Mastercard World Elite | Visa Infinite |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge access | All cards give membership to Mastercard experiences by DragonPass, and a select few offer free passes | Some cards offer a Priority Pass membership, and a select few offer free passes |
| Concierge service | World Elite concierge | Visa Infinite concierge |
| Insurance coverage | Up to 15 types of coverage | Up to 12 types of coverage |
| Income requirements | 80K personal, 150K household | 60K personal, 100K household |
| Experiences | * Mastercard Priceless cities * Cirque du Soleil | * Visa Infinite Dining Series * Visa Infinite Wine Country program |
| Other perks | * Mastercard World Experiences | * Visa Infinite Luxury hotel collection * Toronto International Film Festival |
| Number of personal credit cards available | 22 | 23 |
| Top credit card | MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard | RBC Avion Visa Infinite |
Lounge access
Both programs have cards that offer membership to their lounge programs, but few of them offer actual passes.
Because you normally have to pay an annual fee on top of your individual lounge access passes, you're still saving quite a bit, even if the cards don't come with passes (though it's definitely better if they do).
World Elite Mastercard lounge access
All World Elite Mastercards (and a few World cards) offer membership to their own program: Mastercard Airport Experiences provided by DragonPass.
This will give you membership to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide, but only a select few cards offer complimentary passes. If your card doesn't provide any free passes, you'll have to pay $32 USD each time you use your lounge access.
The
Visa Infinite lounge access
Only some Visa Infinite cards offer access to Visa Airport Companion, which includes 1,200 airport lounges. Even fewer cards give free passes.
The
This perk is available on all Visa Infinite Privilege cards, which include 6 free passes with the membership. Here are a few of these cards:
RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege BMO eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege* Card TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Credit Card
Concierge service
For concierge service, both programs offer a full-service concierge to help with travel plans, dinner reservations, and event tickets.
Mastercard World Elite concierge and Visa Infinite concierge are ready to help you with your travel plans, or anything else that comes up while you're in the middle of your journey.
Insurance coverage
When it comes to travel insurance, World Elite Mastercards have a slight edge.
The differences between the 2 lie in the various rental car protections. World Elite Mastercards issued by BMO, MBNA, and Brim Financial have car rental personal effects and accident insurance, something no Visa Infinite card currently offers.
Otherwise, they generally have the same protections and coverage amounts.
World Elite Mastercard insurance coverage
The best World Elite Mastercards come with 14 (out of
Check out an example of the kind of limits they offer:
BMO Ascend™ World Elite®* Mastercard®*
| Extended Warranty | 1 year |
| Purchase Protection | 90 days |
| Travel Accident | $500,000 |
| Emergency Medical Term | 21 days |
| Emergency Medical Maximum Coverage | $5,000,000 |
| Trip Cancellation | $1,500 |
| Trip Interruption | $2,000 |
| Flight Delay | $500 |
| Baggage Delay | $500 |
| Lost or Stolen Baggage | $500 |
| Personal Effects | $750 |
| Hotel Burglary | $1,000 |
| Rental Car Theft & Damage | Yes |
| Rental Car Accident | $200,000 |
| Rental Car Personal Effects | $1,000 |
Please review your insurance certificate for details, exclusions and limitations of your coverage.
Visa Infinite insurance coverage
Conversely, the best Visa Infinite cards have 12 types of insurance.
Here's what their insurance details look like:
Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card
| Extended Warranty | 1 year |
| Purchase Protection | 90 days |
| Travel Accident | $500,000 |
| Emergency Medical Term | 25 days |
| Emergency Medical Maximum Coverage | $1,000,000 |
| Emergency Medical over 65 | 3 days |
| Trip Cancellation | $1,500 |
| Trip Interruption | $1,500 |
| Flight Delay | $500 |
| Baggage Delay | $1,000 |
| Lost or Stolen Baggage | $1,000 |
| Hotel Burglary | $1,000 |
| Rental Car Theft & Damage | Yes |
Please review your insurance certificate for details, exclusions and limitations of your coverage.
Income requirements
To acquire these cards, you need to meet the income requirements.
In this regard, Visa Infinite cards definitely have a leg up on their competition. You need a personal income of $60,000 or a household income of $100,000 to qualify for a Visa Infinite card.
While this may seem high on its own, it sounds better than the income requirements for World Elite Mastercards, which increase those numbers to $80,000 personal or $150,000 household.
Experiences
Both programs offer access to events that can't be found anywhere else.
Visa Infinite experiences
For Visa Infinite, you get the Visa Infinite Dining Series and Wine Country programs.
The Visa Infinite Dining Series gives you exclusive access to dining events that will make you want to get your camera out and show off to everyone.
For the wine guru, the Visa Infinite Wine Country program lets you participate in wine tastings and tours at reduced rates compared to what others pay.
Mastercard World Elite experiences
Mastercard World Elite offers Priceless Cities. You'll be able to pick from a wide variety of experiences and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to participate in events all over the world.
Other perks
Above everything else we discussed, each program also has one special extra perk.
Visa Infinite extra perks
For Visa Infinite, it's the Luxury Hotel Collection.
You'll get great benefits at over 900 properties worldwide, such as a free room upgrade, US$25 food or beverage voucher, VIP guest status, and more.
World Elite Mastercard extra perks
On the World Elite Mastercard side, they offer Mastercard World Experiences.
With this perk, you can get preferred access and complimentary upgrades to a wide range of offers, including upscale retailers and resorts.
Best World Elite and Visa Infinite credit cards
So what are the top credit cards for each program?
Here are 2 of the top options currently available, both from BMO.
| Feature | MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard | RBC Avion Visa Infinite |
|---|---|---|
| Earn rates | * 5 points for every $1 spent on restaurants, groceries, and select recurring bills (up to $50,000 spent annually per category) * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases | * 1.25 points per $1 spent on travel * 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases |
| Annual fee | $120 | $120 |
| Insurance coverage | 12 types | 12 types |
| Income requirements | $80,000 personal or $150,000 household | $60,000 personal or $100,000 household |
| Airport lounge access | None | None |
| Other perks | * 10% bonus points every year on your birthday | * Free DoorDash deliveries for 12 months * 1-for-1 lift tickets at select ski resorts * Save 3 cents per litre at Petro-Canada |
| Welcome bonus |  $20 GeniusCash + 30,000 bonus points (terms) | 55,000 bonus points (terms) |
| Best for... | Cash back lovers | Urban living and travel |
| Apply now | Apply now | Apply now |
MBNA Rewards World Elite Mastercard
One of the best World Elite Mastercards is the
Here's what you'll earn on all your purchases:
- 5 points for every $1 spent on restaurants, groceries, and select recurring bills (up to $50,000 spent annually per category)
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
You'll also be rewarded when you enroll in paperless e-statements and charge at least $2,000 within the first 90 days of opening your account.
MBNA makes it easy to redeem your cash back. Unlike most cash back cards that only offer annual statement credits, once you have at least 6,000 points accumulated, you can redeem them.
It doesn't end there, though. This card gives you an annual birthday bonus—10% of the reward amount you earned the previous year (capped at 15,000 points).
Even though it's a cash back credit card, you have a number of great redemption options. Select from any travel, gift cards/eGift cards, merchandise, and, of course, statement credits.
Throw in 12 types of insurance, and you've got a card that will give you added peace of mind when on your travels.
×7 Award winner 
GC: $20
7x Award winner RBC Avion Visa Infinite
One of our top Visa Infinite cards is the
Although the card uses a simple reward system, your points give a high rate of return, making it a competitive option with World Elite Mastercards.
Here’s what you’ll earn:
- 1.25 points per $1 spent on travel
- 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Transfer your points to other airline programs, redeem them for travel with RBC’s redemption scheduler, donate them to charity, select RBC financial investments, get a statement credit, or choose gift cards and merchandise. You’ve got options.
This card also comes with a year of free DoorDash delivery, buy one get one free ski lifts at select ski resorts across Canada, additional fuel discounts at Petro-Canada, and accelerated earnings at Rexall.
The RBC Avion Visa Infinite is the card you’ll turn to again and again.
×2 Award winner Up to 55,000 points + Up to 2.33% return on purchases.*
2x Award winner Up to 55,000 points + Up to 2.33% return on purchases.*
FAQ
What is the difference between Visa Infinite and World Elite Mastercard?
The biggest difference is that they’re part of different networks, so you earn unique rewards and benefits since each network has its own partnerships. And, credit card income requirements are vastly different.
Is World Elite the highest Mastercard?
Yes, of the 3 tiers of credit cards that Mastercard issues, Mastercard, World Mastercard, and World Elite Mastercard, it’s the premium tier. You’ll get the best rewards, most generous insurance, and exclusive perks that the other levels don’t offer. However, Mastercard has announced a higher tier to come: Mastercard World Legend.
Who qualifies for World Elite Mastercards?
To be approved for a World Elite Mastercard, you’ll need to have $80,000 in personal or $150,000 in household annual income—well above the average annual income (of $60,000 personal).
Is Visa Infinite for rich people?
Visa Infinite isn’t necessarily for rich people, although it offers luxury perks like the Visa Infinite Dining Series and Luxury Hotel Collection. However, since the income requirements are $60,000 personal or $100,000 household, many Canadians can qualify.
How do I choose between a Visa Infinite vs a Mastercard World Elite card?
Start by considering which cards you’re eligible for. Once you’ve narrowed them down, decide which perks and rewards are most important to you. Choose a card that aligns with your shopping habits to maximize your rewards.
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