What is the Difference Between Master and Maestro?

The main difference between Master and Maestro lies in the type of card they are. Mastercard is a credit card, allowing customers to purchase items on credit and pay for them later, while Maestro is a debit card, which only allows customers to access the funds available in their bank account. Both Mastercard and Maestro cards are issued by Mastercard, which can lead to confusion between the two.

Key differences between Master and Maestro include:

Type of Card: Mastercard can be issued as a debit or credit card, while Maestro is available only as a debit card.
Payment Options: Mastercard allows customers to make payments on credit, which can be billed at the end of the month, while Maestro only allows customers to make payments using the funds available in their bank account.
Cirrus ATM Network: Both Mastercard and Maestro cards are part of the Cirrus ATM network, which is one of the largest ATM networks in the world.
E-commerce Transactions: The Mastercard network is twice as large as Maestro and supports more e-commerce transactions. Many e-commerce websites do not accept Maestro card numbers with up to 19 digits.

In summary, Mastercard and Maestro cards are both issued by Mastercard but serve different purposes. Mastercard can be used as a credit card, allowing customers to make payments on credit, while Maestro is a debit card that only allows customers to access the funds available in their bank account.