Our Verdict
Editor’s Note: The Marvel Mastercard is no longer accepting new applications. See Forbes Advisor’s best cash back credit cards for alternatives.
Superfans of superheroes who consume a heavy diet of Marvel Universe entertainment and merchandise will likely find their spidey senses tingling at the thought of owning the no-annual-fee Marvel Mastercard. The card offers elevated cash-back rewards on dining, entertainment and most anything Marvel.
But if the idea of going to something like Comic-Con is about appealing to you as battling a bad cold, this card is not for you. On everyday items like groceries, gas and forms of entertainment that don’t involve adults in capes, the Marvel Mastercard earns a wimpy 1%, making it a less-than-super choice.
Introduction
Comics and superhero lovers alike will swoon upon learning that there’s a credit card made just for their adoration of all superheroic things. If you’re someone who spends a hefty chunk of change throughout the year to own Marvel-themed things and go to places with Marvel themes, the Marvel Mastercard could give you a nice discount on pursuing your passion.
The Marvel Mastercard earns 3% cash back on dining and entertainment, which is defined as: movie theaters, video rental and game stores, theatrical and concert promoters, amusement parks, digital entertainment, games and software, music, books and newsstands, toys and hobby stores. You’ll also earn 3% back at Marvel online and convention purchases. All other spending earns 1%.
That all-other-spending rate is the main reason that the Marvel Mastercard falls flat. Even if you spend most of your disposable income on Marvel-related merch, the Marvel Mastercard is best used as a sidekick to a more powerful earner on all of the other purchases you’re likely to make. When it comes to your everyday needs like groceries, gas, travel, commuting, etc. you can do better by leaps and bounds with another card. But if your desire to own a Marvel credit card is as strong as Iron Man’s armor, pairing credit cards to optimize your earnings can be a successful strategy that will give you heroic rewards on all of your other expenditures, too.
At a Glance
- Earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, Marvel.com and official Marvel convention booths, 1% on everything else
- 10% discount on ShopMarvel.com
- 20% discount on tickets for the Marvel Universe exhibit in Las Vegas
Rewards
Earning Rewards
The Marvel Mastercard earns cash back at the following rates:
- Earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, online at Marvel.com and Marvel’s official merchandise booths
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
Redeeming Rewards
Your cash back earnings will automatically be tallied up at the end of each billing cycle and be credited as a statement credit within two billing cycles. There are no other options for redemption.
Rewards Potential
To calculate the rewards potential of the Marvel Matercard, Forbes Advisor uses data from various government agencies in order to determine both baseline income and spending averages across various categories. The 70th percentile of wage-earning households brings in $100,172 annually and has $52,820 in standard expenses. Assuming 50% of such expenses are charged to this card, total annual card spending would be $26,410.
We estimate our average households spends approximately $4,406 on dining and $4,553 on entertainment (including streaming services), which would net a total of $269 cash back with this card.
The remaining $17,451 in spending would earn $175 cash back for a total annual yield of $443 as a statement credit.
Other Card Benefits
- Free Shipping Benefit: During select times of the year get free shipping on items from ShopMarvel.com
- Special Discounts: Get a discount on Marvel Unlimited or Marvel digital comics
- 10% Discount: Merchandise purchases at the Marvel A.V.E.N.G.E.R.S. station exhibit will get 10% off
Fine Print
See your account details for current rates and fees.
How The Card Stacks Up
Citi Double Cash® Card
If you want to earn strong rewards on all of your credit card purchases, not just Marvel-related ones, consider a card that earns the same elevated rate on all of your spending, like the Citi Double Cash® Card.
With no annual fee, the card earns an 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off. Cash back is earned as ThankYou points that can be redeemed for cash back via deposit to a qualified checking account, as a statement credit or used to purchase things like travel or gift cards.
Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Someone seeking rewards on a wider swath of entertainment spending along with a boost on grocery spending might find that the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card will fit the bill.
The no-annual-fee card will earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, and 1% on all other purchases. The entertainment category includes professional and semi-professional live sporting events, tourist attractions, aquariums, zoos, dance halls, record stores, pool halls or bowling alleys—none of which are included on the Marvel Mastercard.
Chase Freedom Flex℠
If you’re looking for an all-purpose card that earns elevated rewards across a broad swath of categories, the Chase Freedom Flex℠ could be the needle in the haystack you’ve been searching for. For an annual fee of $0, cardholders will earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in categories that rotate quarterly (requires activation), 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on dining and drugstores and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Rewards comes as Ultimate Rewards®, a highly flexible currency that can be redeemed for cash back, travel, gift cards, merchandise or combined with rewards earned from a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® and transferred to one of Chase’s travel transfer partners.
Still searching? Compare alternatives from our Partners:
Is The Card For You?
The Marvel Mastercard isn’t suited for a leading role in your wallet. There are other cards that will offer better rewards in areas where you’re likely to spend the most. Don’t let the card images fool you into thinking the Marvel card is a superior choice. Save yourself from making a mistake and choose a card that’s going to add more to your bottom line.
