The highest tier in the Mastercard hierarchy is World Elite, which is Mastercard’s equivalent of a Visa Infinite.
But while Visa Infinites are a dime a dozen in Singapore (well not literally, though they have become rather common), it’s considerably harder to get your hands on a World Elite Mastercard.
And maybe that’s the point, because the way I see it, the perks on offer are much superior. In this post, I’ll run through everything you’re entitled to as a World Elite Mastercard cardholder.
Which Mastercards are World Elite?
At last count, Singapore had four credit and two debit cards with the World Elite badge:
| Card | Annual Fee | Qualification Req. |
 Citi Prestige |
S$545 | Income ≥ S$120K |
 Citi Private Client Debit Card |
N/A | Min. AUM S$1.5M |
 Citi ULTIMA |
S$4,238 | Income ≥ S$500K |
 DCS Imperium |
S$3,584 | Unknown |
 OCBC Premier World Elite Debit Card |
N/A | Min. AUM S$200K |
 UOB Lady’s Solitaire Metal Card |
S$599 | Spend S$45K in 3-month period on UOB Lady’s Solitaire Card |
But as the qualification criteria shows, most of these cards are rather hard to come by, since they’re invite-only, or require high incomes or AUMs.
If you don’t earn more than S$500,000 a year, or have S$1.5M AUM handy, then your only options are the Citi Prestige (income requirement: S$120,000) or OCBC Premier World Elite Debit Card (min. AUM: S$200K). I’ll let you decide which is more difficult to achieve.
| ❓ What about Revolut Metal? |
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Even though the Revolut Metal has World Elite printed on it, I’ve read numerous reports that it’s not a “real” World Elite as attempts to register for World Elite benefits using the card number fail. This could change in the future, of course, but at the moment it looks like this is World Elite in name only. If you have data points to the contrary, do sound out! |
Hotel elite status
World Elite Mastercard cardholders enjoy elite status with the following hotel chains:
- GHA Titanium status
- IPrefer Titanium status (+25,000 IPrefer points after the first stay)
- Swiss-Belexecutive Platinum Connoisseur
- Wyndham Rewards Diamond status
Of the programmes here, GHA Titanium is probably the most useful, since it offers a two-category room upgrade, 11 a.m check-in and 4 p.m check-out (all subject to availability, but in my experience honoured fairly regularly). GHA brands include Capella, Kempinski, Niccolo, Pan Pacific, PARKROYAL, Tivoli and Viceroy.
IPrefer Titanium offers space-available room upgrades, an F&B credit, and early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability. After completing your first booking, you’ll receive 25,000 bonus points, which is good for a free night stay at The Landmark Bangkok or Lancaster Bangkok.
Wyndham is more of a mid-range to budget-focused chain, but at their limited number of upscale properties, Diamond members are entitled to space-available suite upgrades. They’re also eligible for a status match to Caesars Rewards Diamond, so if you’re visiting Vegas that might come in useful for resort fee waivers and free parking.
I don’t know a whole lot about Swiss-Belhotel, but Platinum Connoisseur members enjoy room upgrades and executive lounge access.
HoteLux Elite Plus membership
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| Benefit Details |
HoteLux is a hotel booking app that lets users book travel advisor rates such as Hyatt Prive, Marriott STARS, Rosewood Elite, Shangri-La Luxury Circle and Virtuoso at more than 4,000 luxury hotels worldwide. These rates typically include extra perks such as:
- Free breakfast
- Room upgrades (subject to availability)
- Early check-in (subject to availability)
- Late check-out (subject to availability)
- US$100 hotel credit
A membership is required to use the app, and World Elite Mastercard cardholders receive a 12-month Elite Plus membership and 2,000 points (worth US$200).
It should be pointed out that travel advisor rates can also be booked for free through many travel agencies, but the vast majority of these operate over the phone or email only. An app is a great convenience in that respect.
For more on this benefit, refer to the post below.
Free HoteLux membership for World and World Elite Mastercard cardholders
Avis President’s Club
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| Benefit Details |
World Elite Mastercard cardholders are eligible for an instant upgrade to Avis President’s Club, which includes:
- Priority service and priority reservation
- Single upgrade (guaranteed at airports and railway stations, subject to availability at other locations)
- Double upgrade upon availability on weekends
- Free additional driver
Do note that benefits vary by location, so the treatment you receive as a President’s Club member in Europe may be different from the USA.
Even though Avis President’s Club is marketed as “by invitation only”, you might want to moderate your expectations. Avis has been very liberal with the invitations, such that members are almost a dime a dozen when renting from some airports. Based on my experiences so far, recognition has gone from excellent (served immediately, upgraded to a luxury vehicle) to non-existent (“what’s President’s Club?”).
3GB Flexiroam data package
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| Benefit Details |
World Elite Mastercard cardholders enjoy a 3GB Flexiroam data package, valid for 15 days in 150+ countries worldwide.
Cardholders will need to download the Flexiroam app and create an account. A maximum of one redemption per calendar year per eligible card is allowed.
Mastercard Held Tables
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| Benefit Details |
The Mastercard Held Tables programme allows World Elite Mastercard cardholders to enjoy priority access to more than 10,000 restaurants, including various Michelin-starred and The World’s 50 Best establishments, such as Per Se in New York, Sexy Fish in London and Amber in Hong Kong.
The idea is that Mastercard pre-books tables and releases them to its cardholders, providing them with a better shot at a table in a hot restaurant.
This benefit is valid for up to six people per reservation.
Complimentary travel insurance
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| Policy Wording |
Complimentary travel insurance is available to World Elite Mastercard cardholders who:
- pay for their air tickets with their card, or
- redeem an award ticket with miles and use the card to cover taxes and surcharges
Coverage limits are as follows:
- Overseas medical expenses: US$500,000
- Emergency medical evacuation: US$500,000
- Personal liability: US$500,000
- Trip cancellation, curtailment or postponement: US$7,500
- Loss of personal baggage: US$3,000
- Trip delay: US$500
- Baggage delay: US$500
Coverage is also available for the cardholder’s spouse, children and domestic helper, with reduced limits.
Complimentary golf games
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| Benefit Details |
World Elite Mastercard cardholders enjoy complimentary green fees at Sentosa Golf Club, Warren Golf & Country Club, and Sembawang Country Club, as well as various clubs in Southeast Asia and worldwide.
A limited number of sessions can be booked each month on a first-come-first-serve basis. Each cardholder is allowed to enjoy this benefit up to four times per calendar year.
Conclusion
A World Elite Mastercard packs a surprising number of perks, especially on the hotel and rental car elite status front. For my money, it’s a more compelling offering than Visa Infinite, though banks often add on their own benefits so you have to look at the package in its entirety.
Any other World Elite benefits worth highlighting?
Great read! I think there’s a small typo on the first line though, believe it’s Visa’s equivalent not Mastercard’s?
no- world elite is mastercard’s equivalent of a visa infinite
Hey Aaron, thanks for this! I think there’s a typo on the first sentence though, I think it should be Visa’s equivalent not Mastercard’s equivalent 🙂
Caesar’s status match no longer works for matched Wyndham Diamond. Must be earned thr regular way.
for the travel insurance, will there be any issues if I use amaze linked citi prestige to buy ticket? tks
https://specials.priceless.com/en-ap/cardhome/World_Elite%E2%84%A2_Mastercard%C2%AE?issuerId=201808088888&productId=201812140006
This website is helpful for the world elite benefit.
how to see the list of restaurants or how to make booking for those restaurants?
The Flexiroam benefit while good, doesn’t seem to always work. For myself it didn’t work for me when I was in Seoul. Some members in the citiprestige telegram group also reported that it doesn’t always work in certain countries.
there is a Citi prestige telegram grp???
An article for the visa infinite would be nice