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Our Take on SWISS Miles & More World Mastercard Gold
The Mastercard half of SWISS Gold. 0.8 miles per CHF 1, universal acceptance for Amex gaps.
This World Mastercard comes bundled with the SWISS Miles & More Gold Amex. At 0.8 miles per CHF 1 (versus 1 on Amex), it earns slightly less but works everywhere. The dual-card approach maximizes coverage: Amex for better earning where accepted, Mastercard for universal backup.
What's Its Role?
Backup for Amex gaps. The 0.8 miles per CHF 1 is lower than the Amex (1 mile), but Mastercard acceptance is universal. When Amex is rejected, you continue earning miles. Both cards share the 30,000 welcome bonus and the CHF 220 annual fee.
The strategy: use Amex wherever possible for 25% more miles; use Mastercard where needed.
What Actually Stands Out
The universal acceptance is the feature. Mastercard works at 99%+ of Swiss merchants. When the Amex is rejected, you have instant backup that still earns at a competitive rate. 0.8 miles per CHF 1 is still decent for a backup card.
Miles accumulate in your shared Miles & More account. Apple Pay and Google Pay work. The World Mastercard tier includes some Priceless experiences.
What Most Reviews Miss
The earning rate difference matters. CHF 10,000 on Amex = 10,000 miles. Same amount on Mastercard = 8,000 miles. That's 2,000 miles difference. Over CHF 50,000 annual spending, prioritizing Amex generates 10,000 extra miles.
Insurance remains disappointing. CHF 150 flight delay. No medical coverage. The Mastercard doesn't add protection. Both cards are earning tools, not protection tools.
The Bottom Line
Essential backup for the SWISS Miles & More Gold Amex. Use both cards strategically for complete coverage. Maximize Amex usage for better earning. Compare alternatives in our best travel credit cards in Switzerland guide.
Verdict: Necessary half of the Gold duo. Maximize Amex; use Mastercard for acceptance gaps.
PROS
- 30000 welcome bonus points
- Travel insurance coverage up to CHF 150
- Apple Pay compatible
- Contactless payments for convenient transactions
- Two card set for the price of one
- Comprehensive travel insurance coverage up to 150 Swiss francs for delays and cancellations
- Premium Gold tier offering exclusive perks
CONS
- High annual fee (CHF 220)
- High foreign exchange fee (2.5%)
- No medical coverage
- No airport lounge access
- No concierge service
Card Details
At a Glance
Annual fee
CHF 220
1st Year
CHF 110
Rewards rate
0.4 miles/CHF
FX Fee
2.5%
Welcome bonus
30,000 miles
Travel insurance coverage
CHF 150
Fees & Costs
Fees & Costs
First year annual fee
CHF 110
Annual fee (after first year)
CHF 220
Foreign exchange fee
2.5%
Cash Withdrawal (Domestic)
4% (min CHF 10)
Cash Withdrawal (International)
6.5% (min CHF 10)
Late Payment Fee
CHF 30
Additional Cards
CHF 80/card/year
Rewards Program
Rewards Program
Rewards type
Miles
Base rewards rate
0.4 / CHF
Welcome bonus
30,000 miles
Earn 0.8 miles for every 2 Swiss francs spent. Welcome bonus of 30000 miles.
Insurance & Protection
Insurance & Protection
Travel insurance coverage
CHF 150
Medical insurance coverage
No medical coverage
Purchase protection
CHF 750
Card Features
Card Features
Card Network
Mastercard
Card Type
Gold
Currency
CHF
Dual Network
mastercard + amex
Minimum income requirement
No income requirement
Monthly spending limit
CHF 30'000
Airport lounge access
Concierge service
Key Features
- Two card set for the price of one
- Comprehensive travel insurance coverage up to 150 Swiss francs for delays and cancellations
- Premium Gold tier offering exclusive perks
- Multiple mobile payment options (Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Garmin Pay)
- 24-hour customer service support
Calculate If This Card Is Worth It for You
= CHF 30'000/year
You Pay
CHF 220
per year
You Get Back
CHF 660
estimated value
Bottom Line
+CHF 440
in your pocket
Annual calculation:
CHF 30'000/yr × 0.4 miles/CHF × 1.5 ct
30'000 miles × 1.5 ct
Move the slider to see how your spending affects the card's value. Miles: 1.5 ct, points: 1 ct.
Rating by Category
Compare to Other Cards
Frequently Asked Questions
- How fast do miles add up on the Mastercard half of the Gold set?
- 0.8 miles per 2 francs (=0.4 per franc), well below the Amex side's 2 per 2 francs. A CHF 5,000 transaction on the Mastercard earns 2,000 miles; the same on the Amex earns 5,000. Use Mastercard only when forced.
- Is there ever a reason to spend on the Mastercard over the Amex?
- Only when the merchant doesn't take Amex. There's no category bonus or merchant lift on the Mastercard side. Treat it as a fallback, not a primary.
- Does Mastercard spending count toward the 30,000-mile welcome bonus?
- Yes, both cards count. The bonus posts once total qualifying spend across the set hits the threshold. So early purchases on the Mastercard at non-Amex merchants still get you closer.
How We Rated This Card
Wondering why SWISS Miles & More World Mastercard Gold got its score? We rate Premium cards using a weighted formula. Here's what counts:
Same formula for every card in this category. No exceptions.
See our full rating methodologyReady to Apply?
Apply for the SWISS Miles & More World Mastercard Gold today and start enjoying its benefits.