Swisscard Cashback Cards Mastercard

0.25% cashback with universal acceptance. The backup card in the dual setup.

The Swisscard Cashback Cards Mastercard is the universal-acceptance half of the free dual-card setup. At 0.25% ongoing cashback, it's not the earner; the Amex (1%) is. But Mastercard works everywhere in Switzerland, making this your backup when Amex is rejected. Together, they provide complete coverage.

What's Its Role?

Backup for Amex gaps. The 0.25% ongoing cashback is modest (Amex offers 4x more), but Mastercard acceptance is universal. Use this when merchants don't take Amex. The 5% welcome bonus for 3 months applies to Amex purchases, so first-quarter strategy focuses there.

This card exists to ensure you're never rejected. The earning happens on the Amex; the Mastercard provides coverage.

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. The dual-card approach maximizes coverage while prioritizing the higher-earning Amex.

Apple Pay and Google Pay work. Unlimited free additional cards for family members. No annual fee ever.

What Most Reviews Miss

0.25% is among the lowest cashback rates. Cards like Certo One offer 1% everywhere. If you're not using the Amex strategy, the Mastercard alone isn't competitive. It only makes sense as part of the dual-card approach.

The 2.5% FX fee applies. International purchases cost you money. For foreign spending, consider a dedicated low-FX card like Cornèrcard (1.2%).

The Bottom Line

A necessary backup for the Amex-focused Swisscard Cashback strategy. Modest returns but universal acceptance. The value is in the complete coverage when paired with the 1% Amex. Compare alternatives in our best cashback credit cards in Switzerland guide.

Verdict: Keep as backup. Use Amex whenever possible for better returns; Mastercard fills the gaps.