The Milestone Gold Mastercard and Milestone Platinum Mastercard let you earn cash back rewards on your spending. But a common question for new cardholders is – where exactly can I use my Milestone credit card?
Milestone cards are accepted at millions of locations worldwide, with very few restrictions on how or where you can use your card.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover:
- The vast acceptance of Milestone cards
- Types of purchases you can make
- Places you can use your Milestone card
- Limitations and restrictions to be aware of
- How to check if a merchant accepts Milestone
- Activating tap & pay and online features
- Using your card internationally or while traveling
- Maximizing rewards through optimal card use
Let’s dive into the many ways and places you can use your Milestone card to simplify purchases and maximize earning.
Widespread Acceptance of Milestone Credit Cards
As Mastercards, Milestone credit cards are nearly universally accepted by retailers, with very few limitations on where they can be used:
- Accepted at more than 35 million merchant locations worldwide
- Accepted at over 90% of retailers in the U.S. and Canada
- Accepted for in-store, online, phone and mail purchases
- Accepted on mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Accepted by merchants who take Mastercard, Maestro and Cirrus cards
- Cash back rewards available on virtually all purchases
Milestone cards can be used almost anywhere major credit cards are taken – in person, online, in apps, and more. Let’s look at some of the common ways to use your card.
Types of Purchases You Can Make
Milestone cards are highly versatile, letting you make everyday purchases and bigger transactions:
- Groceries, gas, dining, shopping, bills, subscriptions
- Flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, vacation packages
- Doctors, dentists, eye care, prescriptions, healthcare costs
- Home improvement, furniture, appliances
- Electronics, computers, phones, accessories
- Automotive – repairs, maintenance, insurance
- Education – supplies, tuition, student loans
- Mortgage and rent payments
- Taxes, insurance, 401K contributions
- Nonprofit donations and event registrations
- Professional services and business expenses
Essentially, any personal or business purchase can be put on your Milestone card, accumulating cash back rewards along the way.
Places You Can Use Your Milestone Credit Card In-Person
Because they are Mastercards, Milestone cards are accepted for in-person payments at:
- Major retailers – Walmart, Target, Costco, Amazon Go Stores, etc.
- Grocery stores – Safeway, Kroger, Trader Joe’s, Publix, Whole Foods, local grocers
- Gas stations – Chevron, Exxon, Shell, Sunoco, 76, Phillips 66, etc.
- Restaurants – McDonald’s, Starbucks, Panera Bread, Olive Garden, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, most locally-owned restaurants, food trucks
- Clothing and shoe stores – Nordstrom, Macy’s, Dillards, Nike, Adidas, Foot Locker, department stores, boutique shops
- Home improvement – Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware, True Value Hardware
- Automotive – Jiffy Lube, Firestone, NTB, dealership service centers
- Medical – doctor’s offices, dental clinics, vision centers, plastic surgeons, medical spas, chiropractors, physical therapy
- Entertainment – movie theaters, sports arenas, theme parks, bowling alleys, Dave & Buster’s, escape rooms
- Travel – hotels, rental car companies, airlines, train and bus operators, campgrounds, tour providers
- Government – DMV, tax payments, court fees
- Nonprofits and education – donations, event registration, university tuition
Any business accepting Mastercard allows you to earn Milestone rewards in person. It’s always good to ask “Do you accept Mastercard?” when uncertain.
Places You Can Use Your Milestone Card Online
Your Milestone card is also accepted at the vast majority of ecommerce merchants and service providers, including:
- Amazon, Walmart, Target, eBay, Best Buy
- Department stores – Macy’s, Nordstrom, Kohl’s, Dillard’s
- Specialty retailers – Gap, J.Crew, Wayfair, Overstock, QVC
- Subscription services – Netflix, Hulu, Audible, DoorDash, HelloFresh, Blue Apron
- Travel – Airbnb, VRBO, Expedia, Booking.com, points and airline websites
- Rideshares – Uber, Lyft, rental apps
- Music and movies – Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, iTunes, Prime Video
- Gaming – PlayStation, Nintendo, Xbox stores
- Software – Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Office, domain names
- Cloud storage – Dropbox, Google Drive
- Websites accepting Mastercard for payments or donations
When shopping online, look for the Mastercard logo or accepted payment icons during checkout.
Limitations and Restrictions to Be Aware Of
While extremely widely accepted, there are a few limitations on Milestone card use:
- Some small retailers or mom-and-pop shops may be cash-only
- Usage may occasionally be limited by card network restrictions and flags for potential fraud
- Some countries or regions have lower credit card acceptance
- Cards cannot be used for illegal or prohibited purchases per cardholder agreements
- ATMs don’t accept credit cards for cash withdrawals – you must use a debit card or enroll in cash advance on credit cards
- Non-Mastercard methods like PayPal may occasionally be required at some merchants
- Some financial accounts like mortgages only accept direct bank payments
Aside from these uncommon exceptions, Milestone can be used almost everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Contact Credit One if your transactions are frequently getting declined at legitimate merchants for no reason.
Checking If a Merchant Accepts Milestone Cards
If you are unsure whether a business accepts Milestone credit cards, you can:
- Look for the Mastercard logo near their entrance, at checkout, or on their website
- Check their payment methods page on their website
- Call and ask if they accept Mastercard
- Chat with their customer service online and inquire
- Ask your Milestone Concierge if they are aware of restrictions
- Try making a small purchase first to confirm
- Use a Milestone mobile wallet tap & pay attempt as a test
With a quick check, you can easily confirm if you can use your Milestone card at a new merchant.
Activating and Using Tap & Pay
To enable tap & pay contactless payments with your Milestone card:
- Call the number on the back of your card to activate
- Use your chip card at least once at an in-person reader for activation
- Add your card to mobile wallet apps like Apple Pay
- Look for the contactless symbol on terminals to tap & pay
Contactless Milestone payments are quick, convenient and secure for in-person checkout.
Activating Your Card for Online Purchases
To use your new Milestone card for online, phone or mail purchases:
- Activate your card first by making an in-person purchase with a chip/tap reader
- Register your account on Credit One’s online member site or mobile app
- Update account preferences to enable online/offline transactions
- Ensure your billing address is correct for verification
- Consider setting up alert notifications for online purchases
Activating card security features verifies your identity and enables seamless online usage.
Using Your Milestone Card Internationally
Your Milestone card can be used to make purchases internationally anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
- Notify Credit One of upcoming international travel to avoid potential fraud flags
- Confirm whether your card has a foreign transaction fee to minimize costs
- Know exchange rates and card requirements at international merchants before purchasing
- Pay in local currency when possible to let your card issuer handle conversion
- Check your card benefits for perks like global assistance services
With a few precautions, Milestone cards can provide convenient access to your funds while traveling abroad.
Maximizing Rewards with Optimal Card Use
To maximize Milestone cash back rewards:
- Use online, mobile or contactless payments for faster earning
- Pay bills and larger expenses on your card when possible
- Use card payment links directly on provider sites for bonus rewards
- Add your Milestone card as the payment method on retailer apps and sites
- Create a spending plan and focus high value purchases in optimal bonus categories
- Use your Milestone card as your default payment for any eligible purchase
Taking advantage of high earning categories and using your card versus other payment forms ensures you maximize rewards potential.
FAQs
Where can I use my Milestone Credit Card?
You can use your Milestone Credit Card at any merchant or retailer that accepts major credit cards, both online and in-person.
Are there any restrictions on where I can use my Milestone Credit Card?
Generally, there are no specific restrictions on where you can use your Milestone Credit Card, as long as the merchant accepts credit card payments.
Can I use my Milestone Credit Card for online purchases?
Yes, you can use your Milestone Credit Card for online purchases wherever credit cards are accepted. Simply enter your card information during the checkout process.
Are there any fees associated with using my Milestone Credit Card?
Milestone Credit Cards may come with various fees, such as annual fees, late payment fees, and foreign transaction fees. It’s essential to review the terms and conditions of your card to understand any associated fees.
Can I use my Milestone Credit Card internationally?
Yes, you can typically use your Milestone Credit Card internationally wherever credit cards are accepted. However, be aware that foreign transaction fees may apply, so it’s wise to check your card’s terms before using it abroad.
Conclusion
In conclusion, your Milestone Credit Card can be used at a wide range of merchants and retailers, both online and in-person. There are typically no specific restrictions on where you can use your card, as long as the establishment accepts credit card payments.
Whether you’re shopping for groceries, dining out, or making online purchases, your Milestone Credit Card provides you with the convenience and flexibility of a major credit card. Just be mindful of any associated fees and international usage charges to make the most out of your card while managing your finances responsibly.