M&T Bank offers several credit cards with different rewards structures and annual fees
M&T Bank, headquartered in Buffalo, New York, issues credit cards through a partnership with Mastercard. The bank offers a small lineup of cards aimed at different spending patterns: some reward cash back on everyday purchases, others focus on travel benefits, and one targets customers with limited credit history. Each card carries its own annual fee structure, earning rates, and introductory offers that change periodically.
Before you move forward, understand that M&T credit cards are available primarily to customers in M&T's service area, which covers the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. If you bank elsewhere or live outside this region, you may not be able to open an M&T credit card account online. You can call M&T directly at 1-888-696-8000 to ask whether you are in an may be able to access area.
Key Takeaways
- M&T offers multiple credit card products, each with different rewards rates, annual fees, and introductory terms that vary by card.
- Most M&T credit cards are available only to customers in the bank's service area across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
- You can research current card offers on M&T's website, but terms and benefits change regularly, so confirm details before you submit information.
- M&T credit cards are issued through Mastercard, so you can use them anywhere Mastercard is accepted.
How to find current M&T credit card offers
M&T's credit card lineup and offers shift throughout the year. The best starting point is the M&T Bank website under the Credit Cards section. There you will see which cards are currently available, what the annual fee is for each, what rewards or benefits each one offers, and whether there is an introductory period (such as 0% APR for a set number of months on new purchases or balance transfers).
Read the full terms before you proceed. The website shows the basic structure, but the complete disclosure — including the regular APR after any introductory period ends, the cash advance fee, the late payment fee, and the foreign transaction fee — appears in the full terms and conditions document, usually as a PDF you can read.
If you have questions about whether a specific card is right for your situation, you can call M&T's customer service line or visit a branch in person. A representative can walk you through the differences between cards and explain what the rewards or benefits actually mean in dollar terms for your typical spending.
What information you will need to provide
When you start an M&T credit card process, you will need to provide personal and financial information. Have the following ready: your Social Security number, your date of birth, your current address, your employment status and employer name, and your annual income. You will also need to confirm your identity, which M&T may do by asking security questions based on your credit history.
The process itself takes about 10 to 15 minutes online. M&T will pull your credit report as part of the process, which results in a hard inquiry on your credit file. This inquiry may lower your credit score slightly for a few months. If you are denied, M&T will send you a notice explaining the reason, and you can contact the bank to understand what happened or to ask about alternative products.
How rewards and cash back work on M&T cards
M&T's rewards structure depends on which card you hold. Some cards offer a flat cash back rate on all purchases (for example, 1% cash back on everything). Others offer higher rates in specific categories — such as 3% cash back on groceries and gas, and 1% on everything else — and require you to track which purchases fall into which category.
Rewards typically post to your account monthly or quarterly, depending on the card. You can usually redeem cash back as a statement credit (which reduces your bill), as a deposit to an M&T bank account, or as a check. Some cards also let you transfer rewards to travel partners or redeem them for gift cards, though the value may be lower than cash back.
Read the rewards terms carefully, because some cards cap the amount of cash back you can earn in a category each year, or they require you to set up the higher rate in advance. Missing an set up important date or hitting a cap means you earn the lower rate for the rest of that period.
Annual fees and when they are charged
M&T credit cards vary in cost. Some cards carry no annual fee at all. Others charge an annual fee that ranges from $39 to $95 or more, depending on the card and the benefits it includes. The annual fee is usually charged to your account on the anniversary of the day you opened the card, though some cards charge it at the time of opening.
Before you open an account, calculate whether the rewards or benefits you will earn outweigh the annual fee. For example, if a card charges $95 per year but gives you 3% cash back on groceries and you spend $4,000 per year on groceries, you earn $120 in cash back — a net gain of $25. If you spend less, the math may not work in your favor.
If you decide the fee is not worth it after you open the card, you can close the account. However, closing a credit card account can affect your credit score, so understand the trade-off before you do. Some customers call M&T to ask if the annual fee can be waived; the bank may do this for long-standing customers or as a retention offer, but there is no may provide.
Interest rates and how they explore to your balance
Every M&T credit card has a regular APR (annual percentage rate) that applies to purchases you make after any introductory period ends. This rate varies based on your creditworthiness — the better your credit score, the lower the APR you will receive. M&T will tell you the APR range for a card (for example, 15.99% to 24.99%) before you submit your process, but you will not know your exact rate until after approval.
If the card offers an introductory APR — such as 0% APR for 12 months on new purchases — that rate applies only to purchases made during the introductory period. Once the period ends, the regular APR kicks in on any remaining balance. If you carry a balance after the introductory period, you will pay interest on it at the regular rate.
Balance transfers (moving debt from another card to your M&T card) may have their own APR and their own introductory period, separate from purchases. Read the terms to understand which rate applies to which type of transaction.
How to manage your M&T credit card account
Once your card arrives, you can manage your account online through M&T's website or mobile app. You can view your balance, make payments, set up automatic payments, view your rewards balance, and read statements. You can also call M&T's customer service line to make a payment by phone or to ask questions about your account.
Payments are due on a specific date each month, shown on your statement. If you pay in full by the due date, you will not owe any interest. If you pay only part of your balance, interest accrues on the remaining amount at your card's APR. Setting up automatic payments from your M&T bank account (if you have one) or from another bank account can help you avoid missing a due date.
If you lose your card or suspect fraud, call M&T when ready. The bank can cancel your card and issue a replacement, and it will investigate any unauthorized charges you report within a reasonable time frame.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an M&T credit card if I do not have an M&T bank account?
Yes. You do not need to be an M&T bank customer to open an M&T credit card. However, you may need to live or work in M&T's service area. Call M&T at 1-888-696-8000 to confirm whether you are in an may be able to access region before you start an process.
What happens if I miss a credit card payment?
If you miss a payment, M&T will charge you a late fee (the amount varies by card and is shown in your terms). Your payment will still be processed, but you will owe interest on any remaining balance. Missing a payment also appears on your credit report and can lower your credit score. If you miss a payment by more than 30 days, M&T may report it to credit bureaus.
How long does it take to receive my M&T credit card after approval?
M&T typically mails credit cards within 7 to 10 business days after approval. You can use your card number to make purchases online before the physical card arrives if M&T provides it to you when ready after approval. Check your approval email or log into your account to see if your card number is available right away.
Can I transfer a balance from another credit card to an M&T card?
Yes, many M&T credit cards allow balance transfers. Some cards offer an introductory APR on balance transfers (such as 0% for a certain number of months), though this period may differ from the introductory period on new purchases. A balance transfer fee (usually 3% to 5% of the amount transferred) is charged when you move the balance. Check the specific card's terms to see whether balance transfers are available and what the fee and APR are.
What should I do if I want to close my M&T credit card?
Call M&T customer service to request closure. The bank will confirm that you have paid your balance in full and will close the account. Closing a credit card can affect your credit score because it reduces your available credit and may change the average age of your accounts. Consider whether closing is necessary before you call, or ask M&T whether you can straightforward stop using the card instead.