MASTERCARD INC, 10-K filed on 2/12/2021
Annual Report
v3.20.4
Cover Page - USD ($)
$ in Billions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Feb. 09, 2021
Jun. 30, 2020
Document Type 10-K    
Document Transition Report false    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2020    
Document Annual Report true    
Entity File Number 001-32877    
Entity Registrant Name Mastercard Incorporated    
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE    
Entity Tax Identification Number 13-4172551    
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 10577    
Entity Address, State or Province NY    
Entity Address, City or Town Purchase,    
Entity Address, Address Line One 2000 Purchase Street    
City Area Code 914    
Local Phone Number 249-2000    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Entity Small Business false    
Entity Emerging Growth Company false    
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag true    
Entity Shell Company false    
Entity Public Float     $ 261.3
Entity Central Index Key 0001141391    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2020    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Amendment Flag false    
Class A Common Stock      
Title of 12(b) Security Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share    
Trading Symbol MA    
Security Exchange Name NYSE    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   985,146,914  
One Point One Percent Notes Due 2022 [Member]      
Title of 12(b) Security 1.1% Notes due 2022    
Trading Symbol MA22    
Security Exchange Name NYSE    
Senior Notes due December 2027      
Title of 12(b) Security 2.1% Notes due 2027    
Trading Symbol MA27    
Security Exchange Name NYSE    
Senior Notes due December 2030      
Title of 12(b) Security 2.5% Notes due 2030    
Trading Symbol MA30    
Security Exchange Name NYSE    
Class B Common Stock      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   8,215,424  
v3.20.4
Consolidated Statement of Operations - USD ($)
shares in Millions, $ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]      
Net revenue $ 15,301 $ 16,883 $ 14,950
Operating Expenses      
General and administrative 5,910 5,763 5,174
Advertising and marketing 657 934 907
Depreciation and amortization 580 522 459
Provision for litigation 73 0 1,128
Total operating expenses 7,220 7,219 7,668
Operating income 8,081 9,664 7,282
Other Income (Expense)      
Investment income 24 97 122
Gains (losses) on equity investments, net 30 167 0
Interest expense (380) (224) (186)
Other income (expense), net 5 27 (14)
Total other income (expense) (321) 67 (78)
Income before income taxes 7,760 9,731 7,204
Income tax expense 1,349 1,613 1,345
Net Income $ 6,411 $ 8,118 $ 5,859
Basic Earnings per Share $ 6.40 $ 7.98 $ 5.63
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding 1,002 1,017 1,041
Diluted Earnings per Share $ 6.37 $ 7.94 $ 5.60
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding 1,006 1,022 1,047
v3.20.4
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]      
Net Income $ 6,411 $ 8,118 $ 5,859
Other comprehensive income (loss):      
Foreign currency translation adjustments 345 10 (319)
Income tax effect (59) 13 40
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of income tax effect 286 23 (279)
Translation adjustments on net investment hedge (177) 36 96
Income tax effect 40 (8) (21)
Translation adjustments on net investment hedge, net of income tax effect (137) 28 75
Cash flow hedges (189) 14 0
Income tax effect 42 (3) 0
Reclassification adjustment for cash flow hedges 4 0 0
Income tax effect (1) 0 0
Cash flow hedges, net of income tax effect (144) 11 0
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans (12) (21) (16)
Income tax effect 2 3 3
Reclassification adjustment for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans (1) (1) (2)
Income tax effect 0 0 0
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans, net of income tax effect (11) (19) (15)
Investment securities available-for-sale (1) 3 (3)
Income tax effect 0 (1) 1
Investment securities available-for-sale, net of income tax effect (1) 2 (2)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax effect (7) 45 (221)
Comprehensive Income $ 6,404 $ 8,163 $ 5,638
v3.20.4
Consolidated Balance Sheet - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Assets    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 10,113 $ 6,988
Restricted cash for litigation settlement 586 584
Investments 483 688
Accounts receivable 2,646 2,514
Settlement due from customers 1,706 2,995
Restricted security deposits held for customers 1,696 1,370
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,883 1,763
Total current assets 19,113 16,902
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets, net 1,902 1,828
Deferred income taxes 491 543
Goodwill 4,960 4,021
Other intangible assets, net 1,753 1,417
Other assets 5,365 4,525
Total Assets 33,584 29,236
Liabilities, Redeemable Non-controlling Interests and Equity    
Accounts payable 527 489
Settlement due to customers 1,475 2,714
Restricted security deposits held for customers 1,696 1,370
Accrued litigation 842 914
Accrued expenses 5,430 5,489
Current portion of long-term debt 649 0
Other current liabilities 1,228 928
Total current liabilities 11,847 11,904
Long-term debt 12,023 8,527
Deferred income taxes 86 85
Other liabilities 3,111 2,729
Total Liabilities 27,067 23,245
Commitments and Contingencies
Redeemable non-controlling interests 29 74
Stockholders’ Equity    
Additional paid-in-capital 4,982 4,787
Class A treasury stock, at cost, 409 and 395 shares, respectively (36,658) (32,205)
Retained earnings 38,747 33,984
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (680) (673)
Mastercard Incorporated Stockholders' Equity 6,391 5,893
Non-controlling interests 97 24
Total Equity 6,488 5,917
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Non-controlling Interests and Equity 33,584 29,236
Class A Common Stock    
Stockholders’ Equity    
Common stock value 0 0
Total Equity 0 0
Class B Common Stock    
Stockholders’ Equity    
Common stock value 0 0
Total Equity $ 0 $ 0
v3.20.4
Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) - $ / shares
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Treasury Stock, Shares 409,000,000 395,000,000
Class A Common Stock    
Common stock, par value $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001
Common stock, authorized shares 3,000,000,000 3,000,000,000
Common stock, issued 1,396,000,000 1,391,000,000
Common stock, outstanding 987,000,000 996,000,000
Class B Common Stock    
Common stock, par value $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001
Common stock, authorized shares 1,200,000,000 1,200,000,000
Common stock, issued 8,000,000 11,000,000
Common stock, outstanding 8,000,000 11,000,000
v3.20.4
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Total
Retained Earnings
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Additional Paid-In Capital
Class A Treasury Stock
Mastercard Incorporated Stockholders' Equity
Non- Controlling Interests
Class A Common Stock
Class B Common Stock
Effect of adoption of ASU
Effect of adoption of ASU
Retained Earnings
Effect of adoption of ASU
Mastercard Incorporated Stockholders' Equity
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017 $ 5,497 $ 22,364 $ (497) $ 4,365 $ (20,764) $ 5,468 $ 29 $ 0 $ 0      
Beginning balance (Adoption of revenue standard) at Dec. 31, 2017                   $ 366 $ 366 $ 366
Beginning balance (Adoption of intra-entity asset transfers standard) at Dec. 31, 2017                   $ (183) $ (183) $ (183)
Net income 5,859 5,859       5,859            
Activity related to non-controlling interests (6)           (6)          
Redeemable non-controlling interest adjustments (3) (3)       (3)            
Other comprehensive income (loss) (221)   (221)     (221)            
Dividends (1,120) (1,120)       (1,120)            
Purchases of treasury stock (4,991)       (4,991) (4,991)            
Shared-based payments 220     215 5 220            
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2018 5,418 27,283 (718) 4,580 (25,750) 5,395 23 0 0      
Net income 8,118 8,118       8,118            
Activity related to non-controlling interests 1           1          
Redeemable non-controlling interest adjustments (9) (9)       (9)            
Other comprehensive income (loss) 45   45     45            
Dividends (1,408) (1,408)       (1,408)            
Purchases of treasury stock (6,463)       (6,463) (6,463)            
Shared-based payments 215     207 8 215            
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2019 5,917 33,984 (673) 4,787 (32,205) 5,893 24 0 0      
Net income 6,411 6,411       6,411            
Activity related to non-controlling interests 73           73          
Redeemable non-controlling interest adjustments (7) (7)       (7)            
Other comprehensive income (loss) (7)   (7)     (7)            
Dividends (1,641) (1,641)       (1,641)            
Purchases of treasury stock (4,459)     0 (4,459) (4,459)            
Shared-based payments 201     195 6 201            
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2020 $ 6,488 $ 38,747 $ (680) $ 4,982 $ (36,658) $ 6,391 $ 97 $ 0 $ 0      
v3.20.4
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Operating Activities      
Net income $ 6,411 $ 8,118 $ 5,859
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Amortization of customer and merchant incentives 1,072 1,141 1,235
Depreciation and amortization 580 522 459
(Gains) losses on equity investments, net (30) (167) 0
Share-based compensation 254 250 196
Deferred income taxes 73 (7) (244)
Other 14 24 31
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable (86) (246) (317)
Income taxes receivable (2) (202) (120)
Settlement due from customers 1,288 (444) (1,078)
Prepaid expenses (1,552) (1,661) (1,769)
Accrued litigation and legal settlements (73) (662) 869
Restricted security deposits held for customers 326 290 (6)
Accounts payable 26 (42) 101
Settlement due to customers (1,242) 477 849
Accrued expenses (114) 657 439
Long-term taxes payable (37) 2 (20)
Net change in other assets and liabilities 316 133 (261)
Net cash provided by operating activities 7,224 8,183 6,223
Investing Activities      
Purchases of investment securities available-for-sale (220) (643) (1,300)
Purchases of investments held-to-maturity (198) (215) (509)
Proceeds from sales of investment securities available-for-sale 361 1,098 604
Proceeds from maturities of investment securities available-for-sale 140 376 379
Proceeds from maturities of investments held-to-maturity 121 383 929
Purchases of property and equipment (339) (422) (330)
Capitalized software (369) (306) (174)
Purchases of equity investments (214) (467) (91)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired (989) (1,440) 0
Settlement of interest rate derivative contracts (175) 0 0
Other investing activities 3 (4) (14)
Net cash used in investing activities (1,879) (1,640) (506)
Financing Activities      
Purchases of treasury stock (4,473) (6,497) (4,933)
Dividends paid (1,605) (1,345) (1,044)
Proceeds from debt, net 3,959 2,724 991
Payment of debt 0 (500) 0
Acquisition of redeemable non-controlling interests (49) 0 0
Contingent consideration paid 0 (199) 0
Tax withholdings related to share-based payments (150) (161) (80)
Cash proceeds from exercise of stock options 97 126 104
Other financing activities 69 (15) (4)
Net cash used in financing activities (2,152) (5,867) (4,966)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents 257 (44) (6)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents 3,450 632 745
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents - beginning of period 8,969 8,337 7,592
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents - end of period $ 12,419 $ 8,969 $ 8,337
v3.20.4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization
Mastercard Incorporated and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Mastercard International Incorporated (“Mastercard International” and together with Mastercard Incorporated, “Mastercard” or the “Company”), is a technology company in the global payments industry that connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments, digital partners, businesses and other organizations worldwide, enabling them to use electronic forms of payment instead of cash and checks. The Company makes payments easier and more efficient by providing a wide range of payment solutions and services through its family of well-known brands, including Mastercard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®. The Company operates a multi-rail network that offers customers one partner to turn to for their domestic and cross-border payment needs. Through its unique and proprietary global payments network, which is referred to as the core network, the Company switches (authorizes, clears and settles) payment transactions and delivers related products and services. Mastercard has additional payment capabilities that include automated clearing house (“ACH”) transactions (both batch and real-time account-based payments). The Company also provides integrated value-added offerings such as cyber and intelligence products, information and analytics services, consulting, loyalty and reward programs, processing and open banking. The Company’s payment solutions offer customers choice and flexibility and are designed to ensure safety and security for the global payments system.
A typical transaction on the Company’s core network involves four participants in addition to the Company: account holder (a person or entity who holds a card or uses another device enabled for payment), issuer (the account holder’s financial institution), merchant and acquirer (the merchant’s financial institution). The Company does not issue cards, extend credit, determine or receive revenue from interest rates or other fees charged to account holders by issuers, or establish the rates charged by acquirers in connection with merchants’ acceptance of the Company’s products. In most cases, account holder relationships belong to, and are managed by, the Company’s financial institution customers.
Significant Accounting Policies
Consolidation and basis of presentation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Mastercard and its majority-owned and controlled entities, including any variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Investments in VIEs for which the Company is not considered the primary beneficiary are not consolidated and are accounted for as equity method or measurement alternative method investments and recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.  At December 31, 2020 and 2019, there were no significant VIEs which required consolidation and the investments were not considered material to the consolidated financial statements. The Company consolidates acquisitions as of the date in which the Company has obtained a controlling financial interest. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company follows accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
Non-controlling interests represent the equity interest not owned by the Company and are recorded for consolidated entities in which the Company owns less than 100% of the interests. Changes in a parent’s ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling interest are accounted for as equity transactions, and upon loss of control, retained ownership interests are remeasured at fair value, with any gain or loss recognized in earnings. For 2020, 2019 and 2018, net losses from non-controlling interests were not material and, as a result, amounts are included on the consolidated statement of operations within other income (expense).
Use of estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Future events and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty, including the potential impacts and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as other factors; accordingly, accounting estimates require the exercise of judgment. These financial statements were prepared using information reasonably available as of December 31, 2020 and through the date of this Report. The accounting estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as the Company’s operating environment changes. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Revenue recognition - Revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Revenue is primarily generated from assessing customers based on the dollar volume of activity, or gross dollar volume, on the products that carry the Company’s brands, from fees to issuers, acquirers and other stakeholders for providing switching services, as well as from value-added products and services that are typically integrated and sold with the Company’s payment offerings.
Volume-based revenue (domestic assessments and cross-border volume fees) is recorded as revenue in the period it is earned, which is primarily based on the related volume generated on the cards. Certain volume-based revenue is based upon information reported by customers. Transaction-based revenue (transaction processing) is primarily based on the number and type of transactions and is recognized as revenue in the same period in which the related transactions occur. Other payment-related products and services are recognized as revenue in the period in which the related services are performed or transactions occur. For services provided to customers where delivery involves the use of a third-party, the Company recognizes revenue on a gross basis if it acts as the principal, controlling the service to the customer and on a net basis if it acts as the agent, arranging for the service to be provided.
Mastercard has business agreements with certain customers that provide for rebates or other support when the customers meet certain volume hurdles as well as other support incentives, which are tied to performance. Rebates and incentives are recorded as a reduction of gross revenue primarily when volume- and transaction-based revenues are recognized over the contractual term. Rebates and incentives are calculated based upon estimated customer performance and the terms of the related business agreements. In addition, Mastercard may make payments to a customer directly related to entering into an agreement, which are generally capitalized and amortized over the life of the agreement on a straight-line basis.
Contract assets include unbilled consideration typically resulting from executed data analytic and consulting services performed for customers in connection with Mastercard’s payment network service arrangements. Collection for these services typically occurs over the contractual term. Contract assets are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
The Company defers the recognition of revenue when consideration has been received prior to the satisfaction of performance obligations. As these performance obligations are satisfied, revenue is subsequently recognized. Deferred revenue is primarily derived from data analytic and consulting services. Deferred revenue is included in other current liabilities and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
Business combinations - The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. The Company measures the tangible and intangible identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and contingent consideration at fair value as of the acquisition date. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred and are included in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations. Any excess purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, is recorded as goodwill. Measurement period adjustments, if any, to the preliminary estimated fair value of the intangibles assets as of the acquisition date are recorded in goodwill.
Goodwill and other intangible assets - Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of goodwill, which represents the synergies expected to arise after the acquisition date and the assembled workforce, and customer relationships. Finite-lived intangible assets consist of capitalized software costs, customer relationships and other intangible assets. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, on a straight-line basis, which range from one to twenty years. Capitalized software includes internal and external costs incurred directly related to the design, development and testing phases of each capitalized software project.
Impairment of assets - Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but tested annually for impairment at the reporting unit level in the fourth quarter, or sooner when circumstances indicate an impairment may exist. The impairment evaluation for goodwill utilizes a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired. The qualitative factors may include, but are not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, operating environment, financial performance and other relevant events. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, then the Company is required to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds the carrying value, goodwill is not impaired. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then goodwill is impaired and the excess of the reporting unit’s carrying value over the fair value is recognized as an impairment charge.
The impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets consists of a qualitative assessment to evaluate relevant events and circumstances that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets. If the qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that indefinite-lived intangible assets are impaired, then a quantitative assessment is required. 
Long-lived assets, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, are tested for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the carrying value of the asset cannot be recovered from estimated future cash flows, undiscounted and without interest, the fair value of the asset is calculated using the present value of estimated net future cash flows. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment is recorded.
Impairment charges, if any, are recorded in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.
Litigation - The Company is a party to certain legal and regulatory proceedings with respect to a variety of matters. The Company evaluates the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome of all legal or regulatory proceedings to which it is a party and accrues a loss contingency when the loss is probable and reasonably estimable. Loss contingencies are recorded in provision for litigation on the consolidated statement of operations. These judgments are subjective based on the status of the legal or regulatory proceedings, the merits of its defenses and consultation with in-house and external legal counsel. Legal costs are expensed as incurred and recorded in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.
Settlement and other risk management - Mastercard’s rules guarantee the settlement of many of the transactions between its customers. Settlement exposure is the outstanding settlement risk to customers under Mastercard’s rules due to the difference in timing between the payment transaction date and subsequent settlement. While the term and amount of the guarantee are unlimited, the duration of settlement exposure is short term and typically limited to a few days.
The Company also enters into agreements in the ordinary course of business under which the Company agrees to indemnify third parties against damages, losses and expenses incurred in connection with legal and other proceedings arising from relationships or transactions with the Company. As the extent of the Company’s obligations under these agreements depends entirely upon the occurrence of future events, the Company’s potential future liability under these agreements is not determinable.
The Company accounts for each of its guarantees by recording the guarantee at its fair value at the inception or modification date through earnings.
Income taxes - The Company follows an asset and liability based approach in accounting for income taxes as required under GAAP. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recorded to reflect the tax consequences on future years of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and income tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred income taxes are displayed separately as noncurrent assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Valuation allowances are provided against assets which are not more likely than not to be realized. The Company recognizes all material tax positions, including uncertain tax positions in which it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained based on its technical merits and if challenged by the relevant taxing authorities. At each balance sheet date, unresolved uncertain tax positions are reassessed to determine whether subsequent developments require a change in the amount of recognized tax benefit. The allowance for uncertain tax positions is recorded in other current and noncurrent liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company records interest expense related to income tax matters as interest expense on the consolidated statement of operations. The Company includes penalties related to income tax matters in the income tax provision.
Cash and cash equivalents - Cash and cash equivalents include certain investments with daily liquidity and with an original maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase. Cash equivalents are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.
Restricted cash - The Company classifies cash and cash equivalents as restricted when it is unavailable for withdrawal or use in its general operations. The Company has the following types of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents which are included in the reconciliation of beginning-of-period and end-of-period amounts shown on the consolidated statement of cash flows:
Restricted cash for litigation settlement - The Company has restricted cash for litigation within a qualified settlement fund related to the settlement agreement for the U.S. merchant class litigation. The funds continue to be restricted for payments until the litigation matter is resolved.
Restricted security deposits held for customers - The Company requires collateral from certain customers for settlement of their transactions. The majority of collateral for settlement is in the form of standby letters of credit and bank guarantees which are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheet. Additionally, the Company holds cash deposits and certificates of deposit from certain customers as collateral for settlement of their transactions, which are recorded as assets on the consolidated balance sheet. These assets are fully offset by corresponding liabilities included on the consolidated balance sheet. These security deposits are typically held for the duration of the agreement with the customers.
Other restricted cash balances - The Company has other restricted cash balances which include contractually restricted deposits, as well as cash balances that are restricted based on the Company’s intention with regard to usage. These funds are classified on the consolidated balance sheet within prepaid expenses and other current assets and other assets.
Fair value - The Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis by estimating the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The Company classifies these recurring fair value measurements into a three-level hierarchy (“Valuation Hierarchy”).
The Valuation Hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. A financial instrument’s categorization within the Valuation Hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of the Valuation Hierarchy are as follows: 
Level 1 - inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets
Level 2 - inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in inactive markets and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability
Level 3 - inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and cannot be directly corroborated by observable market data
Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. The Company’s non-financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include property, equipment and right-of-use assets, goodwill and other intangible assets. These assets are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence of impairment.
The valuation methods for goodwill and other intangible assets acquired in business combinations involve assumptions concerning comparable company multiples, discount rates, growth projections and other assumptions of future business conditions. The Company uses various valuation techniques to determine fair value, primarily discounted cash flows analysis, relief-from-royalty, and multi-period excess earnings for estimating the fair value of its intangible assets. As the assumptions employed to measure these assets are based on management’s judgment using internal and external data, these fair value determinations are classified in Level 3 of the Valuation Hierarchy.
Contingent consideration - Certain business combinations involve the potential for future payment of consideration that is contingent upon the achievement of performance milestones. These liabilities are classified within Level 3 of the Valuation Hierarchy as the inputs used to measure fair value are unobservable and require management’s judgment. The fair value of the contingent consideration at the acquisition date and subsequent periods is determined utilizing an income approach based on a Monte Carlo technique and is recorded in other current liabilities and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Changes to projected performance milestones of the acquired businesses could result in a higher or lower contingent consideration liability. The changes in fair value as a result of updated assumptions are recorded in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.
Investment securities - The Company classifies investments as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity at the date of acquisition.
Available-for-sale debt securities:
Investments in debt securities that are available to meet the Company’s current operational needs are classified as current assets and the securities that are not available for current operational needs are classified as non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
The debt securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Net realized gains and losses on debt securities are recognized in investment income on the consolidated statement of operations. The specific identification method is used to determine realized gains and losses.
The Company evaluates its debt securities for impairment on an ongoing basis. When there has been a decline in fair value of a debt security below the amortized cost basis, the Company recognizes an impairment if: (1) it has the intent to sell the security; (2) it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis; or (3) it does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. The credit loss component of the impairment is recognized as an allowance and recorded in other income (expense), net on the consolidated statement of operations while the non-credit related loss remains in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until realized from a sale or subsequent impairment.
Held-to-maturity securities:
Time deposits - The Company classifies time deposits with original maturities greater than three months as held-to-maturity. Held-to-maturity securities that mature within one year are classified as current assets within investments on the consolidated balance sheet while held-to-maturity securities with maturities of greater than one year are classified as non-current assets. Time deposits are carried at amortized cost on the consolidated balance sheet and are intended to be held until maturity.
Equity investments - The Company holds equity securities of publicly traded and privately held companies.
Marketable equity securities - Marketable equity securities are strategic investments in publicly traded companies and are measured at fair value using quoted prices in their respective active markets with changes recorded through gain (losses) on equity investments, net on the consolidated statement of operations. Securities that are not for use in current operations are classified in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
Nonmarketable equity investments - The Company’s nonmarketable equity investments, which are reported in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet, include investments in privately held companies without readily determinable market values. The Company uses discounted cash flows and market assumptions to estimate the fair value of its nonmarketable equity investments when certain events or circumstances indicate that impairment may exist. The Company’s nonmarketable equity investments are accounted for under the equity method or measurement alternative method.
Equity method - The Company accounts for investments in common stock or in-substance common stock under the equity method of accounting when it has the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee, generally when it holds between 20% and 50% ownership in the entity. The excess of the cost over the underlying net equity of investments accounted for under the equity method is allocated to identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities based on fair values at the date of acquisition. The amortization of the excess of the cost over the underlying net equity of investments and Mastercard’s share of net earnings or losses of entities accounted for under the equity method of accounting is included in other income (expense), net on the consolidated statement of operations. In addition, investments in flow-through entities such as limited partnerships and limited liability companies are also accounted for under the equity method when the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee, generally when the investment ownership percentage is equal to or greater than 5% of the outstanding ownership interest. The Company’s share of net earnings or losses for these investments are included in gains (losses) on equity investments, net on the consolidated statement of operations.
Measurement alternative method - The Company accounts for investments in common stock or in-substance common stock under the measurement alternative method of accounting when it does not exercise significant influence, generally when it holds less than 20% ownership in the entity or when the interest in a limited partnership or limited liability company is less than 5% and the Company has no significant influence over the operation of the investee. Investments in companies that Mastercard does not control, but that are not in the form of common stock or in-substance common stock, are also accounted for under the measurement alternative method of accounting. Measurement alternative investments are measured at cost, less any impairment and adjusted for changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. Fair value adjustments, as well as impairments, are included in gain (losses) on equity investments, net on the consolidated statement of operations.
Derivative and hedging instruments - The Company’s derivative financial instruments are recorded as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measured at fair value. The Company’s foreign exchange and interest rate derivative contracts are included in Level 2 of the Valuation Hierarchy as the fair value of the contracts are based on inputs, which are observable based on broker quotes for the same or similar instruments. The Company does not enter into derivative contracts for trading or speculative purposes. For derivative contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments, realized and unrealized gains and losses from the change in fair value of the contracts are recognized in current earnings.
The Company’s derivatives that are designated as hedging instruments are required to meet established accounting criteria. In addition, an effectiveness assessment is required to demonstrate that the derivative is expected to be highly effective at offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows of the underlying exposure both at inception of the hedging relationship and on an ongoing basis. The method of assessing hedge effectiveness and measuring hedge results is formally documented at hedge inception and assessed at least quarterly throughout the designated hedge period. For cash flow hedges, the fair value adjustments are recorded, net of tax, in other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Any gains and losses deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are subsequently reclassified to the corresponding line item on the consolidated statement of operations when the underlying hedged transactions impact earnings. For hedging instruments that are no longer deemed highly effective, hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively, and any gains and losses remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified to earnings when the underlying forecasted transaction occurs. If it is probable that the forecasted transaction will no longer occur, the associated gains or losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified to the corresponding line item on the consolidated statement of operations in current earnings.
The Company has numerous investments in its foreign subsidiaries. The net assets of these subsidiaries are exposed to volatility in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company may use foreign currency denominated debt and/or derivative instruments to hedge a portion of its net investment in foreign operations against adverse movements in exchange rates. The effective portion of the foreign currency gains and losses related to the hedging instruments are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated balance sheet as a cumulative translation adjustment component of equity. Amounts excluded from
effectiveness testing of net investment hedges are recognized in earnings over the life of the hedging instrument. The Company evaluates the effectiveness of the net investment hedge each quarter.
Settlement due from/due to customers - The Company operates systems for clearing and settling payment transactions among customers. Net settlements are generally cleared daily among customers through settlement cash accounts by wire transfer or other bank clearing means. However, some transactions may not settle until subsequent business days, resulting in amounts due from and due to customers.
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets - Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation of leasehold improvements and amortization of finance leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense on the consolidated statement of operations. Operating lease amortization expense is included in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.
The useful lives of the Company’s assets are as follows:
Asset CategoryEstimated Useful Life
Buildings30 years
Building equipment
10 - 15 years
Furniture and fixtures and equipment
3 - 5 years
Leasehold improvementsShorter of life of improvement or lease term
Right-of-use assetsShorter of life of the asset or lease term
The Company determines if a contract is, or contains, a lease at contract inception. The Company’s right-of-use (“ROU”) assets are primarily related to operating leases for office space, automobiles and other equipment. Leases are included in property, equipment and right-of-use assets, other current liabilities and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. In addition, ROU assets include initial direct costs incurred by the lessee as well as any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, and exclude lease incentives. As most of the Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is determined by using the rate of interest that the Company would pay to borrow on a collateralized basis an amount equal to the lease payments for a similar term and in a similar economic environment. Lease terms include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Leases with a term of one year or less are excluded from ROU assets and liabilities.
The Company excludes variable lease payments in measuring ROU assets and lease liabilities, other than those that depend on an index, a rate or are in-substance fixed payments. Lease and nonlease components are generally accounted for separately. When available, consideration is allocated to the separate lease and nonlease components in a lease contract on a relative standalone price basis using observable standalone prices.
Pension and other postretirement plans - The Company recognizes the funded status of its single-employer defined benefit pension plans and postretirement plans as assets or liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet and recognizes changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur through accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation at December 31, the measurement date. Overfunded plans, if any, are aggregated and recorded in other assets, while underfunded plans are aggregated and recorded as accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
Net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost/(income), excluding the service cost component, is recognized in other income (expense) on the consolidated statement of operations. These costs include interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service costs or credits and gains or losses previously recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The service cost component is recognized in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.
Defined contribution plans - The Company’s contributions to defined contribution plans are recorded as employees render service to the Company. The charge is recorded in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.
Advertising and marketing - Expenses incurred to promote Mastercard’s brand, products and services are recognized in advertising and marketing on the consolidated statement of operations. The timing of recognition is dependent on the type of advertising or marketing expense.
Foreign currency remeasurement and translation - Monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured to functional currencies using current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are recorded at historical exchange rates. Revenue and expense accounts are remeasured at the weighted-average exchange rate for the period. Resulting exchange gains and losses related to remeasurement are included in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.
Where a non-U.S. currency is the functional currency, translation from that functional currency to U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using a weighted-average exchange rate for the period. Resulting translation adjustments are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Treasury stock - The Company records the repurchase of shares of its common stock at cost on the trade date of the transaction. These shares are considered treasury stock, which is a reduction to stockholders’ equity. Treasury stock is included in authorized and issued shares but excluded from outstanding shares.
Share-based payments - The Company measures share-based compensation expense at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award and uses the straight-line method of attribution, net of estimated forfeitures, for expensing awards over the requisite employee service period. The Company estimates the fair value of its non-qualified stock option awards (“Options”) using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) is determined and fixed on the grant date based on the Company’s stock price, adjusted for the exclusion of dividend equivalents. The Monte Carlo simulation valuation model is used to determine the grant date fair value of performance stock units (“PSUs”) granted. All share-based compensation expenses are recorded in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.
Redeemable non-controlling interests - The Company’s business combinations may include provisions allowing non-controlling equity owners the ability to require the Company to purchase additional interests in the subsidiary at their discretion. The interests are initially recorded at fair value and in subsequent reporting periods are accreted or adjusted to the estimated redemption value. The adjustments to the redemption value are recorded to retained earnings or additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheet. The redeemable non-controlling interests are considered temporary and reported outside of permanent equity on the consolidated balance sheet at the greater of the carrying amount adjusted for the non-controlling interest’s share of net income (loss) or its redemption value.
Earnings per share - The Company calculates basic earnings per share (“EPS”) by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year, adjusted for the potentially dilutive effect of stock options and unvested stock units using the treasury stock method. The Company may be required to calculate EPS using the two-class method as a result of its redeemable non-controlling interests. If redemption value exceeds the fair value of the redeemable non-controlling interests, the excess would be a reduction to net income for the EPS calculation.
Accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
Simplifying the accounting for income taxes - In December 2019, the FASB issued accounting guidance to simplify the accounting for income taxes. This guidance includes the removal of certain exceptions to the general income tax accounting principles and provides clarity and simplification to other areas of income tax accounting by amending the existing guidance. The guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company will adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2021 and does not expect the impacts to be material.
Reference Rate Reform - In March 2020, the FASB issued accounting guidance to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the current contract modifications and hedge accounting guidance in light of the expected market transition from LIBOR to alternative rates. The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions to transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The transactions primarily include (1) contract modifications, (2) hedging relationships, and (3) sale or transfer of debt securities classified as held-to-maturity. The amendments were effective immediately upon issuance of the update. Companies may elect to adopt the amendments prospectively to transactions existing as of or entered from the date of adoption through December 31, 2022. The Company does not expect the impacts to be material.
v3.20.4
Acquisitions Business Combination
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Business Combinations [Abstract]  
Business Combination Disclosure
In 2020 and 2019, the Company acquired several businesses for total consideration of $1.1 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, representing both cash and contingent consideration. There were no acquisitions in 2018. These acquisitions align with the Company’s strategy to grow, diversify and build the Company’s business. Refer to Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) for the valuation techniques Mastercard utilizes to fair value the respective components of business combinations and contingent consideration. The residual value allocated to goodwill is primarily attributable to the synergies expected to arise after the acquisition date and a majority of the goodwill is not expected to be deductible for local tax purposes.
In 2020, the Company finalized the purchase accounting for businesses acquired during 2019 and $185 million of the businesses acquired in 2020. The Company is evaluating and finalizing the purchase accounting for the remainder of the businesses acquired during 2020. The preliminary estimated and final fair values of the purchase price allocations in aggregate, as of the acquisition dates, are noted below for the years ended December 31.
20202019
(in millions)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$$54 
Other current assets14 143 
Other intangible assets237 395 
Goodwill844 1,076 
Other assets11 48 
Total assets1,112 1,716 
Liabilities:
Other current liabilities15 121 
Deferred income taxes 23 52 
Other liabilities32 
Total liabilities46 205 
Net assets acquired$1,066 $1,511 
The following table summarizes the identified intangible assets acquired during the years ended December 31:
2020201920202019
Acquisition Date Fair ValueWeighted-Average Useful Life
(in millions)(in years)
Developed technologies$122 $199 6.37.7
Customer relationships114 178 12.012.6
Other18 1.05.0
Other intangible assets$237 $395 9.09.7
Pro forma information related to the acquisitions was not included because the impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations was not considered to be material.
Among the businesses acquired in 2020, the largest acquisition relates to Finicity Corporation (“Finicity”), an open-banking provider, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. On November 18, 2020, Mastercard acquired 100% equity interest in Finicity for cash consideration of $809 million. In addition, the Finicity sellers have the potential to earn contingent consideration of up to $160 million if certain revenue targets are met in 2021. As of the acquisition date, the fair value of the contingent consideration was $71 million. The businesses acquired in 2019 were not individually significant to Mastercard.
Pending Acquisition
In August 2019, Mastercard entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the majority of the Corporate Services business of Nets Denmark A/S, for €2.85 billion (approximately $3.5 billion as of December 31, 2020) after adjusting for cash and certain other
liabilities at closing. The pending acquisition primarily comprises the clearing and instant payment services, and e-billing solutions of Nets Denmark A/S’s Corporate Services business. The Company has secured conditional approval from the European Commission and, subject to other closing conditions, anticipates completing the acquisition in the first quarter of 2021, or shortly thereafter.
v3.20.4
Revenue
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Revenue
Mastercard’s core network involves four participants in addition to the Company: account holders (a person or entity who holds a card or uses another device enabled for payment), issuers (the account holders’ financial institutions), merchants and acquirers (the merchants’ financial institutions). Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized when services are performed in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those services. Revenue recognized from domestic assessments, cross-border volume fees and transaction processing are derived from Mastercard’s payment network services. Revenue is primarily generated by charging fees to issuers, acquirers and other stakeholders for providing switching services, as well as by assessing customers based primarily on the dollar volume of activity, or gross dollar volume, on the products that carry the Company’s brands. Revenue is generally derived from information accumulated by Mastercard’s systems or reported by customers. In addition, the Company generates other revenues from value-added products and services that are typically integrated and sold with the Company’s payment offerings and are recognized as revenue in the period in which the related transactions occur or services are performed.
The price structure for Mastercard’s products and services is dependent on the nature of volumes, types of transactions and type of products and services offered to customers. Net revenue can be impacted by the following:
domestic or cross-border transactions
geographic region or country in which the transaction occurs
volumes/transactions subject to tiered rates
processed or not processed by the Company
amount of usage of the Company’s other products or services
amount of rebates and incentives provided to customers
The Company classifies its net revenue into the following five categories:
Domestic assessments are fees charged to issuers and acquirers based primarily on the dollar volume of activity on cards and other devices that carry the Company’s brands where the merchant country and the country of issuance are the same. Revenue from domestic assessments is recorded as revenue in the period it is earned, which is when the related volume is generated on the cards or other devices that carry the Company’s brands.
Cross-border volume fees are charged to issuers and acquirers based primarily on the dollar volume of activity on cards and other devices that carry the Company’s brands where the merchant country and the country of issuance are different. Revenue from cross-border volume is recorded as revenue in the period it is earned, which is when the related volume is generated on the cards or other devices that carry the Company’s brands.
Transaction processing revenue is recognized for both domestic and cross-border transactions in the period in which the related transactions occur. Transaction processing includes the following:
Switched transaction revenue is generated from the following products and services:
Authorization is the process by which a transaction is routed to the issuer for approval. In certain circumstances, such as when the issuer’s systems are unavailable or cannot be contacted, Mastercard or others approve such transactions on behalf of the issuer in accordance with either the issuer’s instructions or applicable rules (also known as “stand-in”).
Clearing is the determination and exchange of financial transaction information between issuers and acquirers after a transaction has been successfully conducted at the point of interaction. Transactions are cleared among customers through Mastercard’s central and regional processing systems.
Settlement is facilitating the exchange of funds between parties.
Connectivity fees are charged to issuers, acquirers and other financial institutions for network access, equipment and the transmission of authorization and settlement messages. These fees are based on the size of the data being transmitted and the number of connections to the Company’s network.
Other processing fees include issuer and acquirer processing solutions; payment gateways for e-commerce merchants; mobile gateways for mobile-initiated transactions; and safety and security.
Other revenues consist of value-added products and services that are typically sold with the Company’s payment service offerings and are recognized in the period in which the related services are performed or transactions occur. Other revenues include the following:
Data analytics and consulting fees.
Cyber and intelligence fees are for products and services offered to prevent, detect and respond to fraud and to ensure the safety of transactions made primarily on Mastercard products.
Loyalty and rewards solutions fees are charged to issuers for benefits provided directly to consumers with Mastercard-branded cards, such as access to a global airline lounge network, global and local concierge services, individual insurance coverages, emergency card replacement, emergency cash advance services and a 24-hour cardholder service center. Loyalty and reward solution fees also include rewards campaigns and management services.
Program management services provided to prepaid card issuers consist of foreign exchange margin, commissions, load fees and ATM withdrawal fees paid by cardholders on the sale and encashment of prepaid cards.
Batch and real-time account-based payment services relating to ACH transactions and other ACH related services.
Other payment-related products and services and platforms, including account and transaction enhancement services, open banking solutions, rules compliance and publications.
Rebates and incentives (contra-revenue) are provided to customers that meet certain volume targets and can be in the form of a rebate or other support incentives, which are tied to performance. Rebates and incentives are recorded as a reduction of gross revenue primarily when volume- and transaction-based revenues are recognized over the contractual term. In addition, Mastercard may make incentive payments to a customer directly related to entering into an agreement, which are generally capitalized and amortized over the life of the agreement on a straight-line basis.
The Company’s disaggregated net revenue by source and geographic region were as follows for the years ended December 31:
 202020192018
(in millions)
Revenue by source:
Domestic assessments$6,656 $6,781 $6,138 
Cross-border volume fees3,512 5,606 4,954 
Transaction processing8,731 8,469 7,391 
Other revenues4,717 4,124 3,348 
Gross revenue23,616 24,980 21,831 
Rebates and incentives (contra-revenue)(8,315)(8,097)(6,881)
Net revenue$15,301 $16,883 $14,950 
Net revenue by geographic region:
North American Markets$5,424 $5,843 $5,312 
International Markets9,701 10,869 9,514 
Other 1
176 171 124 
Net revenue$15,301 $16,883 $14,950 
1Includes revenues managed by corporate functions.
Receivables from contracts with customers of $2.5 billion and $2.3 billion as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, are recorded within accounts receivable on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company’s customers are generally billed weekly, however, the frequency is dependent upon the nature of the performance obligation and the underlying contractual terms. The Company does not typically offer extended payment terms to customers.
Contract assets are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other assets on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020 in the amounts of $59 million and $245 million, respectively. The comparable amounts included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other assets at December 31, 2019 were $48 million and $152 million, respectively.
Deferred revenue is included in other current liabilities and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020 in the amounts of $355 million and $143 million, respectively. The comparable amounts included in other current liabilities and
other liabilities at December 31, 2019 were $238 million and $106 million, respectively. In 2020, 2019 and 2018 revenue recognized from the satisfaction of such performance obligations was $1.1 billion, $994 million and $904 million, respectively.
The Company’s remaining performance periods for its contracts with customers for its payment network services are typically long-term in nature (generally up to 10 years). As a payment network service provider, the Company provides its customers with continuous access to its global payments network and stands ready to provide transaction processing and related services over the contractual term. Consideration is variable as the Company generates volume- and transaction-based revenues from assessing its customers’ current period activity. The Company has elected the optional exemption to not disclose the remaining performance obligations related to its payment network services. The Company also earns revenues primarily from other value-added services comprised of both batch and real-time account-based payment services, consulting fees, gateway services, processing, loyalty programs and other payment-related products and services. At December 31, 2020, the estimated aggregate consideration allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations for these other value-added services is $1.3 billion, which is expected to be recognized through 2023. The estimated remaining performance obligations related to these revenues are subject to change and are affected by several factors, including modifications and terminations and are not expected to be material to any future annual period.
v3.20.4
Earnings Per Share
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Earnings Per Share
The components of basic and diluted EPS for common shares for each of the years ended December 31 were as follows:
 202020192018
 (in millions, except per share data)
Numerator
Net income$6,411 $8,118 $5,859 
Denominator
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding1,002 1,017 1,041 
Dilutive stock options and stock units
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding 1
1,006 1,022 1,047 
Earnings per Share
Basic$6.40 $7.98 $5.63 
Diluted$6.37 $7.94 $5.60 
Note: Table may not sum due to rounding.
1For the years presented, the calculation of diluted EPS excluded a minimal amount of anti-dilutive share-based payment awards.
v3.20.4
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract]  
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents reported on the consolidated balance sheet that total to the amounts shown on the consolidated statement of cash flows for the years ended December 31:
20202019
(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents$10,113 $6,988 
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents
Restricted cash for litigation settlement586 584 
Restricted security deposits held for customers1,696 1,370 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets24 27 
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents$12,419 $8,969 
v3.20.4
Supplemental Cash Flows
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]  
Supplemental Cash Flows
The following table includes supplemental cash flow disclosures for each of the years ended December 31:
202020192018
 (in millions)
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds$1,349 $1,644 $1,790 
Cash paid for interest311 199 153 
Cash paid for legal settlements149 668 260 
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Dividends declared but not yet paid439 403 340 
Accrued property, equipment and right-of-use assets154 468 10 
Fair value of assets acquired, net of cash acquired1,106 1,662 — 
Fair value of liabilities assumed related to acquisitions
46 205 — 
v3.20.4
Investments
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]  
Investments
The Company’s investments on the consolidated balance sheet include both available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities (see Investments section below). The Company classifies its investments in equity securities of publicly traded and privately held companies within other assets on the consolidated balance sheet (see Equity Investments section below).
Investments
Investments on the consolidated balance sheet consisted of the following at December 31:
20202019
(in millions)
Available-for-sale securities $321 $591 
Held-to-maturity securities 162 97 
Total investments $483 $688 
Available-for-Sale Securities
The major classes of the Company’s available-for-sale investment securities and their respective amortized cost basis and fair values were as follows:
 December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized GainGross Unrealized Loss Fair ValueAmortized Cost Gross Unrealized GainGross Unrealized Loss Fair Value
(in millions)
Municipal securities$10 $— $— $10 $15 $— $— $15 
Government and agency securities64 — — 64 108 — — 108 
Corporate securities246 — 247 381 — 382 
Asset-backed securities— — — — 85 — 86 
Total$320 $1 $ $321 $589 $2 $ $591 
The Company’s available-for-sale investment securities held at December 31, 2020 and 2019, primarily carried a credit rating of A- or better with unrealized gains and losses recorded as a separate component of other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The municipal securities are comprised of state tax-exempt bonds and are diversified across states and sectors. Government and agency securities include U.S. government bonds, U.S. government sponsored agency bonds and foreign government bonds. Corporate securities are comprised of commercial paper and corporate bonds. The asset-backed securities are investments in bonds which are collateralized primarily by automobile loan receivables.
The maturity distribution based on the contractual terms of the Company’s investment securities at December 31, 2020 was as follows:
Available-For-Sale
Amortized
Cost
Fair Value
(in millions)
Due within 1 year$115 $115 
Due after 1 year through 5 years205 206 
Total$320 $321 
Investment income on the consolidated statement of operations primarily consists of interest income generated from cash, cash equivalents, time deposits, and realized gains and losses on the Company’s debt securities. The realized gains and losses from the sale of available-for-sale securities for 2020, 2019 and 2018 were not significant.
Held-to-Maturity Securities
The Company classifies time deposits with maturities greater than three months but less than one year as held-to-maturity. Time deposits are carried at amortized cost on the consolidated balance sheet and are intended to be held until maturity. The cost of these securities approximates fair value.
Equity Investments
Included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet are equity investments with readily determinable fair values (“Marketable securities”) and equity investments without readily determinable fair values (“Nonmarketable securities”). Marketable securities are publicly traded companies and are measured using unadjusted quoted prices in their respective active markets. Nonmarketable securities that do not qualify for equity method accounting are measured at cost, less any impairment and adjusted for changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or similar investments of the same issuer (“measurement alternative”).
The following table is a summary of the activity related to the Company’s equity investments:
 Balance at December 31, 2019Purchases (Sales), net
Changes in Fair Value1
Other2
Balance at December 31, 2020
(in millions)
Marketable securities $479 $$(5)$$476 
Nonmarketable securities 435 204 35 22 696 
Total equity investments $914 $205 $30 $23 $1,172 
1Recorded in gains (losses) on equity investments, net on the consolidated statement of operations
2Includes translational impact of currency
At December 31, 2020, the total carrying value of Nonmarketable securities included $157 million of measurement alternative investments and $539 million of equity method investments. At December 31, 2019, the total carrying value of Nonmarketable securities included $317 million of measurement alternative investments and $118 million of equity method investments. Cumulative impairments and downward fair value adjustments on measurement alternative investments were $14 million and cumulative upward fair value adjustments were $86 million as of December 31, 2020.
v3.20.4
Fair Value Measurements
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements The Company classifies its fair value measurements of financial instruments into a three-level hierarchy within the Valuation Hierarchy. Financial instruments are categorized for fair value measurement purposes as recurring or non-recurring in nature. There were no transfers made among the three levels in the Valuation Hierarchy for 2020 and 2019.
Financial Instruments - Recurring Measurements
The distribution of the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis within the Valuation Hierarchy were as follows:
 December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
 Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
TotalQuoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
(in millions)
Assets
Investment securities available for sale 1:
Municipal securities$— $10 $— $10 $— $15 $— $15 
Government and agency securities26 38 — 64 66 42 — 108 
Corporate securities— 247 — 247 — 382 — 382 
Asset-backed securities— — — — — 86 — 86 
Derivative instruments 2:
Foreign exchange contracts— 19 — 19 — 12 — 12 
Interest rate contracts — — — — — 14 — 14 
Marketable securities 3:
Equity securities476 — — 476 479 — — 479 
Deferred compensation plan 4:
Deferred compensation assets78 — — 78 67 — — 67 
Liabilities
Derivative instruments 2:
Foreign exchange derivative liabilities$— $(28)$— $(28)$— $(32)$— $(32)
Deferred compensation plan 5:
Deferred compensation liabilities(81)— — (81)(67)— — (67)
1The Company’s U.S. government securities are classified within Level 1 of the Valuation Hierarchy as the fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets. The fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale municipal securities, government and agency securities, corporate securities and asset-backed securities are based on observable inputs such as quoted prices, benchmark yields and issuer spreads for similar assets in active markets and are therefore included in Level 2 of the Valuation Hierarchy.
2The Company’s foreign exchange and interest rate derivative asset and liability contracts have been classified within Level 2 of the Valuation Hierarchy as the fair value is based on observable inputs such as broker quotes relating to foreign currency exchange rates for similar derivative instruments. See Note 23 (Derivative and Hedging Instruments) for further details.
3The Company’s Marketable securities are publicly held and classified within Level 1 of the Valuation Hierarchy as the fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in their respective active markets.
4The Company has a nonqualified deferred compensation plan where assets are invested primarily in mutual funds held in a rabbi trust, which is restricted for payments to participants of the plan. The Company has elected to use the fair value option for these mutual funds, which are measured using quoted prices of identical instruments in active markets and are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
5The deferred compensation liabilities are measured at fair value based on the quoted prices of identical instruments to the investment vehicles selected by the participants. These are included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
Financial Instruments - Non-Recurring Measurements
Nonmarketable Securities
The Company’s Nonmarketable securities are recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis in periods after initial recognition under the equity method or measurement alternative method. Nonmarketable securities are classified within Level 3 of the Valuation Hierarchy due to the absence of quoted market prices, the inherent lack of liquidity and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value that require management’s judgment. The Company uses discounted cash flows and market assumptions to estimate the fair value of its Nonmarketable securities when certain events or circumstances indicate that impairment may exist. See Note 7 (Investments) for further details.
Debt
The Company estimates the fair value of its long-term debt based on market quotes. These debt instruments are not traded in active markets and are classified as Level 2 of the Valuation Hierarchy. At December 31, 2020, the carrying value and fair value of total long-term debt (including the current portion) was $12.7 billion and $14.8 billion, respectively. At December 31, 2019, the carrying value and fair value of long-term debt (including the current portion) was $8.5 billion and $9.2 billion, respectively. See Note 15 (Debt) for further details.
Other Financial Instruments
Certain financial instruments are carried on the consolidated balance sheet at cost or amortized cost basis, which approximates fair value due to their short-term, highly liquid nature. These instruments include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, time deposits, accounts receivable, settlement due from customers, restricted security deposits held for customers, accounts payable, settlement due to customers and other accrued liabilities.
v3.20.4
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets [Abstract]  
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following at December 31:
20202019
(in millions)
Customer and merchant incentives$1,086 $872 
Prepaid income taxes78 105 
Other719 786 
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets$1,883 $1,763 
Other assets consisted of the following at December 31:
20202019
(in millions)
Customer and merchant incentives$3,220 $2,838 
Equity investments1,172 914 
Income taxes receivable553 460 
Other420 313 
Total other assets$5,365 $4,525 
Customer and merchant incentives represent payments made to customers and merchants under business agreements. Costs directly related to entering into such an agreement are generally deferred and amortized over the life of the agreement.
See Note 7 (Investments) for further information on the Company’s equity investments.
v3.20.4
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]  
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets consisted of the following at December 31:
20202019
(in millions)
Building, building equipment and land$522 $505 
Equipment1,321 1,218 
Furniture and fixtures99 92 
Leasehold improvements380 303 
Operating lease right-of-use assets970 810 
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets3,292 2,928 
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization(1,390)(1,100)
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets, net$1,902 $1,828 
Depreciation and amortization expense for the above property, equipment and right-of-use assets was $400 million, $336 million and $209 million for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet as follows at December 31:
20202019
(in millions)
Balance sheet location
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets, net$748 $711 
Other current liabilities125 106 
Other liabilities726 656 
Operating lease amortization expense for 2020 and 2019 was $123 million and $99 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the weighted-average remaining lease term of operating leases was 9.1 years and 9.5 years and the weighted-average discount rate for operating leases was 2.7% and 2.9%, respectively.
The following table summarizes the maturity of the Company’s operating lease liabilities at December 31, 2020 based on lease term:
Operating Leases
(in millions)
2021$137 
2022130 
2023108 
202495 
202572 
Thereafter383 
Total operating lease payments925 
Less: Interest(74)
Present value of operating lease liabilities$851 
Prior to adoption of the lease accounting standard in 2019, consolidated rental expense for the Company’s leased office space was $94 million for 2018. Consolidated lease expense for automobiles, computer equipment and office equipment was $20 million for 2018, respectively.
v3.20.4
Goodwill
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Goodwill
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
20202019
(in millions)
Beginning balance$4,021 $2,904 
Additions844 1,076 
Foreign currency translation95 41 
Ending balance$4,960 $4,021 
The Company performed its annual qualitative assessment of goodwill during the fourth quarter of 2020 and determined a quantitative assessment was not necessary. The Company concluded that goodwill was not impaired and had no accumulated impairment losses at December 31, 2020.
v3.20.4
Other Intangible Assets
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]  
Other Intangible Assets
The following table sets forth net intangible assets, other than goodwill, at December 31:
20202019
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Net Carrying Amount
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Net Carrying Amount
(in millions)
Finite-lived intangible assets
Capitalized software$2,276 $(1,126)$1,150 $1,884 $(988)$896 
Customer relationships743 (322)421 621 (264)357 
Other44 (41)44 (44)— 
Total3,063 (1,489)1,574 2,549 (1,296)1,253 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
Customer relationships179 — 179 164 — 164 
Total$3,242 $(1,489)$1,753 $2,713 $(1,296)$1,417 
The increase in the gross carrying amount of amortized intangible assets in 2020 was primarily related to software additions and businesses acquired in 2020. See Note 2 (Acquisitions) for further details. Certain intangible assets are denominated in foreign currencies. As such, the change in intangible assets includes a component attributable to foreign currency translation. Based on the qualitative assessment performed in 2020, it was determined that the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets were not impaired.
Amortization on the assets above amounted to $303 million, $285 million and $250 million in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The following table sets forth the estimated future amortization expense on finite-lived intangible assets on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020 for the years ending December 31:
(in millions)
2021$332 
2022260 
2023211 
2024194 
2025 and thereafter577 
$1,574 
v3.20.4
Accrued Expenses and Accrued Litigation
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]  
Accrued Expenses and Accrued Litigation
Accrued expenses consisted of the following at December 31:
20202019
 (in millions)
Customer and merchant incentives$3,998 $3,892 
Personnel costs727 713 
Income and other taxes208 332 
Other497 552 
Total accrued expenses$5,430 $5,489 
Customer and merchant incentives represent amounts to be paid to customers under business agreements. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company’s provision for litigation was $842 million and $914 million, respectively. These amounts are not included in the accrued expenses table above and are separately reported as accrued litigation on the consolidated balance sheet. See Note 21 (Legal and Regulatory Proceedings) for additional information regarding the Company’s accrued litigation.
v3.20.4
Pension, Postretirement and Savings Plans
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Pension, Postretirement and Savings Plans
The Company and certain of its subsidiaries maintain various pension and other postretirement plans that cover substantially all employees worldwide.
Defined Contribution Plans
The Company sponsors defined contribution retirement plans. The primary plan is the Mastercard Savings Plan, a 401(k) plan for substantially all of the Company’s U.S. employees, which is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. In addition, the Company has several defined contribution plans outside of the U.S. The Company’s total expense for its defined contribution plans was $150 million, $127 million and $98 million in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Defined Benefit and Other Postretirement Plans
The Company sponsors pension and postretirement plans for certain non-U.S. employees (the “non-U.S. Plans”) that cover various benefits specific to their country of employment. Additionally, Vocalink has a defined benefit pension plan (the “Vocalink Plan”) which was permanently closed to new entrants and future accruals as of July 21, 2013, however, plan participants’ obligations are adjusted for future salary changes. The Company has agreed to make contributions of £15 million (approximately $20 million as of December 31, 2020) annually until September 2022. The term “Pension Plans” includes the non-U.S. Plans and the Vocalink Plan.
The Company maintains a postretirement plan providing health coverage and life insurance benefits for substantially all of its U.S. employees hired before July 1, 2007 (the “Postretirement Plan”).
The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for the Pension Plans and its Postretirement Plan (collectively the “Plans”). The Company recognizes the funded status of its Plans, measured as the difference between the fair value of the plan assets and the projected benefit obligation, in the consolidated balance sheet. The following table sets forth the Plans’ funded status, key assumptions and amounts recognized in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31:
 Pension PlansPostretirement Plan
 2020201920202019
 ($ in millions)
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year$531 $438 $64 $57 
Service cost13 11 
Interest cost13 
Actuarial (gain) loss43 73 
Benefits paid(18)(15)(4)(5)
Transfers in— — 
Foreign currency translation 23 — — 
Benefit obligation at end of year604 531 70 64 
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year518 410   
Actual (loss) gain on plan assets56 79 — — 
Employer contributions34 32 
Benefits paid(18)(15)(4)(5)
Transfers in— — 
Foreign currency translation 22 10 — — 
Fair value of plan assets at end of year617 518   
Funded status at end of year$13 $(13)$(70)$(64)
Amounts recognized on the consolidated balance sheet consist of:
Noncurrent assets$28 $— $— $— 
Other liabilities, short-term— — (4)(3)
Other liabilities, long-term(15)(13)(66)(61)
$13 $(13)$(70)$(64)
Accumulated other comprehensive income consists of:
Net actuarial (gain) loss$12 $$$
Prior service credit(4)(5)
Balance at end of year$13 $8 $5 $(3)
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine end of year benefit obligations
Discount rate
Non-U.S. Plans0.70 %0.70 %**
Vocalink Plan1.55 %2.00 %**
Postretirement Plan**2.50 %3.25 %
Rate of compensation increase
Non-U.S. Plans1.50 %1.50 %**
Vocalink Plan2.75 %2.50 %**
Postretirement Plan**3.00 %3.00 %
* Not applicable
At December 31, 2020, the Company’s aggregated Pension Plan assets exceed the benefit obligations. For plans where the benefit obligations exceeded plan assets, the projected benefit obligation was $112 million, the accumulated benefit obligation was $111 million and plan assets were $97 million. At December 31, 2019, all of the Pension Plans had benefit obligations in excess of plan assets. Information on the Pension Plans were as follows as of December 31:
20202019
(in millions)
Projected benefit obligation$604 $531 
Accumulated benefit obligation601 524 
Fair value of plan assets617 518 
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company’s projected benefit obligation related to its Pension Plans increased $73 million and $93 million, respectively, primarily attributable to actuarial losses related to lower discount rate assumptions.
Components of net periodic benefit cost recorded in earnings were as follows for the Plans for each of the years ended December 31:
Pension PlansPostretirement Plan
202020192018202020192018
(in millions)
Service cost$13 $11 $$$$
Interest cost13 12 
Expected return on plan assets(18)(18)(20)— — — 
Amortization of actuarial loss— — — — — 
Amortization of prior service credit— — — (1)(1)(2)
Net periodic benefit cost$4 $7 $1 $2 $2 $1 
The service cost component is recognized in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations. Net periodic benefit cost, excluding the service cost component, is recognized in other income (expense) on the consolidated statement of operations.
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
Pension PlansPostretirement Plan
202020192018202020192018
(in millions)
Current year actuarial loss (gain)$$12 $17 $$$(2)
Current year prior service credit — — — — — 
Amortization of prior service credit— — — 
Total other comprehensive loss (income)$5 $12 $18 $8 $10 $ 
Total net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss (income)$9 $19 $19 $10 $12 $1 
Assumptions
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost were as follows for the years ended December 31:
Pension PlansPostretirement Plan
202020192018202020192018
Discount rate
Non-U.S. Plans0.70 %1.80 %1.80 %***
Vocalink Plan1.55 %2.00 %2.80 %***
Postretirement Plan***3.25 %4.25 %3.50 %
Expected return on plan assets
Non-U.S. Plans1.60 %2.10 %3.00 %***
Vocalink Plan3.20 %3.75 %4.75 %***
Rate of compensation increase
Non-U.S. Plans1.50 %1.50 %2.60 %***
Vocalink Plan2.75 %2.50 %3.85 %***
Postretirement Plan***3.00 %3.00 %3.00 %
* Not applicable
The Company’s discount rate assumptions are based on yield curves derived from high quality corporate bonds, which are matched to the expected cash flows of each respective plan. The expected return on plan assets assumptions are derived using the current and expected asset allocations of the Pension Plans’ assets and considering historical as well as expected returns on various classes of plan assets. The rates of compensation increases are determined by the Company, based upon its long-term plans for such increases.
The following additional assumptions were used at December 31 in accounting for the Postretirement Plan:
20202019
Healthcare cost trend rate assumed for next year7.00 %6.00 %
Ultimate trend rate 5.00 %5.00 %
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate82
Assets
Plan assets are managed taking into account the timing and amount of future benefit payments. The Vocalink Plan assets are managed with the following target asset allocations: fixed income 35%, U.K. government securities 23%, equity 22%, cash and cash equivalents 12% and real estate 8%. For the non-U.S. Plans, the assets are concentrated primarily in insurance contracts.
The Valuation Hierarchy of the Pension Plans’ assets is determined using a consistent application of the categorization measurements for the Company’s financial instruments. See Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) for additional information.
The following tables set forth by level, within the Valuation Hierarchy, the Pension Plans’ assets at fair value:
December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Fair ValueQuoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Fair Value
(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents 1
$59 $— $— $59 $16 $— $— $16 
Mutual funds 2
270 117 — 387 153 193 — 346 
Insurance contracts 3
— 96 — 96 — 75 — 75 
Total$329 $213 $— $542 $169 $268 $— $437 
Investments at Net Asset Value (“NAV”) 4
75 81 
Total Plan Assets$617 $518 
1Cash and cash equivalents are valued at quoted market prices, which represent the net asset value of the shares held by the Plans.
2Certain mutual funds are valued at quoted market prices, which represent the value of the shares held by the Plans, and are therefore included in Level 1. Certain other mutual funds are valued at unit values provided by investment managers, which are based on the fair value of the underlying investments utilizing public information, independent external valuation from third-party services or third-party advisors, and are therefore included in Level 2.
3Insurance contracts are valued at unit values provided by investment managers, which are based on the fair value of the underlying investments utilizing public information, independent external valuation from third-party services or third-party advisors.
4Investments at NAV include mutual funds (comprised primarily of credit investments) and other investments (comprised primarily of real estate investments) and are valued using the net asset value provided by the administrator as a practical expedient, and therefore these investments are not included in the valuation hierarchy. These investments have quarterly redemption frequencies with redemption notice periods ranging from 60 to 90 days.
The following table summarizes expected benefit payments (as of December 31, 2020) through 2030 for the Pension Plans and the Postretirement Plan, including those payments expected to be paid from the Company’s general assets. Actual benefit payments may differ from expected benefit payments.
Pension PlansPostretirement Plan
(in millions)
2021$19 $
202212 
202314 
202415 
202515 
2026 - 203077 20 
v3.20.4
Debt
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instruments [Abstract]  
Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31:
20202019Effective
Interest Rate
(in millions)
2020 USD Notes3.300 %Senior Notes due March 2027$1,000 $— 3.420 %
3.350 %Senior Notes due March 20301,500 — 3.430 %
3.850 %Senior Notes due March 20501,500 — 3.896 %
2019 USD Notes2.950 %Senior Notes due June 20291,000 1,000 3.030 %
3.650 %Senior Notes due June 20491,000 1,000 3.689 %
2.000 %Senior Notes due March 2025750 750 2.147 %
2018 USD Notes3.500 %Senior Notes due February 2028500 500 3.598 %
3.950 %Senior Notes due February 2048500 500 3.990 %
2016 USD Notes2.000 %Senior Notes due November 2021650 650 2.236 %
2.950 %Senior Notes due November 2026750 750 3.044 %
3.800 %Senior Notes due November 2046600 600 3.893 %
2015 EUR Notes 1
1.100 %Senior Notes due December 2022859 785 1.265 %
2.100 %Senior Notes due December 2027982 896 2.189 %
2.500 %Senior Notes due December 2030184 169 2.562 %
2014 USD Notes3.375 %Senior Notes due April 20241,000 1,000 3.484 %
12,775 8,600 
Less: Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs(103)(73)
Total debt outstanding12,672 8,527 
Less: Current portion2
(649)— 
Long-term debt$12,023 $8,527 
1Relates to euro-denominated debt issuance of €1.650 billion in December 2015
2Relates to current portion of the 2016 USD Notes, due in November 2021, classified as current portion of long-term debt on the consolidated balance sheet
In March 2020, the Company issued $1 billion principal amount of notes due March 2027, $1.5 billion principal amount of notes due March 2030 and $1.5 billion principal amount notes due March 2050 (collectively the “2020 USD Notes”). The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2020 USD Notes, after deducting the original issue discount, underwriting discount and offering expenses, were $3.959 billion.
In May 2019, the Company issued $1 billion principal amount of notes due June 2029 and $1 billion principal amount of notes due June 2049 and in December 2019, the Company issued $750 million principal amount of notes due March 2025 (collectively the “2019 USD Notes”). The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2019 USD Notes, after deducting the original issue discount, underwriting discount and offering expenses, were $2.724 billion.
The net proceeds, after deducting the original issue discount, underwriting discount and offering expenses, from the issuance of the 2018 USD Notes were $991 million.
The outstanding debt, described above, is not subject to any financial covenants and it may be redeemed in whole, or in part, at the Company’s option at any time for a specified make-whole amount. These notes are senior unsecured obligations and would rank equally with any future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The proceeds of the notes are to be used for general corporate purposes.
Scheduled annual maturities of the principal portion of long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2020 are summarized below.
(in millions)
2021$650 
2022859 
2023— 
20241,000
2025750 
Thereafter9,516 
Total$12,775 
On November 14, 2019, the Company increased its commercial paper program (the “Commercial Paper Program”) from $4.5 billion to $6 billion under which the Company is authorized to issue unsecured commercial paper notes with maturities of up to 397 days from the date of issuance. The Commercial Paper Program is available in U.S. dollars.
In conjunction with the Commercial Paper Program, the Company entered into a committed five-year unsecured $6 billion revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) on November 14, 2019. The Credit Facility, which previously expired on November 14, 2024, was extended on November 14, 2020 for an additional year and now expires on November 13, 2025. The extension did not result in material changes to the terms and conditions of the Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Credit Facility are available in U.S. dollars and/or euros. The facility fee under the Credit Facility is determined according to the Company’s credit rating and is payable on the average daily commitment, regardless of usage, per annum. In addition to the facility fee, interest rates on borrowings under the Credit Facility would be based on prevailing market interest rates plus applicable margins that fluctuate based on the Company’s credit rating. The Credit Facility contains customary representations, warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, events of default and indemnification provisions. The Company was in compliance in all material respects with the covenants of the Credit Facility at December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Borrowings under the Commercial Paper Program and the Credit Facility are used to provide liquidity for general corporate purposes, including providing liquidity in the event of one or more settlement failures by the Company’s customers. The Company may borrow and repay amounts under the Commercial Paper Program and Credit Facility from time to time. The Company had no borrowings under the Credit Facility and the Commercial Paper Program at December 31, 2020 and 2019.
v3.20.4
Stockholders' Equity
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]  
Stockholders' Equity
Classes of Capital Stock
Mastercard’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes the following classes of capital stock:
ClassPar Value Per ShareAuthorized Shares
(in millions)
Dividend and Voting Rights
A$0.00013,000 One vote per share
Dividend rights
B$0.00011,200 Non-voting
Dividend rights
Preferred$0.0001300 No shares issued or outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019. Dividend and voting rights are to be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company upon issuance.
Dividends
The Company declared a quarterly cash dividend on its Class A and Class B Common Stock during each of the four quarters of 2020, 2019 and 2018.
The Company declared total per share dividends on its Class A and Class B Common Stock during the years ended December 31 as summarized below: 
202020192018
(in millions, except per share data)
Dividends declared per share $1.64 $1.39 $1.08 
Total dividends declared$1,641 $1,408 $1,120 
Ownership and Governance Structure
Equity ownership and voting power of the Company’s shares were allocated as follows as of December 31:
20202019
Equity OwnershipGeneral Voting PowerEquity OwnershipGeneral Voting Power
Public Investors (Class A stockholders)88.2 %88.9 %87.8 %88.8 %
Principal or Affiliate Customers (Class B stockholders)0.8 %— %1.1 %— %
Mastercard Foundation (Class A stockholders)11.0 %11.1 %11.1 %11.2 %
Class B Common Stock Conversions
Shares of Class B common stock are convertible on a one-for-one basis into shares of Class A common stock.  Entities eligible to hold Mastercard’s Class B common stock are defined in the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (generally the Company’s principal or affiliate customers), and they are restricted from retaining ownership of shares of Class A common stock.  Class B stockholders are required to subsequently sell or otherwise transfer any shares of Class A common stock received pursuant to such a conversion. 
Mastercard Foundation
In connection and simultaneously with its 2006 initial public offering (the “IPO”), the Company issued and donated 135 million newly authorized shares of Class A common stock to Mastercard Foundation. Mastercard Foundation is a private charitable foundation incorporated in Canada that is controlled by directors who are independent of the Company and its principal customers. Under the terms of the donation, Mastercard Foundation became able to resell the donated shares in May 2010 to the extent necessary to meet charitable disbursement requirements pursuant to Canadian tax law. Under such current law, Mastercard Foundation must annually disburse at least 3.5% of its assets not used in its charitable activities and administration in the previous eight quarters (“Disbursement Quota”). However, Mastercard Foundation obtained permission from the Canada Revenue Agency to, until December 31, 2021, meet its cumulative Disbursement Quota obligations over a period of time that, on average, demonstrates compliance with the requirement for such established time period. Mastercard Foundation will be permitted to sell all of its remaining shares beginning May 1, 2027, subject to certain conditions.
Stock Repurchase Programs
The Company’s Board of Directors have approved share repurchase programs authorizing the Company to repurchase shares of its Class A Common Stock.  These programs become effective after the completion of the previously authorized share repurchase program. 
The following table summarizes the Company’s share repurchase authorizations of its Class A common stock through December 31, 2020, as well as historical purchases:
Board authorization datesDecember 2020December 2019December
2018
December
2017
December
2016
Date program became effectiveNot yet effectiveJanuary 2020January 2019March 2018April 2017Total
(in millions, except average price data)
Board authorization$6,000 $8,000 $6,500 $4,000 $4,000 $28,500 
Dollar-value of shares repurchased in 2018$— $— $— $3,699 $1,234 $4,933 
Remaining authorization at December 31, 2018$— $— $6,500 $301 $— $6,801 
Dollar-value of shares repurchased in 2019$— $— $6,196 $301 $— $6,497 
Remaining authorization at December 31, 2019$— $8,000 $304 $— $— $8,304 
Dollar-value of shares repurchased in 2020$— $4,169 $304 $— $— $4,473 
Remaining authorization at December 31, 2020$6,000 $3,831 $— $— $— $9,831 
Shares repurchased in 2018— — — 19.0 7.2 26.2 
Average price paid per share in 2018$— $— $— $194.77 $171.11 $188.26 
Shares repurchased in 2019— — 24.8 1.6 — 26.4 
Average price paid per share in 2019$— $— $249.58 $188.38 $— $245.89 
Shares repurchased in 2020— 13.3 1.0 — — 14.3 
Average price paid per share in 2020$— $313.26 $304.89 $— $— $312.68 
Cumulative shares repurchased through December 31, 2020— 13.3 25.8 20.6 28.2 87.9 
Cumulative average price paid per share$— $313.26 $251.72 $194.27 $141.99 $212.41 
The following table presents the changes in the Company’s outstanding Class A and Class B common stock for the years ended December 31:
 Outstanding Shares
 Class AClass B
(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 20171,039.7 14.1 
Purchases of treasury stock(26.2)— 
Share-based payments2.8 — 
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock2.3 (2.3)
Balance at December 31, 20181,018.6 11.8 
Purchases of treasury stock(26.4)— 
Share-based payments3.2 — 
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock0.6 (0.6)
Balance at December 31, 2019996.0 11.2 
Purchases of treasury stock(14.3)— 
Share-based payments2.3 — 
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock2.9 (2.9)
Balance at December 31, 2020986.9 8.3 
v3.20.4
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]  
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
December 31, 2019Increase / (Decrease)ReclassificationsDecember 31, 2020
(in millions)
Foreign currency translation adjustments1
$(638)$286 $— $(352)
Translation adjustments on net investment hedge2
(38)(137)— (175)
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate contracts3
11 (147)(133)
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans4
(9)(10)(1)(20)
Investment securities available-for-sale(1)— — 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)$(673)$(9)$$(680)

December 31, 2018Increase / (Decrease)ReclassificationsDecember 31, 2019
(in millions)
Foreign currency translation adjustments1
$(661)$23 $— $(638)
Translation adjustments on net investment hedge2
(66)28 — (38)
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate contracts3
— 11 — 11 
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans4
10 (17)(2)(9)
Investment securities available-for-sale(1)— 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)$(718)$47 $(2)$(673)
1.During 2020, the decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive loss related to foreign currency translation adjustments was driven primarily by the appreciation of the Euro and British pound partially offset by the depreciation of the Brazilian real. During 2019, the decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive loss related to foreign currency translation adjustments was driven primarily by the appreciation of the British pound partially offset by the depreciation of the euro.
2.The Company uses foreign currency denominated debt to hedge a portion of its net investment in foreign operations against adverse movements in exchange rates. Changes in the value of the debt are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). During 2020, the increase in the accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the net investment hedge was driven by the appreciation of the euro. During 2019, the decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the net investment hedge was driven by the depreciation of the euro. See Note 23 (Derivative and Hedging Instruments) for additional information.
3.In 2019, the Company entered into treasury rate locks which are accounted for as cash flow hedges. In the first quarter of 2020, in connection with the issuance of the 2020 USD Notes, these contracts were settled for a loss of $175 million, or $136 million net of tax, recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The cumulative loss will be reclassified as an adjustment to interest expense over the respective terms of the 2020 USD Notes. See Note 23 (Derivative and Hedging Instruments) for additional information.
4.During 2020, the increase in the accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the Company’s Plans was driven primarily by an actuarial loss within the Postretirement Plan. During 2019, the decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive gain related to the Company’s Plans was primarily driven by actuarial losses within the Vocalink and non-U.S. Plans. See Note 14 (Pension, Postretirement and Savings Plans) for additional information.
v3.20.4
Share-Based Payments
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Additional Disclosure [Abstract]  
Share-based Payments In May 2006, the Company implemented the Mastercard Incorporated 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan, which was amended and restated as of June 5, 2012 (the “LTIP”). The LTIP is a stockholder-approved plan that permits the grant of various types of equity awards to employees. The Company has granted Options, RSUs and PSUs under the LTIP. The Company uses the straight-line method of attribution for expensing all equity awards. Compensation expense is recorded net of estimated forfeitures, with estimates adjusted as appropriate.
There are approximately 116 million shares of Class A common stock authorized for equity awards under the LTIP. Although the LTIP permits the issuance of shares of Class B common stock, no such shares have been authorized for issuance. Shares issued as a result of Option exercises and the conversions of RSUs and PSUs were funded primarily with the issuance of new shares of Class A common stock.
Stock Options
Options expire ten years from the date of grant and vest ratably over four years. For Options granted, a participant’s unvested awards are forfeited upon termination. In the event a participant terminates employment due to disability or retirement more than seven months after receiving the award, however, the participant retains all of their awards without providing additional service to the Company. Retirement eligibility is dependent upon age and years of service. Compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period as stated in the LTIP.
The fair value of each Option is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following table presents the weighted-average assumptions used in the valuation and the resulting weighted-average fair value per option granted for the years ended December 31:
202020192018
Risk-free rate of return1.0 %2.6 %2.7 %
Expected term (in years)6.006.006.00
Expected volatility19.3 %19.6 %19.7 %
Expected dividend yield0.6 %0.6 %0.6 %
Weighted-average fair value per Option granted$80.92 $53.09 $40.90 
The risk-free rate of return was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect on the date of grant. The expected term and the expected volatility were based on historical Mastercard information. The expected dividend yields were based on the Company’s expected annual dividend rate on the date of grant.
The following table summarizes the Company’s option activity for the year ended December 31, 2020:
OptionsWeighted-Average Exercise PriceWeighted-Average Remaining Contractual TermAggregate Intrinsic Value
(in millions)(in years)(in millions)
Outstanding at January 1, 20206.6 $117 
Granted0.4 $263 
Exercised(1.3)$75 
Forfeited/expired— $229 
Outstanding at December 31, 20205.7 $137 6.0$1,259 
Exercisable at December 31, 20203.8 $106 5.1$962 
Options vested and expected to vest at December 31, 20205.7 $137 6.0$1,257 
As of December 31, 2020, there was $37 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested Options. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years.
Restricted Stock Units
For RSUs granted on or after March 1, 2020, the awards generally vest ratably over four years. For RSUs granted before March 1, 2020, the awards generally vest after three years. A participant’s unvested awards are forfeited upon termination of employment. In the event of termination due to job elimination (as defined by the Company), however, a participant will retain a pro-rata portion of the unvested awards for services performed through the date of termination. In the event a participant terminates employment due to disability or retirement more than seven months after receiving the award, the participant retains all of their awards without providing additional service to the Company. Compensation expense is recognized over the shorter of the vesting periods stated in the LTIP or the date the individual becomes eligible to retire but not less than seven months.
The following table summarizes the Company’s RSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2020:
UnitsWeighted-Average Grant-Date Fair ValueAggregate Intrinsic Value
(in millions)(in millions)
Outstanding at January 1, 20202.9 $166 
Granted0.9 $288 
Converted(1.2)$116 
Forfeited(0.1)$218 
Outstanding at December 31, 20202.5 $231 $898 
RSUs expected to vest at December 31, 20202.4 $230 $861 
The fair value of each RSU is the closing stock price on the New York Stock Exchange of the Company’s Class A common stock on the date of grant, adjusted for the exclusion of dividend equivalents. Upon vesting, a portion of the RSU award may be withheld to satisfy the minimum statutory withholding taxes. The remaining RSUs will be settled in shares of the Company’s Class A common stock after the vesting period. As of December 31, 2020, there was $233 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested RSUs. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years.
Performance Stock Units
PSUs vest after three years, however, awards granted on or after March 1, 2019 are subject to a mandatory one-year post-vest hold. A participant’s unvested awards are forfeited upon termination of employment. In the event of termination due to job elimination (as defined by the Company), however, a participant will retain a pro-rata portion of the unvested awards for services performed through the date of termination. In the event a participant terminates employment due to disability or retirement more than seven months after receiving the award, the participant retains all of their awards without providing additional service to the Company.
The following table summarizes the Company’s PSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2020:
UnitsWeighted-Average
Grant-Date Fair Value
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
(in millions)(in millions)
Outstanding at January 1, 20200.5 $167 
Granted0.2 $291 
Converted(0.3)$126 
Outstanding at December 31, 20200.4 $259 $148 
PSUs expected to vest at December 31, 20200.4 $259 $148 
Since 2013, PSUs containing performance and market conditions have been issued. Performance measures used to determine the actual number of shares that vest after three years include net revenue growth, EPS growth and relative total shareholder return (“TSR”).  Relative TSR is considered a market condition, while net revenue and EPS growth are considered performance conditions.  The Monte Carlo simulation valuation model is used to determine the grant-date fair value. 
Compensation expense for PSUs is recognized over the requisite service period, or the date the individual becomes eligible to retire but not less than seven months, if it is probable that the performance target will be achieved and subsequently adjusted if the probability assessment changes. During the year ended December 31, 2020, performance targets related to PSU awards granted in 2018, and scheduled to vest in 2021 (“2018 PSU Awards”), were adjusted to exclude certain pandemic-related financial impacts deemed outside of the Company’s control. The adjustment required the Company to apply modification accounting to the 2018 PSU Awards. The modification had an immaterial impact on compensation expense expected to be recognized over the remaining service period. As of December 31, 2020, there was $38 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested PSUs. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years.
Additional Information
The following table includes additional share-based payment information for each of the years ended December 31:
202020192018
(in millions, except weighted-average fair value)
Share-based compensation expense: Options, RSUs and PSUs$254 $250 $196 
Income tax benefit recognized for equity awards53 53 41 
Income tax benefit realized related to Options exercised68 69 53 
Options:
Total intrinsic value of Options exercised317 317 242 
RSUs:
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of awards granted 288 226 171 
Total intrinsic value of RSUs converted into shares of Class A common stock330 394 194 
PSUs:
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of awards granted291 231 226 
Total intrinsic value of PSUs converted into shares of Class A common stock92 85 40 
v3.20.4
Commitments
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments
At December 31, 2020, the Company had the following future minimum payments due under noncancelable agreements, primarily related to sponsorships to promote the Mastercard brand and licensing arrangements and a commitment to purchase the remaining shares of a majority-owned joint venture. The Company has accrued $22 million of these future payments as of December 31, 2020.
(in millions)
2021$573 
2022255 
2023117 
202478 
2025
Thereafter— 
Total$1,024 
v3.20.4
Income Taxes
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Components of Income and Income tax expense
The domestic and foreign components of income before income taxes for the years ended December 31 are as follows:
202020192018
(in millions)
United States$3,304 $4,213 $3,510 
Foreign4,456 5,518 3,694 
Income before income taxes$7,760 $9,731 $7,204 
The total income tax provision for the years ended December 31 is comprised of the following components:
202020192018
(in millions)
Current
Federal$439 $642 $649 
State and local56 81 69 
Foreign781 897 871 
1,276 1,620 1,589 
Deferred
Federal106 40 (228)
State and local— (11)
Foreign(42)(47)(5)
73 (7)(244)
Income tax expense$1,349 $1,613 $1,345 
Effective Income Tax Rate
A reconciliation of the effective income tax rate to the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate for the years ended December 31, is as follows:
202020192018
AmountPercentAmountPercentAmountPercent
(in millions, except percentages)
Income before income taxes$7,760 $9,731 $7,204 
Federal statutory tax1,630 21.0 %2,044 21.0 %1,513 21.0 %
State tax effect, net of federal benefit57 0.7 %65 0.7 %46 0.6 %
Foreign tax effect(193)(2.5)%(208)(2.1)%(92)(1.3)%
European Commission fine— — %— — %194 2.7 %
Foreign tax credits1
— — %(32)(0.3)%(110)(1.5)%
Windfall benefit(119)(1.5)%(129)(1.3)%(72)(1.0)%
Other, net(26)(0.3)%(127)(1.4)%(134)(1.8)%
Income tax expense$1,349 17.4 %$1,613 16.6 %$1,345 18.7 %
1Included within the impact of the foreign tax credits is $27 million for 2019 and $90 million for 2018 of tax benefits relating to the carryback of certain foreign tax credits.
The effective income tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were 17.4%, 16.6% and 18.7%, respectively. The effective income tax rate for 2020 was higher than the effective income tax rate for 2019, primarily due to discrete tax benefits in 2019, partially offset by a more favorable geographic mix of earnings in 2020. The 2019 discrete tax benefits related to a favorable court ruling, a reduction to the Company’s transition tax liability and additional foreign tax credits which can be carried back under U.S. tax reform transition rules issued by the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service.
The effective income tax rate for 2019 was lower than the effective income tax rate for 2018 primarily due to the nondeductible nature of the fine issued by the European Commission in 2018 and a discrete tax benefit related to a favorable court ruling in 2019. These 2019 benefits were partially offset by discrete tax benefits in 2018 primarily related to foreign tax credits generated in 2018 as a result of U.S. tax reform, which can be carried back and utilized in 2017 under transition rules issued by the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service.
Singapore Income Tax Rate
In connection with the expansion of the Company’s operations in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa region, the Company’s subsidiary in Singapore, Mastercard Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. (“MAPPL”) received an incentive grant from the Singapore Ministry of Finance in 2010. The incentive had provided MAPPL with, among other benefits, a reduced income tax rate for the 10-year period commencing January 1, 2010 on taxable income in excess of a base amount. The Company continued to explore business opportunities in this region, resulting in an expansion of the incentives being granted by the Ministry of Finance, including a further reduction to the income tax rate on taxable income in excess of a revised fixed base amount commencing July 1, 2011 and continuing through December 31, 2025. Without the incentive grant, MAPPL would have been subject to the statutory income tax rate on its earnings. For 2020, 2019 and 2018, the impact of the incentive grant received from the Ministry of Finance resulted in a reduction of MAPPL’s income tax liability of $260 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, $300 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, and $212 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, respectively.
Indefinite Reinvestment
As of December 31, 2020 the Company had deferred tax liabilities of $61 million primarily related to the tax effect of the estimated foreign exchange impact on unremitted earnings. The Company expects that foreign withholding taxes associated with future repatriation of these earnings will not be material. Earnings of approximately $0.6 billion remain permanently reinvested and the Company estimates that immaterial U.S. federal and state and local income tax expense would result, primarily from foreign exchange, if these earnings were to be repatriated.
Deferred Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31 are as follows:
20202019
(in millions)
Deferred Tax Assets
Accrued liabilities$324 $354 
Compensation and benefits218 214 
State taxes and other credits47 41 
Net operating and capital losses147 119 
Unrealized gain/loss - 2015 EUR Notes58 20 
U.S. foreign tax credits276 145 
Intangible assets182 157 
Other items142 74 
Less: Valuation allowance(353)(205)
Total Deferred Tax Assets1,041 919 
Deferred Tax Liabilities
Prepaid expenses and other accruals78 83 
Goodwill and intangible assets216 187 
Property, plant and equipment183 128 
Previously taxed earnings and profits61 — 
Other items98 63 
Total Deferred Tax Liabilities636 461 
Net Deferred Tax Assets $405 $458 
The valuation allowance balance at December 31, 2020 and 2019 primarily relates to the Company’s ability to recognize future tax benefits associated with the carry forward of U.S. foreign tax credits generated in the current and prior periods and certain foreign net operating losses. The recognition of the foreign tax credits is dependent upon the realization of future foreign source income in the appropriate foreign tax credit basket in accordance with U.S. federal income tax law. The recognition of the foreign losses is
dependent upon the future taxable income in such jurisdictions and the ability under tax law in these jurisdictions to utilize net operating losses following a change in control.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance for the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, is as follows:
202020192018
(in millions)
Beginning balance$203 $164 $183 
Additions:
Current year tax positions19 22 23 
Prior year tax positions192 37 
Reductions:
Prior year tax positions(10)(11)(17)
Settlements with tax authorities(12)(2)(18)
Expired statute of limitations(4)(7)(12)
Ending balance$388 $203 $164 
As of December 31, 2020, the amount of unrecognized tax benefit was $388 million. This amount, if recognized, would reduce the effective income tax rate. The Company’s unrecognized tax benefits increased primarily due to a prior year tax issue resulting from a refund claim filed in 2020.
The Company is subject to tax in the U.S., Belgium, Singapore, the United Kingdom and various other foreign jurisdictions, as well as state and local jurisdictions. Uncertain tax positions are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are adjusted after considering facts and circumstances, including progress of tax audits, developments in case law and closing of statutes of limitation. Within the next twelve months, the Company believes that the resolution of certain federal, foreign and state and local examinations are reasonably possible and that a change in estimate, reducing unrecognized tax benefits, may occur.  While such a change may be significant, it is not possible to provide a range of the potential change until the examinations progress further or the related statutes of limitation expire. The Company has effectively settled its U.S. federal income tax obligations through 2011. With limited exception, the Company is no longer subject to state and local or foreign examinations by tax authorities for years before 2010.
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had a net income tax-related interest payable of $24 million and $13 million, respectively, in its consolidated balance sheet. Tax-related interest income/(expense) in 2020, 2019 and 2018 was not material. In addition, as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the amounts the Company has recognized for penalties payable in its consolidated balance sheet were not material.
v3.20.4
Legal and Regulatory Proceedings
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Legal and Regulatory Proceedings [Abstract]  
Legal and Regulatory Proceedings Mastercard is a party to legal and regulatory proceedings with respect to a variety of matters in the ordinary course of business.  Some of these proceedings are based on complex claims involving substantial uncertainties and unascertainable damages.  Accordingly, except as discussed below, it is not possible to determine the probability of loss or estimate damages, and therefore, Mastercard has not established reserves for any of these proceedings.  When the Company determines that a loss is both probable and reasonably estimable, Mastercard records a liability and discloses the amount of the liability if it is material. When a material loss contingency is only reasonably possible, Mastercard does not record a liability, but instead discloses the nature and the amount of the claim, and an estimate of the loss or range of loss, if such an estimate can be made. Unless otherwise stated below with respect to these matters, Mastercard cannot provide an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss based on one or more of the following reasons: (1) actual or potential plaintiffs have not claimed an amount of monetary damages or the amounts are unsupportable or exaggerated, (2) the matters are in early stages, (3) there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals or motions, (4) there are significant factual issues to be resolved, (5) the existence in many such proceedings of multiple defendants or potential defendants whose share of any potential financial responsibility has yet to be determined and/or (6) there are novel legal issues presented. Furthermore, except as identified with respect to the matters below, Mastercard does not believe that the outcome of any individual existing legal or regulatory proceeding to which it is a party will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial condition or overall business.  However, an adverse judgment or other outcome or settlement with respect to any proceedings discussed below could result in fines or payments by Mastercard and/or could require Mastercard to change its business practices. In addition, an adverse outcome in a regulatory proceeding could lead to the filing of civil damage claims and possibly result in significant damage awards. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on Mastercard’s results of operations, financial condition and overall business.
Interchange Litigation and Regulatory Proceedings
Mastercard’s interchange fees and other practices are subject to regulatory, legal review and/or challenges in a number of jurisdictions, including the proceedings described below. When taken as a whole, the resulting decisions, regulations and legislation with respect to interchange fees and acceptance practices may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s prospects for future growth and its overall results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
United States. In June 2005, the first of a series of complaints were filed on behalf of merchants (the majority of the complaints were styled as class actions, although a few complaints were filed on behalf of individual merchant plaintiffs) against Mastercard International, Visa U.S.A., Inc., Visa International Service Association and a number of financial institutions. Taken together, the claims in the complaints were generally brought under both Sections 1 and 2 of the Sherman Act, which prohibit monopolization and attempts or conspiracies to monopolize a particular industry, and some of these complaints contain unfair competition law claims under state law. The complaints allege, among other things, that Mastercard, Visa, and certain financial institutions conspired to set the price of interchange fees, enacted point of sale acceptance rules (including the no surcharge rule) in violation of antitrust laws and engaged in unlawful tying and bundling of certain products and services, resulting in merchants paying excessive costs for the acceptance of Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards. The cases were consolidated for pre-trial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in MDL No. 1720. The plaintiffs filed a consolidated class action complaint that seeks treble damages.
In July 2006, the group of purported merchant class plaintiffs filed a supplemental complaint alleging that Mastercard’s initial public offering of its Class A Common Stock in May 2006 (the “IPO”) and certain purported agreements entered into between Mastercard and financial institutions in connection with the IPO: (1) violate U.S. antitrust laws and (2) constituted a fraudulent conveyance because the financial institutions allegedly attempted to release, without adequate consideration, Mastercard’s right to assess them for Mastercard’s litigation liabilities. The class plaintiffs sought treble damages and injunctive relief including, but not limited to, an order reversing and unwinding the IPO.
In February 2011, Mastercard and Mastercard International entered into each of: (1) an omnibus judgment sharing and settlement sharing agreement with Visa Inc., Visa U.S.A. Inc. and Visa International Service Association and a number of financial institutions; and (2) a Mastercard settlement and judgment sharing agreement with a number of financial institutions.  The agreements provide for the apportionment of certain costs and liabilities which Mastercard, the Visa parties and the financial institutions may incur, jointly and/or severally, in the event of an adverse judgment or settlement of one or all of the cases in the merchant litigations.  Among a number of scenarios addressed by the agreements, in the event of a global settlement involving the Visa parties, the financial institutions and Mastercard, Mastercard would pay 12% of the monetary portion of the settlement. In the event of a settlement involving only Mastercard and the financial institutions with respect to their issuance of Mastercard cards, Mastercard would pay 36% of the monetary portion of such settlement. 
In October 2012, the parties entered into a definitive settlement agreement with respect to the merchant class litigation (including with respect to the claims related to the IPO) and the defendants separately entered into a settlement agreement with the individual merchant plaintiffs. The settlements included cash payments that were apportioned among the defendants pursuant to the omnibus judgment sharing and settlement sharing agreement described above. Mastercard also agreed to provide class members with a short-term reduction in default credit interchange rates and to modify certain of its business practices, including its “no surcharge” rule. The court granted final approval of the settlement in December 2013, and objectors to the settlement appealed that decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. In June 2016, the court of appeals vacated the class action certification, reversed the settlement approval and sent the case back to the district court for further proceedings. The court of appeals’ ruling was based primarily on whether the merchants were adequately represented by counsel in the settlement. As a result of the appellate court ruling, the district court divided the merchants’ claims into two separate classes - monetary damages claims (the “Damages Class”) and claims seeking changes to business practices (the “Rules Relief Class”). The court appointed separate counsel for each class.
In September 2018, the parties to the Damages Class litigation entered into a class settlement agreement to resolve the Damages Class claims. Mastercard increased its reserve by $237 million during 2018 to reflect both its expected financial obligation under the Damages Class settlement agreement and the filed and anticipated opt-out merchant cases. The time period during which Damages Class members were permitted to opt out of the class settlement agreement ended in July 2019 with merchants representing slightly more than 25% of the Damages Class interchange volume choosing to opt out of the settlement. The district court granted final approval of the settlement in December 2019. The district court’s settlement approval order has been appealed. Mastercard has commenced settlement negotiations with a number of the opt-out merchants and has reached settlements and/or agreements in principle to settle a number of these claims. The Damages Class settlement agreement does not relate to the Rules Relief Class claims. Separate settlement negotiations with the Rules Relief Class are ongoing. In December 2020, the Rules Relief Class filed a motion for class certification. Briefing on summary judgment motions in the Rules Relief Class and opt-out merchant cases was completed in December 2020.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, Mastercard had accrued a liability of $783 million and $914 million, respectively, as a reserve for both the Damages Class litigation and the opt-out merchant cases. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, Mastercard had $586 million and $584 million, respectively, in a qualified cash settlement fund related to the Damages Class litigation and classified as restricted cash on its consolidated balance sheet. The reserve as of December 31, 2020 for both the Damages Class litigation and the opt-out merchants represents Mastercard’s best estimate of its probable liabilities in these matters. The portion of the accrued liability relating to both the opt-out merchants and the Damages Class litigation settlement does not represent an estimate of a loss, if any, if the matters were litigated to a final outcome. Mastercard cannot estimate the potential liability if that were to occur.
Canada. In December 2010, a proposed class action complaint was commenced against Mastercard in Quebec on behalf of Canadian merchants. The suit essentially repeated the allegations and arguments of a previously filed application by the Canadian Competition Bureau to the Canadian Competition Tribunal (dismissed in Mastercard’s favor) concerning certain Mastercard rules related to point-of-sale acceptance, including the “honor all cards” and “no surcharge” rules. The Quebec suit sought compensatory and punitive damages in unspecified amounts, as well as injunctive relief. In the first half of 2011, additional purported class action lawsuits were commenced in British Columbia and Ontario against Mastercard, Visa and a number of large Canadian financial institutions. The British Columbia suit sought compensatory damages in unspecified amounts, and the Ontario suit sought compensatory damages of $5 billion on the basis of alleged conspiracy and various alleged breaches of the Canadian Competition Act. Additional purported class action complaints were commenced in Saskatchewan and Alberta with claims that largely mirror those in the other suits. In June 2017, Mastercard entered into a class settlement agreement to resolve all of the Canadian class action litigation. The settlement, which requires Mastercard to make a cash payment and modify its “no surcharge” rule, has received court approval in each Canadian province. Objectors to the settlement have sought to appeal the approval orders. All appellate courts have rejected the objectors’ appeals. In one of the appeals, the objectors have until April 2021 to request an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. For the remainder of the appeals, the Supreme Court has previously denied such requests.
Europe. In July 2015, the European Commission (“EC”) issued a Statement of Objections related to Mastercard’s interregional interchange fees and central acquiring rule within the European Economic Area (the “EEA”). The Statement of Objections, which followed an investigation opened in 2013, included preliminary conclusions concerning the alleged anticompetitive effects of these practices. In December 2018, Mastercard announced the anticipated resolution of the EC’s investigation. With respect to interregional interchange fees, Mastercard made a settlement proposal whereby it would make changes to its interregional interchange fees. The EC issued a decision accepting the settlement in April 2019, with changes to interregional interchange fees going into effect in the fourth quarter of 2019. In addition, with respect to Mastercard’s historic central acquiring rule, the EC issued a negative decision in January 2019. The EC’s negative decision covers a period of time of less than two years before the rule’s modification. The rule was modified in late 2015 to comply with the requirements of the EEA Interchange Fee Regulation. The decision does not require any modification of Mastercard’s current business practices but included a fine of €571 million, which was paid in April 2019. Mastercard incurred a charge of $654 million in 2018 in relation to this matter.
Since May 2012, a number of United Kingdom (“U.K.”) merchants filed claims or threatened litigation against Mastercard seeking damages for merchants allegedly paying excessive costs for the acceptance of Mastercard credit and debit cards arising out of alleged anti-competitive conduct with respect to, among other things, Mastercard’s cross-border interchange fees and its U.K. and Ireland domestic interchange fees (the “U.K. Merchant claimants”). In addition, Mastercard, has faced similar filed or threatened litigation by merchants with respect to interchange rates in other countries in Europe (the “Pan-European Merchant claimants”). In aggregate, the alleged damages claims from the U.K. and Pan-European Merchant claimants were in the amount of approximately £3 billion (approximately $4.5 billion as of December 31, 2020). Mastercard has resolved over £2 billion (approximately $3 billion as of December 31, 2020) of these damages claims through settlement or judgment.
In January 2017, Mastercard received a liability judgment in its favor on all significant matters in a separate action brought by ten of the U.K. Merchant claimants. Three of the U.K. Merchant claimants appealed the judgment, and these appeals were combined with Mastercard’s appeal of a 2016 judgment in favor of one U.K. merchant. In July 2018, the U.K. appellate court heard the appeals of the four merchants and ruled against both Mastercard and Visa on two of the three legal issues being considered. The parties appealed the rulings to the U.K. Supreme Court. In June 2020, the U.K. Supreme Court ruled against Mastercard and Visa with respect to one of the liability issues being considered by the Court related to U.K domestic interchange fees. Additionally, the U.K Supreme Court set out the legal standard that should be applied by lower trial courts with respect to determining whether interchange was exemptible under applicable law, and provided guidance to lower courts with regard to the legal standard that should be applied in assessing merchants’ damages claims. The U.K. Supreme Court sent one of the four merchant cases back to the trial court for a determination of liability and damages issues and sent the remaining three merchant cases back to the trial court for a determination of damages issues only. A hearing in one of these merchant cases on liability and damages issues is expected to be scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2021, while a trial on damages for the other three merchant claims is not expected to occur until 2023.
Since June 2015, Mastercard has recorded litigation provisions for settlements, judgments and legal fees relating to these claims, including charges of $237 million in 2018. Mastercard continues to litigate with the remaining U.K. and Pan-European Merchant claimants and it has submitted statements of defense disputing liability and damages claims. The majority of these merchant claims
generally had been stayed pending the decision of the U.K. Supreme Court, and a number of those matters are now progressing with motion practice and discovery. Mastercard incurred charges of $22 million in 2020 to reflect both the estimated attorneys’ fees incurred by the four merchant claimants in the U.K. Supreme Court appeal, as well as settlements with a number of Pan-European merchants.
In September 2016, a proposed collective action was filed in the United Kingdom on behalf of U.K. consumers seeking damages for intra-EEA and domestic U.K. interchange fees that were allegedly passed on to consumers by merchants between 1992 and 2008. The complaint, which seeks to leverage the European Commission’s 2007 decision on intra-EEA interchange fees, claims damages in an amount that exceeds £14 billion (approximately $19 billion as of December 31, 2020). In July 2017, the trial court denied the plaintiffs’ application for the case to proceed as a collective action. In April 2019, the U.K. appellate court granted the plaintiffs’ appeal of the trial court’s decision and sent the case back to the trial court for a re-hearing on the plaintiffs’ collective action application. In December 2020, the U.K. Supreme Court rejected Mastercard’s appeal of this ruling. The case has been sent back to the trial court for a re-hearing on the plaintiffs’ collective action application in light of the Supreme Court decision. The hearing is scheduled to occur in late March 2021.
ATM Non-Discrimination Rule Surcharge Complaints
In October 2011, a trade association of independent Automated Teller Machine (“ATM”) operators and 13 independent ATM operators filed a complaint styled as a class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against both Mastercard and Visa (the “ATM Operators Complaint”).  Plaintiffs seek to represent a class of non-bank operators of ATM terminals that operate in the United States with the discretion to determine the price of the ATM access fee for the terminals they operate. Plaintiffs allege that Mastercard and Visa have violated Section 1 of the Sherman Act by imposing rules that require ATM operators to charge non-discriminatory ATM surcharges for transactions processed over Mastercard’s and Visa’s respective networks that are not greater than the surcharge for transactions over other networks accepted at the same ATM.  Plaintiffs seek both injunctive and monetary relief equal to treble the damages they claim to have sustained as a result of the alleged violations and their costs of suit, including attorneys’ fees. 
Subsequently, multiple related complaints were filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleging both federal antitrust and multiple state unfair competition, consumer protection and common law claims against Mastercard and Visa on behalf of putative classes of users of ATM services (the “ATM Consumer Complaints”).  The claims in these actions largely mirror the allegations made in the ATM Operators Complaint, although these complaints seek damages on behalf of consumers of ATM services who pay allegedly inflated ATM fees at both bank and non-bank ATM operators as a result of the defendants’ ATM rules.  Plaintiffs seek both injunctive and monetary relief equal to treble the damages they claim to have sustained as a result of the alleged violations and their costs of suit, including attorneys’ fees. 
In January 2012, the plaintiffs in the ATM Operators Complaint and the ATM Consumer Complaints filed amended class action complaints that largely mirror their prior complaints. In February 2013, the district court granted Mastercard’s motion to dismiss the complaints for failure to state a claim. On appeal, the Court of Appeals reversed the district court’s order in August 2015 and sent the case back for further proceedings. In September 2019, the plaintiffs filed their motions for class certification in which the plaintiffs, in aggregate, allege over $1 billion in damages against all of the defendants. Mastercard intends to vigorously defend against both the plaintiffs’ liability and damages claims and has opposed class certification. Briefing on class certification is complete.
U.S. Liability Shift Litigation
In March 2016, a proposed U.S. merchant class action complaint was filed in federal court in California alleging that Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover (the “Network Defendants”), EMVCo and a number of issuing banks (the “Bank Defendants”) engaged in a conspiracy to shift fraud liability for card present transactions from issuing banks to merchants not yet in compliance with the standards for EMV chip cards in the United States (the “EMV Liability Shift”), in violation of the Sherman Act and California law.  Plaintiffs allege damages equal to the value of all chargebacks for which class members became liable as a result of the EMV Liability Shift on October 1, 2015. The plaintiffs seek treble damages, attorney’s fees and costs and an injunction against future violations of governing law, and the defendants have filed a motion to dismiss. In September 2016, the district court denied the Network Defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint, but granted such a motion for EMVCo and the Bank Defendants. In May 2017, the district court transferred the case to New York so that discovery could be coordinated with the U.S. merchant class interchange litigation described above. In August 2020, the district court issued an order granting the plaintiffs’ request for class certification. In January 2021, the Network Defendants’ request for permission to appeal the district court’s certification decision to the appellate court was denied. The case is proceeding with substantive expert discovery.
Telephone Consumer Protection Class Action
Mastercard is a defendant in a Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”) class action pending in Florida. The plaintiffs are individuals and businesses who allege that approximately 381,000 unsolicited faxes were sent to them advertising a Mastercard co-brand card issued by First Arkansas Bank (“FAB”). The TCPA provides for uncapped statutory damages of $500 per fax. Mastercard has asserted various defenses to the claims, and has notified FAB of an indemnity claim that it has (which FAB has disputed). In June 2018, the district court granted Mastercard’s motion to stay the proceedings until the Federal Communications Commission makes a decision on the application of the TCPA to online fax services. In December 2019, the FCC issued a declaratory ruling clarifying that the TCPA does not apply to faxes sent to online fax services that are received via e-mail. As a result of the ruling, the stay of the litigation was lifted in January 2020. In January 2021, the magistrate judge serving on the district court issued a decision recommending that the district court judge deny plaintiffs’ class certification motion. The plaintiffs have the opportunity to file objections to this decision with the district court judge.
U.S. Federal Trade Commission Investigation
In June 2020, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Competition (“FTC”) informed Mastercard that it has initiated a formal investigation into compliance with the Durbin Amendment to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. In particular, the investigation focuses on Mastercard’s compliance with the debit routing provisions of the Durbin Amendment.  The FTC has issued a subpoena and Mastercard is cooperating with it in the investigation.
U.K. Prepaid Cards Matter
Mastercard is subject to an ongoing confidential legal matter related to prepaid cards in the U.K. This matter focuses exclusively on historic behavior, and has no prospective impact on Mastercard’s on-going business. In connection with this matter, in the fourth quarter of 2020, Mastercard recorded a litigation charge of $45 million.
v3.20.4
Settlement and Other Risk Management
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Settlement and Other Risk Management [Abstract]  
Settlement and Other Risk Management
Mastercard’s rules guarantee the settlement of many of the transactions between its customers (“settlement risk”). Settlement exposure is the settlement risk to customers under Mastercard’s rules due to the difference in timing between the payment transaction date and subsequent settlement. While the term and amount of the guarantee are unlimited, the duration of settlement exposure is short term and typically limited to a few days.
Gross settlement exposure is estimated using the average daily payment volume during the three months prior to period end multiplied by the estimated number of days of exposure. The Company has global risk management policies and procedures, which include risk standards, to provide a framework for managing the Company’s settlement risk and exposure. In the event of a failed customer, Mastercard may pursue one or more remedies available under the Company’s rules to recover potential losses. Historically, the Company has experienced a low level of losses from customer failures.
As part of its policies, Mastercard requires certain customers that are not in compliance with the Company’s risk standards to post collateral, such as cash, letters of credit, guarantees, or other risk mitigating arrangements. This requirement is based on a review of the individual risk circumstances for each customer. Mastercard monitors its credit risk portfolio on a regular basis and the adequacy of collateral on hand. Additionally, from time to time, the Company reviews its risk management methodology and standards. As such, the amounts of estimated settlement exposure are revised as necessary.
The Company’s estimated settlement exposure was as follows at December 31:
20202019
(in millions)
Gross settlement exposure$52,360 $55,800 
Collateral applied to settlement exposure(6,021)(4,772)
Net uncollateralized settlement exposure$46,339 $51,028 
Mastercard also provides guarantees to customers and certain other counterparties indemnifying them from losses stemming from failures of third parties to perform duties. This includes guarantees of Mastercard-branded travelers cheques issued, but not yet cashed of $370 million and $367 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, of which $294 million and $290 million at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, is mitigated by collateral arrangements. In addition, the Company enters into agreements in the ordinary course of business under which the Company agrees to indemnify third parties against damages, losses and expenses incurred in connection with legal and other proceedings arising from relationships or transactions with the Company. Certain indemnifications do not provide a stated maximum exposure. As the extent of the Company’s obligations under these agreements depends entirely upon the occurrence of future events, the Company’s potential future liability under these agreements
is not determinable. Historically, payments made by the Company under these types of contractual arrangements have not been material.
v3.20.4
Derivative and Hedging Instruments
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Foreign Currency Derivatives [Abstract]  
Derivative and Hedging Instruments
The Company monitors and manages its foreign currency and interest rate exposures as part of its overall risk management program which focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of these markets may have on its operating results.  A primary objective of the Company’s risk management strategies is to reduce the financial impact that may arise from volatility in foreign currency exchange rates principally through the use of both foreign exchange derivative contracts (Derivatives) and foreign currency denominated debt (Net Investment Hedge). In addition, the Company may enter into interest rate derivative contracts to manage the effects of interest rate movements on the Company’s aggregate liability portfolio, including potential future debt issuances (Cash Flow Hedges).
Foreign Exchange Risk
Derivatives
The Company enters into foreign exchange derivative contracts to manage currency exposure associated with anticipated receipts and disbursements which are valued based on currencies other than the functional currency of the entity. The Company may also enter into foreign exchange derivative contracts to offset possible changes in value due to foreign exchange fluctuations of assets and liabilities. In addition, the Company is subject to foreign exchange risk as part of its daily settlement activities. This risk is typically limited to a few days between when a payment transaction takes place and the subsequent settlement with customers. To manage this risk, the Company enters into short duration foreign exchange derivative contracts based upon anticipated receipts and disbursements for the respective currency position. The objective of these activities is to reduce the Company’s exposure to gains and losses resulting from fluctuations of foreign currencies against its functional currencies.
The Company’s derivative contracts are summarized below:
 December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
 NotionalFair
Value
NotionalFair
Value
 (in millions)
Commitments to purchase foreign currency$389 $17 $185 $
Commitments to sell foreign currency1,110 (26)1,506 (25)
Options to sell foreign currency— — 21 
Balance sheet location
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1
$19 $12 
Other current liabilities 1
(28)(32)
1The derivative contracts are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements, which contain various netting and setoff provisions.
The amount of gain (loss) recognized on the consolidated statement of operations for the contracts to purchase and sell foreign currency is summarized below:
 Year Ended December 31,
 202020192018
 (in millions)
Foreign exchange derivative contracts
General and administrative$40 $(39)$53 
The fair value of the foreign exchange derivative contracts generally reflects the estimated amounts that the Company would receive (or pay), on a pre-tax basis, to terminate the contracts. The terms of the foreign exchange derivative contracts are generally less than 18 months. The Company had no deferred gains or losses related to foreign exchange contracts in accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, as these contracts were not designated as hedging instruments for accounting.
The Company’s derivative financial instruments are subject to both market and counterparty credit risk. Market risk is the potential for economic losses to be incurred on market risk sensitive instruments arising from adverse changes in market factors such as
foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and other related variables. Counterparty credit risk is the risk of loss due to failure of the counterparty to perform its obligations in accordance with contractual terms. To mitigate counterparty credit risk, the Company enters into derivative contracts with a diversified group of selected financial institutions based upon their credit ratings and other factors. Generally, the Company does not obtain collateral related to derivatives because of the high credit ratings of the counterparties.
Net Investment Hedge
The Company uses foreign currency denominated debt to hedge a portion of its net investment in foreign operations against adverse movements in exchange rates, with changes in the value of the debt recorded within currency translation adjustment in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). In 2015, the Company designated its €1.65 billion euro-denominated debt as a net investment hedge for a portion of its net investment in European operations. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had a net foreign currency transaction loss of $175 million after tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) associated with hedging activity.
Interest Rate Risk
Cash Flow Hedges
During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company entered into treasury rate locks for a total notional amount of $1 billion, which were accounted for as cash flow hedges. These contracts were entered into to hedge a portion of the Company’s interest rate exposure attributable to changes in the treasury rates related to the forecasted debt issuance during 2020. The maximum length of time over which the Company had hedged its exposure was 30 years. In connection with the issuance of the 2020 USD Notes, these contracts were settled and the Company paid $175 million. As of December 31, 2020, a cumulative loss of $133 million, after tax, was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) associated with these contracts and will be reclassified as an adjustment to interest expense over the respective terms of the 2020 USD Notes. As of December 31, 2019, the Company recorded a pre-tax net unrealized gain of $14 million ($11 million, after tax) in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) associated with these contracts.
In 2020, the Company reclassified $4 million, pre-tax, of the deferred loss on cash flow derivative contracts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense on the statement of operations. The Company estimates that $6 million, pre-tax, of the deferred loss will be reclassified into interest expense within the next 12 months.
v3.20.4
Segment Reporting
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Segment Reporting
Mastercard has concluded it has one reportable operating segment, “Payment Solutions.” Mastercard’s Chief Executive Officer has been identified as the chief operating decision-maker. All of the Company’s activities are interrelated, and each activity is dependent upon and supportive of the other. Accordingly, all significant operating decisions are based upon analysis of Mastercard at the consolidated level.
Revenue by geographic market is based on the location of the Company’s customer that issued the card, as well as the location of the merchant acquirer where the card is being used. Revenue generated in the U.S. was approximately 33% of total revenue in 2020, 32% in 2019 and 33% in 2018. No individual country, other than the U.S., generated more than 10% of total revenue in those periods. Mastercard did not have any individual customer that generated greater than 10% of net revenue in 2020, 2019 or 2018.
The following table reflects the geographical location of the Company’s property, equipment and right-of-use assets, net, as of December 31:
202020192018
(in millions)
United States$1,185 $1,147 $613 
Other countries717 681 308 
Total$1,902 $1,828 $921 
v3.20.4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Organization
Organization
Mastercard Incorporated and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Mastercard International Incorporated (“Mastercard International” and together with Mastercard Incorporated, “Mastercard” or the “Company”), is a technology company in the global payments industry that connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments, digital partners, businesses and other organizations worldwide, enabling them to use electronic forms of payment instead of cash and checks. The Company makes payments easier and more efficient by providing a wide range of payment solutions and services through its family of well-known brands, including Mastercard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®. The Company operates a multi-rail network that offers customers one partner to turn to for their domestic and cross-border payment needs. Through its unique and proprietary global payments network, which is referred to as the core network, the Company switches (authorizes, clears and settles) payment transactions and delivers related products and services. Mastercard has additional payment capabilities that include automated clearing house (“ACH”) transactions (both batch and real-time account-based payments). The Company also provides integrated value-added offerings such as cyber and intelligence products, information and analytics services, consulting, loyalty and reward programs, processing and open banking. The Company’s payment solutions offer customers choice and flexibility and are designed to ensure safety and security for the global payments system.
A typical transaction on the Company’s core network involves four participants in addition to the Company: account holder (a person or entity who holds a card or uses another device enabled for payment), issuer (the account holder’s financial institution), merchant and acquirer (the merchant’s financial institution). The Company does not issue cards, extend credit, determine or receive revenue from interest rates or other fees charged to account holders by issuers, or establish the rates charged by acquirers in connection with merchants’ acceptance of the Company’s products. In most cases, account holder relationships belong to, and are managed by, the Company’s financial institution customers.
Consolidation and Basis of Presentation Consolidation and basis of presentation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Mastercard and its majority-owned and controlled entities, including any variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Investments in VIEs for which the Company is not considered the primary beneficiary are not consolidated and are accounted for as equity method or measurement alternative method investments and recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.  At December 31, 2020 and 2019, there were no significant VIEs which required consolidation and the investments were not considered material to the consolidated financial statements. The Company consolidates acquisitions as of the date in which the Company has obtained a controlling financial interest. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company follows accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).Non-controlling interests represent the equity interest not owned by the Company and are recorded for consolidated entities in which the Company owns less than 100% of the interests. Changes in a parent’s ownership interest while the parent retains its controlling interest are accounted for as equity transactions, and upon loss of control, retained ownership interests are remeasured at fair value, with any gain or loss recognized in earnings. For 2020, 2019 and 2018, net losses from non-controlling interests were not material and, as a result, amounts are included on the consolidated statement of operations within other income (expense).
Use of Estimates Policy Use of estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Future events and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty, including the potential impacts and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as other factors; accordingly, accounting estimates require the exercise of judgment. These financial statements were prepared using information reasonably available as of December 31, 2020 and through the date of this Report. The accounting estimates used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as the Company’s operating environment changes. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Revenue Recognition Policy Revenue recognition - Revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Revenue is primarily generated from assessing customers based on the dollar volume of activity, or gross dollar volume, on the products that carry the Company’s brands, from fees to issuers, acquirers and other stakeholders for providing switching services, as well as from value-added products and services that are typically integrated and sold with the Company’s payment offerings.
Volume-based revenue (domestic assessments and cross-border volume fees) is recorded as revenue in the period it is earned, which is primarily based on the related volume generated on the cards. Certain volume-based revenue is based upon information reported by customers. Transaction-based revenue (transaction processing) is primarily based on the number and type of transactions and is recognized as revenue in the same period in which the related transactions occur. Other payment-related products and services are recognized as revenue in the period in which the related services are performed or transactions occur. For services provided to customers where delivery involves the use of a third-party, the Company recognizes revenue on a gross basis if it acts as the principal, controlling the service to the customer and on a net basis if it acts as the agent, arranging for the service to be provided.
Mastercard has business agreements with certain customers that provide for rebates or other support when the customers meet certain volume hurdles as well as other support incentives, which are tied to performance. Rebates and incentives are recorded as a reduction of gross revenue primarily when volume- and transaction-based revenues are recognized over the contractual term. Rebates and incentives are calculated based upon estimated customer performance and the terms of the related business agreements. In addition, Mastercard may make payments to a customer directly related to entering into an agreement, which are generally capitalized and amortized over the life of the agreement on a straight-line basis.
Contract assets include unbilled consideration typically resulting from executed data analytic and consulting services performed for customers in connection with Mastercard’s payment network service arrangements. Collection for these services typically occurs over the contractual term. Contract assets are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
The Company defers the recognition of revenue when consideration has been received prior to the satisfaction of performance obligations. As these performance obligations are satisfied, revenue is subsequently recognized. Deferred revenue is primarily derived from data analytic and consulting services. Deferred revenue is included in other current liabilities and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
Business Combinations Policy Business combinations - The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. The Company measures the tangible and intangible identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and contingent consideration at fair value as of the acquisition date. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred and are included in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations. Any excess purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, is recorded as goodwill. Measurement period adjustments, if any, to the preliminary estimated fair value of the intangibles assets as of the acquisition date are recorded in goodwill.
Intangible Assets and Impairment of Assets Policy
Goodwill and other intangible assets - Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of goodwill, which represents the synergies expected to arise after the acquisition date and the assembled workforce, and customer relationships. Finite-lived intangible assets consist of capitalized software costs, customer relationships and other intangible assets. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, on a straight-line basis, which range from one to twenty years. Capitalized software includes internal and external costs incurred directly related to the design, development and testing phases of each capitalized software project.
Impairment of assets - Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but tested annually for impairment at the reporting unit level in the fourth quarter, or sooner when circumstances indicate an impairment may exist. The impairment evaluation for goodwill utilizes a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired. The qualitative factors may include, but are not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, operating environment, financial performance and other relevant events. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, then the Company is required to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds the carrying value, goodwill is not impaired. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then goodwill is impaired and the excess of the reporting unit’s carrying value over the fair value is recognized as an impairment charge.
The impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets consists of a qualitative assessment to evaluate relevant events and circumstances that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets. If the qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that indefinite-lived intangible assets are impaired, then a quantitative assessment is required. 
Long-lived assets, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, are tested for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the carrying value of the asset cannot be recovered from estimated future cash flows, undiscounted and without interest, the fair value of the asset is calculated using the present value of estimated net future cash flows. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment is recorded.
Impairment charges, if any, are recorded in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.
Litigation Policy Litigation - The Company is a party to certain legal and regulatory proceedings with respect to a variety of matters. The Company evaluates the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome of all legal or regulatory proceedings to which it is a party and accrues a loss contingency when the loss is probable and reasonably estimable. Loss contingencies are recorded in provision for litigation on the consolidated statement of operations. These judgments are subjective based on the status of the legal or regulatory proceedings, the merits of its defenses and consultation with in-house and external legal counsel. Legal costs are expensed as incurred and recorded in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.
Settlement and Other Risk Management Policy
Settlement and other risk management - Mastercard’s rules guarantee the settlement of many of the transactions between its customers. Settlement exposure is the outstanding settlement risk to customers under Mastercard’s rules due to the difference in timing between the payment transaction date and subsequent settlement. While the term and amount of the guarantee are unlimited, the duration of settlement exposure is short term and typically limited to a few days.
The Company also enters into agreements in the ordinary course of business under which the Company agrees to indemnify third parties against damages, losses and expenses incurred in connection with legal and other proceedings arising from relationships or transactions with the Company. As the extent of the Company’s obligations under these agreements depends entirely upon the occurrence of future events, the Company’s potential future liability under these agreements is not determinable.
The Company accounts for each of its guarantees by recording the guarantee at its fair value at the inception or modification date through earnings.
Income Taxes Policy Income taxes - The Company follows an asset and liability based approach in accounting for income taxes as required under GAAP. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recorded to reflect the tax consequences on future years of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and income tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred income taxes are displayed separately as noncurrent assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Valuation allowances are provided against assets which are not more likely than not to be realized. The Company recognizes all material tax positions, including uncertain tax positions in which it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained based on its technical merits and if challenged by the relevant taxing authorities. At each balance sheet date, unresolved uncertain tax positions are reassessed to determine whether subsequent developments require a change in the amount of recognized tax benefit. The allowance for uncertain tax positions is recorded in other current and noncurrent liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company records interest expense related to income tax matters as interest expense on the consolidated statement of operations. The Company includes penalties related to income tax matters in the income tax provision.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Policy
Cash and cash equivalents - Cash and cash equivalents include certain investments with daily liquidity and with an original maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase. Cash equivalents are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value.
Restricted cash - The Company classifies cash and cash equivalents as restricted when it is unavailable for withdrawal or use in its general operations. The Company has the following types of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents which are included in the reconciliation of beginning-of-period and end-of-period amounts shown on the consolidated statement of cash flows:
Restricted cash for litigation settlement - The Company has restricted cash for litigation within a qualified settlement fund related to the settlement agreement for the U.S. merchant class litigation. The funds continue to be restricted for payments until the litigation matter is resolved.
Restricted security deposits held for customers - The Company requires collateral from certain customers for settlement of their transactions. The majority of collateral for settlement is in the form of standby letters of credit and bank guarantees which are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheet. Additionally, the Company holds cash deposits and certificates of deposit from certain customers as collateral for settlement of their transactions, which are recorded as assets on the consolidated balance sheet. These assets are fully offset by corresponding liabilities included on the consolidated balance sheet. These security deposits are typically held for the duration of the agreement with the customers.
Other restricted cash balances - The Company has other restricted cash balances which include contractually restricted deposits, as well as cash balances that are restricted based on the Company’s intention with regard to usage. These funds are classified on the consolidated balance sheet within prepaid expenses and other current assets and other assets.
Fair Value Policy
Fair value - The Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis by estimating the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The Company classifies these recurring fair value measurements into a three-level hierarchy (“Valuation Hierarchy”).
The Valuation Hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. A financial instrument’s categorization within the Valuation Hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of the Valuation Hierarchy are as follows: 
Level 1 - inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets
Level 2 - inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in inactive markets and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability
Level 3 - inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and cannot be directly corroborated by observable market data
Certain assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. The Company’s non-financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include property, equipment and right-of-use assets, goodwill and other intangible assets. These assets are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence of impairment.
The valuation methods for goodwill and other intangible assets acquired in business combinations involve assumptions concerning comparable company multiples, discount rates, growth projections and other assumptions of future business conditions. The Company uses various valuation techniques to determine fair value, primarily discounted cash flows analysis, relief-from-royalty, and multi-period excess earnings for estimating the fair value of its intangible assets. As the assumptions employed to measure these assets are based on management’s judgment using internal and external data, these fair value determinations are classified in Level 3 of the Valuation Hierarchy.
Contingent Consideration, Policy Contingent consideration - Certain business combinations involve the potential for future payment of consideration that is contingent upon the achievement of performance milestones. These liabilities are classified within Level 3 of the Valuation Hierarchy as the inputs used to measure fair value are unobservable and require management’s judgment. The fair value of the contingent consideration at the acquisition date and subsequent periods is determined utilizing an income approach based on a Monte Carlo technique and is recorded in other current liabilities and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. Changes to projected performance milestones of the acquired businesses could result in a higher or lower contingent consideration liability. The changes in fair value as a result of updated assumptions are recorded in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.
Investment Securities Policy
Investment securities - The Company classifies investments as available-for-sale or held-to-maturity at the date of acquisition.
Available-for-sale debt securities:
Investments in debt securities that are available to meet the Company’s current operational needs are classified as current assets and the securities that are not available for current operational needs are classified as non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
The debt securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Net realized gains and losses on debt securities are recognized in investment income on the consolidated statement of operations. The specific identification method is used to determine realized gains and losses.
The Company evaluates its debt securities for impairment on an ongoing basis. When there has been a decline in fair value of a debt security below the amortized cost basis, the Company recognizes an impairment if: (1) it has the intent to sell the security; (2) it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery of the amortized cost basis; or (3) it does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. The credit loss component of the impairment is recognized as an allowance and recorded in other income (expense), net on the consolidated statement of operations while the non-credit related loss remains in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until realized from a sale or subsequent impairment.
Held-to-maturity securities:
Time deposits - The Company classifies time deposits with original maturities greater than three months as held-to-maturity. Held-to-maturity securities that mature within one year are classified as current assets within investments on the consolidated balance sheet while held-to-maturity securities with maturities of greater than one year are classified as non-current assets. Time deposits are carried at amortized cost on the consolidated balance sheet and are intended to be held until maturity.
Equity investments - The Company holds equity securities of publicly traded and privately held companies.
Marketable equity securities - Marketable equity securities are strategic investments in publicly traded companies and are measured at fair value using quoted prices in their respective active markets with changes recorded through gain (losses) on equity investments, net on the consolidated statement of operations. Securities that are not for use in current operations are classified in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
Nonmarketable equity investments - The Company’s nonmarketable equity investments, which are reported in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet, include investments in privately held companies without readily determinable market values. The Company uses discounted cash flows and market assumptions to estimate the fair value of its nonmarketable equity investments when certain events or circumstances indicate that impairment may exist. The Company’s nonmarketable equity investments are accounted for under the equity method or measurement alternative method.
Equity method - The Company accounts for investments in common stock or in-substance common stock under the equity method of accounting when it has the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee, generally when it holds between 20% and 50% ownership in the entity. The excess of the cost over the underlying net equity of investments accounted for under the equity method is allocated to identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities based on fair values at the date of acquisition. The amortization of the excess of the cost over the underlying net equity of investments and Mastercard’s share of net earnings or losses of entities accounted for under the equity method of accounting is included in other income (expense), net on the consolidated statement of operations. In addition, investments in flow-through entities such as limited partnerships and limited liability companies are also accounted for under the equity method when the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee, generally when the investment ownership percentage is equal to or greater than 5% of the outstanding ownership interest. The Company’s share of net earnings or losses for these investments are included in gains (losses) on equity investments, net on the consolidated statement of operations.
Measurement alternative method - The Company accounts for investments in common stock or in-substance common stock under the measurement alternative method of accounting when it does not exercise significant influence, generally when it holds less than 20% ownership in the entity or when the interest in a limited partnership or limited liability company is less than 5% and the Company has no significant influence over the operation of the investee. Investments in companies that Mastercard does not control, but that are not in the form of common stock or in-substance common stock, are also accounted for under the measurement alternative method of accounting. Measurement alternative investments are measured at cost, less any impairment and adjusted for changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. Fair value adjustments, as well as impairments, are included in gain (losses) on equity investments, net on the consolidated statement of operations.
Derivative and Hedging Instruments Policy
Derivative and hedging instruments - The Company’s derivative financial instruments are recorded as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measured at fair value. The Company’s foreign exchange and interest rate derivative contracts are included in Level 2 of the Valuation Hierarchy as the fair value of the contracts are based on inputs, which are observable based on broker quotes for the same or similar instruments. The Company does not enter into derivative contracts for trading or speculative purposes. For derivative contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments, realized and unrealized gains and losses from the change in fair value of the contracts are recognized in current earnings.
The Company’s derivatives that are designated as hedging instruments are required to meet established accounting criteria. In addition, an effectiveness assessment is required to demonstrate that the derivative is expected to be highly effective at offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows of the underlying exposure both at inception of the hedging relationship and on an ongoing basis. The method of assessing hedge effectiveness and measuring hedge results is formally documented at hedge inception and assessed at least quarterly throughout the designated hedge period. For cash flow hedges, the fair value adjustments are recorded, net of tax, in other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income. Any gains and losses deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are subsequently reclassified to the corresponding line item on the consolidated statement of operations when the underlying hedged transactions impact earnings. For hedging instruments that are no longer deemed highly effective, hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively, and any gains and losses remaining in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified to earnings when the underlying forecasted transaction occurs. If it is probable that the forecasted transaction will no longer occur, the associated gains or losses in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are reclassified to the corresponding line item on the consolidated statement of operations in current earnings.
The Company has numerous investments in its foreign subsidiaries. The net assets of these subsidiaries are exposed to volatility in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company may use foreign currency denominated debt and/or derivative instruments to hedge a portion of its net investment in foreign operations against adverse movements in exchange rates. The effective portion of the foreign currency gains and losses related to the hedging instruments are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated balance sheet as a cumulative translation adjustment component of equity. Amounts excluded from
effectiveness testing of net investment hedges are recognized in earnings over the life of the hedging instrument. The Company evaluates the effectiveness of the net investment hedge each quarter.
Settlement Due From/Due To Customers Policy Settlement due from/due to customers - The Company operates systems for clearing and settling payment transactions among customers. Net settlements are generally cleared daily among customers through settlement cash accounts by wire transfer or other bank clearing means. However, some transactions may not settle until subsequent business days, resulting in amounts due from and due to customers.
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets Policy
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets - Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation of leasehold improvements and amortization of finance leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense on the consolidated statement of operations. Operating lease amortization expense is included in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.
The useful lives of the Company’s assets are as follows:
Asset CategoryEstimated Useful Life
Buildings30 years
Building equipment
10 - 15 years
Furniture and fixtures and equipment
3 - 5 years
Leasehold improvementsShorter of life of improvement or lease term
Right-of-use assetsShorter of life of the asset or lease term
Leases Policy
The Company determines if a contract is, or contains, a lease at contract inception. The Company’s right-of-use (“ROU”) assets are primarily related to operating leases for office space, automobiles and other equipment. Leases are included in property, equipment and right-of-use assets, other current liabilities and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
ROU assets represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. In addition, ROU assets include initial direct costs incurred by the lessee as well as any lease payments made at or before the commencement date, and exclude lease incentives. As most of the Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is determined by using the rate of interest that the Company would pay to borrow on a collateralized basis an amount equal to the lease payments for a similar term and in a similar economic environment. Lease terms include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Leases with a term of one year or less are excluded from ROU assets and liabilities.
The Company excludes variable lease payments in measuring ROU assets and lease liabilities, other than those that depend on an index, a rate or are in-substance fixed payments. Lease and nonlease components are generally accounted for separately. When available, consideration is allocated to the separate lease and nonlease components in a lease contract on a relative standalone price basis using observable standalone prices.
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Policy
Pension and other postretirement plans - The Company recognizes the funded status of its single-employer defined benefit pension plans and postretirement plans as assets or liabilities on its consolidated balance sheet and recognizes changes in the funded status in the year in which the changes occur through accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation at December 31, the measurement date. Overfunded plans, if any, are aggregated and recorded in other assets, while underfunded plans are aggregated and recorded as accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
Net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost/(income), excluding the service cost component, is recognized in other income (expense) on the consolidated statement of operations. These costs include interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service costs or credits and gains or losses previously recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The service cost component is recognized in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.
Defined contribution plans - The Company’s contributions to defined contribution plans are recorded as employees render service to the Company. The charge is recorded in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.
Advertising and Marketing Policy Advertising and marketing - Expenses incurred to promote Mastercard’s brand, products and services are recognized in advertising and marketing on the consolidated statement of operations. The timing of recognition is dependent on the type of advertising or marketing expense
Foreign Currency Remeasurement and Translation Policy
Foreign currency remeasurement and translation - Monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured to functional currencies using current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are recorded at historical exchange rates. Revenue and expense accounts are remeasured at the weighted-average exchange rate for the period. Resulting exchange gains and losses related to remeasurement are included in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.
Where a non-U.S. currency is the functional currency, translation from that functional currency to U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using a weighted-average exchange rate for the period. Resulting translation adjustments are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Treasury Stock Policy Treasury stock - The Company records the repurchase of shares of its common stock at cost on the trade date of the transaction. These shares are considered treasury stock, which is a reduction to stockholders’ equity. Treasury stock is included in authorized and issued shares but excluded from outstanding shares.
Share-based Payments Policy Share-based payments - The Company measures share-based compensation expense at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award and uses the straight-line method of attribution, net of estimated forfeitures, for expensing awards over the requisite employee service period. The Company estimates the fair value of its non-qualified stock option awards (“Options”) using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) is determined and fixed on the grant date based on the Company’s stock price, adjusted for the exclusion of dividend equivalents. The Monte Carlo simulation valuation model is used to determine the grant date fair value of performance stock units (“PSUs”) granted. All share-based compensation expenses are recorded in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests Policy Redeemable non-controlling interests - The Company’s business combinations may include provisions allowing non-controlling equity owners the ability to require the Company to purchase additional interests in the subsidiary at their discretion. The interests are initially recorded at fair value and in subsequent reporting periods are accreted or adjusted to the estimated redemption value. The adjustments to the redemption value are recorded to retained earnings or additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheet. The redeemable non-controlling interests are considered temporary and reported outside of permanent equity on the consolidated balance sheet at the greater of the carrying amount adjusted for the non-controlling interest’s share of net income (loss) or its redemption value.
Earnings Per Share Policy Earnings per share - The Company calculates basic earnings per share (“EPS”) by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted EPS is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year, adjusted for the potentially dilutive effect of stock options and unvested stock units using the treasury stock method. The Company may be required to calculate EPS using the two-class method as a result of its redeemable non-controlling interests. If redemption value exceeds the fair value of the redeemable non-controlling interests, the excess would be a reduction to net income for the EPS calculation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Policy
Accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
Simplifying the accounting for income taxes - In December 2019, the FASB issued accounting guidance to simplify the accounting for income taxes. This guidance includes the removal of certain exceptions to the general income tax accounting principles and provides clarity and simplification to other areas of income tax accounting by amending the existing guidance. The guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company will adopt this guidance effective January 1, 2021 and does not expect the impacts to be material.
Reference Rate Reform - In March 2020, the FASB issued accounting guidance to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the current contract modifications and hedge accounting guidance in light of the expected market transition from LIBOR to alternative rates. The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions to transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The transactions primarily include (1) contract modifications, (2) hedging relationships, and (3) sale or transfer of debt securities classified as held-to-maturity. The amendments were effective immediately upon issuance of the update. Companies may elect to adopt the amendments prospectively to transactions existing as of or entered from the date of adoption through December 31, 2022. The Company does not expect the impacts to be material.
v3.20.4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Useful lives of Company's assets
The useful lives of the Company’s assets are as follows:
Asset CategoryEstimated Useful Life
Buildings30 years
Building equipment
10 - 15 years
Furniture and fixtures and equipment
3 - 5 years
Leasehold improvementsShorter of life of improvement or lease term
Right-of-use assetsShorter of life of the asset or lease term
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets consisted of the following at December 31:
20202019
(in millions)
Building, building equipment and land$522 $505 
Equipment1,321 1,218 
Furniture and fixtures99 92 
Leasehold improvements380 303 
Operating lease right-of-use assets970 810 
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets3,292 2,928 
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization(1,390)(1,100)
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets, net$1,902 $1,828 
v3.20.4
Acquisitions Business Combination (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Business Combinations [Abstract]  
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed The preliminary estimated and final fair values of the purchase price allocations in aggregate, as of the acquisition dates, are noted below for the years ended December 31.
20202019
(in millions)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$$54 
Other current assets14 143 
Other intangible assets237 395 
Goodwill844 1,076 
Other assets11 48 
Total assets1,112 1,716 
Liabilities:
Other current liabilities15 121 
Deferred income taxes 23 52 
Other liabilities32 
Total liabilities46 205 
Net assets acquired$1,066 $1,511 
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination
The following table summarizes the identified intangible assets acquired during the years ended December 31:
2020201920202019
Acquisition Date Fair ValueWeighted-Average Useful Life
(in millions)(in years)
Developed technologies$122 $199 6.37.7
Customer relationships114 178 12.012.6
Other18 1.05.0
Other intangible assets$237 $395 9.09.7
v3.20.4
Revenue (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Disaggregation of Revenue
The Company’s disaggregated net revenue by source and geographic region were as follows for the years ended December 31:
 202020192018
(in millions)
Revenue by source:
Domestic assessments$6,656 $6,781 $6,138 
Cross-border volume fees3,512 5,606 4,954 
Transaction processing8,731 8,469 7,391 
Other revenues4,717 4,124 3,348 
Gross revenue23,616 24,980 21,831 
Rebates and incentives (contra-revenue)(8,315)(8,097)(6,881)
Net revenue$15,301 $16,883 $14,950 
Net revenue by geographic region:
North American Markets$5,424 $5,843 $5,312 
International Markets9,701 10,869 9,514 
Other 1
176 171 124 
Net revenue$15,301 $16,883 $14,950 
1Includes revenues managed by corporate functions.
v3.20.4
Earnings Per Share (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Schedule of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share
The components of basic and diluted EPS for common shares for each of the years ended December 31 were as follows:
 202020192018
 (in millions, except per share data)
Numerator
Net income$6,411 $8,118 $5,859 
Denominator
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding1,002 1,017 1,041 
Dilutive stock options and stock units
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding 1
1,006 1,022 1,047 
Earnings per Share
Basic$6.40 $7.98 $5.63 
Diluted$6.37 $7.94 $5.60 
Note: Table may not sum due to rounding.
1For the years presented, the calculation of diluted EPS excluded a minimal amount of anti-dilutive share-based payment awards.
v3.20.4
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract]  
Schedule of Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents reported on the consolidated balance sheet that total to the amounts shown on the consolidated statement of cash flows for the years ended December 31:
20202019
(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents$10,113 $6,988 
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents
Restricted cash for litigation settlement586 584 
Restricted security deposits held for customers1,696 1,370 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets24 27 
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents$12,419 $8,969 
v3.20.4
Supplemental Cash Flows (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]  
Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures
The following table includes supplemental cash flow disclosures for each of the years ended December 31:
202020192018
 (in millions)
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds$1,349 $1,644 $1,790 
Cash paid for interest311 199 153 
Cash paid for legal settlements149 668 260 
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Dividends declared but not yet paid439 403 340 
Accrued property, equipment and right-of-use assets154 468 10 
Fair value of assets acquired, net of cash acquired1,106 1,662 — 
Fair value of liabilities assumed related to acquisitions
46 205 — 
v3.20.4
Investments (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]  
Investments On the Consolidated Balance Sheet
Investments on the consolidated balance sheet consisted of the following at December 31:
20202019
(in millions)
Available-for-sale securities $321 $591 
Held-to-maturity securities 162 97 
Total investments $483 $688 
Available-for-sale investment securities
The major classes of the Company’s available-for-sale investment securities and their respective amortized cost basis and fair values were as follows:
 December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
 Amortized Cost Gross Unrealized GainGross Unrealized Loss Fair ValueAmortized Cost Gross Unrealized GainGross Unrealized Loss Fair Value
(in millions)
Municipal securities$10 $— $— $10 $15 $— $— $15 
Government and agency securities64 — — 64 108 — — 108 
Corporate securities246 — 247 381 — 382 
Asset-backed securities— — — — 85 — 86 
Total$320 $1 $ $321 $589 $2 $ $591 
Maturity Distribution Based on Contractual Terms of Investment Securities
The maturity distribution based on the contractual terms of the Company’s investment securities at December 31, 2020 was as follows:
Available-For-Sale
Amortized
Cost
Fair Value
(in millions)
Due within 1 year$115 $115 
Due after 1 year through 5 years205 206 
Total$320 $321 
Equity Method Investments
The following table is a summary of the activity related to the Company’s equity investments:
 Balance at December 31, 2019Purchases (Sales), net
Changes in Fair Value1
Other2
Balance at December 31, 2020
(in millions)
Marketable securities $479 $$(5)$$476 
Nonmarketable securities 435 204 35 22 696 
Total equity investments $914 $205 $30 $23 $1,172 
1Recorded in gains (losses) on equity investments, net on the consolidated statement of operations
2Includes translational impact of currency
v3.20.4
Fair Value Measurements (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]  
Distribution of Financial Instruments, Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The distribution of the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis within the Valuation Hierarchy were as follows:
 December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
 Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
TotalQuoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
(in millions)
Assets
Investment securities available for sale 1:
Municipal securities$— $10 $— $10 $— $15 $— $15 
Government and agency securities26 38 — 64 66 42 — 108 
Corporate securities— 247 — 247 — 382 — 382 
Asset-backed securities— — — — — 86 — 86 
Derivative instruments 2:
Foreign exchange contracts— 19 — 19 — 12 — 12 
Interest rate contracts — — — — — 14 — 14 
Marketable securities 3:
Equity securities476 — — 476 479 — — 479 
Deferred compensation plan 4:
Deferred compensation assets78 — — 78 67 — — 67 
Liabilities
Derivative instruments 2:
Foreign exchange derivative liabilities$— $(28)$— $(28)$— $(32)$— $(32)
Deferred compensation plan 5:
Deferred compensation liabilities(81)— — (81)(67)— — (67)
1The Company’s U.S. government securities are classified within Level 1 of the Valuation Hierarchy as the fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets. The fair value of the Company’s available-for-sale municipal securities, government and agency securities, corporate securities and asset-backed securities are based on observable inputs such as quoted prices, benchmark yields and issuer spreads for similar assets in active markets and are therefore included in Level 2 of the Valuation Hierarchy.
2The Company’s foreign exchange and interest rate derivative asset and liability contracts have been classified within Level 2 of the Valuation Hierarchy as the fair value is based on observable inputs such as broker quotes relating to foreign currency exchange rates for similar derivative instruments. See Note 23 (Derivative and Hedging Instruments) for further details.
3The Company’s Marketable securities are publicly held and classified within Level 1 of the Valuation Hierarchy as the fair values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in their respective active markets.
4The Company has a nonqualified deferred compensation plan where assets are invested primarily in mutual funds held in a rabbi trust, which is restricted for payments to participants of the plan. The Company has elected to use the fair value option for these mutual funds, which are measured using quoted prices of identical instruments in active markets and are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
5The deferred compensation liabilities are measured at fair value based on the quoted prices of identical instruments to the investment vehicles selected by the participants. These are included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet
v3.20.4
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets [Abstract]  
Schedule of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following at December 31:
20202019
(in millions)
Customer and merchant incentives$1,086 $872 
Prepaid income taxes78 105 
Other719 786 
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets$1,883 $1,763 
Schedule of Other Assets, Noncurrent
Other assets consisted of the following at December 31:
20202019
(in millions)
Customer and merchant incentives$3,220 $2,838 
Equity investments1,172 914 
Income taxes receivable553 460 
Other420 313 
Total other assets$5,365 $4,525 
v3.20.4
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]  
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets
The useful lives of the Company’s assets are as follows:
Asset CategoryEstimated Useful Life
Buildings30 years
Building equipment
10 - 15 years
Furniture and fixtures and equipment
3 - 5 years
Leasehold improvementsShorter of life of improvement or lease term
Right-of-use assetsShorter of life of the asset or lease term
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets consisted of the following at December 31:
20202019
(in millions)
Building, building equipment and land$522 $505 
Equipment1,321 1,218 
Furniture and fixtures99 92 
Leasehold improvements380 303 
Operating lease right-of-use assets970 810 
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets3,292 2,928 
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization(1,390)(1,100)
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets, net$1,902 $1,828 
Operating Lease ROU Assets and Operating Lease Liabilities
Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet as follows at December 31:
20202019
(in millions)
Balance sheet location
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets, net$748 $711 
Other current liabilities125 106 
Other liabilities726 656 
Maturity of Operating Lease Liabilities
The following table summarizes the maturity of the Company’s operating lease liabilities at December 31, 2020 based on lease term:
Operating Leases
(in millions)
2021$137 
2022130 
2023108 
202495 
202572 
Thereafter383 
Total operating lease payments925 
Less: Interest(74)
Present value of operating lease liabilities$851 
v3.20.4
Goodwill (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Change in Carrying Amount of Goodwill
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
20202019
(in millions)
Beginning balance$4,021 $2,904 
Additions844 1,076 
Foreign currency translation95 41 
Ending balance$4,960 $4,021 
v3.20.4
Other Intangible Assets (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]  
Schedule of Intangible Assets
The following table sets forth net intangible assets, other than goodwill, at December 31:
20202019
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Net Carrying Amount
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Net Carrying Amount
(in millions)
Finite-lived intangible assets
Capitalized software$2,276 $(1,126)$1,150 $1,884 $(988)$896 
Customer relationships743 (322)421 621 (264)357 
Other44 (41)44 (44)— 
Total3,063 (1,489)1,574 2,549 (1,296)1,253 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets
Customer relationships179 — 179 164 — 164 
Total$3,242 $(1,489)$1,753 $2,713 $(1,296)$1,417 
Schedule of Estimated Future Amortization Expense The following table sets forth the estimated future amortization expense on finite-lived intangible assets on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020 for the years ending December 31:
(in millions)
2021$332 
2022260 
2023211 
2024194 
2025 and thereafter577 
$1,574 
v3.20.4
Accrued Expenses and Accrued Litigation (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]  
Accrued Expenses
Accrued expenses consisted of the following at December 31:
20202019
 (in millions)
Customer and merchant incentives$3,998 $3,892 
Personnel costs727 713 
Income and other taxes208 332 
Other497 552 
Total accrued expenses$5,430 $5,489 
v3.20.4
Pension, Postretirement and Savings Plans Pension, Postretirement and Savings Plans (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Schedule of Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations The following table sets forth the Plans’ funded status, key assumptions and amounts recognized in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet at December 31:
 Pension PlansPostretirement Plan
 2020201920202019
 ($ in millions)
Change in benefit obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year$531 $438 $64 $57 
Service cost13 11 
Interest cost13 
Actuarial (gain) loss43 73 
Benefits paid(18)(15)(4)(5)
Transfers in— — 
Foreign currency translation 23 — — 
Benefit obligation at end of year604 531 70 64 
Change in plan assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year518 410   
Actual (loss) gain on plan assets56 79 — — 
Employer contributions34 32 
Benefits paid(18)(15)(4)(5)
Transfers in— — 
Foreign currency translation 22 10 — — 
Fair value of plan assets at end of year617 518   
Funded status at end of year$13 $(13)$(70)$(64)
Amounts recognized on the consolidated balance sheet consist of:
Noncurrent assets$28 $— $— $— 
Other liabilities, short-term— — (4)(3)
Other liabilities, long-term(15)(13)(66)(61)
$13 $(13)$(70)$(64)
Accumulated other comprehensive income consists of:
Net actuarial (gain) loss$12 $$$
Prior service credit(4)(5)
Balance at end of year$13 $8 $5 $(3)
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine end of year benefit obligations
Discount rate
Non-U.S. Plans0.70 %0.70 %**
Vocalink Plan1.55 %2.00 %**
Postretirement Plan**2.50 %3.25 %
Rate of compensation increase
Non-U.S. Plans1.50 %1.50 %**
Vocalink Plan2.75 %2.50 %**
Postretirement Plan**3.00 %3.00 %
* Not applicable
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan with Projected Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets Information on the Pension Plans were as follows as of December 31:
20202019
(in millions)
Projected benefit obligation$604 $531 
Accumulated benefit obligation601 524 
Fair value of plan assets617 518 
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)
Components of net periodic benefit cost recorded in earnings were as follows for the Plans for each of the years ended December 31:
Pension PlansPostretirement Plan
202020192018202020192018
(in millions)
Service cost$13 $11 $$$$
Interest cost13 12 
Expected return on plan assets(18)(18)(20)— — — 
Amortization of actuarial loss— — — — — 
Amortization of prior service credit— — — (1)(1)(2)
Net periodic benefit cost$4 $7 $1 $2 $2 $1 
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plan Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31 were as follows:
Pension PlansPostretirement Plan
202020192018202020192018
(in millions)
Current year actuarial loss (gain)$$12 $17 $$$(2)
Current year prior service credit — — — — — 
Amortization of prior service credit— — — 
Total other comprehensive loss (income)$5 $12 $18 $8 $10 $ 
Total net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss (income)$9 $19 $19 $10 $12 $1 
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost were as follows for the years ended December 31:
Pension PlansPostretirement Plan
202020192018202020192018
Discount rate
Non-U.S. Plans0.70 %1.80 %1.80 %***
Vocalink Plan1.55 %2.00 %2.80 %***
Postretirement Plan***3.25 %4.25 %3.50 %
Expected return on plan assets
Non-U.S. Plans1.60 %2.10 %3.00 %***
Vocalink Plan3.20 %3.75 %4.75 %***
Rate of compensation increase
Non-U.S. Plans1.50 %1.50 %2.60 %***
Vocalink Plan2.75 %2.50 %3.85 %***
Postretirement Plan***3.00 %3.00 %3.00 %
* Not applicable
Schedule of Health Care Cost Trend Rates
The following additional assumptions were used at December 31 in accounting for the Postretirement Plan:
20202019
Healthcare cost trend rate assumed for next year7.00 %6.00 %
Ultimate trend rate 5.00 %5.00 %
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate82
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets
The following tables set forth by level, within the Valuation Hierarchy, the Pension Plans’ assets at fair value:
December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Fair ValueQuoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Fair Value
(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents 1
$59 $— $— $59 $16 $— $— $16 
Mutual funds 2
270 117 — 387 153 193 — 346 
Insurance contracts 3
— 96 — 96 — 75 — 75 
Total$329 $213 $— $542 $169 $268 $— $437 
Investments at Net Asset Value (“NAV”) 4
75 81 
Total Plan Assets$617 $518 
1Cash and cash equivalents are valued at quoted market prices, which represent the net asset value of the shares held by the Plans.
2Certain mutual funds are valued at quoted market prices, which represent the value of the shares held by the Plans, and are therefore included in Level 1. Certain other mutual funds are valued at unit values provided by investment managers, which are based on the fair value of the underlying investments utilizing public information, independent external valuation from third-party services or third-party advisors, and are therefore included in Level 2.
3Insurance contracts are valued at unit values provided by investment managers, which are based on the fair value of the underlying investments utilizing public information, independent external valuation from third-party services or third-party advisors.
4Investments at NAV include mutual funds (comprised primarily of credit investments) and other investments (comprised primarily of real estate investments) and are valued using the net asset value provided by the administrator as a practical expedient, and therefore these investments are not included in the valuation hierarchy. These investments have quarterly redemption frequencies with redemption notice periods ranging from 60 to 90 days.
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments
The following table summarizes expected benefit payments (as of December 31, 2020) through 2030 for the Pension Plans and the Postretirement Plan, including those payments expected to be paid from the Company’s general assets. Actual benefit payments may differ from expected benefit payments.
Pension PlansPostretirement Plan
(in millions)
2021$19 $
202212 
202314 
202415 
202515 
2026 - 203077 20 
v3.20.4
Debt (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instruments [Abstract]  
Schedule of Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31:
20202019Effective
Interest Rate
(in millions)
2020 USD Notes3.300 %Senior Notes due March 2027$1,000 $— 3.420 %
3.350 %Senior Notes due March 20301,500 — 3.430 %
3.850 %Senior Notes due March 20501,500 — 3.896 %
2019 USD Notes2.950 %Senior Notes due June 20291,000 1,000 3.030 %
3.650 %Senior Notes due June 20491,000 1,000 3.689 %
2.000 %Senior Notes due March 2025750 750 2.147 %
2018 USD Notes3.500 %Senior Notes due February 2028500 500 3.598 %
3.950 %Senior Notes due February 2048500 500 3.990 %
2016 USD Notes2.000 %Senior Notes due November 2021650 650 2.236 %
2.950 %Senior Notes due November 2026750 750 3.044 %
3.800 %Senior Notes due November 2046600 600 3.893 %
2015 EUR Notes 1
1.100 %Senior Notes due December 2022859 785 1.265 %
2.100 %Senior Notes due December 2027982 896 2.189 %
2.500 %Senior Notes due December 2030184 169 2.562 %
2014 USD Notes3.375 %Senior Notes due April 20241,000 1,000 3.484 %
12,775 8,600 
Less: Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs(103)(73)
Total debt outstanding12,672 8,527 
Less: Current portion2
(649)— 
Long-term debt$12,023 $8,527 
1Relates to euro-denominated debt issuance of €1.650 billion in December 2015
2Relates to current portion of the 2016 USD Notes, due in November 2021, classified as current portion of long-term debt on the consolidated balance sheet
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt
Scheduled annual maturities of the principal portion of long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2020 are summarized below.
(in millions)
2021$650 
2022859 
2023— 
20241,000
2025750 
Thereafter9,516 
Total$12,775 
v3.20.4
Stockholders' Equity (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]  
Schedule of Classes of Capital Stock
Mastercard’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes the following classes of capital stock:
ClassPar Value Per ShareAuthorized Shares
(in millions)
Dividend and Voting Rights
A$0.00013,000 One vote per share
Dividend rights
B$0.00011,200 Non-voting
Dividend rights
Preferred$0.0001300 No shares issued or outstanding at December 31, 2020 and 2019. Dividend and voting rights are to be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company upon issuance.
Dividends Declared
The Company declared total per share dividends on its Class A and Class B Common Stock during the years ended December 31 as summarized below: 
202020192018
(in millions, except per share data)
Dividends declared per share $1.64 $1.39 $1.08 
Total dividends declared$1,641 $1,408 $1,120 
Schedule of Ownership and Governance Structure
Equity ownership and voting power of the Company’s shares were allocated as follows as of December 31:
20202019
Equity OwnershipGeneral Voting PowerEquity OwnershipGeneral Voting Power
Public Investors (Class A stockholders)88.2 %88.9 %87.8 %88.8 %
Principal or Affiliate Customers (Class B stockholders)0.8 %— %1.1 %— %
Mastercard Foundation (Class A stockholders)11.0 %11.1 %11.1 %11.2 %
Schedule of Share Repurchases and Authorizations
The following table summarizes the Company’s share repurchase authorizations of its Class A common stock through December 31, 2020, as well as historical purchases:
Board authorization datesDecember 2020December 2019December
2018
December
2017
December
2016
Date program became effectiveNot yet effectiveJanuary 2020January 2019March 2018April 2017Total
(in millions, except average price data)
Board authorization$6,000 $8,000 $6,500 $4,000 $4,000 $28,500 
Dollar-value of shares repurchased in 2018$— $— $— $3,699 $1,234 $4,933 
Remaining authorization at December 31, 2018$— $— $6,500 $301 $— $6,801 
Dollar-value of shares repurchased in 2019$— $— $6,196 $301 $— $6,497 
Remaining authorization at December 31, 2019$— $8,000 $304 $— $— $8,304 
Dollar-value of shares repurchased in 2020$— $4,169 $304 $— $— $4,473 
Remaining authorization at December 31, 2020$6,000 $3,831 $— $— $— $9,831 
Shares repurchased in 2018— — — 19.0 7.2 26.2 
Average price paid per share in 2018$— $— $— $194.77 $171.11 $188.26 
Shares repurchased in 2019— — 24.8 1.6 — 26.4 
Average price paid per share in 2019$— $— $249.58 $188.38 $— $245.89 
Shares repurchased in 2020— 13.3 1.0 — — 14.3 
Average price paid per share in 2020$— $313.26 $304.89 $— $— $312.68 
Cumulative shares repurchased through December 31, 2020— 13.3 25.8 20.6 28.2 87.9 
Cumulative average price paid per share$— $313.26 $251.72 $194.27 $141.99 $212.41 
Schedule of Changes in Common Stock Outstanding
The following table presents the changes in the Company’s outstanding Class A and Class B common stock for the years ended December 31:
 Outstanding Shares
 Class AClass B
(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 20171,039.7 14.1 
Purchases of treasury stock(26.2)— 
Share-based payments2.8 — 
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock2.3 (2.3)
Balance at December 31, 20181,018.6 11.8 
Purchases of treasury stock(26.4)— 
Share-based payments3.2 — 
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock0.6 (0.6)
Balance at December 31, 2019996.0 11.2 
Purchases of treasury stock(14.3)— 
Share-based payments2.3 — 
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock2.9 (2.9)
Balance at December 31, 2020986.9 8.3 
v3.20.4
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]  
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:
December 31, 2019Increase / (Decrease)ReclassificationsDecember 31, 2020
(in millions)
Foreign currency translation adjustments1
$(638)$286 $— $(352)
Translation adjustments on net investment hedge2
(38)(137)— (175)
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate contracts3
11 (147)(133)
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans4
(9)(10)(1)(20)
Investment securities available-for-sale(1)— — 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)$(673)$(9)$$(680)

December 31, 2018Increase / (Decrease)ReclassificationsDecember 31, 2019
(in millions)
Foreign currency translation adjustments1
$(661)$23 $— $(638)
Translation adjustments on net investment hedge2
(66)28 — (38)
Cash flow hedges
Interest rate contracts3
— 11 — 11 
Defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans4
10 (17)(2)(9)
Investment securities available-for-sale(1)— 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)$(718)$47 $(2)$(673)
1.During 2020, the decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive loss related to foreign currency translation adjustments was driven primarily by the appreciation of the Euro and British pound partially offset by the depreciation of the Brazilian real. During 2019, the decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive loss related to foreign currency translation adjustments was driven primarily by the appreciation of the British pound partially offset by the depreciation of the euro.
2.The Company uses foreign currency denominated debt to hedge a portion of its net investment in foreign operations against adverse movements in exchange rates. Changes in the value of the debt are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). During 2020, the increase in the accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the net investment hedge was driven by the appreciation of the euro. During 2019, the decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the net investment hedge was driven by the depreciation of the euro. See Note 23 (Derivative and Hedging Instruments) for additional information.
3.In 2019, the Company entered into treasury rate locks which are accounted for as cash flow hedges. In the first quarter of 2020, in connection with the issuance of the 2020 USD Notes, these contracts were settled for a loss of $175 million, or $136 million net of tax, recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The cumulative loss will be reclassified as an adjustment to interest expense over the respective terms of the 2020 USD Notes. See Note 23 (Derivative and Hedging Instruments) for additional information.
4.During 2020, the increase in the accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the Company’s Plans was driven primarily by an actuarial loss within the Postretirement Plan. During 2019, the decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive gain related to the Company’s Plans was primarily driven by actuarial losses within the Vocalink and non-U.S. Plans. See Note 14 (Pension, Postretirement and Savings Plans) for additional information.
v3.20.4
Share-Based Payments (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Additional Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in the Valuation of Stock Option Awards The following table presents the weighted-average assumptions used in the valuation and the resulting weighted-average fair value per option granted for the years ended December 31:
202020192018
Risk-free rate of return1.0 %2.6 %2.7 %
Expected term (in years)6.006.006.00
Expected volatility19.3 %19.6 %19.7 %
Expected dividend yield0.6 %0.6 %0.6 %
Weighted-average fair value per Option granted$80.92 $53.09 $40.90 
Summary of Stock Option Activity
The following table summarizes the Company’s option activity for the year ended December 31, 2020:
OptionsWeighted-Average Exercise PriceWeighted-Average Remaining Contractual TermAggregate Intrinsic Value
(in millions)(in years)(in millions)
Outstanding at January 1, 20206.6 $117 
Granted0.4 $263 
Exercised(1.3)$75 
Forfeited/expired— $229 
Outstanding at December 31, 20205.7 $137 6.0$1,259 
Exercisable at December 31, 20203.8 $106 5.1$962 
Options vested and expected to vest at December 31, 20205.7 $137 6.0$1,257 
Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity
The following table summarizes the Company’s RSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2020:
UnitsWeighted-Average Grant-Date Fair ValueAggregate Intrinsic Value
(in millions)(in millions)
Outstanding at January 1, 20202.9 $166 
Granted0.9 $288 
Converted(1.2)$116 
Forfeited(0.1)$218 
Outstanding at December 31, 20202.5 $231 $898 
RSUs expected to vest at December 31, 20202.4 $230 $861 
Summary of Performance Stock Unit Activity
The following table summarizes the Company’s PSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2020:
UnitsWeighted-Average
Grant-Date Fair Value
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
(in millions)(in millions)
Outstanding at January 1, 20200.5 $167 
Granted0.2 $291 
Converted(0.3)$126 
Outstanding at December 31, 20200.4 $259 $148 
PSUs expected to vest at December 31, 20200.4 $259 $148 
Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan
The following table includes additional share-based payment information for each of the years ended December 31:
202020192018
(in millions, except weighted-average fair value)
Share-based compensation expense: Options, RSUs and PSUs$254 $250 $196 
Income tax benefit recognized for equity awards53 53 41 
Income tax benefit realized related to Options exercised68 69 53 
Options:
Total intrinsic value of Options exercised317 317 242 
RSUs:
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of awards granted 288 226 171 
Total intrinsic value of RSUs converted into shares of Class A common stock330 394 194 
PSUs:
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of awards granted291 231 226 
Total intrinsic value of PSUs converted into shares of Class A common stock92 85 40 
v3.20.4
Commitments (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Future Minimum Payments Due Under Non-Cancelable Agreements
At December 31, 2020, the Company had the following future minimum payments due under noncancelable agreements, primarily related to sponsorships to promote the Mastercard brand and licensing arrangements and a commitment to purchase the remaining shares of a majority-owned joint venture. The Company has accrued $22 million of these future payments as of December 31, 2020.
(in millions)
2021$573 
2022255 
2023117 
202478 
2025
Thereafter— 
Total$1,024 
v3.20.4
Income Taxes (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Domestic and Foreign Income Before Income Taxes
The domestic and foreign components of income before income taxes for the years ended December 31 are as follows:
202020192018
(in millions)
United States$3,304 $4,213 $3,510 
Foreign4,456 5,518 3,694 
Income before income taxes$7,760 $9,731 $7,204 
Components of Income Tax Provision
The total income tax provision for the years ended December 31 is comprised of the following components:
202020192018
(in millions)
Current
Federal$439 $642 $649 
State and local56 81 69 
Foreign781 897 871 
1,276 1,620 1,589 
Deferred
Federal106 40 (228)
State and local— (11)
Foreign(42)(47)(5)
73 (7)(244)
Income tax expense$1,349 $1,613 $1,345 
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation
A reconciliation of the effective income tax rate to the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate for the years ended December 31, is as follows:
202020192018
AmountPercentAmountPercentAmountPercent
(in millions, except percentages)
Income before income taxes$7,760 $9,731 $7,204 
Federal statutory tax1,630 21.0 %2,044 21.0 %1,513 21.0 %
State tax effect, net of federal benefit57 0.7 %65 0.7 %46 0.6 %
Foreign tax effect(193)(2.5)%(208)(2.1)%(92)(1.3)%
European Commission fine— — %— — %194 2.7 %
Foreign tax credits1
— — %(32)(0.3)%(110)(1.5)%
Windfall benefit(119)(1.5)%(129)(1.3)%(72)(1.0)%
Other, net(26)(0.3)%(127)(1.4)%(134)(1.8)%
Income tax expense$1,349 17.4 %$1,613 16.6 %$1,345 18.7 %
1Included within the impact of the foreign tax credits is $27 million for 2019 and $90 million for 2018 of tax benefits relating to the carryback of certain foreign tax credits.
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31 are as follows:
20202019
(in millions)
Deferred Tax Assets
Accrued liabilities$324 $354 
Compensation and benefits218 214 
State taxes and other credits47 41 
Net operating and capital losses147 119 
Unrealized gain/loss - 2015 EUR Notes58 20 
U.S. foreign tax credits276 145 
Intangible assets182 157 
Other items142 74 
Less: Valuation allowance(353)(205)
Total Deferred Tax Assets1,041 919 
Deferred Tax Liabilities
Prepaid expenses and other accruals78 83 
Goodwill and intangible assets216 187 
Property, plant and equipment183 128 
Previously taxed earnings and profits61 — 
Other items98 63 
Total Deferred Tax Liabilities636 461 
Net Deferred Tax Assets $405 $458 
Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Tax Benefits
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance for the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, is as follows:
202020192018
(in millions)
Beginning balance$203 $164 $183 
Additions:
Current year tax positions19 22 23 
Prior year tax positions192 37 
Reductions:
Prior year tax positions(10)(11)(17)
Settlements with tax authorities(12)(2)(18)
Expired statute of limitations(4)(7)(12)
Ending balance$388 $203 $164 
v3.20.4
Settlement and Other Risk Management (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Settlement and Other Risk Management [Abstract]  
Estimated Settlement Exposure and Portion of Uncollateralized Settlement Exposure for MasterCard-Branded Transactions
The Company’s estimated settlement exposure was as follows at December 31:
20202019
(in millions)
Gross settlement exposure$52,360 $55,800 
Collateral applied to settlement exposure(6,021)(4,772)
Net uncollateralized settlement exposure$46,339 $51,028 
v3.20.4
Derivative and Hedging Instruments (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Foreign Currency Derivatives [Abstract]  
Derivative contract summary
The Company’s derivative contracts are summarized below:
 December 31, 2020December 31, 2019
 NotionalFair
Value
NotionalFair
Value
 (in millions)
Commitments to purchase foreign currency$389 $17 $185 $
Commitments to sell foreign currency1,110 (26)1,506 (25)
Options to sell foreign currency— — 21 
Balance sheet location
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1
$19 $12 
Other current liabilities 1
(28)(32)
1The derivative contracts are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements, which contain various netting and setoff provisions.
Gain (loss) recognized in income for the contracts to purchase and sell foreign currency summary
The amount of gain (loss) recognized on the consolidated statement of operations for the contracts to purchase and sell foreign currency is summarized below:
 Year Ended December 31,
 202020192018
 (in millions)
Foreign exchange derivative contracts
General and administrative$40 $(39)$53 
v3.20.4
Segment Reporting Schedule of Property Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographic Region (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment, Net by Geographical Location
The following table reflects the geographical location of the Company’s property, equipment and right-of-use assets, net, as of December 31:
202020192018
(in millions)
United States$1,185 $1,147 $613 
Other countries717 681 308 
Total$1,902 $1,828 $921 
v3.20.4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Narrative (Details)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Buildings  
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets [Abstract]  
Estimated Useful Life 30 years
Minimum  
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage 20.00%
Minimum | Building equipment  
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets [Abstract]  
Estimated Useful Life 10 years
Minimum | Furniture and fixtures and equipment  
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets [Abstract]  
Estimated Useful Life 3 years
Maximum  
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage 50.00%
Historical Cost Method Ownership Percentage 20.00%
Maximum | Consolidated entities in which Company has less than 100% interest  
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent 100.00%
Maximum | Building equipment  
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets [Abstract]  
Estimated Useful Life 15 years
Maximum | Furniture and fixtures and equipment  
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets [Abstract]  
Estimated Useful Life 5 years
Other | Minimum  
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Estimated Useful Life 1 year
Other | Maximum  
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Estimated Useful Life 20 years
Partnership | Minimum  
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage 5.00%
Partnership | Maximum  
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Historical Cost Method Ownership Percentage 5.00%
v3.20.4
Acquisitions Narrative (Details)
€ in Millions, $ in Millions
1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 17 Months Ended
Nov. 18, 2020
USD ($)
Aug. 31, 2019
EUR (€)
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]            
Total consideration, representing both cash and contingent consideration     $ 1,100 $ 1,500    
Goodwill     4,960 4,021 $ 4,960 $ 2,904
2020 Acquisitions            
Business Acquisition [Line Items]            
Finalization of purchase accounting for acquisitions     185      
Cash and cash equivalents     6   6  
Other current assets     14   14  
Other intangible assets     237   237  
Goodwill     844   844  
Other assets     11   11  
Total assets     1,112   1,112  
Other current liabilities     15   15  
Deferred income taxes     23   23  
Other liabilities     8   8  
Total liabilities     46   46  
Total fair value of businesses acquired     $ 1,066   1,066  
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life     9 years      
2019 Acquisitions            
Business Acquisition [Line Items]            
Cash and cash equivalents       54    
Other current assets       143    
Other intangible assets       395    
Goodwill       1,076    
Other assets       48    
Total assets       1,716    
Other current liabilities       121    
Deferred income taxes       52    
Other liabilities       32    
Total liabilities       205    
Total fair value of businesses acquired       $ 1,511    
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life       9 years 8 months 12 days    
Finicity Corporation (“Finicity”)            
Business Acquisition [Line Items]            
Total consideration, representing both cash and contingent consideration $ 809          
Interests acquired (percent) 100.00%          
Contingent consideration $ 71   $ 160   160  
Nets Denmark A/S, Corporate Services            
Business Acquisition [Line Items]            
Definitive agreements to acquire business   € 2,850     3,500  
Developed technologies | 2020 Acquisitions            
Business Acquisition [Line Items]            
Other intangible assets     $ 122   122  
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life     6 years 3 months 18 days      
Developed technologies | 2019 Acquisitions            
Business Acquisition [Line Items]            
Other intangible assets       $ 199    
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life       7 years 8 months 12 days    
Customer relationships | 2020 Acquisitions            
Business Acquisition [Line Items]            
Other intangible assets     $ 114   114  
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life     12 years      
Customer relationships | 2019 Acquisitions            
Business Acquisition [Line Items]            
Other intangible assets       $ 178    
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life       12 years 7 months 6 days    
Other | 2020 Acquisitions            
Business Acquisition [Line Items]            
Other intangible assets     $ 1   $ 1  
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life     1 year      
Other | 2019 Acquisitions            
Business Acquisition [Line Items]            
Other intangible assets       $ 18    
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life       5 years    
v3.20.4
Revenue (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Gross revenue $ 23,616 $ 24,980 $ 21,831
Revenue, Rebates And Incentives (8,315) (8,097) (6,881)
Net revenue 15,301 16,883 14,950
North American Markets      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Net revenue 5,424 5,843 5,312
International Markets      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Net revenue 9,701 10,869 9,514
Other      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Net revenue 176 171 124
Domestic assessments      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Gross revenue 6,656 6,781 6,138
Cross-border volume fees      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Gross revenue 3,512 5,606 4,954
Transaction processing      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Gross revenue 8,731 8,469 7,391
Other revenues      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Gross revenue $ 4,717 $ 4,124 $ 3,348
v3.20.4
Revenue Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Revenue recognized on performance obligations $ 1,100 $ 994 $ 904
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount 1,300    
Accounts Receivable      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Contract assets 2,500 2,300  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Contract assets 59 48  
Other Assets      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Contract assets 245 152  
Other Current Liabilities      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Deferred revenue 355 238  
Other liabilities      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Deferred revenue $ 143 $ 106  
v3.20.4
Revenue Narrative - Remaining Performance Obligation Narrative (Details)
$ in Billions
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount $ 1.3
Network Services | Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-01-01  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period 10 years
v3.20.4
Earnings Per Share Schedule of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Numerator:      
Net income $ 6,411 $ 8,118 $ 5,859
Denominator:      
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding 1,002 1,017 1,041
Dilutive stock options and stock units 4 5 6
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding 1,006 1,022 1,047
Earnings per Share      
Basic $ 6.40 $ 7.98 $ 5.63
Diluted $ 6.37 $ 7.94 $ 5.60
v3.20.4
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents [Abstract]        
Cash and cash equivalents $ 10,113 $ 6,988    
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]        
Cash and cash equivalents 10,113 6,988    
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents 12,419 8,969 $ 8,337 $ 7,592
Restricted cash for litigation settlement        
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]        
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents 586 584    
Restricted security deposits held for customers        
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]        
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents 1,696 1,370    
Prepaid expenses and other current assets        
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]        
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents $ 24 $ 27    
v3.20.4
Supplemental Cash Flows (Non-Cash Investing and Financing Information) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]      
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds $ 1,349 $ 1,644 $ 1,790
Cash paid for interest 311 199 153
Cash paid for legal settlements 149 668 260
Dividends declared but not yet paid 439 403 340
Accrued property, equipment and right-of-use assets 154 468 10
Fair value of assets acquired, net of cash acquired 1,106 1,662 0
Fair value of liabilities assumed related to acquisitions $ 46 $ 205 $ 0
v3.20.4
Investments - Investments (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]    
Available-for-sale securities $ 321 $ 591
Held-to-maturity securities 162 97
Investments $ 483 $ 688
v3.20.4
Investments - Available-for-Sale Investment Securities, Unrealized Gains and Losses (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Investment Identifier [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost $ 320 $ 589
Gross Unrealized Gain 1 2
Gross Unrealized Loss 0 0
Fair Value 321 591
Municipal securities    
Investment Identifier [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost 10 15
Gross Unrealized Gain 0 0
Gross Unrealized Loss 0 0
Fair Value 10 15
Government and agency securities    
Investment Identifier [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost 64 108
Gross Unrealized Gain 0 0
Gross Unrealized Loss 0 0
Fair Value 64 108
Corporate securities    
Investment Identifier [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost 246 381
Gross Unrealized Gain 1 1
Gross Unrealized Loss 0 0
Fair Value 247 382
Asset-backed securities    
Investment Identifier [Line Items]    
Amortized Cost 0 85
Gross Unrealized Gain 0 1
Gross Unrealized Loss 0 0
Fair Value $ 0 $ 86
v3.20.4
Investments - Maturity Distribution Based on Contractual Terms of Investment Securities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Available-For-Sale Amortized Cost    
Due within 1 year $ 115  
Due after 1 year through 5 years 205  
Total 320  
Available-For-Sale Fair Value    
Due within 1 year 115  
Due after 1 year through 5 years 206  
Total $ 321 $ 591
v3.20.4
Investments - Equity Investments (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Increase (Decrease) In Equity Investments [Roll Forward]    
Marketable securities, beginning balance $ 479  
Marketable securities, Purchases (Sales), Net 1  
Marketable securities, Changes in Fair Value (5)  
Marketable Securities, Other Changes 1  
Marketable securities, ending balance 476  
Nonmarketable securities, beginning balance 435  
Nonmarketable Securities, Purchases (Sales), Net 204  
Nonmarketable securities, Changes in Fair Value 35  
Non-marketable securities, Other 22  
Nonmarketable securities, ending balance 696  
Total equity investments, beginning balance 914  
Total equity investments, Purchases (Sales), net 205  
Total equity investments, Other 23  
Total equity investments, Changes in Fair Value 30  
Total equity investments, ending balance 1,172  
Alternative Investment 157 $ 317
Alternative Investment, Equity Method Investment 539 $ 118
Downwards adjustment on measurement alternative investments (14)  
Upwards adjustment on measurement alternative investments $ 86  
v3.20.4
Fair Value Measurements - Distribution of Financial Instruments, Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Deferred compensation assets $ 78 $ 67
Foreign exchange derivative liabilities (28) (32)
Deferred compensation liabilities (81) (67)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Deferred compensation assets 78 67
Foreign exchange derivative liabilities 0 0
Deferred compensation liabilities (81) (67)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Deferred compensation assets 0 0
Foreign exchange derivative liabilities (28) (32)
Deferred compensation liabilities 0 0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Deferred compensation assets 0 0
Foreign exchange derivative liabilities 0 0
Deferred compensation liabilities 0 0
Municipal securities    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 10 15
Municipal securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 0 0
Municipal securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 10 15
Municipal securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 0 0
Government and agency securities    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 64 108
Government and agency securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 26 66
Government and agency securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 38 42
Government and agency securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 0 0
Corporate securities    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 247 382
Corporate securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 0 0
Corporate securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 247 382
Corporate securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 0 0
Asset-backed securities    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 0 86
Asset-backed securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 0 0
Asset-backed securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 0 86
Asset-backed securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 0 0
Equity securities    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 476 479
Equity securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 476 479
Equity securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 0 0
Equity securities | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Investment securities available for sale 0 0
Foreign exchange contracts    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Foreign exchange contracts 19 12
Foreign exchange contracts | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Foreign exchange contracts 0 0
Foreign exchange contracts | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Foreign exchange contracts 19 12
Foreign exchange contracts | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Foreign exchange contracts 0 0
Interest rate contracts    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Foreign exchange contracts 0 14
Interest rate contracts | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Foreign exchange contracts 0 0
Interest rate contracts | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Foreign exchange contracts 0 14
Interest rate contracts | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3    
Fair Value, Option, Quantitative Disclosures [Line Items]    
Foreign exchange contracts $ 0 $ 0
v3.20.4
Fair Value Measurements - Narrative Fair Value (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Total debt outstanding $ 12,672 $ 8,527
Fair Value    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]    
Long-term debt, fair value $ 14,800 $ 9,200
v3.20.4
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets Schedule of Prepaid Expenses (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets [Abstract]    
Customer and merchant incentives $ 1,086 $ 872
Prepaid income taxes 78 105
Other 719 786
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 1,883 $ 1,763
v3.20.4
Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets Schedule of Other Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets [Abstract]    
Customer and merchant incentives $ 3,220 $ 2,838
Equity investments 1,172 914
Income taxes receivable 553 460
Other 420 313
Total other assets $ 5,365 $ 4,525
v3.20.4
Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets [Line Items]      
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets $ 3,292 $ 2,928  
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization (1,390) (1,100)  
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets, net 1,902 1,828 $ 921
Building, building equipment and land      
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets [Line Items]      
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets 522 505  
Equipment      
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets [Line Items]      
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets 1,321 1,218  
Furniture and fixtures      
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets [Line Items]      
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets 99 92  
Leasehold improvements      
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets [Line Items]      
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets 380 303  
Operating lease right-of-use assets      
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets [Line Items]      
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets $ 970 $ 810  
v3.20.4
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets [Line Items]      
Depreciation expense including amortization for capital leases $ 400 $ 336 $ 209
Operating lease amortization expense $ 123 $ 99  
Weighted-average remaining lease term of operating lease 9 years 1 month 6 days 9 years 6 months  
Weighted-average discount rate for operating leases 2.70% 2.90%  
Lease office space rental expense     94
Lease expense     $ 20
v3.20.4
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets - Operating Right-of-Use Assets and Operating Lease Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]    
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets, net $ 748 $ 711
Other current liabilities 125 106
Other liabilities $ 726 $ 656
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] us-gaap:AssetsAbstract us-gaap:AssetsAbstract
Operating Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesCurrent us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List] us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
v3.20.4
Property, Equipment and Right-of-Use Assets - Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities (Details)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Operating Leases after Adoption of ASC Topic 842:  
2021 $ 137
2022 130
2023 108
2024 95
2025 72
Thereafter 383
Total operating lease payments 925
Less: Interest (74)
Present value of operating lease liabilities $ 851
v3.20.4
Change in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Beginning balance $ 4,021 $ 2,904
Additions 844 1,076
Foreign currency translation 95 41
Ending balance $ 4,960 $ 4,021
v3.20.4
Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Gross Carrying Amount $ 3,063 $ 2,549
Accumulated Amortization (1,489) (1,296)
Net Carrying Amount 1,574 1,253
Unamortized intangible assets:    
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill) 3,242 2,713
Accumulated Amortization (1,489) (1,296)
Net Carrying Amount 1,753 1,417
Capitalized software    
Gross Carrying Amount 2,276 1,884
Accumulated Amortization (1,126) (988)
Net Carrying Amount 1,150 896
Customer relationships    
Gross Carrying Amount 743 621
Accumulated Amortization (322) (264)
Net Carrying Amount 421 357
Unamortized intangible assets:    
Customer relationships 179 164
Other    
Gross Carrying Amount 44 44
Accumulated Amortization (41) (44)
Net Carrying Amount $ 3 $ 0
v3.20.4
Other Intangible Assets (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]      
Amortization expense on intangible assets $ 303 $ 285 $ 250
v3.20.4
Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Estimated Future Amortization Expense) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]    
2021 $ 332  
2022 260  
2023 211  
2024 194  
2025 and thereafter 577  
Net Carrying Amount $ 1,574 $ 1,253
v3.20.4
Accrued Expenses and Accrued Litigation (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]    
Customer and merchant incentives $ 3,998 $ 3,892
Personnel costs 727 713
Income and other taxes 208 332
Other 497 552
Total accrued expenses $ 5,430 $ 5,489
v3.20.4
Accrued Expenses and Accrued Litigation Accrued Expenses and Accrued Litigation (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]    
Accrued litigation $ 842 $ 914
v3.20.4
Pension, Postretirement and Savings Plans Narrative (Details)
£ in Millions, $ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2020
GBP (£)
Total expense related to defined contribution plans $ 150 $ 127 $ 98  
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Projected benefit obligation increase (decrease) $ 73 $ 93    
Healthcare cost trend rate assumed for next year 7.00% 6.00%   7.00%
Ultimate trend rate 5.00% 5.00%   5.00%
Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate 8 years 2 years    
Plan assets at fair value $ 542 $ 437    
2021 19      
2022 12      
2023 14      
2024 15      
2025 15      
2026 - 2030 77      
Cash and cash equivalents        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Plan assets at fair value 59 16    
Mutual funds        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Plan assets at fair value 387 346    
Insurance contracts        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Plan assets at fair value 96 75    
Other Postretirement Benefits Plan        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]        
Benefit Obligation, beginning 64 57    
Service cost 1 1 1  
Interest cost 2 2 2  
Actuarial (gain) loss 7 9    
Benefits paid (4) (5)    
Transfers in 0 0    
Foreign currency translation 0 0    
Benefit Obligation, ending 70 64 57  
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Actual (loss) gain on plan assets 0 0    
Employer contributions 4 5    
Benefits paid (4) (5)    
Transfers in 0 0    
Foreign currency translation 0 0    
Funded status at end of year (70) (64)    
Noncurrent assets 0 0    
Other liabilities, short-term (4) (3)    
Other liabilities, long-term (66) (61)    
Total amounts recognized on the consolidated balance sheet (70) (64)    
Net actuarial (gain) loss 9 2    
Prior service credit (4) (5)    
Balance at end of year $ 5 $ (3)    
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine end of year benefit obligations, Discount Rate 2.50% 3.25%   2.50%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine end of year benefit obligations, rate of compensation increase 3.00% 3.00%   3.00%
Expected return on plan assets $ 0 $ 0 0  
Amortization of actuarial loss 0 0 0  
Amortization of prior service credit (1) (1) (2)  
Net periodic benefit cost 2 2 1  
Current year actuarial loss (gain) 7 9 (2)  
Current year prior service credit 0 0 0  
Amortization of prior service credit 1 1 2  
Total other comprehensive loss (income) 8 10 0  
Total net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss (income) $ 10 $ 12 $ 1  
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine end of year net periodic benefit, Discount rate 3.25% 4.25% 3.50%  
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine end of year net periodic benefit, Rate of compensation increase 3.00% 3.00% 3.00%  
Plan assets at fair value $ 0 $ 0 $ 0  
2021 4      
2022 4      
2023 4      
2024 4      
2025 4      
2026 - 2030 20      
Pension Plan        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]        
Benefit Obligation, beginning 531 438    
Service cost 13 11 9  
Interest cost 9 13 12  
Actuarial (gain) loss 43 73    
Benefits paid (18) (15)    
Transfers in 3 2    
Foreign currency translation 23 9    
Benefit Obligation, ending 604 531 438  
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Actual (loss) gain on plan assets 56 79    
Employer contributions 34 32    
Benefits paid (18) (15)    
Transfers in 5 2    
Foreign currency translation 22 10    
Funded status at end of year 13 (13)    
Noncurrent assets 28 0    
Other liabilities, short-term 0 0    
Other liabilities, long-term (15) (13)    
Total amounts recognized on the consolidated balance sheet 13 (13)    
Net actuarial (gain) loss 12 7    
Prior service credit 1 1    
Balance at end of year 13 8    
Projected benefit obligation 604 531    
Accumulated benefit obligation 601 524    
Fair value of plan assets 617 518    
Expected return on plan assets (18) (18) (20)  
Amortization of actuarial loss 0 1 0  
Amortization of prior service credit 0 0 0  
Net periodic benefit cost 4 7 1  
Current year actuarial loss (gain) 5 12 17  
Current year prior service credit 0 0 1  
Amortization of prior service credit 0 0 0  
Total other comprehensive loss (income) 5 12 18  
Total net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss (income) 9 $ 19 19  
Plan assets at fair value $ 617   $ 410  
Pension Plan | Foreign Plan [Member]        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine end of year benefit obligations, Discount Rate 0.70% 0.70%   0.70%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine end of year benefit obligations, rate of compensation increase 1.50% 1.50%   1.50%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine end of year net periodic benefit, Discount rate 0.70% 1.80% 1.80%  
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine end of year net periodic benefit, Expected return on plan assets 1.60% 2.10% 3.00%  
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine end of year net periodic benefit, Rate of compensation increase 1.50% 1.50% 2.60%  
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Plan assets at fair value $ 329 $ 169    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Cash and cash equivalents        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Plan assets at fair value 59 16    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Mutual funds        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Plan assets at fair value 270 153    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 | Insurance contracts        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Plan assets at fair value 0 0    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Plan assets at fair value 213 268    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Cash and cash equivalents        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Plan assets at fair value 0 0    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Mutual funds        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Plan assets at fair value 117 193    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 | Insurance contracts        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Plan assets at fair value 96 75    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Plan assets at fair value 0 0    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Cash and cash equivalents        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Plan assets at fair value 0 0    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Mutual funds        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Plan assets at fair value 0 0    
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 | Insurance contracts        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Plan assets at fair value 0 0    
Investments at Net Asset Value (NAV)        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Total Plan Assets 617 $ 518    
Vocalink Plan        
Expected future employer contributions $ 20     £ 15
Vocalink Plan | Non-government fixed income        
Plan assets, target allocation (percent) 35.00%     35.00%
Vocalink Plan | Cash and cash equivalents        
Plan assets, target allocation (percent) 12.00%     12.00%
Vocalink Plan | Government and agency securities        
Plan assets, target allocation (percent) 23.00%     23.00%
Vocalink Plan | Other        
Plan assets, target allocation (percent) 8.00%     8.00%
Vocalink Plan | Equity Securities        
Plan assets, target allocation (percent) 22.00%     22.00%
Vocalink Plan | Pension Plan        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine end of year benefit obligations, Discount Rate 1.55% 2.00%   1.55%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine end of year benefit obligations, rate of compensation increase 2.75% 2.50%   2.75%
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine end of year net periodic benefit, Discount rate 1.55% 2.00% 2.80%  
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine end of year net periodic benefit, Expected return on plan assets 3.20% 3.75% 4.75%  
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine end of year net periodic benefit, Rate of compensation increase 2.75% 2.50% 3.85%  
Pension Plans with Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets | Pension Plan        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Projected benefit obligation $ 112      
Accumulated benefit obligation 111      
Fair value of plan assets 97      
Mutual funds | Investments at Net Asset Value (NAV)        
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]        
Alternative Investment $ 75 $ 81    
v3.20.4
Debt (Details)
1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Nov. 14, 2019
USD ($)
May 31, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
EUR (€)
Aggregate principal amount   $ 8,600,000,000   $ 12,775,000,000      
Less: Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs   (73,000,000)   (103,000,000)      
Total debt outstanding   8,527,000,000   12,672,000,000      
Current portion of long-term debt   0   (649,000,000)      
Long-term debt   8,527,000,000   12,023,000,000      
2021       650,000,000      
2022       859,000,000      
2023       0      
2024       1,000,000,000      
2025       750,000,000      
Thereafter       9,516,000,000      
Total   8,600,000,000   12,775,000,000      
Commercial Paper Program       6,000,000,000 $ 4,500,000,000    
Revolving Credit Facility              
Credit Facility       $ 6,000,000,000      
Senior Notes              
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt $ 3,959,000,000            
Senior Notes | 2015 issued Euro Notes maturing in 2027              
Debt instrument stated rate (percent)       3.30%      
Aggregate principal amount   0   $ 1,000,000,000      
Debt issued 1,000,000,000            
Effective interest rate (percent)       3.42%      
Total   0   $ 1,000,000,000      
Senior Notes | 2015 issued Euro Notes maturing in 2030              
Debt instrument stated rate (percent)       3.35%      
Aggregate principal amount   0   $ 1,500,000,000      
Debt issued 1,500,000,000            
Effective interest rate (percent)       3.43%      
Total   0   $ 1,500,000,000      
Senior Notes | Senior Notes due March 2050              
Debt instrument stated rate (percent)       3.85%      
Aggregate principal amount   0   $ 1,500,000,000      
Debt issued $ 1,500,000,000            
Effective interest rate (percent)       3.896%      
Total   0   $ 1,500,000,000      
Senior Notes | Senior Notes due June 2029              
Debt instrument stated rate (percent)       2.95%      
Aggregate principal amount   1,000,000,000   $ 1,000,000,000      
Debt issued           $ 1,000,000,000  
Effective interest rate (percent)       3.03%      
Total   1,000,000,000   $ 1,000,000,000      
Senior Notes | Senior Notes due June 2049              
Debt instrument stated rate (percent)       3.65%      
Aggregate principal amount   1,000,000,000   $ 1,000,000,000      
Debt issued           $ 1,000,000,000  
Effective interest rate (percent)       3.689%      
Total   1,000,000,000   $ 1,000,000,000      
Senior Notes | Senior Notes due March 2025              
Debt instrument stated rate (percent)       2.00%      
Aggregate principal amount   750,000,000   $ 750,000,000      
Debt issued   750,000,000          
Effective interest rate (percent)       2.147%      
Total   750,000,000   $ 750,000,000      
Senior Notes | Senior Notes due February 2028              
Debt instrument stated rate (percent)       3.50%      
Aggregate principal amount   500,000,000   $ 500,000,000      
Effective interest rate (percent)       3.598%      
Total   500,000,000   $ 500,000,000      
Senior Notes | Senior Notes due February 2048              
Debt instrument stated rate (percent)       3.95%      
Aggregate principal amount   500,000,000   $ 500,000,000      
Effective interest rate (percent)       3.99%      
Total   500,000,000   $ 500,000,000      
Senior Notes | 2016 issued USD Notes maturing in 2021              
Debt instrument stated rate (percent)       2.00%      
Aggregate principal amount   650,000,000   $ 650,000,000      
Effective interest rate (percent)       2.236%      
Total   650,000,000   $ 650,000,000      
Senior Notes | 2016 issued USD Notes maturing in 2026              
Debt instrument stated rate (percent)       2.95%      
Aggregate principal amount   750,000,000   $ 750,000,000      
Effective interest rate (percent)       3.044%      
Total   750,000,000   $ 750,000,000      
Senior Notes | 2016 issued USD Notes maturing in 2046              
Debt instrument stated rate (percent)       3.80%      
Aggregate principal amount   600,000,000   $ 600,000,000      
Effective interest rate (percent)       3.893%      
Total   600,000,000   $ 600,000,000      
Senior Notes | 2015 issued Euro Notes maturing in 2022              
Debt instrument stated rate (percent)       1.10%      
Aggregate principal amount   785,000,000   $ 859,000,000      
Debt issued | €             € 1,650,000,000
Effective interest rate (percent)       1.265%      
Total   785,000,000   $ 859,000,000      
Senior Notes | Senior Notes due December 2027              
Debt instrument stated rate (percent)       2.10%      
Aggregate principal amount   896,000,000   $ 982,000,000      
Effective interest rate (percent)       2.189%      
Total   896,000,000   $ 982,000,000      
Senior Notes | Senior Notes due December 2030              
Debt instrument stated rate (percent)       2.50%      
Aggregate principal amount   169,000,000   $ 184,000,000      
Effective interest rate (percent)       2.562%      
Total   169,000,000   $ 184,000,000      
Senior Notes | 2014 issued USD Notes maturing in 2024              
Debt instrument stated rate (percent)       3.375%      
Aggregate principal amount   1,000,000,000   $ 1,000,000,000      
Effective interest rate (percent)       3.484%      
Total   1,000,000,000   $ 1,000,000,000      
Senior Notes | 2018 USD Notes              
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt     $ 991,000,000        
Senior Notes | 2019 USD Notes [Member]              
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt   $ 2,724,000,000          
v3.20.4
Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) - Mastercard Foundation
shares in Millions
5 Months Ended
May 31, 2006
shares
Required Disbursement by charitable entity 3.50%
Class A Common Stock  
Issuance and donation of shares 135
v3.20.4
Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of Classes of Capital Stock) (Details) - $ / shares
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued 0 0
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding 0 0
Public Investors (Class A Stockholders)    
Equity Ownership 88.20% 87.80%
General Voting Power 88.90% 88.80%
Principal or Affiliate Members (Class B Stockholders)    
Equity Ownership 0.80% 1.10%
General Voting Power 0.00% 0.00%
The MasterCard Foundation (Class A Stockholders)    
Equity Ownership 11.00% 11.10%
General Voting Power 11.10% 11.20%
Class A Common Stock    
Common Stock, Par Value Per Share $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001
Common Stock, Authorized Shares 3,000,000,000 3,000,000,000
Class B Common Stock    
Common Stock, Par Value Per Share $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001
Common Stock, Authorized Shares 1,200,000,000 1,200,000,000
Preferred Stock    
Preferred Stock, Par Value Per Share $ 0.0001 $ 0.0001
Preferred Stock, Authorized Shares 300,000,000 300,000,000
v3.20.4
Stockholders' Equity - Dividends Declared (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Dividends Payable [Line Items]      
Annual dividends declared $ 1,641 $ 1,408 $ 1,120
Common Stock      
Dividends Payable [Line Items]      
Cash dividends declared on Class A and Class B common stock, per share $ 1.64 $ 1.39 $ 1.08
Retained Earnings      
Dividends Payable [Line Items]      
Annual dividends declared $ 1,641 $ 1,408 $ 1,120
v3.20.4
Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of Share Repurchase Authorizations) (Details) - Class A Common Stock - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions
1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 13 Months Ended 25 Months Ended 37 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Board Authorization $ 28,500 $ 28,500     $ 28,500 $ 28,500 $ 28,500      
Dollar-value of shares repurchased   4,473 $ 6,497 $ 4,933            
Remaining authorization 9,831 $ 9,831 $ 8,304 $ 6,801 9,831 9,831 $ 9,831 $ 8,304    
Shares repurchased   14.3 26.4 26.2     87.9      
Average price paid per share   $ 312.68 $ 245.89 $ 188.26     $ 212.41      
December 2016 Share Repurchase Plan                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Board Authorization                   $ 4,000
Dollar-value of shares repurchased   $ 0   $ 1,234            
Remaining authorization     $ 0 $ 0       $ 0    
Shares repurchased   0.0 0.0 7.2       28.2    
Average price paid per share   $ 0 $ 0 $ 171.11       $ 141.99    
December 2017 Share Repurchase Plan                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Board Authorization                 $ 4,000  
Dollar-value of shares repurchased   $ 0 $ 301 $ 3,699            
Remaining authorization 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 301 0 0 $ 0 $ 0    
Shares repurchased   0.0 1.6 19.0     20.6      
Average price paid per share   $ 0 $ 188.38 $ 194.77     $ 194.27      
December 2018 Share Repurchase Plan                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Board Authorization       $ 6,500            
Dollar-value of shares repurchased   $ 304 $ 6,196              
Remaining authorization 0 $ 0 $ 304 $ 6,500 0 $ 0 $ 0 304    
Shares repurchased   1.0 24.8     25.8        
Average price paid per share   $ 304.89 $ 249.58     $ 251.72        
December 2019 Share Repurchase Plan                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Board Authorization     $ 8,000         8,000    
Dollar-value of shares repurchased   $ 4,169                
Remaining authorization 3,831 $ 3,831 $ 8,000   $ 3,831 $ 3,831 3,831 $ 8,000    
Shares repurchased   13.3     13.3          
Average price paid per share   $ 313.26     $ 313.26          
December 2020 Share Repurchase Plan                    
Class of Stock [Line Items]                    
Board Authorization 6,000 $ 6,000     $ 6,000 6,000 6,000      
Remaining authorization $ 6,000 $ 6,000     $ 6,000 $ 6,000 $ 6,000      
Shares repurchased 0.0                  
Average price paid per share $ 0                  
v3.20.4
Stockholders' Equity Statement of Changes in Common Shares Outstanding (Details) - shares
shares in Millions
12 Months Ended 37 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2020
Class A Common Stock        
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]        
Purchases of treasury stock (14.3) (26.4) (26.2) (87.9)
Common Stock | Class A Common Stock        
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]        
Balance 996.0 1,018.6 1,039.7  
Purchases of treasury stock (14.3) (26.4) (26.2)  
Share-based payments 2.3 3.2 2.8  
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock 2.9 0.6 2.3  
Balance 986.9 996.0 1,018.6 986.9
Common Stock | Class B Common Stock        
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]        
Balance 11.2 11.8 14.1  
Conversion of Class B to Class A common stock (2.9) (0.6) (2.3)  
Balance 8.3 11.2 11.8 8.3
v3.20.4
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]        
Beginning balance $ 5,917 $ 5,917 $ 5,418 $ 5,497
Increase / (Decrease)   (9) 47  
Reclassifications   2 (2)  
Ending balance   6,488 5,917 5,418
Loss on settlement of treasury rate locks, pre-tax 175      
Loss on settlement of treasury rate locks, after-tax 136      
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments        
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]        
Beginning balance (638) (638) (661)  
Increase / (Decrease)   286 23  
Reclassifications   0 0  
Ending balance   (352) (638) (661)
Translation Adjustments on Net Investment Hedge        
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]        
Beginning balance (38) (38) (66)  
Increase / (Decrease)   (137) 28  
Reclassifications   0 0  
Ending balance   (175) (38) (66)
Cash Flow Hedges        
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]        
Beginning balance 11 11 0  
Increase / (Decrease)   (147) 11  
Reclassifications   3 0  
Ending balance   (133) 11 0
Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans        
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]        
Beginning balance (9) (9) 10  
Increase / (Decrease)   (10) (17)  
Reclassifications   (1) (2)  
Ending balance   (20) (9) 10
Investment Securities Available-for-Sale        
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]        
Beginning balance 1 1 (1)  
Increase / (Decrease)   (1) 2  
Reclassifications   0 0  
Ending balance   0 1 (1)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)        
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]        
Beginning balance $ (673) (673) (718)  
Ending balance   $ (680) $ (673) $ (718)
v3.20.4
Share-Based Payments (Details)
shares in Millions, $ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
shares
Long-Term Incentive Plan | Class A Common Stock  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]  
Shares reserve for future issuance | shares 116
Stock Option  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period 10 years
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period 4 years
Unrecognized compensation cost $ 37
Period over which unrecognized cost will be recognized, in years 2 years 1 month 6 days
Stock Option | Vesting period for retirement or disability  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]  
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period 7 months
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]  
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period 3 years
Unrecognized compensation cost $ 233
Period over which unrecognized cost will be recognized, in years 2 years 4 months 24 days
Performance Shares  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]  
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period 3 years
Performance Shares | Minimum vesting from date of retirement eligibility  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]  
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period 7 months
Performance-Based Restricted Stock  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]  
Unrecognized compensation cost $ 38
Period over which unrecognized cost will be recognized, in years 1 year 4 months 24 days
v3.20.4
Share-Based Payments (Schedule of Weighted-Average Assumptions Used in the Valuation of Awards) (Details) - $ / shares
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Risk-free rate of return 1.00% 2.60% 2.70%
Expected term (in years) 6 years 6 years 6 years
Expected volatility 19.30% 19.60% 19.70%
Expected dividend yield 0.60% 0.60% 0.60%
Weighted-average fair value per option granted $ 80.92 $ 53.09 $ 40.90
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period 3 years    
Performance stock units      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period 3 years    
Stock Option      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period 4 years    
v3.20.4
Share-Based Payments (Summary of Stock Option Activity) (Details)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
$ / shares
shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]  
Options outstanding at January 1, 2020 | shares 6.6
Options granted | shares 0.4
Options exercised | shares (1.3)
Options forfeited/expired | shares 0.0
Options outstanding at December 31, 2020 | shares 5.7
Options exercisable at December 31, 2020 | shares 3.8
Options vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2020 | shares 5.7
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]  
Weighted-average exercise price, options outstanding at January 1, 2020 | $ / shares $ 117
Weighted-average exercise price, options granted | $ / shares 263
Weighted-average exercise price, options exercised | $ / shares 75
Weighted-average exercise price, options forfeited/expired | $ / shares 229
Weighted-average exercise price, options outstanding at December 31, 2020 | $ / shares 137
Weighted-average exercise price, options exercisable at December 31, 2020 | $ / shares 106
Weighted-average exercise price, options vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2020 | $ / shares $ 137
Weighted-average remaining contractual term, options outstanding at December 31, 2020, in years 6 years
Weighted-average remaining contractual term, options exercisable at December 31, 2020, in years 5 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted-average remaining contractual term, options vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2020, in years 6 years
Aggregate intrinsic value, options outstanding at December 31, 2020 | $ $ 1,259
Aggregate intrinsic value, options exercisable at December 31, 2020 | $ 962
Aggregate intrinsic value, options vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2020 | $ 1,257
Stock Option  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]  
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount | $ $ 37
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period 10 years
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition 2 years 1 month 6 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period 4 years
Performance Shares  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period 3 years
Vesting period for retirement or disability | Stock Option  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period 7 months
v3.20.4
Share-Based Payments (Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)      
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount $ 233    
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition 2 years 4 months 24 days    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number, Beginning Balance 2.9    
Granted 0.9    
Converted (1.2)    
Forfeited (0.1)    
Outstanding at December 31, 2020 2.5 2.9  
Units vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2020 2.4    
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, units outstanding at January 1, 2020 $ 166    
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, granted 288 $ 226 $ 171
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, converted 116    
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, forfeited/expired 218    
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, units outstanding at December 31, 2020 231 $ 166  
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, units vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2020 $ 230    
Aggregate intrinsic value, units outstanding at December 31, 2020 $ 898    
Aggregate intrinsic value, units vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2020 $ 861    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period 3 years    
Performance stock units      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number, Beginning Balance 0.5    
Granted 0.2    
Converted (0.3)    
Outstanding at December 31, 2020 0.4 0.5  
Units vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2020 0.4    
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, units outstanding at January 1, 2020 $ 167    
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, granted 291 $ 231 $ 226
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, converted 126    
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, units outstanding at December 31, 2020 259 $ 167  
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, units vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2020 $ 259    
Aggregate intrinsic value, units outstanding at December 31, 2020 $ 148    
Aggregate intrinsic value, units vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2020 $ 148    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period 3 years    
Equity Option [Member]      
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount $ 37    
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition 2 years 1 month 6 days    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period 4 years    
Minimum vesting from date of retirement eligibility | Performance stock units      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period 7 months    
v3.20.4
Share-Based Payments (Summary of Performance Stock Unit Activity) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Equity Option [Member]      
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount $ 37    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period 10 years    
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition 2 years 1 month 6 days    
Performance-Based Restricted Stock      
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Amount $ 38    
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonvested Award, Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition 1 year 4 months 24 days    
Performance stock units      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number, Beginning Balance 0.5    
Granted 0.2    
Converted (0.3)    
Outstanding at December 31, 2020 0.4 0.5  
RSUs units expected to vest at December 31, 2020 0.4    
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, units outstanding at January 1, 2020 $ 167    
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, granted 291 $ 231 $ 226
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, converted 126    
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, units outstanding at December 31, 2020 259 $ 167  
Weighted-average grant-date fair value, units expected to vest at December 31, 2020 $ 259    
Aggregate intrinsic value, units outstanding at December 31, 2020 $ 148    
Aggregate intrinsic value, units expected to vest at December 31, 2020 $ 148    
v3.20.4
Share-Based Payments Schedule of Additional Share-Based Payment Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Share-based compensation expense: Options, RSUs and PSUs $ 254 $ 250 $ 196
Income tax benefit recognized for equity awards 53 53 41
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Exercise of Option, Tax Benefit 68 69 53
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised $ 317 $ 317 $ 242
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of awards granted $ 288 $ 226 $ 171
Total intrinsic value of units converted into shares of Class A common stock $ 330 $ 394 $ 194
Performance stock units      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of awards granted $ 291 $ 231 $ 226
Total intrinsic value of units converted into shares of Class A common stock $ 92 $ 85 $ 40
v3.20.4
Commitments Narrative (Details)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Future minimum payments operating leases, sponsorship, licensing and other agreements, accrued $ 22
v3.20.4
Commitments Future Minimum Payments Due Under Non-Cancelable Agreements (Details)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Sponsorship, Licensing & Other  
2021 $ 573
2022 255
2023 117
2024 78
2025 1
Thereafter 0
Total $ 1,024
v3.20.4
Income Taxes Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Jan. 01, 2010
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]        
Other foreign tax credit benefits     $ 27 $ 90
Effective income tax rate   17.40% 16.60% 18.70%
Effective income Tax Rate On Taxable Income In Excess Of Base Amount Period In Effect 10 years      
Impact Of Incentive Grant Received Reducing Income Tax Liability Value   $ 260 $ 300 $ 212
Earning Per Share Diluted Impact Of Incentive Grant Received Reducing Income Tax Liability   $ 0.26 $ 0.29 $ 0.20
Earnings permanently reinvested   $ 600    
Unrecognized tax benefits that would reduce the effective tax rate   388    
Net tax-related interest payable   24 $ 13  
Previously taxed earnings and profits   $ 61 $ 0  
v3.20.4
Income Taxes Schedule of Domestic and Foreign Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]      
United States $ 3,304 $ 4,213 $ 3,510
Foreign 4,456 5,518 3,694
Income before income taxes $ 7,760 $ 9,731 $ 7,204
v3.20.4
Income Taxes Components of Income Tax Provision (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Current      
Federal $ 439 $ 642 $ 649
State and local 56 81 69
Foreign 781 897 871
Current 1,276 1,620 1,589
Deferred      
Federal 106 40 (228)
State and local 9 0 (11)
Foreign (42) (47) (5)
Deferred 73 (7) (244)
Income tax expense $ 1,349 $ 1,613 $ 1,345
v3.20.4
Income Taxes Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Amount      
Income before income taxes $ 7,760 $ 9,731 $ 7,204
Federal statutory tax 1,630 2,044 1,513
State tax effect, net of federal benefit 57 65 46
Foreign tax effect (193) (208) (92)
European Commission fine 0 0 194
Foreign tax credits 0 (32) (110)
Windfall benefit (119) (129) (72)
Other, net (26) (127) (134)
Income tax expense $ 1,349 $ 1,613 $ 1,345
Percent      
Federal statutory tax 21.00% 21.00% 21.00%
State tax effect, net of federal benefit 0.70% 0.70% 0.60%
Foreign tax effect (2.50%) (2.10%) (1.30%)
European Commission fine 0.00% 0.00% 2.70%
Foreign tax credits 0.00% (0.30%) (1.50%)
Windfall benefit (1.50%) (1.30%) (1.00%)
Other, net (0.30%) (1.40%) (1.80%)
Income tax expense 17.40% 16.60% 18.70%
Other foreign tax credit benefits   $ 27 $ 90
v3.20.4
Income Taxes Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]    
Accrued liabilities $ 324 $ 354
Compensation and benefits 218 214
State taxes and other credits 47 41
Net operating losses 147 119
Unrealized gain/loss - 2015 EUR Notes 58 20
U.S. foreign tax credits 276 145
Intangible assets 182 157
Other items 142 74
Less: Valuation allowance (353) (205)
Total Deferred Tax Assets 1,041 919
Prepaid expenses and other accruals 78 83
Intangible assets 216 187
Property, plant and equipment 183 128
Previously taxed earnings and profits 61 0
Other items 98 63
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross 636 461
Net Deferred Tax Assets $ 405 $ 458
v3.20.4
Income Taxes Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]      
Beginning balance $ 203 $ 164 $ 183
Current year tax positions 19 22 23
Prior year tax positions 192 37 5
Prior year tax positions (10) (11) (17)
Settlements with tax authorities (12) (2) (18)
Expired statute of limitations (4) (7) (12)
Ending balance $ 388 $ 203 $ 164
v3.20.4
Legal and Regulatory Proceedings (Details)
€ in Millions, £ in Billions
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 30 Months Ended 104 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
USD ($)
Apr. 30, 2019
EUR (€)
Jul. 31, 2018
claimant
Jan. 31, 2017
claimant
Oct. 31, 2011
plaintiff
Feb. 28, 2011
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
claimant
Jun. 30, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
claimant
fax
Dec. 31, 2020
GBP (£)
fax
claimant
Dec. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2019
claimant
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
claimant
Dec. 31, 2020
GBP (£)
Jul. 31, 2019
Legal And Regulatory                                
Loss Contingency, Unsolicited Advertisements | fax                 381,000 381,000            
Provision for litigation                 $ 73,000,000   $ 0 $ 1,128,000,000        
Cash paid for legal settlements                 149,000,000   668,000,000 260,000,000        
Accrued litigation             $ 842,000,000   842,000,000   914,000,000     $ 842,000,000    
Restricted cash for litigation settlement             586,000,000   586,000,000   584,000,000     586,000,000    
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Per Claim                 500              
Event Involving Visa Parties, Member Banks and Mastercard                                
Legal And Regulatory                                
Percent of settlement Mastercard would pay           12.00%                    
Event Involving Member Banks and Mastercard                                
Legal And Regulatory                                
Percent of settlement Mastercard would pay           36.00%                    
Canadian Competition Bureau                                
Legal And Regulatory                                
Amount of damages sought (that exceeds)                 5,000,000,000              
U.S. Merchant Lawsuit Settlement                                
Legal And Regulatory                                
Accrued litigation             $ 783,000,000   783,000,000   $ 914,000,000     783,000,000    
Maximum | U.S. Merchant Litigation - Class Litigation                                
Legal And Regulatory                                
Percentage of Opt Out Merchants to Terminate                               25.00%
U.S. Merchant Lawsuit Settlement                                
Legal And Regulatory                                
Provision for litigation               $ 237,000,000                
European Commission                                
Legal And Regulatory                                
Provision for litigation                       654,000,000        
Cash paid for legal settlements | €   € 571                            
Proposed U.K. Interchange Collective Action                                
Legal And Regulatory                                
Amount of damages sought (that exceeds)                 19,000,000,000 £ 14            
U.K. Merchant Lawsuit Settlement                                
Legal And Regulatory                                
Provision for litigation                 $ 22,000,000              
Amount of damages sought (that exceeds)                           4,500,000,000 £ 3  
Loss Contingency, Damages Resolved, Value                           $ 3,000,000,000 £ 2  
U.K. Merchant claimants                                
Legal And Regulatory                                
Provision for litigation                       $ 237,000,000        
Number of claimants in case | claimant     4 10     4                  
Number of plaintiffs in case | claimant     4 10     4                  
Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number | claimant             4   4         4    
U.K. Merchant claimants | U.K. Merchant Claimants, Sent Back To Trial Court, Liability And Damages Issues [Member]                                
Legal And Regulatory                                
Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number | claimant             1   1         1    
U.K. Merchant claimants | U.K. Merchant Claims, Sent Back To Trial Court, Damages Issues [Member]                                
Legal And Regulatory                                
Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number | claimant             3   3         3    
ATM Operators Complaint                                
Legal And Regulatory                                
Amount of damages sought (that exceeds) $ 1,000,000,000                              
Number of claimants in case | plaintiff         13                      
Number of plaintiffs in case | plaintiff         13                      
U.K. Prepaid Cards Matter                                
Legal And Regulatory                                
Litigation charge             $ 45,000,000                  
Appealing judgment | U.K. Merchant claimants                                
Legal And Regulatory                                
Loss Contingency, Claims Settled, Number | claimant                         3      
Judicial Ruling | 2016 U.K. Merchant Claimants | Unfavorable Regulatory Action                                
Legal And Regulatory                                
Loss Contingency, Claims Settled, Number | claimant                 1 1            
Judicial Ruling | 2017 U.K. Merchant Claimants                                
Legal And Regulatory                                
Loss Contingency, Claims Settled, Number | claimant     3                          
Judicial Ruling | 2017 U.K. Merchant Claimants | Unfavorable Regulatory Action                                
Legal And Regulatory                                
Loss Contingency, Claims Settled, Number | claimant     2                          
v3.20.4
Settlement and Other Risk Management Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Settlement and Other Risk Management [Abstract]    
Travelers cheques outstanding, notional value $ 370 $ 367
Travelers cheques covered by collateral arrangements $ 294 $ 290
v3.20.4
Settlement and Other Risk Management Estimated Settlement Exposure and Portion of Uncollateralized Settlement Exposure for MasterCard-Branded Transactions (Details) - Guarantee Obligations - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Risks Inherent in Servicing Assets and Servicing Liabilities [Line Items]    
Gross settlement exposure $ 52,360 $ 55,800
Collateral applied to settlement exposure (6,021) (4,772)
Net uncollateralized settlement exposure $ 46,339 $ 51,028
v3.20.4
Derivative and Hedging Instruments Classification of Outstanding Forward Contracts (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets    
Foreign Exchange Risk Management    
Forward contracts to purchase and sell foreign currency - Balance sheet location - Accounts receivable $ 19 $ 12
Other Current Liabilities    
Foreign Exchange Risk Management    
Forward contracts to purchase and sell foreign currency - Balance sheet location - Other current liabilities (28) (32)
Commitments to purchase foreign currency | Foreign Exchange Forward    
Foreign Exchange Risk Management    
Commitments to purchase/sell foreign currency, Notional 389 185
Commitments to purchase/sell foreign currency, Estimated Fair Value 17 3
Commitments to sell foreign currency | Foreign Exchange Forward    
Foreign Exchange Risk Management    
Commitments to purchase/sell foreign currency, Notional 1,110 1,506
Commitments to purchase/sell foreign currency, Estimated Fair Value (26) (25)
Commitments to sell foreign currency | Foreign Exchange Option    
Foreign Exchange Risk Management    
Commitments to purchase/sell foreign currency, Notional 0 21
Commitments to purchase/sell foreign currency, Estimated Fair Value $ 0 $ 2
v3.20.4
Derivative and Hedging Instruments Foreign Exchange Risk Management (Details)
€ in Millions, $ in Millions
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2015
EUR (€)
Foreign Exchange Risk Management          
Gain (loss) for contracts to purchase and sell foreign currency $ (136)        
Terms of the foreign currency forward contracts   18 months      
Payments for settlement of derivative instrument   $ 175 $ 0 $ 0  
Cash flow hedges   (189) 14 0  
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), after Reclassification and Tax   (144) 11 0  
Foreign exchange contracts | General and Administrative          
Foreign Exchange Risk Management          
Gain (loss) for contracts to purchase and sell foreign currency   40 (39) $ 53  
Net Investment Hedging          
Foreign Exchange Risk Management          
Euro-denominated debt designated as hedge of net investment in European foreign operations denominated in euros | €         € 1,650
Cash Flow Hedging | Interest Rate Risk          
Foreign Exchange Risk Management          
Notional amount     $ 1,000    
Payments for settlement of derivative instrument   175      
Cash flow hedges 14        
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), after Reclassification and Tax   133      
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), before Reclassification, after Tax $ 11        
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Reclassification for Discontinuance, before Tax   4      
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified within Twelve Months   $ 6      
v3.20.4
Segment Reporting (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment, by Geographical Segment      
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets, net $ 1,902 $ 1,828 $ 921
United States      
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment, by Geographical Segment      
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets, net 1,185 1,147 613
Other countries      
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment, by Geographical Segment      
Property, equipment and right-of-use assets, net $ 717 $ 681 $ 308
v3.20.4
Segment Reporting (Narrative) (Details)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]      
Percentage of revenue generated in the U.S. 33.00% 32.00% 33.00%