# Places
source: https://developer.mastercard.com/places/documentation/index.md

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up to 10.000 API calls
during the first 28 days with our Free Trial Access.
[Get Started](https://developer.mastercard.com/places/documentation/index.md#next-steps)

###### For more details, visit the [Mastercard Places Product Page](https://developer.mastercard.com/places/product/places/index.md) to explore more on the key features, advanced use cases, and delivery options.

## Overview {#overview}

##### Service Description {#service-description}

Places is Mastercard's comprehensive global point-of-interest dataset, delivering the most accurate and current snapshot
of merchant locations accepting Mastercard, both in brick-and-mortar stores and eCommerce. Places provides the essential
data for clients to power the programs and solutions they develop for their customers and internal needs.

Places data is sourced from anonymized transaction data using the Mastercard payments network, cleansed with proprietary
data cleansing rules, and matched to best-in-class third-party location listings. Mastercard then appends unique metadata
and merchant attributes derived from the transaction data. As a point-of-interest dataset, Places is a market leader due to:

* **Freshness** - Mastercard sees when a store opens/closes/changes faster than other data sources
* **Completeness** - Mastercard is one of the few truly global directories of merchants for both brick \& mortar and ecommerce
* **Accuracy** - With decades of experience managing merchant data quality, overall dataset accuracy is unmatched

## How it Works {#how-it-works}

The Places Search feature allows you to fetch a list of locations based on specific criteria you provide. A common
application of this feature is performing a "near me" search within a consumer application. For example, by inputting a
user's latitude and longitude, Places can generate a list of the ten nearest department stores that accept contactless payments.
Diagram placesOverview

## Next Steps {#next-steps}

To get more familiar with our Places API you can check out the [API Reference Page](https://developer.mastercard.com/places/documentation/api-reference/index.md).
Free Trial Access

## 3 steps to access your sandbox. {#3-steps-to-access-your-sandbox}

Set up your account and **start testing** the API immediately.
![Create developer account using company email](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/free-trail/step-company-email.png)

STEP 1

#### Create developer account {#create-developer-account}

Use your **company email** to create a developer account.
![Select the Merchant Identifier API from available options](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/free-trail/step-create-project.png)

STEP 2

#### Create new project {#create-new-project}

Select the **Places API** from the list of available options.
![Sandbox base URL for Test API](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/free-trail/step-start-testing.png)

STEP 3

#### Start testing right away {#start-testing-right-away}

Get **immediate access** to the workspace for API sandbox.

## 3 steps to trial with real world data. {#3-steps-to-trial-with-real-world-data}

Use our **Free Trial Access** for 28 days to explore and evaluate our API with up to 10,000 free calls with no upfront commitment required.
![Request Production Access button](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/free-trail/step-request-access.png)

STEP 1

#### Request access {#request-access}

Directly from the workspace created in the previous steps.
![Digital Signature input field](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/free-trail/step-sign-terms.png)

STEP 2

#### Sign terms \& conditions {#sign-terms--conditions}

Agree to **Mastercard's** terms \& conditions for **free trial access**.
![Production base URL after access granted](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/free-trail/step-real-data.png)

STEP 3

#### Start using real data {#start-using-real-data}

**Immediate access** for previously verified companies. Up to 5-day verification period for new customers of Mastercard.

To access the trial create a **new project** in your dashboard:
Project Dashboard