# Unlocking Global Merchant Insights source: https://developer.mastercard.com/places/product/places/index.md OVERVIEW A comprehensive global point-of-interest dataset Places is a global dataset that offers detailed information on Mastercard-accepting merchants. It equips organizations with the essential data needed to enhance their applications, services, and internal solutions. ![Illustration of four diverse professionals standing around a circular table that displays miniature scenes representing financial services, including banks, technology, innovation, and people interacting with digital and physical financial elements - symbolizing collaboration in the Open Banking ecosystem](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/places-plp-resources/overview.svg) Places in 60 seconds Mastercard Places allows you to build a precise, global location directory. It provides rich merchant details for enhancing mapping applications, accessing retailer contact info, and segmenting merchants to discover new business opportunities

Key features Mastercard Places exposes you to a fresh, rich, and comprehensive merchant dataset that can keep your merchant directory complete and up to date. ![Freshness](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/places-plp-resources/freshness.svg) Freshness Listings are updated weekly based on recent Mastercard transactions, ensuring you have the most current information ![Richness](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/places-plp-resources/richness.svg) Richness Access unique merchant attributes like payment types, operating hours, and open/close dates, which are difficult to compile on a large scale ![Flexibility](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/places-plp-resources/flexibility.svg) Flexibility Choose between various implementation methods, including API and data licenses, to fit your needs ![Accuracy](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/places-plp-resources/accuracy.svg) Accuracy Over 12 million cleansing rules and integration with top-tier third-party datasets, enhanced by AI for superior accuracy ![Completeness](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/places-plp-resources/completeness.svg) Completeness Includes every Mastercard-accepting location worldwide, covering both physical stores and online merchants Why Places? Before using Places After Using Places [See full data dictionary](https://developer.mastercard.com/places/documentation/tutorials-and-guides/data-elements/) ![Maps highlighting all the merchnats in the given location](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/places-plp-resources/whyplaces.gif) Places delivery options The Places data product is available in two formats: via API or as a direct data feed. The direct data feed option is exclusive and available only to select customers. To learn more or to check if you qualify for the data feed, please reach out to your Mastercard representative or [contact sales](https://www.mastercardservices.com/en/capabilities/places). Places API Service Build and enrich your merchant database, one search query at a time, with our API service #### Pricing *** ** * ** *** Pay-as-you-go (e.g. per API call) #### Benefits *** ** * ** *** On-demand access to a global dataset with a flexible pricing model #### Considerations *** ** * ** *** Limited access to the full dataset with a fixed merchant matching algorithm Places Data Feed Subscription Subscribe to a bulk payload of Mastercard's rich merchant directory, scoped to your geographic and business needs #### Pricing *** ** * ** *** Subscription (e.g. based on data volume and refresh rate) #### Benefits *** ** * ** *** Receive all necessary data upfront, store locally, and customize as needed #### Considerations *** ** * ** *** Requires a long-term commitment and may involve maintaining an in-house matching algorithm Places API Service Places Data Feed Subscription Pricing Benefits Considerations Build and enrich your merchant database, one search query at a time, with our API service Pay-as-you-go (e.g. per API call) On-demand access to a global dataset with a flexible pricing model Limited access to the full dataset with a fixed merchant matching algorithm Subscribe to a bulk payload of Mastercard's rich merchant directory, scoped to your geographic and business needs Subscription (e.g. based on data volume and refresh rate) Receive all necessary data upfront, store locally, and customize as needed Requires a long-term commitment and may involve maintaining an in-house matching algorithm Use cases Mastercard Places enables your organization to construct a global and accurate location directory. Places ![mapping_and_navigation](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/places-plp-resources/mapping_and_navigation.svg) Mapping and Navigation Enhance your maps by integrating Places, ensuring they are always up-to-date with the latest points of interest ![b2b_prospecting](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/places-plp-resources/b2b_prospecting.svg) B2B Prospecting Find potential merchants for your services, including new businesses in targeted locations ![location_intelligence_platform](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/places-plp-resources/location_intelligence_platform.svg) Location Intelligence Platform Boost the precision and dependability of geolocation services by integrating our up-to-date merchant data ![backend_enrichment](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/places-plp-resources/backend_enrichment.svg) Backend Enrichment Utilize Places data to enhance your analytics and support advanced data processing Places paired with Merchant Identifier ![loyalty_program_execution](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/places-plp-resources/loyalty_program_execution.svg) Loyalty Program Execution Leverage merchant data to tailor rewards and incentives for transactions ![authorization_and_blacklists](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/places-plp-resources/authorization_and_blacklists.svg) Authorization and Blacklists Implement spend controls on cards based on merchant whitelists or other merchant attributes ![reduce_late_payment_penalties](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/places-plp-resources/reduce_late_payment_penalties.svg) Analytics Enhance analytics by tagging cardholder transactions with rich merchant attributes ![banking_app_ux_enhancements](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/places-plp-resources/banking_app_ux_enhancements.svg) Banking App UX Enhancements Improve the holistic digital banking experience by knowing exactly where cardholders spend Why add the Merchant Identifier Module to Places? Merchant Identifier is a matching solution that allows for "matching" payment transaction records to Places. Adding Merchant Identifier allows a financial institution to match transaction logs to the Places merchant dataset, unlocking the power to enrich transaction records with merchant insights ![Before and after mobile banking screens demonstrating enriched transaction clarity and merchant information including promotions.](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/places/uploads/places-plp-resources/before_after.svg) Developer enablement Start using the API Explore our ready-to-go guide and get up and running in less than 30 minutes [View quick start guide](https://developer.mastercard.com/places/places/documentation/quick-start-guide/index.md) Get production data access Get started in less than 10 business days and enjoy up to 10.000 API calls during the first 28 days with our Free Trial Access [View the free trial guide](https://developer.mastercard.com/places/places/documentation/index.md#next-steps) Resources Places Analyze enriched data necessary for clients to fuel solutions they are building for their customer's and internal needs. *** ** * ** *** **Used By** Issuers, Mapping and Navigation, CPGs, Merchant Service Providers, Processors, Search and Recommendation Engines, Retail/Real Estate, Municipalities, Digital Marketing, Local Intelligence Platform, Data Aggregators, Financial Technology Companies, Pre-paid Debt, Acquirers, Loyalty and Cobrand Partners **Regions** Global Merchant Identifier Improve transaction data with merchant attributes for the accepting party in the transaction. *** ** * ** *** **Used By** Issuers, Processors, Data Aggregators, Financial Technology Companies, Pre-paid Debt, Acquirers, Loyalty and Cobrand Partners **Regions** Global