Visa vs. Mastercard: Which is Best in 2024? (2024)

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Visa and Mastercard are tied in the categories that matter most to consumers. Both Visa and Mastercard are accepted in more than 200 countries, and it is rare to find a location that accepts one but not the other. Furthermore, both Visa and Mastercard administer certain benefits programs, including rental car insuranceandextended warranties. But individual card issuers decide what coverage cardholders receive.

So it doesn't really matter whether you have a Visa or Mastercard in your wallet. As long as you have at least one of them and your card offers competitive terms, you'll be in good shape. If you'd like to learn more about the similarities and differences between Visa and Mastercard, including how the best credit cards on each network compare, check out WalletHub's complete Visa vs. Mastercard review.

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Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards, as both types can be used at 35+ million locations in 200+ countries and territories. If you're looking for a card to use abroad, our pick for the best credit card for international travel is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa Card because of its bonus rewards.

Mastercard is accepted in more countries than Visa, yet roughly 7 million more merchants worldwide take Visa. Both have a claim to the title of...

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The main difference between Visa and Mastercard is that Mastercard is more widely accepted internationally, while Visa offers more credit card benefits. However, most people won't notice any substantial difference between Visa and Mastercard because their services are largely on par.

Visa and Mastercard are two of the largest payment networks in the world, but neither Visa nor Mastercard issues any cards. Banks and credit unions issue the cards, which are then used on...

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There isn't much of a difference between Mastercard and Visa when it comes to acceptance. Both card networks are accepted in more than 200 countries and territories, and almost every merchant that takes credit cards accepts both Visa and Mastercard.

Mastercard does have a slight advantage over Visa in terms of worldwide acceptance. Mastercard works in 210+ counties and territories, compared to 200+ for Visa.

You can find out more in our guide comparing Visa...

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American Express isn't a Visa or a Mastercard. American Express, Visa and Mastercard are three of the four major card networks, but American Express also extends credit and issue cards directly to consumers.

A credit card never has two networks, so you'll never see an American Express Visa card or an American Express Mastercard. Furthermore, lots of the credit cards on the Amex network are actually issued by American Express itself. Visa and Mastercard, on the other...

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Discover is not a Visa or a Mastercard. Discover is a completely separate company that operates its own card network, and it also differs from Visa and Mastercard by actually issuing many of the credit cards on its network. Visa and Mastercard aren't card issuers, so the cards on their networks come from lots of different banks and credit unions.

However, Discover is similar to Visa, Mastercard and American Express in the sense that all four are...

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Citibank issues both Mastercard and Visa credit cards. Most Citibank credit cards are on the Mastercard network, including the Citi Simplicity® Card and the Citi Double Cash® Card, but Citi also has some Visa cards, such as the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi.

Both Visa and Mastercard benefit fromextensive worldwide acceptance. So, you'll be able to use them anywhere credit cards are accepted.

You can find a comprehensive list of both Citi Mastercard and Citi Visa credit cards right here on WalletHub. If you would...

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Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card (see ) is a Mastercard. That means you can use your Capital One Quicksilver (see ) card at millions of merchant locations in more than 210 countries and territories, wherever payments through Mastercard are accepted.

Things to Know About the Capital One Quicksilver (see ) Card

• Card acceptance: The Capital One Quicksilver (see ) is accepted by millions of retailers in over 210 countries and territories. Almost every merchant that takes credit cards accepts Mastercard.
• No foreign transaction fees: On top of the Capital One Quicksilver (see )'s...

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The best credit card for study abroad is the Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card (see ) because it has a $0 foreign transaction fee, a $0 annual fee, and good rewards. You'll earn 1 - 8% cash back spent normally, plus an initial bonus of $50 for spending $100 in the first 3 months. You can get approved with limited credit, too.

If you're going to spend most of your time in a foreign country in the near future, you definitely want a card that won't charge you extra on international purchases. But there are actually several options that may work well, depending on your individual needs and wants.

Best Credit Cards for Study Abroad in 2024

All of these cards are strong contenders to be the best credit card for study abroad. That's especially true considering they offer a lot more than rewards and low fees. You'll also receive perks like travel insurance to give you even more peace of mind when...

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