Major credit cards are any cards that belong to one of the big four credit card networks: Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. That’s what stores mean by “we accept all major credit cards.” A major credit card will almost always show the logo of its network on the front. In some cases it’ll be on the back. If a card doesn’t have such a logo, it’s likely a store card that can only be used at a specific retailer.
Some major credit cards can also be considered more “major” than others, depending on the issuer. The 15 largest credit card companies account for more than 75% of all outstanding balances. So a Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover card from one of those companies, like Chase or Capital One, might fit the description of a major credit card best.
There are dozens of other banks and credit unions that issue credit cards, but their products are less popular. Major credit cards from the top issuers are the product of large-scale operations, after all. And they often provide perks to match, from better rates, rewards and fees to an easy-to-use website and free mobile app.
Here’s what you need to know about major credit cards:
- Major credit cards are those on the Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover networks.
- You can usually see the logo of your credit card network on the front of your card. Sometimes it is on the back. If there is no logo, you likely have a store card that only works at a specific retailer.
- Most U.S. merchants accept all major credit cards. But American Express lags behind the others by about 1 million locations.
- Visa and Mastercard are accepted virtually everywhere in the world. Discover cards work in 185 countries and territories. American Express cards work in 160+. Discover and Amex aren’t necessarily widely accepted in all the countries that take them, either.
- American Express and Discover issue credit cards, in addition to serving as card networks. Visa and Mastercard do not.
- Chase, Bank of America, Capital One, Citi, Wells Fargo and U.S. Bank are among the other major credit card issuers.
When picking a major credit card to use, it’s easy to narrow your search down. If you don’t plan to travel much, any network will do. But if you’re going to use your card abroad a lot, Visa and Mastercard are the safest bets.
By the way, it’s worth noting that Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover aren’t the world’s only major credit card networks. There’s also the likes of India’s RuPay and China’s UnionPay, for example.
This answer was last updated on 02/03/23 and it was first published on 05/06/18. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.
FAQs
Major credit cards are any cards that belong to one of the big four credit card networks: Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. That's what stores mean by “we accept all major credit cards.” A major credit card will almost always show the logo of its network on the front. In some cases it'll be on the back.
What is the definition of a major credit card? ›
A major credit card is one on a major card network, of which there are four: Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. These networks dictate where credit cards can be used and facilitate the payment process between credit card users, merchants, and credit card issuers.
What is considered a major credit card when renting a car? ›
A major credit card is a card that is supported by a pre-determined line of credit, and not a bank account, or a pre-paid balance. American Express®, Discover Network®, MasterCard®, and Visa® credit cards are accepted at our non-airport Locations, located within the United States and Puerto Rico.
What are the four major credit cards? ›
The four major credit card networks are Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover.
Is a Visa debit card considered a major credit card? ›
Major Credit Card means MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover.
Is Capital One considered a major credit card? ›
Major bank card issuers include American Express, Bank of America, Barclays, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Discover and U.S. Bank, while PenFed Federal Credit Union and Navy Federal are two of the largest credit unions issuing credit cards. In total, there are 84 active card issuers in the U.S. as of 2023.
What can I use instead of a credit card to rent a car? ›
Renters have the option to prepay for a rental online with a debit card. Some locations may require a credit card at the time of pickup, but you can still pay for the rental with a debit card.
Do you really need a credit card to rent a car? ›
The short answer is no, a credit card is not required to rent a car, but it may make things easier. Most of the major rental agencies will accept debit cards for initial deposits and final payments.
Can you buy a car with a major credit card? ›
The short answer is yes, you may be able to pay for a car with a credit card. But whether you should is a different story. From transaction fees and high interest rates to credit limit concerns, there are various pitfalls to weigh before you try to use a credit card to pay for a car.
What is the #1 credit card to have? ›
The best credit card overall is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card because it gives 2% cash rewards on purchases and has a $0 annual fee. For comparison purposes, the average cash rewards card in 2024 gives about 1% back.
Major credit cards are any cards that belong to one of the big four credit card networks: Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. That's what stores mean by “we accept all major credit cards.” A major credit card will almost always show the logo of its network on the front. In some cases it'll be on the back.
Is Discover a major credit card? ›
Today there are four major credit card networks; American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa.
What is the most widely used credit card? ›
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 most widely accepted credit card as a result. Visa is also the most widely used type of credit card.
Is Chime a major credit card? ›
Chime is not a credit card. Chime is a financial technology company, but we do offer a secured credit card called the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card. Chime also offers a savings and checking accounts.
Is a bank credit card a major credit card? ›
Most major credit cards—which include Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express—are issued by banks, credit unions, or other financial institutions.
What are the three major types of credit cards? ›
Fortunately, most cards can be classified into three major categories based on the features they offer: rewards credit cards, low interest and balance transfer cards, and credit-building cards. This classification can help you narrow down your choices.
What credit score is needed for a major credit card? ›
That likely means a score of at least 670 on the FICO scale and more than 660 on the VantageScore scale. FICO scores are the most widely used, but both scoring systems represent the risk you pose to lenders on a scale of 300 to 850. The higher the score, the lower the risk.
What is the difference between a major credit card and a store credit card? ›
Both types can offer a way to finance purchases and receive certain perks. The big difference is where these cards are accepted. Conventional credit cards are accepted almost anywhere, while store cards are usually only valid ways to pay for purchases at select retailers.
How many major credit cards is too many? ›
It's generally recommended that you have two to three credit card accounts at a time, in addition to other types of credit. Remember that your total available credit and your debt to credit ratio can impact your credit scores. If you have more than three credit cards, it may be hard to keep track of monthly payments.
