The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Saturday, April 20, 2024

8 Best Visa Signature Cards (April 2024)

Best Visa Signature Cards
Eric Bank

Written by: Eric Bank

Eric Bank
Eric Bank

Eric Bank is an M.B.A. who has covered financial and business topics since 1985, appearing regularly on Credible, eHow, WiseBread, The Nest, Zacks, Chron, BadCredit.org and dozens of other outlets. Eric specializes in taking complex subject matters and explaining them in simple terms for consumer audiences, particularly in the world of personal finance. Eric holds a Master's in Business Administration from New York University and a Master's in Finance from DePaul University.

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Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro
Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has written and edited for major news organizations, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the New York Times, and she previously served as an adjunct journalism instructor at the University of Florida. Today, Lillian edits all CardRates content for clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement.

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Reviewed by: Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker
Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.

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Advertiser Disclosure

The world is slightly nicer when you have a Visa Signature card in your wallet. This type of credit card provides valuable core benefits and a handsome credit line. 

Issuers such as Capital One and Chase enhance their Visa Signature cards with additional perks to create unique blends of relationship rewards, bonuses, and costs. We’ve evaluated nine of the best — any one of them may be a perfect fit for your lifestyle.

These Are the Best Visa Signature Cards

Six of the following nine Visa Signature cards come from Chase Bank, the credit card issuer with the highest number of cardholders in the United States. Chase offers in-person and online banking. 

Capital One is also a credit card and online banking powerhouse, with one entrant in this group. Fidelity and US Bank round out the list. Although all nine share the Visa Signature designation, each card offers a unique balance of costs and benefits.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Review

at Chase’ssecure website

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
  • Member FDIC
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.49%-28.49% Variable
$95
Good/Excellent

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card reserves its highest bonus rate for travel purchased according to the Chase Ultimate Rewards program terms. Streaming services, online grocery shopping, and restaurant dining also earn bonus points. The card provides an annual hotel credit, trip cancellation and baggage delay insurance, and an anniversary bonus point boost.

Your Ultimate Rewards program points are worth 1.25X more when you redeem them through Chase Travel. You can transfer points to all participating frequent travel programs at a 1:1 value. The signup bonus lets new cardmembers earn a large sum of bonus points credited to their account after they spend the required amount on net purchases during the initial three months of card ownership.

Chase Freedom Unlimited® Review

at Chase’ssecure website

VISA® RATING

★★★★★

4.8

OVERALL RATING

  • INTRO OFFER: Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) – worth up to $300 cash back!
  • Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
  • After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 20.49% – 29.24%.
  • No annual fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
20.49% – 29.24% Variable
$0
Good/Excellent

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers an excellent reward rate on travel booked through the Chase Travel portal. Furthermore, this no-annual-fee card provides remarkable travel benefits, including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel and emergency assistance services, and auto rental collision damage waiver. 

If you also own a Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you can transfer your Freedom card’s Ultimate Reward points to it and gain extra redemption value at Chase Travel. In addition, Chase Freedom Unlimited provides purchase protection, zero liability protection, fraud monitoring, extended warranty protection, identity restoration services, and free credit score access. 

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card Review

at Chase’ssecure website

VISA® RATING

★★★★★

4.7

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more – your points don’t expire as long as your account is open
  • Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.24%-26.24% Variable
$95
Good/Excellent

Chase Bank’s Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card offers much value for a moderate annual fee. You earn bonus points on travel and select other business purchases, a generous signup bonus, and a 25% increase in rewards value when you redeem your points through Chase Travel℠.

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card‘s high reward rate extends to net purchases for online advertising, shipping, and connectivity (i.e., cable, internet, and phone services). This Visa Signature card provides 1:1 point transfers to participating frequent travel programs and doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee on international purchases. If you frequently travel, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is the best credit card in the Ink collection.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card Review

at the issuer’ssecure website

VISA® RATING

★★★★★

4.7

OVERALL RATING

4.6/5.0
  • Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days of account opening. That’s a $200 value redeemable toward merchandise, gift cards, cash back, travel, and more. Points never expire.
  • Earn 4X points on dining, takeout, and restaurant delivery
  • Earn 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, streaming services, gas stations, and EV charging stations  — all other purchases earn 1 point per $1
  • Enjoy a 0% Intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR applies
  • $15 credit for annual streaming service purchases such as Netflix, Apple TV, Spotify, and more.
  • $0 Annual Fee
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
0% for 12 billing cycles
0% for 12 billing cycles
19.49% – 28.49% (Variable)
$0
Good/Excellent

Foodies will enjoy owning the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card, thanks to its generous rewards on dining and grocery purchases. The bank doesn’t charge an annual fee yet provides ample perks and a low variable APR relative to the Prime Rate. 

New cardmembers can receive a signup bonus and a 0% APR on balance transfers and/or new purchases for a set period after account opening. There is never a foreign transaction fee, and you can redeem your rewards online or through mobile banking for cash back, travel, gift card options, and merchandise.

Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card Review

at the issuer’ssecure website

VISA® RATING

★★★★★

4.5

OVERALL RATING

4.4/5.0
  • Unlimited 2% cash back. Every eligible net $1 spent equals 2 Reward Points. No limits on total Reward Points and no restrictive categories.
  • Deposit your rewards into one eligible Fidelity account or divide them among several. You can even use your rewards to fund a loved one’s account. Choose from up to 5 eligible accounts.
  • Enjoy hotel and transportation discounts, a best available rate guarantee, beverage credits, and special offers at premium retailers.
  • Access 24-hour complimentary assistance with everything from booking travel to getting concert tickets for your favorite musician.
  • $0 Annual Fee
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
18.49% (Variable)
$0
Good/Excellent

The Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card offers flat-rate rewards on all eligible purchases. You can link this Visa Signature credit card to any five Fidelity accounts, including those for retirement, brokerage, cash management, and college savings. 

The card has no restrictive categories on everyday purchases, no reward limits, no annual fee, and a good credit line. It supports mobile banking. You can take advantage of car rental deals, lost luggage reimbursement, and travel insurance. Card protections include zero fraud liability, purchase security, and emergency card replacement.

Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card Review

at the issuer’ssecure website

VISA® RATING

★★★★★

4.7

OVERALL RATING

4.6/5.0
  • Earn 5% cash back at Aamzon.com and Whole Foods market
  • Earn 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, 1% back on all other purchases
  • Exclusively for customers with an eligible Prime membership
  • Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon credit card approval
  • See your rewards balance during checkout at Amazon.com and easily use rewards to pay for all or part of your purchase — no minimum rewards balance to redeem rewards
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
14.24% – 22.24%
$0 (Prime Membership Required)
Good/Excellent

The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card from Chase pays bonus cash rewards to Prime members for purchases from Amazon.com and other select merchants, including Whole Foods. Prime Video is Amazon’s streaming service and comes with Prime membership at no extra cost. You can add other streaming services via the Amazon website or app.

The card’s signup bonus is unique because you don’t have to spend any money (other than your Prime membership fee) to get it. 

7. Chase Freedom® Student credit card

This card is currently not available.

Visa® Rating

★★★★★

N/A

OVERALL RATING

N/A
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

Undergraduates can get the Chase Freedom® Student credit card card even if they don’t have any credit history. Its modest signup bonus and cash back rate befit its role as a no-annual-fee student card.

Cardowners get free credit scores from Chase Credit Journey. You also get automatic fraud alerts, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, and trip interruption insurance. Redeem your points for cash back, travel, gift cards (including Amazon gift cards), and purchases at Amazon.com and the Apple Ultimate Rewards Store.

United℠ Business Card Review

at Chase’ssecure website

VISA® RATING

★★★★

4.4

OVERALL RATING

  • Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
  • $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
  • Receive a 5,000-mile “better together” bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card.
  • Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
  • Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, employee cards at no additional cost – miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards faster.
  • Enjoy a free first checked bag – a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United Club℠ one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
Intro (Purchases)
Intro (Transfers)
Regular APR
Annual Fee
Credit Needed
N/A
N/A
21.99% – 28.99% Variable
$99
Good/Excellent

The United℠ Business Card welcomes you with a surplus of bonus miles when you meet the spending requirement within the first three months your account is open. Chase Bank offers this co-branded card with United Airlines.

You can save up to $140 per round trip thanks to the free first checked bag on United flights. If you carry a personal United credit card, you’ll also receive 5,000 bonus miles each card anniversary.

Benefits of Visa Signature Cards

Visa Signature benefits vary by card issuer but may include:

  • Airline incidental fees: You may be entitled to rebates for air travel-related fees such as accelerated airport security, checked-luggage charges, and in-flight food.
  • Baggage delay reimbursement: If a carrier delays or misdirects your checked baggage for more than four hours, you can receive reimbursement for necessities you purchase with a Visa Signature card (up to $300).
  • Cellphone protection: Insurance covers your phone for loss or damage when you use a Visa Signature card to pay the wireless bill. A $50 deductible applies.
  • Emergency evacuation: When you use your covered Visa Signature card for a qualifying purchase of travel tickets, this benefit can transport you to the nearest medical facility for treatment if you are sick or injured ($10,000 maximum).
  • Extended warranty protection: This benefit extends the life of a manufacturer’s warranty but doesn’t improve the terms. The warranty period doubles if the original warranty is for less than one year. You get one extra year of coverage when the original warranty period is one to three years. Longer original warranties get no boost. Coverage limits are $10,000/claim and $50,000/cardmember. Coverage excludes certain purchases, including computer software, vehicles, and real estate.
  • Global Entry Credit: Pay your Global Entry fee with a Visa Signature card and receive a $100 reimbursement as a statement credit.
  • Hotel theft protection: Provides reimbursement for personal belongings stolen from your room. Specific terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. For coverage to apply, you must use your covered card to secure transactions.
  • Lost luggage reimbursement: When you use the card to make a qualifying purchase of tickets, you’re eligible for reimbursement on lost luggage, checked or carry-on.
  • Price protection: If an item you purchased with your covered Visa Signature card appears in a print advertisement at a lower price, you can receive a reimbursement for the difference.
  • Priority Pass lounge access: You can enjoy VIP access to more than 850 airport lounges worldwide.
  • Return protection: Use your covered Visa Signature card and get extra return protection anytime you make an eligible purchase of an item worth up to $250. Coverage extends for 90 days after purchase when a merchant refuses to accept a return.
  • Travel accident insurance: Purchase your airline ticket with your covered Visa Signature card, and you can enjoy travel accident insurance. Specific terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
  • Travel and emergency assistance: This benefit includes access to pre-travel information, legal help, medical and dental support, and logistical assistance. If you used your Signature card to purchase the travel tickets, you can receive reimbursement of up to $2,500. 
  • Trip cancellation/trip interruption reimbursement: When you purchase your travel ticket with a covered Visa Signature card and must cancel or interrupt your trip, this benefit can help reimburse for the non-refundable cost of your passenger fare. This coverage also applies to travel via ferry, rail, bus, or cruise ship.
  • Trip delay reimbursement: Covers delays when you purchase air travel with your covered Visa Signature card. You can receive up to $300 when your delay lasts more than 12 hours due to a covered hazard.
  • Visa Signature Concierge: This is a 24/7 service where you can get help with personal tasks, such as arranging a trip or making a dinner reservation. Naturally, you will have to pay for any resulting purchases.
  • Year-end spending summary: You’ll receive an annual report detailing your card usage. This information may help you file your income tax return and plan your budget.

In addition, if you are a Visa Signature cardholder, you receive all the benefits from the Visa Traditional tier.

Comparing the Different Types of Visa Cards

Visa offers three credit card tiers: Traditional, Signature, and Infinite. All Traditional benefits are available to the higher tiers, and the Infinite level also includes Signature benefits.

Visa does not issue credit cards — it processes payments. As the leading credit card payment network, Visa is responsible for ensuring merchants receive their payments on time. It makes money by charging merchants a fee for its services, typically around 0.15% per transaction. 

The other large payment processors are Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. The latter two also issue credit cards, but like Visa, Mastercard does not issue credit cards.

Note that benefits vary by card issuer, but each Visa tier generally provides the following advantages.

Visa Traditional

Traditional Visa

Most cards carrying the Visa logo are Traditional. The card issuer, not Visa, determines the additional features such as rewards program terms and introductory APR promotions.

The Visa logo on your credit card means you will be getting the following Traditional benefits:

  • Lost/stolen card reporting, emergency replacement, and emergency cash: Should your card be stolen or lost, you can call Visa USA Inc, which will cooperate with the card issuer to expedite replacement and, if necessary, an emergency cash advance.
  • Roadside assistance: You can call for help (800-847-2869) if you need roadside help. Services include towing, unlocking, tire changes, jump starts, winching, and fuel delivery. Limits apply to some of these services. For example, you can get up to five gallons of gas and must pay for it, along with a service fee. Towing is free for only the first five miles.
  • Zero fraud liability: According to Visa, “You won’t be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your account or account information. You’re protected if your Visa credit card is lost, stolen, or fraudulently used, online or offline.” Contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to report credit card fraud. 
  • Cardholder inquiry services: If you ever need information about your Visa USA Inc card, you can call this service and ask about the features you get from the issuer and the Visa network.

Unique Visa Traditional savings are available from Blacklane, Casa Cipriani New York, Conrad Los Angeles, Fanatics.com, Green Chef, Hertz, and other merchants.

Visa Signature

Visa Signature

Signature is Visa’s middle tier, used primarily by cards for good to excellent credit. The minimum credit line for Visa Signature is $5,000.

Benefits include the Traditional benefits above, plus:

  • Auto rental collision damage waiver (CDW): This secondary coverage kicks in only after you exhaust your primary car insurance. It covers you in case of vehicle theft or damage for rental periods of up to 15 days. You must decline the rental agency’s CDW offer, report the incident to Visa Card Benefit Services within 45 days, and file a claim within 90 days. You have up to a year to provide any required documents. Coverage does not include liability protection and excludes certain large, expensive, or off-road vehicles.
  • Travel and emergency assistance services: Your Visa Signature card provides access to a 24/7 multilingual call center for additional services when you’re away from home.

These cards also offer special guest status at 900+ Visa Signature Luxury Hotel properties worldwide. You can tour Sonoma wine country, save on golf fees, and enjoy exclusive shopping deals.

Visa Infinite

Visa Infinite

Visa Infinite is the top tier available to issuers of Visa credit cards. Infinite cards generally require cardholders to have excellent credit. The luxury cards in the Visa Infinite tier usually charge substantial annual fees.

This tier includes the benefits from Visa Traditional and Visa Signature. It differs from Visa Signature in the following ways:

  • Luxury Hotel Collection added benefit: Each property offers a special amenity to guests who pay with a Visa Infinite card.
  • Minimum initial credit limit: $10,000
  • Rental car privileges added benefit: You are eligible for additional savings and amenities when you use the Infinite card to rent from Hertz, Avis, Silvercar, or National.
  • Trip delay reimbursement: Up to $500
  • Visa Infinite Concierge Services: An unspecified upgrade in services across the globe.

As you can see, the step up from Traditional to Signature is much steeper than the one from Signature to Infinite. This may be because the issuers of Infinite cards usually provide their own extensive list of perks.

What Credit Score Do You Need to Get a Visa Signature Card?

Each issuer sets the credit score requirements for its cards, but generally, you need a good score, around 700 or higher, to be eligible for a Visa Signature card. Other conditions may pertain to your income, credit history, and existing credit access. 

Some card issuers allow consumers to include household income when they apply for a Visa Signature card. Income may include Social Security benefits, rental income, and retirement account payments.

How Does World Mastercard Compare to Visa Signature?

As with Visa Signature, World Mastercard occupies a middle tier. Although its benefits closely align with those of Visa Signature, World Mastercard differs in a few ways — but remember that credit card issuers determine each card’s benefits, so you will have to compare specific cards to decide which is best for you.

World Mastercard may vary in a few ways:

  • No roadside assistance
  • Global Entry reimbursement
  • Different insurance details
  • Different shopping discounts
  • Provides a guarantee for the lowest hotel rates 

It’s more important to check out the costs and rewards of competing credit cards than to focus solely on the benefits that the payment networks provide.

What Is the Credit Limit For a Visa Signature Card?

Visa Signature credit cards have a minimum credit limit of $5,000. Many cardholders have higher credit lines, but it’s impossible to say where the upper limit lies or even if there is one. 

That’s because the card issuers, not the payment network, decide credit limits on a case-by-case basis. 

The minimum credit limit for the Visa Infinite tier is $10,000. This higher limit makes it harder to qualify for a Visa Infinite card. Besides the credit limit difference, the benefits from Visa Infinite are marginally better than those from Visa Signature. Keep this in mind when you consider the higher annual fees that usually accompany Visa Infinite cards.

Sign Up For a Visa Signature Card

You may have no idea what tier your Visa card occupies. That’s only a problem if you aren’t aware of all the benefits you have if you own a Visa Signature card. The card issuers usually mail out a pamphlet to new cardholders explaining benefits, and it’s worth a look. 

Qualifying for a Visa Signature card is no small feat, and you deserve all the benefits due you. You can call Visa and your card issuer if you have questions about your credit card perks. 

More importantly, it’s wise to read reviews like this one and the card’s disclosures before signing up, especially if it charges a significant annual fee. 

Advertiser Disclosure

CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.