Is the Chase Freedom a Visa or Mastercard? (April 2024)

As you rummage through your wallet, trying to decide which credit card you should use to make your next purchase, you may find yourself asking, “Is the Chase Freedom a Visa or Mastercard?” Let’s take a quick look at the differences between these two major credit card networks and why it matters.

If you’re a regular credit card user, chances are relatively good that you’ve encountered the rare merchant that doesn’t accept a particular credit card network. And it always seems that whichever network they do accept is the one for which you don’t have a card on hand.

Given the frequency of these experiences, it’s safe to say that your credit card network still matters, even in today’s digital day and age when acceptance is more prevalent. So it’s a valid concern if you can’t identify the network on which your credit card operates, particularly for the popular Chase Freedom® cards.

Freedom® Network | Visa vs. Mastercard | Top Visa Offers | Top Mastercard Offers

Most Chase cards operate on the Visa network, but the new Chase Freedom Flex℠ operates on the Mastercard network. All Chase bank debit and ATM cards also operate on the Visa network.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

at Chase'ssecure website

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0

Our Review »

• 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

• See application, terms and details.

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

Chase Freedom Flex℠

This card is currently not available.

Chase® 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

Additional Disclosure: The information related to Chase Freedom Flex℠ credit card has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.

So, what caused all the confusion in the first place? It all comes down to business — and money.

While the Discover and American Express networks mostly distribute their own in-house and co-branded credit cards, Visa and Mastercard credit cards are typically issued by third-party banks like Citibank, Chase, and U.S. Bank. As a side effect, some bank issuers can offer cards from both Visa and Mastercard in their card profiles.

That being said, specific credit card products are usually only associated with a single network, though there are some cards that break that mold. Indeed, at one point, the original Chase Freedom® card (now the Chase Freedom Flex℠) was issued for both Visa and Mastercard credit card networks (much to the confusion of its cardholders).

But, as usually happens in business (and bureaucracy) — contracts change. Chase’s partnership with Mastercard mostly fizzled around 2014, spurring the changeover to Visa. Mid-year, Chase phased out its Mastercard products, giving existing cardholders new Visa cards to replace the decommissioned Mastercard credit and debit cards.

Of course, that changed in 2020, when Chase launched the new Chase Freedom Flex℠ in partnership with Mastercard. Freedom Flex features World Elite Mastercard benefits, including cell phone insurance, ShopRunner, Lyft credits, and more.

Since the most obvious difference between credit card processing networks is acceptance, it makes sense to start there. For the most part, acceptance rates are pretty neck-and-neck for Visa and Mastercard in the U.S. In almost all cases, if a merchant accepts one, they accept both.

The main exception to this general principle is when specific brands have exclusive contracts with a particular network. The most popular example is the wholesale club, Costco, which currently has an exclusive contract with Visa which means it only accepts credit cards that operate on the Visa network.

And that relatively equal rate of acceptance is similar around the globe, with both cards being accepted in over 200 countries. The same exception applies as in the U.S., however, as some foreign merchants may have specific business reasons to use one network over others. A good example of this is found in Canada, where Walmart Canada has stopped accepting Visa cards.

The biggest factor for many merchants that determines whether they accept a particular credit card network is generally the cost. Processing transactions isn’t free, and networks charge merchants fees for every credit card transaction.

Overall, Visa and Mastercard fees aren’t too far apart in merchant costs, though Mastercard charges slightly more than Visa. Discover also charges similar fees to Visa and Mastercard, coming out somewhere in the middle. All three networks are significantly less expensive for merchants than American Express, however.

The Big Difference is in the Benefits

Beyond acceptance and transaction costs, the major differences between Visa and Mastercard come in the form of fringe benefits. Depending on the network (and the issuer), you’ll receive certain benefits from your card that can include things like purchase protection, warranty extensions, and rental car insurance.

The quality and amount of benefits you receive will typically vary based on whether you have a standard or premium card. Both Visa and Mastercard offer three tiers of cards, with the top-tier cards providing much more extensive benefits than the base models.

In particular, Visa’s three tiers include Visa Traditional, Visa Signature®, and Visa Infinite®. All members receive the same standard perks that include services like lost or stolen card reporting and emergency card replacement. Cardholders also receive an auto rental collision damage waiver and access to Roadside Dispatch®.

In addition, Visa Signature® members also receive warranty extensions and travel assistance. At the top status tier, Visa Infinite® members get everything from the lower tiers, plus extra perks that include return protection, travel accident insurance, trip delay, cancellation, and interruption coverage, and lost luggage reimbursement.

The three Mastercard tiers are the Standard/Gold Mastercard®, World Mastercard®, and World Elite Mastercard®. Similar to Visa, all three Mastercard tiers have access to the same basic benefits, including Mastercard Global Service which provides virtual emergency assistance that can help you find an ATM, report a lost or stolen card, and replace your card.

One tier up, the World Mastercard® cardholders also get access to special concierge services, enhanced price protection, and access to the World Luxury Hotels & Resorts program. And World Elite Mastercard® members get access to all of the above, plus a whole host of extra travel discounts and savings programs.

As diverse as the benefits may be, one thing to keep in mind is that no matter which network you have, specific issuers can add or augment your card benefits. For example, Chase upgrades the rental car insurance from secondary to primary for its Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Visa Signature®. Check your specific credit card to see what perks and benefits you have available.

As one might assume of the credit card network that holds the lion’s share of the global credit card transaction volume, a good chunk of the available credit cards sport a Visa logo on their faces. For those who are a fan of the Freedom® switch to Visa (or who just like what the network has to offer), options abound.

Those in the market for a Visa card can choose from any number of issuing banks — with the obvious exclusions of Discover and Amex — including Chase and Wells Fargo. Some issuers may offer both Visa and Mastercard, while others are strictly Visa partners. Start exploring Visa with some of our top-rated offers below.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

VISA® RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0

Our Review »

• $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
• Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
• Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishing purchases.
• If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
• No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
• 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
• Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
• This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases	0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%)	18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers	$0	Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

at Chase'ssecure website

VISA® RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0

Our Review »

• 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

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	21.49%-28.49% Variable	$95	Good/Excellent

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

at Chase'ssecure website

VISA® RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

4.7/5.0

Our Review »

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™; Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	22.49%-29.49% Variable	$550	Good/Excellent

+See More Visa Credit Cards

If you are bummed about the Chase Freedom Flex℠ switch and still holding a Visa grudge — or simply want the benefits and acceptance that come with using a Mastercard — don’t fret. You still have plenty of great options for the Mastercard you crave, many of which offer fair purchase rewards and valuable intro-APR offers.

In fact, dozens of banks have strong partnerships with Mastercard. They include several major issuers, like Bank of America, Citibank, and HSBC, as well as smaller community banks and credit unions (though many will offer cards from both networks). You can explore some of our favorite Mastercard options below.

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★

4.9

OVERALL RATING

4.9/5.0

Our Review »

• Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
• Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
• No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn

• See application, terms and details.

See Rates & Fees

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
0% for 15 months	0% for 15 months	19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)	$0	Excellent, Good

Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★

4.8

OVERALL RATING

4.8/5.0

Our Review »

• Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
• Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), plus 1% on all other purchases
• Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
• Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
• Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
• No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn

• See application, terms and details.

See Rates & Fees

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
0% for 15 months	0% for 15 months	19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)	$0	Excellent, Good

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★

4.8

OVERALL RATING

4.8/5.0

Our Review »

• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel

• See application, terms and details.

See Rates & Fees

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)	$95	Excellent, Good

+See More Mastercard Credit Cards

Overall, the differences between Visa and Mastercard are likely not very noticeable for most shoppers in general. So many U.S. merchants accept both networks that it’s rare to run into one that doesn’t — though it does happen. Outside the U.S., acceptance rates are still fairly close, meaning even the typical traveler likely won’t see much difference.

At the same time, the differences are there. Furthermore, if you’ve ever taken advantage of purchase price protection, rental car insurance, or other fringe benefits of being a cardholder, the differences between the two networks can be a lot more important.

In the end, though, there’s no perfect network for everyone. Your best bet to ensure universal acceptance is to carry more than one credit card so you can have access to multiple networks (and don’t forget that ATM card when traveling abroad — parking kiosks, ticket booths, and smaller merchants still prefer cash).

If you’re not sure of which network your card operates on and you have the card handy, simply look for the network’s logo on the front or back of your card. Discover cards always operate on the Discover network, and American Express cards always operate on the American Express network, so you’ll only see those logos. For Visa and Mastercard credit cards, you should have both a bank logo (e.g., Chase), as well as the network logo.