Zina Kumok is a personal finance writer, certified financial health counselor, and certified student loan counselor. She works as a money coach helping people one on one at ConsciousCoins.com. Her advice has been featured in Lifehacker, FoxBusiness, Time Magazine, Investopedia, Forbes, and several other major financial brands. She paid off $28,000 worth of student loans in three years. She's a three-time Plutus Awards finalist for Best Personal Finance Contributor and a three-time speaker at FinCon, the premier financial media conference.
Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Gwinnett Daily News, Gainesville Sun, and The New York Times, where she covered demographics, consumer issues, and the business and financial sectors. Lillian has a degree in journalism and communications from Georgia State University and brings her fact-checking expertise to ensure Digital Brands content is accurate and engaging.
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.
Below are our ratings of 2024's best Visa® credit card offers. Issued by a number of banks internationally, Visa® is accepted at millions of stores and ATMs around the world.
Disclosure: When you apply through links on our site, we often earn referral fees from partners. For more information, see our ad disclosure and review policy.
All Results
| 0% Intro APR
| Air Miles
| Business
| Cash Back
| Points
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
4.9/5.0
About this rating
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
4.9/5.0
About this rating
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
$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/furnishings 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 18.74% - 28.74% 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.
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%)
18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value. Earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. That's worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel. Plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.
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, 2027.
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
$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.
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, 2027.
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®
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
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 19.99% - 28.74%.
No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
4.8/5.0
About this rating
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
4.7/5.0
About this rating
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
$200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all 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 1.87%-2.62% cash back on every purchase with Preferred Rewards.
No annual fee.
No limit to the amount of cash back you can earn 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 18.74% - 28.74% 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.
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%)
18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
OVERALL RATING
4.7/5.0
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
4.7/5.0
About this rating
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Earn a $200 rewards bonus after you apply online and spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
Earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose.
Earn 2% cash back on one everyday category, like gas stations and EV charging stations, grocery stores or restaurants; 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Enjoy a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR applies.
Get your cash back as a statement credit, a rewards card or directly deposited into your U.S. Bank checking or savings account. Enjoy flexible options designed to fit your needs.
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Earn $1,000 bonus cash back after you spend $10,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Earn unlimited 2.5% total cash back on purchases of $5,000 or more and unlimited 2% cash back on all other business purchases.
Travel Benefits: Unlimited 5% total cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, No Foreign Transaction Fees and Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance.
The only business credit card with 2.5% cash back on every purchase of $5,000 or more.
Get the buying power you need to make large purchases, cover monthly expenses and help your business grow. While you must pay your Pay In Full balance each month, this card has built-in flexibility. The Flex for Business feature allows for qualifying purchases to be paid over time with interest.
Purchase with confidence with built-in protections like Fraud Protection, Zero Liability Protection, Purchase Protection, Cell Phone Protection, and Extended Warranty Protection.
There's no additional cost for employee cards. Monitor spend with digital tools like purchase alerts, set spending limits, reporting, and more.
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
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 18.74% - 28.74% 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%.
If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
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.
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%)
18.74% - 28.74% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 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℠
Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
Our in-house credit card experts rate Visa® offers based on:
Reward rates and redemptions
Regular and promotional APRs
Signup bonuses
Travel insurance and credits
Annual and other fees
General approval rates
Issuer reputation
We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.
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.
24 FAQs About Visa Credit Cards
By: Zina Kumok
Updated:
CardRates.com Guide: Visa®
When you’re trying to find the best Visa credit cards for your specific situation and lifestyle, things can get confusing pretty quickly. It helps to have a basic understanding of Visa as a company — what it is, how it operates, and how its credit offerings differ from one another.
That may sound like a lot of information, but we’ve put together an easily digestible overview of Visa to make things a little easier. After reading this article, you’ll be able to confidently make the right choice when shopping around for a Visa credit card.
1. What is Visa?
Visa is a payment processing network. Visa doesn’t actually issue credit, debit, or prepaid cards, but it works with partner companies to provide consumer and business cards. For example, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card is on the Visa network, but it’s issued by Chase Bank.
Mastercard, American Express, and Discover are the other three main networks, with Visa being the most widely accepted. It can be a little confusing because Discover and American Express are both issuers and card networks while Mastercard is only a payment network.
Visa began operating as a credit card processing network in 1958 when it joined Bank of America to offer the first real credit card for regular shoppers. In 1975, they launched the first debit card in the country.
At the time, the company was known as BankAmericard, but the name was changed to Visa in 1976. Visa went public in 2008, and it was the biggest IPO ever at the time.
Now, Visa is one of the most popular payment networks and widely accepted in hundreds of countries. If you’re traveling abroad and have to choose which card to bring, a Visa card is a safe choice.
In 2020, there were 335 types of Visa credit cards followed by 200 kinds of Mastercard cards. Visa has 323 million users while Mastercard only has 191 million users.
2. How Do I Get a Visa Card?
Because Visa is the largest credit card processing network, it’s very simple to get a Visa card if you’re not picky about what kind of card you want. First, decide if you need a prepaid, debit, or credit card.
A prepaid card is like an electronic gift card. You load money onto the card from a bank account, via check or cash, after which the merchant adds that money to the prepaid card.
You can buy prepaid cards at grocery stores, pharmacies, and online retailers. When the money runs out, you can visit the same retailer you bought it from or a different one. Prepaid cards can be reused multiple times.
Prepaid cards can be risky because there are no protections for consumers if the card is lost or stolen. For example, if you accidentally leave a prepaid card outside and a thief takes it, you can’t call the card provider to get your money. It’s simply gone.
A debit card is a card attached to a bank account. You can withdraw cash with a debit card or purchase items at both online and in-store retailers.
Most banks provide free debit cards when you open a checking account. If you lose your debit card, you can call the bank to cancel it. Even if someone finds it, they won’t be able to use it.
A credit card is the hardest type of Visa card to obtain. There are two main types of Visa credit cards: secured and unsecured. Choosing between the two depends on where your credit score is at.
A secured credit card requires a monetary deposit to serve as collateral. Secured credit cards are typically used by those with no credit history or by consumers trying to rebuild their credit history.
The minimum deposit for a secured credit card is often around $200, and the maximum deposit is about $5,000. The deposit will be held until the credit card account is closed or if the card is upgraded to a traditional credit card. This often takes several months of on-time payments.
Some card providers will automatically check your credit after a few months to see if you’re eligible for a regular credit card. Other providers may require that you do this yourself.
A regular or unsecured credit card doesn’t require a deposit. The credit limit is extended based on the borrower’s credit score. A consumer with a high credit score will usually be given a higher credit limit than a consumer with a low credit score.
When you make a purchase with a Visa credit card, the money will be deducted from the total credit limit. If your card has a $5,000 limit and you buy a $50 video game, then your remaining limit will be $4,950.
Some Visa credit cards are harder to get than others. For example, a travel rewards credit card may have higher credit score standards than a basic cash back credit card. Each card issuer has its own requirements and standards.
If you’re not approved for a Visa credit card, the issuer is obligated to provide a copy of your credit report and a general reason for the denial. Some common explanations include having too many other new credit accounts or not having an old enough credit history. If you just took out a loan, you may be denied if you try to open up a new credit card.
If you are denied, check your full credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. There may be a mistake on the credit report, which could be dragging down your credit score.
If you notice an account that doesn’t look familiar, file a dispute with the credit bureau directly. Make sure to do this for all three credit bureaus separately since they work independently from each other. The error could be due to someone stealing your identity and opening a credit card in your name or a lender misattributing an account from a borrower with a similar Social Security number.
3. How Do You Use a Visa Card?
A Visa card can be used with any in-store or online retailer that accepts it. If you’re shopping in person, you can ask the cashier if the store accepts Visa. Online retailers will also show which card networks they use when you’re ready to check out.
If you’re shopping online, the merchant will require the Visa’s 16-digit card number, expiration date, and the three-digit code on the back. They may also ask for the card’s billing address, which is the personal address attached to the card, or just the zip code.
When you shop in store, you can swipe the card, insert it into the card reader slot, or tap to pay and earn rewards on select cards for eligible purchases.
4. Which is the Best Visa Credit Card?
The best Visa credit card depends on your personal preferences and spending habits. If you travel abroad often, you may want a card with hotel and airline benefits. We like the Chase Freedom Unlimited® card.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has a signup bonus for new customers that is fairly easy to reach. It’s a flat-rate cash back card that also offers tiered bonus categories with higher cash back rates for all eligible purchases.
The card includes an introductory interest rate offer for new purchases. After the offer expires, the rate will revert to the variable APR assigned to you upon credit approval, based on your creditworthiness. Variable rates fluctuate with the federal prime rate.
Cash back rewards don’t expire while the card is open. Chase also doesn’t have a minimum redemption amount for rewards, which can be used for travel purchases, merchandise, retailer gift cards, and as a statement credit. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® has no annual fee, but it does charge a foreign transaction fee.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of our favorite travel Visa credit cards. It has a large signup bonus for new cardholders. The points can be redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal, where the points are worth more when redeemed for travel purchases.
Points can also be transferred to various hotels, airlines, and other travel partners. The card includes reimbursement for lost or delayed baggage, trip cancellation coverage, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.
The card has an annual fee, so only those who will earn enough in rewards to make up for the annual fee should open this card. There is no foreign transaction fee.
5. How Many Types of Visa Cards are There?
Within the general Visa network landscape, there are three main types of Visa cards with different rewards tiers. Here’s how they stack up:
Visa: This is the most basic type of Visa card and is also known as Visa Traditional. This is the easiest type of Visa card to apply and be approved for. Benefits include basic car rental coverage, roadside assistance, emergency cash disbursement, and extra discounts at certain retailers.
Visa Signature:Visa Signature cards have more travel perks and other benefits than the basic Visa card. Cardholders are part of the Visa Signature Hotel Collection, which entitles them to occasional room upgrades and other benefits at certain hotels. These cards also include extended warranty protection, a statement credit for Global Entry fees incurred, free travel accident insurance, free Priority Pass airport lounge access, reimbursement for checked bags, hotel theft protection, coverage for emergency medical expenses, and travel emergency services.
Visa Infinite: As the gold standard, Visa Infinite cards have more luxurious benefits than the previous two cards mentioned. Visa Infinite hotel credit cards include VIP status, free breakfasts, possible upgrades, and other amenities. Other Visa Infinite benefits include VIP status with rental car services, access to Sonoma wineries, special perks at Troon Golf resorts, 24/7 concierge services, and more.
General Visa cards are associated with credit cards for poor to good credit scores, whereas Visa Signature and Visa Infinite cards are generally associated with credit cards for good to excellent credit scores.
6. What is the Difference Between Visa and Mastercard?
Visa and Mastercard are two of the most popular card networks in the world. There are few differences between them, and together they make up most of the available credit card offerings in the marketplace.
Because they’re both widely accepted domestically and globally, there’s not much of a difference between them for practical purposes. Both networks process everyday purchases by the millions.
7. Is Visa or Mastercard Better?
It’s hard to say which is objectively better, considering how closely the two payment networks stack up. For anyone trying to decide which network is better, it’s more useful to compare specific cards from issuers of Visa and Mastercard cards.
Both Visa and Mastercard are accepted in the US and in most other countries. While there are slight differences between their specific business structure, this does not affect consumers on a day-to-day basis. Visa has a larger portion of the domestic market, 52.8% compared to 31.6% for Mastercard.
8. What Kind of Rewards Can I Get with a Visa Card?
Many card issuers provide cash back or rewards points for all eligible net purchases made on Visa cards. Cash back is the most popular type of rewards card among consumers.
In this scenario, the cardholder earns back a percentage of each eligible purchase on their account. The cash back may come in the form of a dollar amount, a point, or a mile.
Cash back rewards can often be redeemed for gift cards, merchandise, travel purchases, special events, cash deposited into your bank account, or as a statement credit on your account. Some even let you deposit cash back into an investment account such as a 529 or IRA. The redemption system depends on the card issuer.
Some Visa cards have a minimum redemption threshold. For example, if the minimum reward amount is $25 and you only have $23, you won’t be able to redeem that amount.
There are also cards with points or miles that expire after a certain time frame, or after you close the account. Other cards have rewards that never expire, even if the credit card is inactive.
Some Visa travel cards are tied to a specific hotel, airline, or store, and you can earn specific rewards to be used for those brands. For example, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Card lets you earn miles that can be redeemed only for Southwest Airlines flights. The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card provides cash back on Amazon.com purchases year-round.
9. Are there Visa Cards for Bad Credit?
While many credit cards require a good or excellent credit score, plenty of cards are available for those with poor credit. Responsibly using these cards can help you raise your credit score, eventually allowing you to qualify for a card with better terms and rates.
One of the best types of Visa cards for bad credit is a secured card. Secured cards are designed to aid those who are building credit. Some unsecured Visa credit cards are also available for those with fair credit.
Here are some of the best Visa cards for bad credit:
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Secured Credit Card offers the most generous cash back rewards we’ve seen offered on a secured card. You’ll need to make a deposit to open the card account, but you’ll receive the deposit back when you close the account or upgrade to an unsecured card from Bank of America.
You’ll also get access to a free FICO score so you can keep track of your credit-building progress.
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card requires a minimum $200 deposit to open an account, with a $3,000 maximum. OpenSky reports card activity to all three credit bureaus, which helps you build a strong credit history.
There’s an annual fee, cash advance fee, and foreign transaction fee. The OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card has a variable interest rate for everyday purchases.
Revvi Card
The Revvi Card is an unsecured card with a low initial credit limit, which may increase over time. This card charges an annual fee and requires a checking account to open.
10. What is the Interest Rate on Visa Cards?
As a card network, Visa doesn’t set the interest rate for its branded credit cards. Those decisions are made by the card issuers.
Visa credit cards come with several kinds of interest rates:
Standard purchase interest rate: The standard purchase interest rate applies to net purchases and is also known as the regular purchase APR.
Introductory interest rate: Some cards have a special introductory interest rate used to entice new customers. This may apply to new purchases, balance transfers, or both. The introductory interest rate will be offered for a set period of time, usually between six to 24 months. This varies depending on the type of card and the issuer. The introductory interest rate may be revoked if you make a late payment or fail to pay the minimum balance before the end of the billing cycle.
Balance transfer interest rate: If there’s no special offer for balance transfers, then the balance transfer APR is often the same as the purchase APR.
Cash advance interest rate: The cash advance interest rate only applies to cash advances, which is when you use the credit card at an ATM to withdraw cash. When you take out a cash advance, the interest will start accruing immediately. This is different than when you use a credit card to purchase an item because you have a grace period before the interest starts accruing. Taking out a cash advance is also more expensive. Most credit cards allow cash advances, but some do not.
Penalty interest rate: The penalty interest rate or APR applies when you make a late payment on your credit card or fail to pay the minimum payment by the end of the billing cycle. The penalty interest rate is higher than the regular rate. Not all credit cards charge a penalty interest rate, and some may waive it for your first late payment.
Always read through the cardholder agreement carefully to see the rates and terms you’ll be charged for different transactions. Choosing the card that will cost you the least is always a safe bet.
11. What is the Credit Limit on Visa Cards?
The credit limit on Visa cards varies depending on the card provider, your credit score, and the type of card. Secured Visa credit cards have lower credit limits than regular Visa credit cards because the limit is determined by how much the borrower can deposit.
Sometimes, you can call the credit card provider and ask them to increase the credit limit. This is more successful when you have a record of on-time payments and a low credit utilization.
12. Do Visa Cards Offer Signup Bonuses?
Many Visa credit cards offer a signup bonus, depending on the card issuer. Most signup bonuses require the cardholder to spend a certain amount within a specific time frame, usually three months. You won’t earn the bonus reward if you don’t spend the minimum amount or miss the deadline.
Signup bonuses are only available for new cardholders, but you may be eligible if it’s been more than two years since you last had the card.
13. Which Major Issuers Offer Visa Cards?
Most well-known banks have Visa cards on their roster. These include:
Citi (Only for their Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi and theirCostco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi. All their other card offerings are on the Mastercard network.)
Many issuers use multiple networks. For example, Wells Fargo has both Visa and American Express cards, and Capital One uses both Visa and Mastercard.
If you specifically want to apply for a Visa card, make sure beforehand that’s what you’re getting. Sometimes the card network logo isn’t visible on the card, so you have to dig around to find out which network it uses.
14. Do Credit Unions Issue Visa Cards?
Credit unions mostly issue Visa cards or Mastercard cards. This depends on the credit union you choose. You can contact a credit union before you apply to ask them what kind of card network they use.
Credit unions can issue both debit cards and credit cards. Debit cards will usually be free when you open an account, but you’ll have to apply for the credit card separately.
15. Does Visa Charge an Annual Fee?
Visa does not impose an extra fee as the card network, but some credit card issuers may charge an annual fee. A 2019 survey from U.S. News found that almost 70% of all credit cards do not charge an annual fee. Debit cards do not have an annual fee either.
Annual fees vary based on the specific card. Some card providers will waive the annual fee for the first year, but others won’t.
Annual fees are more often associated with high-level rewards credit cards or cards for bad credit. Most annual fees are below $100, but the top-tiered cards have annual fees that cost hundreds of dollars per year.
Visa credit cards may also come with late fees, which are charged when you miss the payment due date or pay less than the minimum amount. These often cost between $28 and $40.
Cardholders can set up automatic payments to avoid late fees. They can also use their bank’s bill pay system, which will send a physical check to the credit card company.
Visa credit cards that allow balance transfers may also charge a balance transfer fee, which is separate from the balance transfer interest rate or APR. The fee is often a percentage of the balance transfer amount or a dollar figure, whichever is greater.
Cash advances also have fees in addition to the cash advance interest rate. The cash advance fee is usually between 2% and 8% of the total, with a minimum fee of between $5 and $10. A very small percentage of credit cards do not charge a cash advance fee.
When you use a credit card abroad, you may pay a foreign transaction fee that typically hovers around 3%. If you spend $100 at a restaurant in Italy, you may pay a $3 foreign transaction fee, for instance. About 40% of all credit cards, especially travel rewards cards, do not charge foreign transaction fees.
A returned payment fee is charged when the account you used to pay your credit card bill does not have enough money in it or is closed.
16. What is the Difference Between a Visa Debit Card and a Visa Credit Card?
A Visa debit card relies on funds from your bank account to pay for transactions, while a Visa credit card provides a line of credit to customers who can charge expenses against that credit limit. When the credit card bill is due, cardholders can choose to pay the minimum payment, statement balance, or current balance.
Debit cards have fewer rewards, benefits, and protections than credit cards. It’s very difficult to earn cash back with a debit card, and there are no perks such as free rental car coverage.
However, it’s also easy to run up debt with a credit card if you’re not tracking your expenses. Some people justify buying more with a credit card because they can earn rewards. Local and small businesses sometimes charge an extra fee if you’re using a credit card.
17. What are Some of the Benefits of Having a Visa Credit Card?
Visa credit cards have fraud protection, which limits the cardholder’s liability if the card is stolen or their identity is hacked. Some Visa cards also have extended warranty protection, which lengthens the manufacturer’s warranty on an item purchased with the card.
For example, if you use a Visa card to buy a refrigerator with a one-year warranty, your Visa card may provide an extra year of warranty coverage for free.
Some Visa credit cards also come with rental car protection so you don’t have to buy extra insurance from the rental company. Every Visa card also lets cardholders dispute purchases if the vendor has failed to meet expectations. If you buy a chair online that arrives broken and the company refuses to replace it, then you could dispute the charge on your Visa card.
18. What are the Downsides to Opening a Visa Card?
There are no downsides to opening a Visa debit card, but there may be some concerns with a Visa credit card.
Every time you open a new credit card, it results in a hard inquiry from the credit card issuer on your credit report. This will often result in a five- to 10-point drop in your credit score. If you have several recent hard inquiries on your credit report, a lender may deny your application because they think you’re having trouble paying your bills.
Opening a new card also decreases the average age of your credit history, which makes up 15% of your credit score. If you’re about to take out a major loan like a mortgage or auto loan, opening a new card may affect your rates. It can also affect the likelihood of your being approved.
Every time you take out a credit card, you have to be vigilant about monitoring your credit utilization. Depending on how many credit cards you have, this could be easy or difficult. You may find it helpful to create a spreadsheet or use a third-party budgeting system to track everything.
You also need to make sure your payments go through on time. Missing one payment could cause as much as a 180-point drop in your credit score. This could also result in late fees and penalty interest.
It could become even more expensive if you have opened a card for the 0% APR offer because missing a payment could negate that offer completely. This is why it’s best to be extra careful and set up automatic payments for every card. You should also double-check that the payments are going through.
You should also be mindful of opening a card with an annual fee. Some cards have signup bonuses that make the annual fee worth it, but this also depends on how you use the credit card.
Those who use the card and maximize the rewards may outearn the annual fee. Do the math beforehand to ensure that the annual fee is worth it.
For example, if you’re going to earn 5% cash back on groceries with a card that has a $95 annual fee, look at your monthly grocery transactions to verify that you spend enough on groceries to justify the annual fee. In this example, you’ll need to spend $160 a month or more on groceries.
Some cards waive the annual fee for the first year. If you’re opening a credit card for the signup bonus or special 0% APR offer and don’t want to pay the annual fee, set a calendar reminder to cancel the card before then if the fee isn’t worth the rewards. Make sure that you won’t be forfeiting any bonus cash or bonus point rewards if you do this.
Another potential downside is giving a Visa card to an authorized user, like a child or relative. When you add an authorized user to your account, you become legally responsible for their purchases. You may also have to pay an extra fee for an additional card.
19. What is the Difference between Visa Signature and Visa Infinite?
The main differences between Visa Signature and Visa Infinite are the benefits and requirements. The Visa Infinite program has more high-end perks for cardholders and is a welcome addition for those who travel often and love entertainment.
The Visa Signature program, on the other hand, still includes generous extras, including a reimbursement of fees as a statement credit when you purchase Global Entry and VIP status with various car rental companies.
20. Why is Visa so Popular?
As the global leader in credit card payment processing, the Visa network handles billions of transactions each year from countries around the world. Hundreds of credit cards from banks and credit unions rely on the network's high acceptance rate at merchants in over 200 countries and territories.
Visa remains the most popular credit card network partly because it was the first. It was also an innovative company responsible for creating the debit card and popularizing traveler’s checks.
When a brand reaches a certain level of recognition, its market dominance begins to sustain itself. Think of companies like Nike, Coca-Cola, and Apple.
In other words, Visa continues to be a popular option, in large part, because the brand name has become synonymous with credit card offerings.
of credit cards you should have. Some people have a dozen credit cards and still maintain an excellent credit score, while others have one credit card and a low credit score. What matters is how responsible you are with the credit cards you have.
If you’re trying to improve your score, start by paying your credit card bills on time every month. This is the biggest factor in your credit report, responsible for 35% of your credit score. In some cases, your score could drop by more than 100 points after just one late payment.
The easiest way to avoid paying late is to set up automatic payments through the credit card provider. This will ensure that your payments are always on time.
The next step is to maintain a credit utilization ratio between 0% to 30%. Ideally, the ratio should be below 10%.
The credit utilization ratio is the amount of credit being used divided by the amount of the total credit limit. The ratio makes up 30% of your total credit score and is the second-biggest factor used in calculating your score.
If you have a $200 balance on your credit cards and a $10,000 total credit limit, then your utilization is 2%. The utilization ratio applies to both individual cards and the total amount across all your open cards.
You may have to monitor your credit cards closely to maintain a good credit utilization ratio. In some cases, it may be helpful to pay off your credit card more than once a month so the card issuer doesn’t report a high utilization to the credit bureaus.
You should also avoid closing old credit cards and opening new ones frequently. The average age of your credit accounts makes up 15% of your credit score.
If you have so many cards that you’re losing track of the utilization or missing payments, then it may be time to simplify your wallet. Consider using one or two cards regularly and setting them to autopay.
22. Should I Have a Mix of Credit Cards?
If you look in your wallet and discover that you only have Visa cards, you may wonder if you need more variety. There’s no real downside to only having Visa cards because they’re the most popular among merchants.
The only time you should be concerned with the specific type of card network is when you’re traveling abroad. If you have a Visa or Mastercard, then you’re probably going to be fine.
The only possible issue is if you have an American Express card, which is still less popular than Visa, Mastercard, and Discover in some countries. If you only have an American Express card, it may be wise to add a Visa or Mastercard to make sure you’re covered.
23. Does Visa offer Business Credit Cards?
Visa does not have its own specific business credit cards, but there are many card issuers that partner with Visa to provide business credit cards.
To qualify for a business credit card, you’ll have to provide your business’s address, contact information, revenue, and other details. Approval may depend on your business credit score if you have an LLC, or your personal credit score if you’re a sole proprietor.
There are many different kinds of Visa business cards. Some offer rewards similar to consumer credit cards, including cash back on business-related purchases.
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is one of the most popular options and includes a signup bonus, extra cash back on certain categories, and no foreign transaction fees. Employees can receive their own cards for free.
24. Is Visa Better than American Express or Discover?
and Discover are both card networks and issuers, which makes them different from Visa. Visa is only a network.
Visa is much more popular and accessible than American Express, which has higher standards for potential cardholders. American Express targets high-earning individuals and is also less commonly accepted by international merchants.
Discover cards include both secured cards and traditional credit cards. Both Discover and American Express are accepted at 99% of places that accept credit cards in the U.S.
If you’re choosing between a Visa, American Express, or Discover card, choose from among the best Visa credit cards.
Editorial Note: Our site content is not provided or commissioned by any credit card issuer(s). Opinions expressed on CardRates.com are the author's alone, not those of any credit card issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by credit card issuers. Every reasonable effort has been made to maintain accurate information; however, all credit card offer details, including information about rewards, signup bonuses, introductory offers, and other terms and conditions, is presented without warranty. Clicking on any offer on CardRates.com will direct you to the issuer's website, where you can review the current terms and conditions of the offer.
The information on this page was reviewed for accuracy on .
About the Author
Zina Kumok
Zina Kumok is a personal finance writer, certified financial health counselor, and certified student loan counselor. She works as a money coach helping people one on one at ConsciousCoins.com. Her advice has been featured in Lifehacker, FoxBusiness, Time Magazine, Investopedia, Forbes, and several other major financial brands. She paid off $28,000 worth of student loans in three years. She's a three-time Plutus Awards finalist for Best Personal Finance Contributor and a three-time speaker at FinCon, the premier financial media conference.
Share the Knowledge!
Our finance experts work hard to show you the best credit cards. Want to show your appreciation? Share this page!
Advertiser Disclosure: The credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which CardRates.com receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. See the credit card issuer's website for specific terms and conditions of each card.