When looking to get a new credit card, you might be overwhelmed by the abundance of choices you have. The different cards come with different rewards, benefits, and advantages, and it can be difficult choosing the one that suits your needs best.
Luckily, you cannot go wrong with a Visa credit card. Many banks and credit unions offer VISA® cards to their clients, and whether you have an excellent credit score or a poor one, you should be able to find a suitable VISA® for you.
Let’s take a closer look at VISA® card offers and see what they have to offer.
What is VISA® Card?
With a VISA® card, you can easily make purchases in person and online almost anywhere in the world. VISA® cards are accepted in over 170 countries around the globe, and it is by far the most popular credit card company in 123 of them.
Currently, there are over 336 million VISA® credit cards in the USA and an additional 771 million of them are in circulation in other countries around the world. VISA® popularity is on the rise, and you’ll rarely come across a merchant that doesn’t accept this credit card.
With such a large number of people relying on VISA® credit cards, you can rest assured that you’re making a good choice if you go for one of these cards yourself.
Is Visa a Card Issuer or a Card Network?
When it comes to choosing a credit card, you will have to find a good card network and a reliable card issuer who is partnered with the said network. Card issuers and card networks perform different jobs and are completely different concepts.
A card issuer is the bank or credit union that you can take your credit card from. They are partnered with card networks and are responsible for accepting your credit card application, for setting the terms and conditions of your contract, deciding on your rates and fees, etc. Since credit cards are essentially loans, it’s the card issuer that loans you the money.
Card networks, on the other hand, are responsible for facilitating the transactions between a buyer and a merchant. They control where their credit cards can be accepted, and which issuers can offer the cards.
So, Visa is a card network. When you apply for a VISA®, you will have to contact a bank or credit union that is partnered with it so that they can issue you the card. You will not send your credit card application directly to VISA® company.
If you have problems with your VISA® credit card or have questions about your interest rates and fees, you will address your concerns with your credit issuer.
Traditional? Signature? Infinite?
There are 3 types of Visa credit cards that all come with different perks and advantages. Your credit cards can be:
- Visa Traditional
- Visa Signature
- Visa Infinite
If you already have a VISA® credit card and would like to know which type of card it is, you can typically see in on the card itself. Right next to the Visa logo on your card, you will see “Signature” or “Infinite”, and if you see just the logo itself, it’s likely that you have a “Traditional” VISA® card. If you’re still unsure, you can always check with your bank issuer.
What Are VISA® Card Benefits and Rewards?
The different types of VISA® credit cards offer different benefits. However, it’s important to note that these are mostly dependent on your card issuer. While VISA® does offer certain benefits to cardholders, it’s the issuers that decide whether they will provide the same benefits. In most cases, they do, but sometimes the issuers offer their own benefits and rewards either instead of or on top of other VISA® benefits.
Traditional VISA® Benefits
Visa Traditional credit card can include some of the following:
- Cardholder inquiry service
- Lost/ stolen card reporting
- Emergency card replacement/ emergency cash disbursement
- Auto rental collision damage waiver
- Zero liability
- Roadside dispatch
Signature VISA® Benefits
- All of the Visa Traditional benefits
- Extended warranty
- Year-end summary
- Travel and emergency assistance services
Infinite VISA® Benefits
- All of the Visa Signature benefits
- Return protection
- Purchase protection
- Travel protections
You can learn more about the benefits of VISA® credit cards online, or through your credit card issuer.
How Can I Contact VISA®?
- VISA® contacts – send an email or live chat (not a 24/7 service) – click here.
- VISA® Report Stolen/ Lost Card or How to cancel Visa credit card — check this page.
- VISA® website – visa.com
- VISA® Global Customer Assistance Services Toll-free Numbers (Download PDF)
Which Credit Card Should You Choose?
When it comes to choosing a credit card, your primary considerations should be the rates and fees, as well as the rewards and benefits. These depend on your credit card issuer, and not on a credit card network such as VISA®.
Your credit card should suit your lifestyle. If you enjoy shopping at various locations and want to have a card that you can use almost anywhere, having a Visa credit card is your best choice. If you use your credit card at a select few locations, you can choose any of the other credit card networks.
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