Visa or Mastercard? Which is the best brand?

When choosing your credit card, you're faced with the question: Visa or Mastercard? Which brand should you choose to use with your card?

In this article, we'll compare the two cards and provide guidance on which one to choose for your use. Read on to the end and discover the difference between Visa and Mastercard.

What are Visa and Mastercard?

Visa and Mastercard are two of the main companies operating in the electronic payments sector and providing services related to credit and debit cards.

Visa is a global payments technology company that facilitates electronic transactions worldwide. It operates a payments network that connects card issuers (such as banks and financial institutions) with merchants that accept Visa cards.

Similarly, Mastercard is a multinational payments company that also provides financial transaction processing services. Mastercard operates a global payment network, similar to Visa, that facilitates the electronic transfer of funds between card issuers and merchants.

Both Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in merchants worldwide. Their cards are used for in-store purchases as well as online transactions.

Credit cards: Visa or Mastercard

To begin with, let's see which cards are issued by Visa and which cards are issued by Mastercard.

Visa cards

• Classic
• Gold
• Platinum
• Signature
• Infinite

Mastercard cards

• Standard
• Gold
• Platinum
• Black

Who is better: Visa or Mastercard?

Although Visa has a slight advantage in this regard due to having one more variant on its credit card, here we have a technical tie, as both brands offer cards for all audiences.

When choosing, it's important that you choose the type of card that best suits your customer profile and, therefore, you'll have a better chance of having the card approved.

Benefits and rewards programs: Visa or Mastercard?

Want to learn about the benefits of Visa and Mastercard? Check it out!

Benefits of the Visa flag

• Classic: Emergency Withdrawal Service; Emergency Card Replacement; Visa.
• Gold: Price Protection; Purchase Protection; Original Extended Warranty; all of the above benefits.
• Platinum: all benefits listed above; Visa Digital Concierge; Visa Online Medical.
• Signature: All previous benefits; Visa Airport Companion; International Medical Emergency; Baggage Loss or Theft Coverage.
• Infinite: All previous benefits; Visa Infinite Fast Pass; Visa Infinite Lounge; Trip Cancellation Coverage; Delayed Boarding Coverage.

Benefits of the Mastercard brand

• Standard: Benefits, Discounts and Special Offers; Mastercard Global Service; Mastercard Surpreenda.
• Gold: All previous benefits; Mastercard Price Protection Insurance; Protected Purchase Insurance; Original Extended Warranty.
• Platinum: All benefits already listed; Priceless Cities; Mastercard Travel Rewards; Mastercard Concierge; Global Emergency Assistance; Travel Medical Insurance; Masterassist Plus; MasterAuto Insurance; Corkage Waiver; Surprise Restaurants.
• Black: all benefits listed; Guarulhos VIP Lounge; Mastercard Airport Experiences by LoungeKey; Baggage Protection; Travel Inconveniences; ATM Theft Protection.

Who is better: Visa or Mastercard?

If you're someone who seeks discounts and benefits when shopping, Visa is highly recommended because of everything it offers.

However, if you're someone who loves taking advantage of promotions and is constantly looking for extra benefits, especially when traveling, the ideal choice is Mastercard.

Both cards offer exclusive benefits and perks, but Mastercard is known for its special offers and rewards programs that can provide even more rewarding experiences for its users when traveling, while Visa can offer more advantages when making purchases and local discounts.

Geographic Coverage: Visa or Mastercard

Both cards are international and accepted in many countries. See coverage of Visa and Mastercard.

Visa coverage

The Visa brand has broad geographic coverage, being recognized and accepted in virtually every country around the world. The Visa payment network is extensive and includes millions of merchants, from small local retailers to large international chains.

Visa cards can be used in physical stores, restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and online establishments in virtually every country where electronic transactions are common. Additionally, Visa also offers access to a wide network of automated teller machines (ATMs), allowing you to withdraw cash in local currency in several countries.

According to the company itself, more than 200 countries accept Visa, allowing you to make your payments more easily.

Mastercard coverage

Mastercard also has extensive geographic coverage around the world. Like Visa, Mastercard is widely accepted in virtually every country where electronic transactions are common.

Mastercard's extensive payment network encompasses millions of merchants, from small local establishments to large international retailers. Mastercard cards can be used to make purchases in physical stores, restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and online stores in many countries around the world.

Additionally, Mastercard offers access to a vast network of ATMs around the world, allowing you to withdraw cash in local currency in many countries.

Currently, Mastercard is accepted in over 210 countries around the world, making it the most widely accepted credit card brand everywhere.

Which of the two flags has greater coverage?

Both brands have broad coverage, allowing you to shop wherever you are. This means you won't have any issues when using your card.

However, when analyzing both brands, you will notice that Mastercard is the most accepted brand in Brazil and in the world, which gives this brand a slight advantage.

Acceptance rate at establishments: Visa or Mastercard

Just like the coverage of both brands, the acceptance rate in establishments is wide and you can make your purchases in small restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and even large stores.

Regarding the acceptance rate, both cards are practical and have huge acceptance, which will allow your purchases (national and international) to be released.

In this regard, there is a tie between both flags.

Who charges less fees: Visa or Mastercard?

Regarding the fees of both brands, there are several issues involved. Both Mastercard and Visa issue cards through banks or financial institutions.

Therefore, there are some fees that are basic for cards, but which will vary depending on the issuing institution, such as annual fees, interest rates, revolving credit, etc.

We recommend checking the fees directly with your bank before applying for a credit card. In general, the fees charged by both brands are quite similar.

Technology and Security: Visa or Mastercard

When it comes to security, both companies always invest in the most modern technologies to provide their customers with a truly secure card.

This includes technologies such as the use of a chip instead of a magnetic stripe, passwords, identification codes, the possibility of using a virtual card, among others. This way, you can have a secure card that will allow you to use it without any problems anywhere.

Frequently asked questions

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