updated: September 10, 2024
Visa is one of the most widely accepted payment networks in the world. Accepted in more than 200 countries, Visa is a global leader in moving money.
Visa doesn't issue credit cards but partners with most major U.S. card issuers to offer Visa credit cards. There are 4.2 billion Visa cards worldwide. There's a good chance there's one in your wallet or purse now.
Visa credit cards come in all types to meet various consumer needs. The best Visa card for you depends on your spending habits, credit score, and goals.
Our recommendations
Best for: cash back rewards
Best for: cash back rewards
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
Welcome offer
bonus_miles_full
If you want a Visa that earns bonus cash back rewards, look no further than card_name. The card has an easily attainable welcome offer. Although the card is not great for international travel given its foreign_transaction_fee foreign transaction fee, it does come with several travel protections such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, an auto rental collision damage waiver, and travel and emergency assistance services.
Introductory Offer:
- Earn an extra 1.5% cash back on all purchases (up to $20,000 spent in the first year), which can add up to $300 in cash back!
- 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.99% - 28.74%.
Intro Card Rewards:
- 6.5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠, our top-tier rewards program where you can redeem for cash back, travel, gift cards, and more.
- 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
- 3% cash back on all other purchases (up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
After the First Year or $20,000 Spent Card Rewards:
- 5% cash back on travel booked through Chase Travel℠.
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services.
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Additional Benefits:
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. Choose a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards never expire as long as your account is open!
- No annual fee – Enjoy all the great features of your Freedom Unlimited® card without paying an annual fee.
- Credit Monitoring – Keep track of your credit health with Chase Credit Journey, offering free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
Member FDIC
- Balance transfer fee: balance_transfer_fees
- Cash advance fee: cash_advance_fee
- Foreign transaction fee: foreign_transaction_fee
Pros:
- 0% intro APR period of 15 months on purchases and transfers.
- Extra 1.5% welcome offer for the first year up to $20,000 spending.
- Unlimited 1.5% minimum cash-back earn rate.
- No minimum redemption amount.
Cons:
- Requires good/excellent credit.
- Foreign transaction fee.
- High ongoing balance transfer fee.
- Requires a companion card to transfer points to travel partners.
Best for: travel rewards
Best for: travel rewards
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
Welcome offer
bonus_miles_full
The card_name offers premium travel benefits, including a $300 annual credit for travel booked through Capital One Travel and the ability to transfer rewards to more than a dozen travel transfer partners. The card has a annual_fees annual fee, which is lower than other top-tier travel cards.
Other perks include a 10,000-mile card anniversary bonus,up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every four years, airport lounge access, and Hertz President’s Circle Status.
Introductory Offer:
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
Card Rewards:
- Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options.
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary.
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel.
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases.
Additional Benefits:
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network.
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars, and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs.
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection.
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.
Pros:
- Offers 5x or 10x miles on select Capital One Travel.
- Flexible redemption of miles for travel purchases.
- Annual fee lower than others in its category
- Features an annual $300 travel credit through Capital One Travel and anniversary miles.
Cons:
- $395 annual fee, while low for a top-tier card, is still high.
- Lack of domestic airline and upscale hotel travel partners.
- Transfer partners aren’t as extensive as other premium card issuers.
- There are limited ways to earn bonus miles.
Best for: airline rewards
Best for: airline rewards
United℠ Explorer Card
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
Welcome offer
bonus_miles_full
While it's not a luxury airline card, the card_name offers a nice blend of airline benefits for a relatively low annual fee. This card costs annual_fees annual fee.
The card_name offers more than just basic benefits with the airline. It comes with a free first checked bag for the primary cardholder and a companion, and priority boarding for the primary cardmember and travel companions on the same reservation. The card also provides two annual United Club passes, 25% back on inflight purchases, and up to a $100 credit for Global Entry, TSA Precheck, or NEXUS application fees every four years.
Introductory Offer:
- Limited-time offer: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Annual Fee: $0 for the first year, then $95.
Rewards:
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United® purchases.
- Receive up to $120 credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS fees.
- Get 25% back as a statement credit on food, beverages, and Wi-Fi purchases on United-operated flights and Club premium drinks when using your ExplorerCard.
Additional Benefits:
- Enjoy a free first checked bag, saving up to $160 per roundtrip. Terms apply.
- Benefit from priority boarding and receive 2 one-time United Club℠ passes each year on your anniversary.
Member FDIC
Pros:
- 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months.
- Luxury perks, including free first checked bag and priority boarding.
- Annual fee waived the first year.
- Earn unlimited miles with no caps.
Cons:
- Seat limitations on Saver Awards.
- No 0% intro APR offer.
- High regular APR.
- Has $95 annual fee.
Best for: hotel rewards
Best for: hotel rewards
The World Of Hyatt Credit Card
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
Hyatt is a fan favorite for many travelers, making the card_name a top choice for Hyatt loyalists. For a annual_fees annual fee, cardholders receive a wealth of value and benefits.
The card_name features several hotel perks, including one free night at any category 1 to 4 Hyatt hotel or resort every year after your card's opening anniversary. You can earn an additional free night if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year.
Other perks include automatic Hyatt Discoverist status plus annual credits toward the next status tier. There are also several travel protections, including baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and an auto rental collision damage waiver.
Introductory Offer:
- Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
Card Rewards:
- Earn nine points per $1 spent at Hyatt (that's four bonus points for using your card and five base points per $1 you'll earn as a World of Hyatt member).
- Earn two points per $1 at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly with airlines, on local transit and commuting, and on fitness club/gym memberships.
Additional Benefits:
- You'll receive a free night at a Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort every year after your account anniversary.
- Earn a second free night if you spend at least $15,000 in your anniversary year on the card.
- Take advantage of your complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status as a cardholder and receive five qualifying nights every year toward your next status tier.
Member FDIC
- Balance transfer fee: balance_transfer_fees
- Cash advance fee: cash_advance_fee
- Foreign transaction fee: foreign_transaction_fee
Pros:
- Annual free night certificate.
- Up to 9x bonus points at Hyatt properties.
- Trip interruption or cancellation insurance, baggage loss * reimbursement.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons:
- $15,000 in spending required to get 60,000 bonus points introductory offer.
- $95 annual fee.
- No cash back on groceries, gas, or other high-spend categories.
- High APR, balance transfer, and cash advance fees.
Best for: flat-rate cash back rewards
Best for: flat-rate cash back rewards
Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card
Credit score needed
Excellent
You must be an Alliant Credit Union member to apply for the Alliant Cashback Visa®Signature Credit Card, but it could be worth it to earn the card's elevated flat-rate cash back. If you don't meet the credit union's eligibility requirements through employment, family, or location, you can qualify by becoming a Foster Care to Success member. Alliant will even pay the one-time $5 membership fee on your behalf.
Eligible cardholders will earn 2.5% cash back on the first $10,000 of qualifying eligible purchases per billing cycle and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other qualifying eligible purchases. There are some hoops to jump through to earn Alliant’s highest cash-back tier. You need to open an Alliant High-Rate Checking and meet the following requirements each month:
- Opt in to receive eStatements
- Have at least one electronic deposit posted to the account each calendar month
- Maintain an average daily balance of $1,000 or more
Cardholders who don't meet those requirements earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all qualifying eligible purchases. Other card perks include travel accident insurance, an auto rental collision damage waiver, and roadside dispatch.
- Earn unlimited cash back with no categories to track
- Rates as low as 17.49% APR
- No Annual Fee
- $0 fraud liability guarantee from Visa
- Earn up to 2.5% cash back on your first $10,000 of qualifying eligible purchases (1.5% for purchases over $10,000)
- No foreign transaction fees
- Works with Google Pay™, Apple Pay™ and Samsung Pay™
Pros:
- 2.5% cash back on up to $10,000 in eligible purchases per billing cycle, and 1.5% after that.
- No annual fee.
- Travel accident insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and roadside dispatch.
- Visa Signature benefits include identity theft protection that can reimburse up to $5,000 for covered expenses.
Cons:
- No introductory APR.
- No sign-up bonus.
- APR dependent on creditworthiness.
- Must have a qualifying checking account to earn the higher cash back rate.
Best for: no annual fee
Best for: no annual fee
U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
Credit score needed
Excellent
Welcome offer
20,000 points
If you want to get rewarded for spending but don't want to pay a fee, consider the U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card. In addition to its very generous welcome offer and rewards rate, the card also comes with a $15 credit for annual streaming services purchases like Netflix, Apple TV+, and Spotify. It's also a decent option for financing purchases and balance transfers. The card offers a intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration on purchases and a balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration. After the introductory bonus period, the APR reverts toreg_apr,reg_apr_type.
- Earn 20,000 bonus points. Just spend $1,000 in the first 90 days. That's a $200 value redeemable towards merchandise, gift cards, cash back, travel and more. Points never expire.
- Earn 4X points on dining, takeout and restaurant delivery.
- Earn 2X points on streaming services, at grocery stores (discount stores/supercenters and wholesale clubs excluded effective September 9, 2024) and at gas stations/EV charging stations (discount stores/supercenters, grocery stores and wholesale clubs excluded effective September 9, 2024).
- Earn 1X point on all other eligible purchases.
- No annual fee and low intro APR: Enjoy no annual fee and get 0% intro APR* on purchases and balance transfers† for the first 12 billing cycles. After that, a variable APR applies, currently 18.24% to 29.24%.*
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Receive a new cardmember $0 fee offer* on ExtendPay Plans opened in the first 60 days after account opening.
- Get a $15 credit for annual streaming service purchases like Netflix, Apple TV+, Spotify® and more.
Pros:
- $15 annual credit for streaming purchases.
- Introductory 0% APR for 12 billing cycles.
- No annual fee.
- No foreign transaction fee.
Cons:
- Balance transfer fee.
- No bonus reward tier for entertainment spending.
- High regular interest rate.
- Requires good to excellent credit.
Best for: premium benefits
Best for: premium benefits
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
Welcome offer
bonus_miles_full
card_name offers a bounty of travel benefits and other perks. The card has a hefty annual_fees annual fee, but its value exceeds the fee as long as you take advantage of annual credits.
Other benefits include a 300 annual travel credit; a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Fee Credit up to 100 every four years; Priority Pass Select membership eligibility); trip cancellation/interruption insurance; an auto rental collision damage waiver; lost luggage reimbursement; trip delay reimbursement; and other travel and purchase protections.
Introductory Offer:
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening and redeem them through ChaseTravel℠ for $900 toward travel.
Card Rewards:
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.
- Earn 3x points on other travel and dining, and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Additional Benefits:
- Annual Travel Credit: Receive $300 as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Get 50% more value when you redeem points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass that comes with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- Point Transfer: 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs.
- Airport Lounge Access: Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after a one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®.
- Travel Protections: Includes Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance, and more.
Member FDIC
Pros:
- High rewards rate.
- Premium travel protections.
- Offers a generous welcome bonus.
- Includes a $300 annual travel credit.
Cons:
- $550 annual fee.
- Requires excellent credit.
- 5/24 rule makes some people ineligible.
- Travel perks may overlap with existing benefits from other cards you have.
Best for: cash-back choices
Best for: cash-back choices
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Credit score needed
Good, Excellent
The card_name offers a good cash back rate on gas, along with excellent rates in categories of your choice.
Another introductory perk is a intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration and a balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration.
As a cardholder, you'll earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose, which can include fast food, TV, internet and streaming, home utilities, cell phone, and more. You'll also earn 2% cash back on one everyday category, which includes gas stations and EV charging stations, grocery stores, or restaurants, and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
- Earn a $200 rewards bonus after you spend $1,000 in eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
- 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose.
- 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.
- $0 annual fee.
- 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.
- Receive a new cardmember $0 fee offer* on ExtendPay Plans opened in the first 60 days after account opening.
- Balance transfer fee: 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5, whichever is greater.
- Cash advance fee: 29.99% Variable.
- Foreign transaction fee: 3% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in U.S. Dollars. 3% of each foreign purchase transaction or foreign ATM advance transaction in a Foreign Currency.
Pros:
- Can earn up to 5% cash back in two chosen categories.
- No annual fee.
- Introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 billing cycles.
- 200 rewards bonus after spending 1,000 within the first 120 days of opening an account.
Cons:
- 5% cash-back rate is limited to the first $2,000 in combined purchases in * chosen categories each quarter.
- Few additional benefits.
- 3% foreign transaction fee.
- Can’t transfer rewards to other programs.
Best for: gas purchases
Best for: gas purchases
PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
The card_name is our top choice for fueling up at gas stations. You'll earn a generous welcome bonus and won't pay any annual fee. The card_name offers 0% intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers (after that, a variable APR of reg_apr,reg_apr_type applies). PenFed membership is required to apply for this card.
The card earns 5x points on gas paid at the pump and EV charging stations, 3X points at the supermarket (including select Target and Walmart locations), restaurants and TV, radio, cable and streaming services, and 1X points on all other purchases. Points are redeemable for travel, gift cards, shopping and other options.
- Earn 15,000 bonus points when you spend $1,500 in the first 90 days of account opening.
- No Annual Fee
- Earn 5X miles on gas paid at the pump and at EV charging stations; 3x points at supermarkets (including most Target and Walmart locations); restaurants; and on tv, radio, cable and streaming services; 1x point per $1 spent on other purchases.
- Credit Needed: Good, Excellent
- Balance transfer fees: 3% per transaction
- Cash advance fees: $0
- Foreign transaction fees: $0
Pros:
- Earn unlimited 5 points per dollar spent at the gas pump.
- Benefits Includes roadside dispatch, purchase security, and cellphone protection.
- No annual card fee.
- 15,000 points initial rewards bonus after spending $1,500 in the first 90 days.
Cons:
- Points may be worth less than 1 cent each.
- No 0% intro APR on purchases.
- Balance transfer fee.
- Requires good/excellent credit.
Best for: small businesses
Best for: small businesses
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card
Credit score needed
credit_score_needed
Welcome offer
bonus_miles_full
The card_name is one of the best Visa cards for small businesses. The card has a annual_fees annual fee but offers more than enough value to make up for that.
The card_name has access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards program and flexible redemption options. Plus, points are worth 25% more when used to book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Other perks include complimentary employee cards, fraud and purchase protection, and no foreign transaction fees.
Introductory Offer:
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening and redeem them through ChaseTravel℠ for $900 toward travel.
Card Rewards:
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.
- Earn 3x points on other travel and dining, and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
Additional Benefits:
- Annual Travel Credit: Receive $300 as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Get 50% more value when you redeem points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass that comes with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- Point Transfer: 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs.
- Airport Lounge Access: Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after a one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®.
- Travel Protections: Includes Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance, and more.
Member FDIC
Pros:
- Earn 120,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 in the first three months.
- Offers higher rewards for businesses that spend a lot in certain categories including advertising, travel, and shipping.
- Travel protections Includes trip cancellation or interruption insurance, cellphone protection, and primary auto rental coverage for business purposes.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons:
- $95 annual fee.
- Rewards cap on high-earning categories.
- Potential gaps in reward coverage for key business categories.
- No introductory 0% APR.
Best Visa credit cards compared 2024
Our methodology
To find the best Visa cards, we compared cards based on the following criteria:
- Rewards rates
- Welcome offers
- Introductory APR offers
- Variable APRs
- Annual fees
- Card benefits and perks
- Travel benefits
- Consumer protections
The cards on this list represent the best Visa cards, either for a specific benefit or their overall strength of rewards and features.
Are Visa credit cards worth it?
Visa cards are among the most valued credit cards on the market. Visa is a payment network, not a card issuer, so it doesn't necessarily have much say in which benefits and features are included with a particular credit card. That said, all Visa credit cards offer basic benefits and protections such as roadside dispatch, complimentary identity-theft monitoring, and zero liability. Higher-tier Visa cards, such as Visa Signature and Visa Infinite, offer additional benefits and perks that add value to the existing rewards and perks card issuers offer.
How to choose the right Visa card for you
The best Visa card depends on your spending habits and whether you're willing to pay an annual fee for access to card benefits. It also depends on your credit score and history since some cards may require good to excellent credit to qualify.
Start by analyzing why you want a Visa credit card. Consider factors such as annual fees, welcome offers, APR, rewards structure, and additional card benefits until you find a card that aligns with your needs.
TIME Stamp: Visa is one of the most widely accepted cards worldwide
If you're looking for a credit card you can use nearly anywhere, look no further than a Visa card. Visa can be used in more than 200 countries and territories and is one of the most accepted digital payment technologies in the world. Card benefits and rewards vary significantly among the different cards, but all Visa cards come with basic benefits such as zero liability protection, roadside dispatch, and identity-theft monitoring.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is Visa a credit card issuer?
No. Visa is a payment network, not a credit card issuer. Visa connects cardholders with merchants and banks, authorizing and processing over 250 billion transactions annually.
Which credit cards are most widely accepted: Visa, Mastercard or American Express?
Visa and Mastercard are the most accepted credit cards worldwide. Both payment networks operate in more than 200 countries and territories.
Are Visa credit cards widely accepted internationally?
Yes, Visa credit cards are accepted by millions of merchants in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.
Do Visa credit cards offer purchase protection or extended warranties?
Many Visa credit cards offer purchase protection and extended warranty protection, but these are not standard benefits that come with all Visa credit cards. It’s up to the card issuer to include these types of additional perks, not Visa.
Can I transfer balances from other credit cards to a Visa credit card?
Many, but not all, credit cards allow you to transfer balances to a Visa credit card. Balance transfers are typically at the discretion of card issuers, not payment networks like Visa. Most credit card issuers do not allow you to transfer a balance from one of their cards to another of their cards.
The information presented here is created by TIME Stamped and overseen by TIME editorial staff. To learn more, see our About Us page.