Full Answer
Where can you use a Visa credit card?
Visa cards are accepted in more than 200 countries and territories. So you can use a Visa credit card pretty much everywhere that takes plastic around the world. Visa is not the most widely accepted card network, however.
Can I use my Visa card internationally?
Visa is not the most widely accepted card network, however. That distinction goes to Mastercard, which is accepted in more than 210 countries and territories. You can use a Visa card far more places internationally than a Discover or American Express card, though.
What countries don't accept Discover cards?
Merchants in certain places, including Italy, Germany and Mexico, don't accept Discover cards at all. American Express is listed in all the countries below, but that doesn't mean it is widely accepted in each of those.
Are all credit cards accepted everywhere?
Not all credit cards are accepted everywhere. In this guide, find out which credit cards are accepted at major stores and locations — and which ones aren’t. Editorial Note: Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions.
See more
Is there anywhere that does not accept Visa?
Most of what you get with a card comes from the issuer. Visa and Mastercard are both accepted just about everywhere that takes credit cards. With only a handful of exceptions, any place that takes one will take the other.
Is Visa accepted everywhere?
Visa cards are accepted in more than 200 countries and territories. So you can use a Visa credit card pretty much everywhere that takes plastic around the world. Visa is not the most widely accepted card network, however. That distinction goes to Mastercard, which is accepted in more than 210 countries and territories.
What credit cards are not accepted everywhere?
The good news is that Visa and Mastercard are generally widely accepted abroad. The bad news is that Discover cards and American Express cards aren't as widely accepted. Also, in some places cash is still king.
Why do some companies not accept Visa?
To sum it up, there are two main reasons businesses might choose not to accept a particular type of credit card, or none at all -- fees and partnerships. Swipe fees can take a big bite out of a merchant's profits, especially in businesses with tight profit margins like restaurants, and every percentage point counts.
Who is bigger Visa or MasterCard?
Visa and Mastercard are both publicly traded. Visa (trading symbol V) commands a $497.5 billion market capitalization, while Mastercard (trading symbol MA) follows closely behind at $359.8 billion (market caps as of May 18, 2021).
Which is better Visa or MasterCard?
For most people, it doesn't really matter whether they get a VISA or a MasterCard. Both are equally secure and offer similar benefits. While VISA has a slightly higher market share and greater amount of transactions worldwide, both VISA and MasterCard are equally well-accepted by merchants.
Is Visa accepted in Europe?
American credit cards work throughout Europe (at hotels, larger shops and restaurants, travel agencies, car-rental agencies, and so on); Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted.
What is the most accepted credit card in the world?
As illustrated, both in the U.S. and worldwide, Visa and Mastercard are the most accepted credit card issuers worldwide, with Discover close behind and Amex trailing significantly behind.
Why are banks changing from Visa to Mastercard?
Massive change for millions of Visa debit card holders due to war on fees – what you need to know. MILLIONS of people have had their Visa debit cards replaced by Mastercards amid an industry war against the payment giant.
Is Visa accepted in USA?
Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards are all widely accepted in the USA, though you should be aware that payment methods differ slightly from those in the UK.
What are the rules for Visa?
A foreigner can apply for any type of visa (including Employment/ Business Visa) from a country other than the country of his origin/ domicile. However, in such cases, visa will be granted only after consulting the Indian Mission concerned in the country of origin/ domicile of the foreigner.
Can I pay with my Visa in Mexico?
Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are the most commonly accepted credit cards in Mexico. You shouldn't have a problem using any of these major cards, especially in larger cities or tourist destinations.
Is Visa widely accepted in USA?
Visa, Mastercard and American Express credit cards are all widely accepted in the USA, though you should be aware that payment methods differ slightly from those in the UK.
Is Visa accepted in India?
Credit cards are being accepted in an increasing number of cafes, shops, restaurants and accommodations in India, with Mastercard and Visa being the most common.
Is Visa accepted in Europe?
American credit cards work throughout Europe (at hotels, larger shops and restaurants, travel agencies, car-rental agencies, and so on); Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted.
Why are certain credit cards accepted by some merchants but not others?
Why are certain credit cards accepted by some merchants but not others? When it comes down to it, much of it has to do with fees that the merchant must pay to card issuers and/or payment networks.
Is Discover card accepted abroad?
The good news is that Visa and Mastercard are generally widely accepted abroad. The bad news is that Discover cards and American Express cards aren’t as widely accepted. Also, in some places cash is still king.
Does Walmart accept credit cards?
In addition to the cards listed below, sibling companies Walmart and Sam’s Club each accepts its own closed-loop card, with the added bonus that Sam’s Club also accepts the Walmart credit card. While Costco’s card acceptance is limited, it includes the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi. Here are the other cards accepted by each wholesale store.
Does American Express accept MasterCard?
In the past, Mastercard and Visa cards had a much higher rate of acceptance than other card networks. But recently, American Express has made huge strides in increasing the number of vendors that accept its cards.
Where are American Express Cards Accepted?
In the past, consumers found it more difficult to find merchants that accept Amex cards than any of the other networks. Now, this is only true abroad. Approximately 10.6 million U.S. merchants take American Express cards, which is only 1% fewer than Visa, Mastercard and Discover. It's generally a good idea to have a backup card with you when traveling, in case you happen upon one of the merchants that doesn't take American Express.
Which is the most accepted network for traveling internationally?
Therefore, Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly accepted networks while traveling internationally. American Express has been working on its international presence, falling slightly short of the other networks. Before taking any trip abroad, we recommend taking a look at acceptance rates for the countries you're about to visit to ensure that your cards are widely accepted.
Why is Discover accepted by more merchants than other companies?
Discover accepts more merchants than the others because it's part of the Discover Global Network, which includes international payment networks such as Diners Club and JCB. Although Discover is accepted at a greater number of merchants, keep in mind that acceptance isn't the norm in certain countries.
Which credit card is the most accessible?
Visa and Mastercard are by far the most accessible credit card networks, both domestically and abroad. Consumers who have one of these two types of cards will be able to pay at most businesses around the world. Discover, while accepted at close to the same number of merchants, thanks to various partnerships, is notably absent from countries ...
Do merchants still accept Amex cards?
Despite this, as noted above, millions of merchants still accept Amex cards.
Does Discover take Mastercard?
Any retailer that accepts card payments likely takes Visa and Mastercard. In terms of the number of countries serviced, Discover lags behind the other three cards. Consumers who have Discover and American Express credit cards are likely to run into the most trouble finding merchants who accept their cards, especially when travelling outside ...
Does Costco accept Discover?
However, it does not lag far behind the two leaders, Visa and Mastercard. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. Mostly notably, Costco — America's largest membership-only warehouse club — accepts only Visa cards. As mentioned above, a large number of international merchants accept Discover.
What is dynamic currency conversion?
One other thing you need to watch out for when using a Visa credit card internationally is called Dynamic Currency Conversion. That’s when a merchant offers to convert your purchase total to U.S. dollars as an excuse to use a high exchange rate and profit a bit more. But as long as you make sure the transaction is expressed in the local currency, there’s nothing to worry about.
How many countries accept Visa cards?
Visa cards are accepted in more than 200 countries and territories. So you can use a Visa credit card pretty much everywhere that takes plastic around the world. Visa is not the most widely accepted card network, however. That distinction goes to Mastercard, which is accepted in more than 210 countries and territories.
When was wallethub last updated?
@WalletHub • 10/04/20#N#This answer was first published on 05/09/18 and it was last updated on 10/04/20. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.
Do Visa cards charge foreign fees?
Most Visa credit cards still charge them. And foreign fees can apply to any purchase processed internationally, whether you’re physically abroad or not. But there are hundreds of no foreign fee Visa cards to choose from, so you should have no problem finding an offer that meets your needs.
Is WalletHub a financial advisor?
Information on WalletHub Answers is provided “as is” and should not be considered financial, legal or investment advice. WalletHub is not a financial advisor, law firm, “lawyer referral service,” or a substitute for a financial advisor, attorney, or law firm. You may want to hire a professional before making any decision. WalletHub does not endorse any particular contributors and cannot guarantee the quality or reliability of any information posted. The helpfulness of a financial advisor's answer is not indicative of future advisor performance.
How long is a visa valid for?
Example: Say, as per the visa guidelines, a visa is valid for 3 months that grants a 30-day entry. And say, your itinerary for the visa is 15 days. You will still be granted a visa valid for 3 months with a 30-day entry.
What do consulates want to see?
Consulates would like to see a complete itinerary. They would like to see the itinerary beginning and ending in your home country or country of residence.
What factors affect a sponsor's visa?
Factors such as your sponsor’s track record, legal status, tax obligations, prior visa denials, etc. come into play. If you don’t know your sponsor well, you may be taking the risk.
Why is there a stamp on my passport for Thailand?
They put a large and clear stamp on his passport saying that he is permanently banned from entering Thailand. This will definitely affect his future visas and travels to Thailand. Since the stamp is huge and clear in his passport, he will have trouble with visas and travel to any country in the future.
Is Airbnb still in a gray area?
Do not mention Airbnb as well. Visa officers may not be familiar with Airbnb. Airbnb is still in a gray area as not all governments are in favor of it.
Can you not follow the visa rules?
The visa rules are there for a reason. You are supposed to follow them strictly. If not, you are taking chances. Consulates reject applications that do not follow the visa rules strictly. Even if they accept, they may ask for additional documentation or eventually deny the visa.
Do you have to buy a flight ticket for a visa?
You do not have to actually purchase your return/onward flight tickets for visa applications. You can hold or reserve them. Check out this article for more details on how to get a travel itinerary for your visa application.
How to tell if a Visa gift card is not working?
If you’ve checked all of these things and your Visa gift card is not working, then call the telephone number or check the website typically listed on the back of the card. You will need to contact the issuing company to find out exactly why your card isn’t working.
What happens if your address doesn't match on a Visa gift card?
If the addresses don’t match, the card may decline. This is often the case when the Visa gift card is purchased at a grocery store or some place that doesn’t require you to put a name and address on the physical card.
How to use a Visa gift card as a debit?
To use a Visa gift card as a “debit” transaction, you’ll need to enter a Personal Identification Number (PIN) at the Point of Sale (POS) terminal. Without a PIN, the gift card should be run as a “credit” transaction.
Why are Visa gift cards declined?
Inactive cards will be declined if used for payment because the associated bank accounts are not ready to be used. Think of the hundreds of gift cards found on racks at the grocery store.
What to do if gift card is not working?
If your gift card is not working or you are not sure how the gift card should be processed, ask the cashier. I find that most cashiers know exactly how to handle each type of payment method presented.
Why is my credit card not activating?
The most common reasons are that the card hasn’t been activated, the cashier is running the wrong type of transaction, the dollar amount being charged is greater than the card’s balance or the credit card processing machine is bumping up the charge amount to either place a hold on the card or to allow for a gratuity.
Can a Visa gift card be used at a gas station?
When a Visa gift card is swiped at a gas station pump, the dollar amount of the transaction is unknown. So gas station pumps typically pre-authorize $75 or more on the card swiped. If the pre-authorization amount is greater than the card’s value, the transaction may be declined. To avoid having this hold placed on your gift card, pay inside. Tell the attendant to only charge the amount you specify.
