Visa vs. Mastercard
Visa and Mastercard are two main credit card networks that help make credit card purchases possible. You likely have a Visa or Mastercard credit card in your possession. But what sets them apart, and which one is better?
Both are widely accepted and provide almost similar features. The company that issued your card has a bigger impact on the perks, protections, and rewards your card offers than the network. This means that a Visa or Mastercard card can be a good choice if the terms and benefits provided by the card issuer are favorable.
Nevertheless, you should understand the difference between Visa and Mastercard. Today, we will explore every important distinction and benefit there is to know about Visa and Mastercard.
Features of Visa and Mastercard
Visa and Mastercard provide comparable basic features with entry-level credit cards, making their differences quite minimal. Mastercard includes attractive premium perks on its World or World Elite level credit cards, which could be appealing to frequent users. The major advantages each card network offers are briefly outlined in the table below.
What Are The Benefits of Visa?
VISA credit cards come in three tiers: Standard (classic, gold, and platinum), Signature, and Infinite. While the standard tier offers basic features such as security, concierge service, and ATM access, all three tiers provide similar protections like a zero liability policy, roadside assistance, and coverage for rental car collisions. The higher tiers, however, extend the range of travel-related safeguards.
The real difference between these cards becomes more apparent when examining their benefits and perks. The Visa Traditional card does not offer extra benefits, but the VISA Signature and Infinite cards provide features like compensation for lost luggage and delayed trips, access to airport lounges, purchase security, and various other advantages.
The specific offers and perks for these cards vary based on the extent of discounts for car rentals and hotels, as well as the diversity of partnering companies. Notably, the VISA Infinite card’s benefits go beyond the norm, including VIP services and additional advantages alongside standard travel and rental discounts.
If you don’t know how to get a credit card with the most benefits, you can call the number on your card, and a representative will explain the benefits based on your card’s tier. They will also tell you about additional benefits from your card issuer. You can also apply online for an additional card you like the most.
What Are The Benefits of Mastercard?
Mastercard also offers three tiers of benefits that card issuers can provide consumers. These tiers are known as Standard, World, and World Elite. The benefits provided by these tiers encompass zero fraud liability, access to the Mastercard Global Service hotline, protection against identity theft, Mastercard’s Travel and Lifestyle services, concierge assistance, and complimentary memberships to selected services.
Mastercard World and World Elite tiers also provide additional benefits. In case you lose your wallet, you will receive wallet protection, and for online purchases that are lost or damaged, you get online purchase insurance. Mastercard World Elite offers complimentary access to lounges at more than 600 airports worldwide and discounts on premium services.
Choosing between a Visa and a Mastercard
The primary difference between Visa and Mastercard is that a card from one company will only work on its specific payment network. Both Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted globally, making them highly dependable for users. A notable difference between them lies in the specific credit card offers they provide.
When deciding between a Mastercard and a Visa, applicants should carefully review the available offers to determine which suits their needs better. Based on this evaluation, they can choose whether to go with a Mastercard or a Visa.
Also Read: Benefits of UPI and Credit Card Linking For Both Customers & Merchant
Conclusion
Now you know how to get a credit card network that is best for you. The disparity between a Mastercard and a Visa card is minimal. Both are secure payment methods that are accepted globally. The key distinction lies in the payment network each card uses. Simply put, a Mastercard won’t function on a Visa network, and vice versa. Aside from this, the differences are mainly from your specific card variant.
