Navigating the world of adulthood, especially personal finances, is not easy to do regardless of your age. Misinformation, for instance, is a serious issue.
Take credit, for instance. When did it become such a bad thing?
Sure, a lot of negative consequences await those who are financially irresponsible. However, we still cannot deny the benefits that await those who can use a credit line responsibly, whatever form it takes.
Case in point: the use of credit cards.
Don’t worry, though; we’ll walk you through the benefits of using plastic as we feature the best Visa credit cards in this post.
We’ll comprehensively review each card’s ultimate rewards, introductory offers, and more. We’ll also answer the most frequently asked questions our readers pose at the end of this post to give you further information and help you make a more informed decision.
Visa: A Quick History
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past several decades, you have probably heard of Visa already. They’re a brand that we commonly associate with credit cards.
But did you know that they don’t actually issue credit cards? In fact, they weren’t always called “Visa”.
They’re a company whose roots can be traced back to the first credit card program for consumers that was launched by the Bank of America way back in 1958. As such, the first-ever card with a revolving credit feature was called BankAmericard.
The program understandably became a big hit. It changed the landscape of finance forever, and almost 20 years later, BankAmericard became Visa in 1976.
Fast forward to today, Visa is one of the biggest financial infrastructures that bridge the gap between merchants and credit card issuers. These include the most reputable names in the industry, including Chase, Capital One, and of course, Bank of America.
They operate in over 200 countries with services extending far beyond the original program.
Best Visa Credit Cards of 2023
For the purposes of this article, we’ll divide the Visa credit cards that we’ll feature into different categories.
These are Everyday Use, Shopping and Cash-Back, Students, Travel, and Other Features.
Here’s a quick look at the different visa credit cards will discuss later.
| Credit Card Name | Intro Offer | Annual Fee | Intro APR | Regular APR | Recommended Credit Score |
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | 1.5% cash back | $0 | 0% | 15.24% to 23.99% | 670 to 850 |
| U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card | None | $0 | 0% | 14.74% to 24.74% | 690 to 850 |
| Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card | None | $0 | None | 12.24 to 22.24% | 740 to 850 |
| Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card | $200 online cash rewards bonus for eligible purchases | $0 | 0% | 14.24 to 24.24% | 670 to 850 |
| U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card | $200 bonus for eligible purchases | $0 | 0% | 14.24 to 24.24% | 690 to 850 |
| Chase Freedom® Student | $50 | $0 | None | 15.24% | 670 to 850 |
| The Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students | $250 worth of bonus points | $0 | 0% | 13.99 to 23.99% | 670 to 850 |
| PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card | 15,000 bonus points | $0 | 0% | 13.49 to 17.99% | 800 to 850 |
| Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card | 25,000 welcome bonus points | $0 | 0% | 14.24 to 24.24% | 690 to 850 |
| United℠ Explorer Card | 70,000 miles | $0 intro fee, then $95 | None | 16.74 to 23.74% | 690 to 850 |
| The World of Hyatt Credit Card | 60,000 welcome bonus points | $95 | None | 16.24 to 23.24% | 690 to 850 |
| Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card | 20,000 miles | $0 | 0% | 15.24 to 25.24% | 690 to 850 |
| Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card | $2000 worth of bonus points | $95 | None | 16.24 to 21.24% | 690 to 850 |
| DCU Visa Platinum Secured Credit Card | None | $0 | None | 11.50% | 300 to 850 |
The Best Visa Credit Cards for Everyday Use
1. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Are you looking for a reliable everyday Visa card? Then you should check out Chase Freedom Unlimited.
It has an impressive introductory offer: a 1.5% cash back on all of your purchases that applies to up to $20,000 of the total amount spent.
You can get up to $300 in cash back.
The cash back you can earn can also vary according to your purchases. You can get 6.5% cash back on travel purchases, 4.5% on drugstore purchases and dining, which includes dining in, eligible delivery service, and takeout, and 3% for all your other purchases.
Once you have surpassed the $20,000 mark, or your first year of use (whichever comes first), you may then be able to enjoy:
- 5% cash back on travel purchases
- 3% on drugstore purchases and dining (this includes dining in, eligible delivery service, and takeout)
- An unlimited 1.5% cash back for all your other purchases
Another thing that we like about this Visa card is that it has no minimum requirement for its cash back feature.
Account-holders also have the option to receive their cash back through their statement credit or as a direct deposit to various eligible U.S. checking and savings accounts.
You’ll also be pleased to learn that your cash back rewards don’t expire. They are valid and redeemable for as long as your account is open.
As for their APR, you can enjoy a 0% introductory APR for the first 15 months of use. This will then be followed by a variable APR that ranges from 15.24% to 23.99%.
This Visa card doesn’t have an annual fee. Other features include the use of Chase Credit Journey, a program that helps you manage your Visa card, check your latest score, receive real-time notifications, and more.
The downside? This credit card will charge you foreign transaction fees. Thus, we don’t recommend it for travel.
Key Features:
- Intro Offer: 1.5% cash back
- Annual Fee: $0
- Intro APR: 0%
- Regular APR: 15.24% to 23.99%.
- Recommended Credit Score: 670 to 850
Pros:
- Excellent cash back rewards of up to $300 on the first year of use
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases after the first year
- $0 annual fee
- Rewards don’t expire for as long as the account is open
- Come with access to exclusive programs like the Chase Credit Journey
Con:
- Comes with a 3% foreign transaction fee
2. U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card
Cash back rewards are great, but other features are being offered by other cards that you can also explore.
While the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card doesn’t come with an introductory offer like the previous credit card featured, it does include other compelling benefits.
The first feature that makes this card ideal for everyday use is its long 0% APR. It has the longest period that lasts for up to 20 billing cycles.
This applies to all your purchase and balance transfers. As such, it is highly recommended for those looking for a credit card to make a big purchase minus the interest.
Balance transfers will come with a 3% fee, though.
Still, if you compute it against how much you’ll be able to save on interest, it will definitely give you a higher discount than the average no-fee balance transfer credit cards that give you less time to pay your balance off.
After the first 20 billing cycles, the variable APR will start to apply, which ranges from 14.74% to 24.74%.
Eligible purchases that cost more than $100 can also be split into equal monthly payments thanks to the U.S. Bank ExtendPay program.
Another interesting feature is the cellphone insurance that it comes with. Account-holders will enjoy up to $600 coverage for eligible damages and theft, provided that you use the Visa card to pay for your phone’s monthly bill.
We also appreciate that you can choose your payment due date. This can make payments more manageable, especially if you have a particular period when it’s more convenient for you to make payments.
Finally, this credit card doesn’t have an annual fee.
Key Features:
- Intro Offer: None
- Annual Fee: $0
- Intro APR: 0%
- Regular APR: 14.74% to 24.74%
- Recommended Credit Score: 690 to 850
Pros:
- Has the longest 0% APR of up to 20 billing cycles
- Allows access to U.S. Bank’s ExtendPay program
- Comes with a cellphone insurance
- Customizable payment due date
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with an intro offer like other cards
- Doesn’t come with cash back and other rewards, unlike other cards
- Comes with a 3% balance transfer fee
Best Visa Credit Cards for Shopping and Cash Back
1. Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card
We understand why you might not find the introductory offer compelling. For these reasons, we actually choose not to include this credit card in the previous category.
However, we still cannot ignore the flat-rate cash back reward system that Alliant Cashback Visa Signature offers.
The thing about cash back reward systems is that most credit cards designate various bonus categories. It’s not necessarily bad since most of them design their programs according to their intended target market.
But what if you don’t fit into the mold of their audience? Does this mean that you should limit your credit card use to certain categories of expenses?
No, you shouldn’t if you’re using the Alliant Cashback Visa Signature. It allows you to enjoy flat-rate cash back of 2.5% for up to $10,000 worth of purchases within each billing cycle.
There’s only one other credit card out there that can match that rate, Bank of America’s Unlimited Cash Reward credit card with its 2.62% cashback flat-rate ultimate rewards.
It’s exclusive, though, to their customers with a Platinum Honors Preferred Rewards status.
Like the Unlimited Cash Reward credit card, even the Alliant Cashback Visa Signature isn’t perfect. For instance, to enjoy its $0 annual fee, you will need to maintain a $1000 daily balance in an Alliant High-Rate Checking account for the previous quarter.
Those who have the budget to maintain this will enjoy the long-term savings and benefits.
Finally, it doesn’t come with foreign transaction fees, making it great for frequent travelers.
Key Features:
- Intro Offer: None
- Annual Fee: $0
- Intro APR: None
- Regular APR: 12.24 to 22.24%
- Recommended Credit Score: 740 to 850
Pros:
- The most accessible credit card with the highest cash back rate
- $0 annual fee
- Offers better long-term benefits compared to its competition
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons:
- No introductory offers
- No intro APR
- Requires the maintenance of a checking account to enjoy full benefits
- Requires an excellent credit score to qualify
2. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
The previous credit card boasted of flat-rate cash back ultimate rewards that apply to any expense category.
This is ideal for people who need coverage for a wide range of different types of expenses, but what if you tend to focus more on a particular category?
Wouldn’t it be nice if your cash back ultimate rewards could be tailor-made to fit your specific needs?
That’s what the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards credit card seeks to deliver. It allows account holders to earn as much as 3% cash back ultimate rewards from their preferred category.
There’s also an automatic rate of 2% for wholesale club expenses and grocery store purchases and an unlimited 1% rate for all your other purchases.
What’s more, if you’re a member of Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program, you can earn 25 to 75% more on every single purchase and up to 5.25% for your preferred category.
You can accumulate and use these rewards at any time as they have no expiration (as long as your account is open).
As for the APR, this credit card comes with a 0% introductory APR for your first 15 billing cycles and any balance transfers you make for the first 60 days.
Once the intro APR period ends, your APR will then change to the regular rate of 14.24 to 24.24%. A 3% fee will also apply to all of your balance transfers.
What we love best about this credit card, though, is its security features. After all, it is a contactless Visa card that allows payments with just a tap.
Let’s not forget the $200 online cash reward bonus you can get if you meet the $1000 spending requirement within the first 90 days of your account.
Key Features:
- Intro Offer: $200 online cash rewards bonus for eligible purchases
- Annual Fee: $0
- Intro APR: 0%
- Regular APR: 14.24 to 24.24%
- Recommended Credit Score: 670 to 850
Pros:
- Customizable cash back categories
- $0 annual fee
- Rewards don’t expire as long as the account is open
- Other benefits are available for Preferred Rewards program members
Con:
- Comes with a 3% foreign transaction fee
3. U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card
Here’s another Visa credit card that will allow you to customize your cash back categories, but instead of just a single type like the one featured above, you can choose two.
This Visa Signature card will allow the account holder to earn 5% cash back ultimate rewards for the first $2000 combined eligible purchases for the two preferred categories as an introductory offer.
That is apart from the $200 bonus you’ll get after spending a minimum of $1000 within 120 days after opening the account.
After the designated introductory periods, account holders will also enjoy 5% cash back on travel expenses (these include air, hotel, and car reservations), as long as these are booked directly from their Rewards Travel Center.
Aside from that, there’s also a 2% cash back reward for everyday categories (these include gas, grocery stores expenses, and dining, including eligible delivery service), and a 1% cash back for all the other eligible purchases.
You can get your cash back as a statement credit or direct deposit.
As for their introductory APR, that’s 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles. It will then shift from 14.24 to 24.24% after that set period.
In addition, they have no annual fees. What we are most interested in, though, is their U.S. Bank ExtendedPay program that will allow you to split eligible purchases worth more than $100 into equal monthly payments to make them more manageable.
Key Features:
- Intro Offer: $200 bonus for eligible purchases
- Annual Fee: $0
- Intro APR: 0%
- Regular APR: 14.24 to 24.24%
- Recommended Credit Score: 690 to 850
Pros:
- Customizable cash back categories
- $0 annual fee
- Allows access to U.S. Bank’s ExtendPay program
Con:
- Some account holders find the reward system complicated
The Best Visa Credit Cards for Students
1. Chase Freedom® Student
We have set specific factors when choosing the best buy Visa credit cards for students to feature in this review.
First, we want to ensure that they have a simple rewards program that can apply to most purchases (if not all). Another important factor is whether this Visa card has a program implemented that can help a student build their credit score.
Finally, it would also be great if the card doesn’t come with foreign transaction fees, just in case its user decides to travel or even study overseas.
Chase Freedom Student credit card meets two of these three.
First, it has a straightforward reward program that will allow you to earn a flat rate of 1% cash back bonuses on every single purchase. This frees one from the need to memorize spending or bonus categories or activating points.
Chase Freedom Student simply applies these bonuses automatically.
Speaking of bonuses, this card also comes with an introductory offer of $50 after you make your first purchase, as long as it’s within the first three months from account opening.
After that, the account holder will be able to qualify for their Good Standing Rewards program. This will let you earn 2000 points after each account anniversary for up to five years, as long as the account is in good standing.
You can either get $20 or redeem rewards. As the program’s name suggests, this will only apply to accounts that are not in default or tagged as delinquent.
This also means that you can earn $100 in total by simply remembering to pay your dues on time.
Aside from that, Chase also offers a potential credit increase if the account holder can make five monthly payments on time within the first 10 months of your account. This will give you increased spending power and do wonders to boost your credit score significantly.
What’s the catch? Well, you’ll automatically get disqualified from getting the credit increase if you make any late payment within that initial 10-month period.
Unfortunately, this credit card comes with a 3% foreign transaction fee, so it might not be the best Visa option for you if you’re planning to study abroad anytime soon.
Another downside is that it doesn’t come with a 0% introductory APR like some of the Visa cards we have featured. Instead, it comes with a 15.24% variable APR.
This makes it less ideal for those applying for a credit card to buy a big-ticket item like a laptop or a piece of furniture.
Key Features:
- Intro Offer: $50
- Annual Fee: $0
- Intro APR: None
- Regular APR: 15.24%
- Recommended Credit Score: 670 to 850
Pros:
- Comes with a $50 introductory bonus
- Financially responsible account holders can get as much as an additional $100 bonus
- Offers a potential credit limit increase and credit score boost
- Simple rewards program
- $0 annual fee
Cons:
- Comes with a 3% foreign transaction fee
- Doesn’t come with a 0% introductory APR
2. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students
The previous credit card wasn’t really ideal for students planning to study abroad. As such, allow us to recommend an alternative.
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students credit card is specifically designed for this, and as such, it doesn’t come with any foreign transaction fees. In fact, even non-U.S. citizens can apply.
The ultimate rewards that it comes with are pretty compelling. It comes with an introductory offer of 25,000 bonus points you can redeem for $250 in the form of a statement credit.
Account-holders will be able to redeem rewards after they have spent at least $1000 on eligible purchases within the first 90 days of opening the account.
As part of the sign up bonus, it will also come with a 0% APR for the first 12 billing cycles after opening the account. This means that this card will be ideal for those planning to sign-up to cover an upcoming big-ticket purchase.
After that initial period, the 13.99 to 23.99% variable APR will then apply. Other benefits include unlimited 1.5 points per dollar spent using the card.
All of these points don’t have an expiration date, so account holders can redeem rewards anytime for as long as the account is active.
In addition, these points can be redeemed for travel purchases or expenses. These include (but are not limited to) flights, hotels, and car rentals.
Like the previously featured credit card, though, The Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students doesn’t meet all the three factors we’re looking for in an ideal student Visa credit card.
Sure, it has a great sign up bonus, a straightforward rewards program, and it’s great for students who love to travel.
However, they don’t have a student-focused incentives program to promote financial responsibility.
Key Features:
- Intro Offer: $250 worth of bonus points
- Annual Fee: $0
- Intro APR: 0%
- Regular APR: 13.99 to 23.99%
- Recommended Credit Score: 670 to 850
Pros:
- Comes with a $250 worth of bonus points
- Doesn’t come with foreign transaction fees
- Comes with a 0% intro APR
- Offers rewards for every purchase
- $0 annual fee
Con:
- No program to promote responsible credit behavior implemented
Best Visa Credit Cards for Travel
1. PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card
Most travel-centric Visa cards are designed for those who fly frequently, but let’s face it. There are still those of us who prefer long drives.
If you’re the latter or simply drive more often than use public transport, we definitely recommend checking out this credit card. After all, it’s regarded as the best for gas.
Let’s start by highlighting its sign up bonus.
Signing up for this credit card will let you earn as much as 15,000 points if you meet the minimum spending of $1500 for the first 90 days of opening the account.
In addition, it comes with an intro APR of 0% for the first 12 months. This rate also applies to balance transfers.
This makes it ideal for those planning to make big purchases soon. After that one-year period, its regular APR of 13.49 to 17.99% will apply.
As for the regular fee of balance transfers, that would be 3% of the sum transferred.
Take note that this APR rate is one of the lowest in the market so far, especially compared to other platinum reward cards.
Moving on to the travel-focused ultimate rewards, you will be pleased to learn that this credit card offers five times the regular rewards for gas expenses and three times for groceries.
There are two notable factors that some people may find deal-breakers. First, this card can be quite exclusive.
Only those who are members of the PenFed credit union may apply. It is a financial organization focused on providing benefits to military members.
However, even non-military individuals may still apply for membership.
On top of that, you will be required to open a savings account and make at least a $5 deposit.
Don’t worry; opening savings accounts won’t cost you anything.
Another downside is its recommend credit score. You must have an excellent grade if you want to increase your chances of getting approved.
Key Features:
- Intro Offer: 15,000 bonus points
- Annual Fee: $0
- Intro APR: 0%
- Regular APR: 13.49 to 17.99%
- Recommended Credit Score: 800 to 850
Pros:
- Great for those who spend a lot on gas and groceries
- Comes with 15,000 welcome bonus points
- Comes with a 0% intro APR
- $0 annual fee
- Lower regular APR compared to its competitors
Cons:
- Only PenFed members may apply
- Requires an excellent credit score to qualify
2. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card
Having travel-centric benefits is all good, but don’t you find “specific travel partners” too limiting?
We understand that most of these Visa cards collaborate with travel companies such as airlines and hotels to get us the best deals possible.
However, there are simply times when the available choices can’t meet our needs.
For this reason, we really appreciate the Bank of America Travel Rewards credit card. It doesn’t have any requirements or restrictions.
They don’t even have blackout dates like most of their competitors. You can book your trip anytime and anywhere.
Just know that you can earn and redeem points for dining and travel purchases.
As for other purchases or expenses, you’ll be pleased to learn that they have a slightly higher point equivalent.
While most Visa cards give a point for every dollar spent, this card will let you earn 1.5 points unlimitedly. It doesn’t come with annual fees, foreign transaction fees, or point expiration.
Speaking of bonuses, the welcome rewards are pretty compelling as well. They offer 25,000 online bonus points if you meet the $1000 spending requirement of eligible purchases within 90 days of account opening.
On top of that, members of Bank of America’s Preferred Rewards program can earn 25 to 75% more rewards for every single purchase.
This boosts your points to 2.62 per dollar spent.
Like the previous Bank of America credit card featured, this card will also come with contactless technology that will provide more cybersecurity.
Those looking into making big purchases soon will also enjoy their 0% intro APR for the first 15 billing cycles. It will then shift to the 14.24 to 24.24% variable APR after that period.
Finally, there’s also a possibility of getting more ultimate rewards for loyal Bank of America customers.
Key Features:
- Intro Offer: 25,000 welcome bonus points
- Annual Fee: $0
- Intro APR: 0%
- Regular APR: 14.24 to 24.24%
- Recommended Credit Score: 690 to 850
Pros:
- Comes with 25,000 welcome bonus points
- Doesn’t come with a foreign transaction fee
- Comes with a 0% intro APR
- $0 annual fee
- Flexible travel benefits
Con:
- Some benefits are exclusive to certain customers
3. United℠ Explorer Card
Most Visa cards, even travel-focused ones, provide point-based rewards. Not this one, though. The United Explorer Card offers miles as a sign up bonus.
You have the chance to earn as much as 70,000 bonus miles.
You can earn the first 60,000 miles after spending $3000 worth of purchases as long as they’re made within the first three months from account opening.
You can then earn an additional 10,000 miles if you spend another $3000 (for a total of $6000 spent) within the first six months from account opening.
Those are not the only miles you’ll earn with this credit card. After all, this credit card allows account-holders to earn two miles for every dollar spent on hotel, dining, and other eligible purchases.
On top of that, you’ll also get 25% back when you make United inflight purchases, check your first bag for free whenever you use your card to pay for your ticket, and even get priority boarding privileges.
You will also gain free access to the United Club, including one-time passes for two people every time your account celebrates its anniversary.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with an intro APR, but it does come with an introductory $0 annual fee upon the first year of your account. A $95 annual fee will then apply after that.
Key Features:
- Intro Offer: 70,000 miles
- Annual Fee: $0 intro fee, then $95
- Intro APR: None
- Regular APR: 16.74 to 23.74%
- Recommended Credit Score: 690 to 850
Pros:
- Comes with up to 70,000 miles welcome bonus
- Comes with United-exclusive rewards
- $0 intro annual fee
Cons:
- No intro APR
- Has an annual fee after the first year
- Rewards can be limited if the account-holder doesn’t travel frequently
4. The World of Hyatt Credit Card
Are you a fan of Hyatt? Then this credit card was specifically designed for you.
Users of this credit card will automatically earn a World of Hyatt Discoverist status. Account-holders will be able to keep this for as long as the account is open.
What really makes this credit card special is the opportunities to earn free stays, though. First, let’s talk about hotel credit.
Account-holders get a free night at any Hyatt hotel or resort (category one to four) every account anniversary.
Aside from that, one can earn an additional free night if the account-holder manages to spend $15,000 within a calendar year.
Second, they’ll also be able to earn night credits towards five-tier status after opening the account and for every year after that, as well as two night credits towards tier status for every $5000 spent.
Third, are the bonus points. Account-holders may earn up to nine points when staying at Hyatt.
The first five bonus points are base rewards for each dollar spent by World of Hyatt members, and the next four points will come from each dollar they spent at Hyatt hotels.
In addition, one can also earn two bonus points per dollar they spent on restaurants, gym or fitness club memberships, and eligible transportation expenses.
Finally, those who have just opened the account may earn up to 60,000 sign up bonus points. You can earn the first 30,000 bonus points by spending $3000 as long as these purchases were made within three months from account opening.
Meanwhile, one can earn an additional 30,000 bonus points by spending $15,000 within six months of account opening.
Unfortunately, this credit card does come with an annual fee of $95, with no introductory APR.
Key Features:
- Intro Offer: 60,000 welcome bonus points
- Annual Fee: $95
- Intro APR: None
- Regular APR: 16.24 to 23.24%
- Recommended Credit Score: 690 to 850
Pros:
- Perfect for Hyatt fans
- Earn free nights
- Receive luxury rewards
- Can come with up to 60,000 welcome bonus points
Cons :
- Comes with a $95 annual fee
- No intro APR
- Limited reward opportunities beyond Hyatt-related expenses
5. Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
Here’s another credit card that rewards their new account-holders with miles instead of points or even their dollar equivalent.
Their sign up bonus allows new account-holders to earn up to 20,000 miles if they meet the minimum spending requirement of $500 within three months from account opening.
As for earning further miles, you can earn 5x miles for car rentals and hotels booked through Capital One Travel and 1.2x miles for every single purchase.
Once you have earned these miles, you can then get them reimbursed for travel-related purchases or used to book a trip through Capital One Travel. You will also have the chance to transfer them to other participating travel loyalty programs (there are more than 15 of them!).
Not traveling anytime soon? Then no worries because these mile rewards won’t expire for as long as the account is open and active.
Meanwhile, those planning to make big-ticket purchases this year will be pleased to learn that this credit card also offers 0% APR for the first 15 months of the account before shifting to the regular variable APR of 15.24 to 25.24%.
Finally, this credit card has no annual fee or foreign fees, making it further ideal for those who frequently travel abroad.
Key Features:
- Intro Offer: 20,000 miles
- Annual Fee: $0
- Intro APR: 0%
- Regular APR: 15.24 to 25.24%
- Recommended Credit Score: 690 to 850
Pros:
- Comes with 20,000 miles welcome bonus
- Allows free access to Capital One Travel’s exclusive program and miles rewards
- Comes with a 0% intro APR
- Doesn’t come with a foreign fee
- $0 annual fee
Con:
- Limited reward opportunities beyond travel-related categories
Best Visa Credit Card for Other Features
1. Chase Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Do you have your own business? Then here’s a Visa credit card that you should definitely consider. The bonus points are impressive.
Once approved, you’ll get the chance to earn 100,000 bonus points as long as you spend $15,000 within three months of opening the account.
The value of these points is $2000, but that’s not all. You can also earn up to 45,000 points in hitting the spending requirement.
These additional points can further bump up the value of your welcome rewards to up to $2900.
We understand that some small businesses might find this spending minimum hard to hit.
The good news is that Chase allows you the opportunity to request an unlimited number of free employee cards to help you meet that goal. Don’t worry; the potential benefits alone will make it all worth it.
First, let’s talk about the travel-centric rewards. Chase works with various travel partners to ensure you make the most of your points. These include United Airlines, British Airways, Hyatt, and Marriott.
You will also enjoy trip cancellation or interruption insurance. This will give you $5000 worth of coverage for eligible non-refundable travel expenses per person.
There is a $10,000 coverage per trip, though.
What if your trip doesn’t get canceled? What if it only got delayed?
Then you’ll be pleased to learn that this card also comes with a trip delay reimbursement. You can get as much as up to $500 per ticket.
In addition, this Visa credit card comes with car rentals coverage, including for theft and damage, for up the actual cash value of rental cars booked through it.
Please keep in mind that most of these benefits only apply for business travel expenses.
Aside from these travel benefits, this credit card also offers increased rewards for internet, cable, and phone services and marketing expenses, such as SEO and social media marketing.
Expenses that don’t fall under these categories are still eligible for a point per dollar spent and a purchase protection of up to $10,000 per claim or $50,000 per account.
Key Features:
- Intro Offer: $2000 worth of bonus points
- Annual Fee: $95
- Intro APR: None
- Regular APR: 16.24 to 21.24%
- Recommended Credit Score: 690 to 850
Pros:
- Impressive welcome rewards
- Wide range of travel-centric benefits
- Includes internet, phone, even marketing benefits
Cons:
- High minimum spending requirement to enjoy intro bonus
- $95 annual fee
2. DCU Visa Platinum Secured Credit Card
It is normal for credit cards, especially those with extensive benefits, to require good to excellent credit scores. That said, those with fair credit and bad credit still shouldn’t lose hope.
After all, some Visa cards (like this one) are specifically designed for those who want to improve or even build it from scratch.
A credit score can reflect one’s financial history and sense of responsibility. Think of it as your credit health. If you have a good score, you have good credit health.
The same applies to those with a fair credit score or even bad.
That’s why financial institutions such as credit card companies are hesitant to provide credit lines to those with bad credit. They’re afraid that they won’t get paid back, and they’ll lose their investment.
As the name suggests, secured credit cards can help by providing these institutions with a sense of security. That’s because they require a security deposit before an applicant can open an account.
The credit card company will then hold on to this money just in case the account holder cannot pay them back.
As such, your credit limit will also match the amount of your security deposit. Suppose you have deposited $200, then you will also receive the same credit line to match it.
This Visa-secured credit card will be based on the amount in your DCU savings account. They didn’t put a limit on how high your credit limit can go.
They will aptly match it as long as you have the money to match it for your security deposit.
While limited, this Visa credit card still comes with benefits. It doesn’t come with an annual fee.
There also aren’t going to be any other fees, such as those for cash advances, purchase and balance transfers, and foreign transaction dues. This will help you further maximize your line of credit.
Security features are also included. For instance, account-holders can take advantage of the Visa Checkout program.
Each card will also come with an embedded EMV chip to prevent fraud.
This card’s low APR is also notable. It is significantly lower compared to its competitors.
What we love best about this card, though, is it reports all credit activity to three different credit bureaus. This will allow any account holder to quickly build or rebuild their credit score.
Lastly, there’s the downside. Only members of the Digital Federal Credit Union will be allowed to apply.
Key Features:
- Intro Offer: None
- Annual Fee: $0
- Intro APR: None
- Regular APR: 11.50%
- Recommended Credit Score: 300 to 850
Pros:
- No extra fees
- No credit limit cap
- Even those with a bad credit score may qualify
Cons:
- Only members of the Digital Federal Credit Union are eligible to apply
- Requires minimum deposit to get a credit line
- Limited rewards and benefits compared to non-secured cards
Choosing the Best Visa Credit Card for Your Needs
The world of personal finances can be hard to navigate on your own.
Thus, we are fortunate to live at a time when many useful financial references and tools are more easily accessible online, and brands are more accommodating to consumers’ needs.
But how can you discern the best visa credit card from all the options you have? The key lies in doing your homework.
In our research, we find Chase Freedom Unlimited® to be a great card for everyday use due to its holistic reward system and benefits.
Sure, it comes with foreign transaction fees, but if you don’t travel overseas frequently, that shouldn’t prove to be too much of a problem.
In the end, the best buy Visa credit card for you will boil down to your specific needs and preferences.
We simply wish to help you make a more informed decision.
Visa Credit Card FAQs
Now that you have a selection of different Visa credit cards to choose from, we will answer the questions our readers frequently ask to further give you a more informed decision on the best credit card to sign-up for.
1. Which Visa card is best?
There is no right answer as it will depend on your particular needs and preferences. As you have seen in the Visa cards we featured above; each has its unique benefits.
Even those that fall within the same category have their distinct features. As such, we highly recommend taking the time to determine your priorities.
Don’t be limited by the options we have presented as well. There are other Visa credit cards out there. These were simply the ones that were the highest-rated and most recommended.
2. Which credit card is best Visa or Mastercard?
When choosing the best credit card, two brands usually come to mind. These are Visa and Mastercard. And why not?
They are both accepted almost anywhere, even overseas. They also tend to offer the same benefits.
So does it really matter which one you choose? Is there a reason why you should opt for one over the other?
Before deciding on one, there are two key points to consider:
- They Are Payment Networks
It is important to remember that neither Visa nor Mastercard issues cards. After all, they are payment networks rather than credit card distributors.
That means they simply work to process payments made by account-holders between the merchants and the banks or credit card companies.
- Most of the Benefits Will Come From the Issuers.
It’s more important to look into the benefits offered by credit card issuers rather than what Visa and Mastercard have to offer. That’s not to say that these networks don’t have specific benefits that distinguish them from each other.
These are very minimal, though. For instance, they have almost the same benefits when it comes to emergency services, but only Visa offers roadside dispatch.
On the other hand, when it comes to their travel benefits, Mastercard offers the lowest hotel rates.
So is there a difference in benefits between the two payment networks?
Well, if it really boils down to the number of benefits between each other, then Visa offers more than Mastercard.
However, we must reiterate this. The ideal choice will still boil down to your specific needs and preferences.
3. What is the highest level Visa card?
The answer is Infinite. Visa has three benefit levels, namely Traditional, Signature, and Infinite.
The Traditional level offers the most essential benefits, such as auto rental collision damage coverage (for rental cars booked through the card), emergency roadside assistance (both for car rentals and owned vehicles), and emergency card replacement.
These cards usually cover basic reward categories, such as groceries, drugstore purchases, and dining.
The next level, Signature, offers all the benefits included in the Traditional level plus extended warranty protection and worldwide travel & emergency assistance services, among others.
Finally, the highest level, Infinite, covers all the Signature benefits plus return protection, travel-related insurance, and purchase protection.
As such, this is also considered as the best Visa card to get for those who can afford it.
4. How many credit cards should a person have?
This will entirely depend on you, particularly your financial ability and responsibility.
If you’re not confident that you’ll be able to pay for more than one credit card, then you should probably stick with what you already have.
However, there are benefits to owning more than one credit card. For instance, having two to three cards can boost your credit score when handled strategically.
That’s because the higher line of (combined) credit that they can provide will help keep your credit utilization ratio low.
The credit utilization ratio is how much of your available revolving credit line you’re currently using.
By keeping it less than 30%, you’re indirectly proving to financial institutions that you are not as reliant on your credit line as other consumers.
Thus, you’re actually doing pretty well financially.
If you’re wondering how you compare with others, then according to Investopedia, the average American has 3 to 4 cards.
As for your current credit utilization rate, some available calculators can help you compute the answer more accurately online.
Another factor determining the number of cards you should have is your frequent spending categories.
Not all credit cards are the same; thus, having backup cards for specific purposes may help. For instance, do you make a lot of drugstore purchases?
Are you fond of dining out or ordering food, and your current card has limited eligible delivery services? Maybe you need to get rental cars every once in a while?
Then it would certainly be handy to have two to three cards on hand.
You can get one for your drugstore purchases and dining and another for all your travel purchases, including car rentals, and even provide coverage for rental cars booked through the card.
5. Why is Visa being replaced by Mastercard?
While this change doesn’t apply to all issuers, some financial institutions, such as Santander and First Direct, are switching over to Visa.
According to a recent report, this step was a decision made by these issuers to further improve the customer experience they provide.
There are speculations, though, that it is a result of the industry war between the payment network and Amazon.
Last year, the online marketplace announced that it would stop accepting Visa credit cards due to their high transaction fees.
6. What are the 4 types of credit cards?
Many consider the four major payment networks denoting the four major types of credit cards. These are American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa.
However, the truth is that there is a wide range of credit card types out there and various ways to categorize them.
For instance, we usually categorize the different types of credit cards for their main features and consumer categories. You might have noticed how we have organized the review part of this article above.
Anyone can indeed find ways to expand further the categories we have featured, but for us, we’d like to think that the four most popular are:
- Rewards and Cash Back Credit Cards
This type of credit card is intended for a consumer’s everyday use. The objective of this card is to provide the user with the best value for his money.
It also seeks to make credit card use a more rewarding experience一literally! As such, most of these credit cards provide points for eligible purchases that allows you to redeem rewards or even cashback.
Don’t forget to look out for each of their bonus categories. Taking note of these bonus categories will help you earn and redeem points faster.
Lastly, it wouldn’t hurt if you could redeem points anytime without worrying about deadlines and expiry dates.
- Travel Credit Cards
The next type of credit card is designed for frequent travelers. The rewards that these cards usually provide come in miles or hotel credit.
These cards also provide higher rewards for travel, accommodation, and dining-related expenses, especially if you’ve made them with recognized merchants.
Dining expenses cover dining, takeout, and eligible delivery service.
- Student Credit Cards
The next type of credit card is intended for student use. That’s why these credit cards don’t usually require a high credit score to apply.
Most of these cards also come with programs promoting financial responsibility and increasing credit scores.
Interestingly, many of these cards also come with their travel-related perks intended for students planning to study abroad.
- Business Credit Cards
Finally, there are credit cards specifically intended for business owners. This category can further be divided into subcategories according to the scale or type of business.
For instance, credit cards designed for small business owners usually come with certain coverage plans that promote better financial stability.
Meanwhile, credit cards designed for medium-sized enterprises usually offer features such as employee cards for better financial management.
There are times when credit cards are categorized according to the consumer hierarchy, which leads us to the next question.
7. What credit cards do millionaires use?
There are credit cards specifically intended for this customer tier. High-end credit cards are usually on an invitation basis only, so only millionaires receive access to them.
The iconic card that usually comes to mind when people talk about credit cards is “The Black Card”.
It’s the American Express Centurion Card一the card that people say started. It has very exclusive qualifications.
For instance, only holders of the already notable American Express Platinum Card who have charged more than $250,000 to their account the previous year will be considered.
They will then need to pay $7500 as a one-time fee and cover a $2500 annual membership fee.
