Is Discover a Visa or Mastercard? This question is about Discover Credit Cards

Discover is neither a Visa nor a Mastercard. It’s more like an American Express card, but they’re not exactly the same, either. Discover is similar to Visa, Mastercard and American Express in the sense that all four are card networks. Each helps process payments for the cards on its network, determines where those cards can be used, and provides extra benefits, such as rental car insurance. However, Discover is different from Visa and Mastercard as most credit cards on the Discover network are issued by Discover. Visa and Mastercard aren’t issuers, so cards on their networks come from lots of different banks and credit unions. Amex, like Discover, is both a card issuer and a card network. Here’s how Discover differs from Visa or Mastercard: Discover is both a credit card issuer and a card network. Visa and Mastercard are networks only. Discover is accepted in more than 200 countries and territories, same as Visa and Mastercard. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at 10.7 million U.S. merchant locations, versus 10.6 million for Discover. Discover credit cards don’t have foreign transaction fees. Visa and Mastercard credit cards charge 0% to 3% of purchases processed internationally. If you look at the front of your Discover card, you should see “Discover” with an orange dot for the “o.” Each network has a logo, so it’s easy to tell them apart. And while Discover cards are generally fine to use anywhere in the U.S., you might have trouble in certain countries abroad. So, it’s probably best to have a backup Visa or Mastercard.

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Is Discover a Visa or Mastercard?

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This question is about Discover Credit Cards

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WalletHub, Financial Company

@WalletHub • 11/24/22 This answer was first published on 05/06/18 and it was last updated on 11/24/22.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.

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Discover is neither a Visa nor a Mastercard. It’s more like an American Express card, but they’re not exactly the same, either. Discover is similar to Visa, Mastercard and American Express in the sense that all four are card networks. Each helps process payments for the cards on its network, determines where those cards can be used, and provides extra benefits, such as rental car insurance. However, Discover is different from Visa and Mastercard as most credit cards on the Discover network are issued by Discover. Visa and Mastercard aren’t issuers, so cards on their networks come from lots of different banks and credit unions. Amex, like Discover, is both a card issuer and a card network.

Here’s how Discover differs from Visa or Mastercard:

Discover is both a credit card issuer and a card network. Visa and Mastercard are networks only.
Discover is accepted in more than 200 countries and territories, same as Visa and Mastercard.
Visa and Mastercard are accepted at 10.7 million U.S. merchant locations, versus 10.6 million for Discover.
Discover credit cards don’t have foreign transaction fees. Visa and Mastercard credit cards charge 0% to 3% of purchases processed internationally.

If you look at the front of your Discover card, you should see “Discover” with an orange dot for the “o.” Each network has a logo, so it’s easy to tell them apart. And while Discover cards are generally fine to use anywhere in the U.S., you might have trouble in certain countries abroad. So, it’s probably best to have a backup Visa or Mastercard.

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emma_glass, Member

@emma_glass • 05/24/18 This answer was first published on 05/24/18. 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.

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Discover is a Discover. It's a separate card network and also an issuer. They're just like American Express.

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Is it better to get a Visa or Discover card?

It is better to get a Visa card than a Discover card in most cases because Visa cards offer more widespread acceptance and more supplemental benefits. In addition, there are a lot more Visa cards to choose from than Discover cards, since Visa lets many banks and credit unions issue cards on its network. Unlike Visa, Discover is a credit card issuer in addition to being a network, and the vast majority of cards on Discover’s network...

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Where is Discover card accepted?

Discover cards are accepted by more than 10.64 million U.S. merchants. Outside the United States, you can use Discover cards in 200+ countries and territories. But there are some noticeable gaps, including Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and Taiwan. You can check Discover’s international-use map to see where, exactly, your Discover credit card will work.

Even in the countries where Discover Card is accepted, you’ll still find many merchants that only accept Mastercard and Visa. That’s...

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Discover vs. Mastercard: What are the main differences?

The biggest difference when you pit Discover vs. Mastercard is that while both are credit card networks, Discover also is a credit card issuer. Credit card networks decide where cards can and can’t be used, as well as process transactions. Credit card issuers set rates, approve applicants and send out cards, among other things. Discover handles both functions. So, Discover credit cards are issued by Discover and belong to the Discover network. Mastercard credit cards, on the other hand, are issued by dozens...

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