Is Visa or Mastercard better in the U.S.?

Both Visa and Mastercard are good in the U.S. When it comes to domestic acceptance, there is no winner between the two networks. There are a few differences between Visa and Mastercard, but they are minor. The two card networks are basically the same, as far as most cardholders are concerned.

When to Decide Between Mastercard and Visa?

For the most part, you should only worry about whether to get a Visa or Mastercard in the U.S. if you’re torn between two offers. In other words, if two cards have identical rewards, rates and fees, only then it would be worthwhile to weigh the small differences that exist between Mastercard and Visa.

Another factor for choosing between the two networks is access to exclusive deals. Some merchants might accept only Visa, while others might take only Mastercard. For example, Costco accepts only Visa credit cards; they take Mastercard only for online purchases.

You can also check our editors’ picks for best Visa and Mastercard credit cards, if you wish to find out more about what cards are available on these two networks.