What is Visa Platinum Rewards?

There isn’t a single Visa rewards points catalog for all Visa credit cards. When you earn rewards points, miles, or cash back on a Visa credit card, Visa (the card network) isn’t responsible for how you use those rewards. Instead, Visa credit card rewards can be redeemed through each credit card’s issuer.... read full answer

Visa does, however, offer a range of perks to its cardholders that could be considered rewards. Some of the most basic are car rental insurance and a $0 liability guarantee. Visa also offers cardholders discounts for some hotel reservations and merchandise from various retailers via the Visa Offers & Perks page. Some of the Visa discount offerings include Green Chef, Lenovo, Hertz, Grand Hyatt Vail, and many others. You could call these rewards, but they’re better defined as “perks.”

To see what other perks and discounts your Visa card is eligible for, log into your credit card account on your card issuer’s website and find the perks or benefits section. Or, you can call your credit card’s customer service number.

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. You can use a Visa card far more places internationally than a Discover or American Express card, though. ... read full answer

One of the nice things about using a Visa card internationally is the fact that you’ll automatically get a low currency conversion rate. Foreign transaction fees are one thing to watch out for, though. 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.

Here are some of the best Visa credit cards for international travel:

• Best Overall: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Best for Airline Miles: British Airways Credit Card
• Best for Hotel Points: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
• Best for Students: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
• Best for Business: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
• Best for Fair Credit: USAA® Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card
• Best for Limited Credit: Petal 2 Visa® Credit Card

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.

One of the best credit cards with lounge access is Chase Sapphire Reserve®, giving you a Priority Pass Select lounge membership ($429 annual value) that gets you into 1,300+ lounges worldwide. Depending on the lounge, you may be able to bring in guests for free, too. And Sapphire Reserve also gives you a $300 annual travel credit, plus an initial bonus worth $900 toward travel through Chase.... read full answer

Amex Platinum is another good airport lounge card, giving you access to 6 airport lounge networks and providing up to $200 in credits each year for incidental charges on a pre-selected airline. If you’re interested in a card tied to a specific airline, check out the Delta Reserve American Express card or the Citi Executive/AAdvantage World Elite Mastercard. Each gives access to its airline’s lounges.

Best Credit Cards with Lounge Access

Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Free membership to Priority Pass lounges, over 1,300 worldwide. $429 annual value. $32 per guest visit. $550 annual fee. Excellent credit needed.

The Platinum Card® from American Express: Free membership to the following lounge networks: Priority Pass (one-time enrollment required), Delta Sky Club, Centurion, International American Express, Airspace and Escape. Well over 1,300 total locations. Most places allow at least one guest for free. $695 annual fee. Good credit needed.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Free membership to Delta Sky Club lounges. More than 200 locations worldwide. $545+ value per year. $550 annual fee. Good credit needed.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: Free Admirals’ Club lounge membership. Nearly 50 lounges worldwide. 550+ annual value. $450 annual fee. Good credit needed.

United Club Infinite Credit Card: Free United Club membership. 45 locations worldwide. $650+ annual value. $525 annual fee. Good credit needed.

As you’ve probably noticed, credit cards with lounge access tend to have very high annual fees. But lounge access itself can be worth several hundred dollars per year, if you actually use it. So combined with your card’s other benefits, you can still get a good deal.