Can I use my Chase Sapphire Preferred anywhere?

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.

Yes, Mastercard is accepted almost everywhere you can use a credit or debit card. Millions of merchants in more than 210 countries and territories take Mastercard. And that includes more than 10.7 million retailers in the U.S. alone. Furthermore, Visa is accepted in just over 200 countries and territories, while American Express lags well behind.... read full answer

Here’s what you should know about Mastercard’s acceptance:

• Mastercard isn’t accepted everywhere that you may find yourself spending money. Some stores and other merchants (like vendors at a local fair, for example) might only take cash. Transactions at some websites, or between you and other individuals, may require using electronic currency though outlets like PayPal, Venmo, or Bitcoin.
• It’s impossible to give an exhaustive list of every place that does or does not accept Mastercard. But those that accept only non-Mastercard plastic are extremely rare. For example, Costco only accepts Mastercards for online purchases. On the other hand, Sam’s Club used to only take Discover, but now they accept cards from all four major networks.
• It’s also important to note that more than 25,000 different financial institutions issue Mastercard credit cards and debit cards. That’s because Mastercard is a card network, not a card issuer. In other words, it dictates where your card will be accepted and what secondary benefits – rental car insurance, for example – you may receive.

You can compare Mastercard credit cards on WalletHub if you’re interested in applying for one. And if you’re not sure which Mastercard you’re likely to qualify for, you can check your latest credit score for free on WalletHub, too. We’ll also give you personalized card recommendations based on your score and spending habits.