Bogdan Roberts, Credit Cards Moderator
@bogdan_roberts
Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover credit cards are all accepted worldwide. Visa and Mastercard are the two largest card networks in the world, both in terms of geographical spread and merchant acceptance. Mastercard credit cards are accepted in more than 210 countries and territories, while Visa credit cards are accepted in more than 200. Discover credit cards are also accepted in approximately 200 countries, but merchant acceptance in those places will be spottier. Lastly, American Express cards are accepted in over 160 countries and territories.
In addition to being card networks, American Express and Discover also issue credit cards, while Visa and Mastercard do not. Rather, many different banks and credit unions issue credit cards on the Visa or Mastercard network. That means the cards will work anywhere Visa or Mastercard does, and cardholders will receive some other network benefits, such as travel insurance. It also means you have a lot more options than you might have thought. So let's take a look at some of the top ones.
Here are the best worldwide credit cards:
- Best Card Networks: Visa and Mastercard credit cards benefit from the widest worldwide acceptance.
- Best Verification Method: Chip-and-PIN credit cards may make things easier abroad, but even magnetic stripe cards work fine most places.
- Best for Travel Rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers 75,000 miles for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. On top of that, it earns 5 miles per $1 spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and 2 miles per $1 on all other purchases. And it charges a $95 annual fee. It also features a $0 foreign transaction fee. Requires a credit score of 700, at a minimum. That means you need at least good credit or better to get approved.
- Best for Students: Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is a Visa card with a $0 annual fee and a 0% foreign transaction fee. It also offers a 25,000 points for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. And it earns 3 points per $1 spent on purchases at the Bank of America Travel Center and 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases. Accepts applications from students with limited credit (less than 3 years of credit history).
- Best for International Benefits: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a Visa with a $0 foreign fee that offers a slew of international perks, including great travel insurance. It also has very good rewards, such as 80,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. And it earns 5 points per $1 spent on travel purchased through Chase, 2 points per $1 on all other travel purchases, 3 points per $1 on dining and online grocery purchases, 3 points per $1 on select streaming services, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. It charges an annual fee of $95. Requires a credit score of 700, at a minimum. That means you need at least good credit or better to get approved.
- Best for Business: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a Visa with a $0 foreign fee offering 100,000 points for spending $15,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, it earns 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent per year on travel and select business expenses, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. $95 annual fee. Requires a credit score of 700, at a minimum. That means you need at least good credit or better to get approved.
At the end of the day, there are a few things that are really important to consider when shopping for the best credit card that's accepted worldwide. The network it's on is key because it will control where the card is accepted. Then, you also need to look at foreign fees, annual fees and rewards to find the right mix for you. If you have bad credit, your best option will be a secured Visa or Mastercard.

2022's Best Credit Cards
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All Visas and Mastercards are accepted worldwide.
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