What is the most widely accepted credit card? This question is about Best Credit Cards of 2024

Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards, as both types can be used at 35+ million locations in 200+ countries and territories. If you're looking for a card to use abroad, our pick for the best credit card for international travel is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa Card because of its bonus rewards. Mastercard is accepted in more countries than Visa, yet roughly 7 million more merchants worldwide take Visa. Both have a claim to the title of most widely accepted credit card as a result. Visa is also the most widely used type of credit card. There isn’t a single credit card that’s most widely accepted, though. That’s because there are hundreds of Mastercard and Visa credit card offers available. Most Widely Accepted Credit Cards: Most Widely Accepted Internationally: Mastercard (210+ countries and territories); Visa (200+). Most Widely Accepted in the U.S.: Visa and Mastercard are both accepted at almost 11 million U.S. merchant locations. Least Widely Accepted Internationally: American Express (160+ countries and territories); Discover (200+). Least Widely Accepted in the U.S.: American Express and Discover (10.6 million locations). Most Widely Used: Visa has the most credit cards in circulation (about 838 million). American Express has the highest purchase volume, at $15,904 per cardholder annually. Best Worldwide Credit Cards: Visa or Mastercard credit cards with no foreign transaction fee. The difference between Visa and Mastercard acceptance is slight. Either network should suit your needs almost anywhere in the world. But if you plan on traveling internationally, be sure your Mastercard or Visa credit card doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee. That will save you up to 3% on every purchase you make abroad. Finally, it’s worth pointing out that store cards are the least widely accepted credit cards. They don’t belong to any of the four major card networks. So, they can only be used at their affiliated retailers.

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What is the most widely accepted credit card?

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This question is about Best Credit Cards of 2024

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WalletHub, Financial Company

@WalletHub • 03/05/24

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Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted credit cards, as both types can be used at 35+ million locations in 200+ countries and territories. If you're looking for a card to use abroad, our pick for the best credit card for international travel is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa Card because of its bonus rewards.

Mastercard is accepted in more countries than Visa, yet roughly 7 million more merchants worldwide take Visa. Both have a claim to the title of most widely accepted credit card as a result. Visa is also the most widely used type of credit card. There isn’t a single credit card that’s most widely accepted, though. That’s because there are hundreds of Mastercard and Visa credit card offers available.

Most Widely Accepted Credit Cards:

Most Widely Accepted Internationally: Mastercard (210+ countries and territories); Visa (200+).
Most Widely Accepted in the U.S.: Visa and Mastercard are both accepted at almost 11 million U.S. merchant locations.
Least Widely Accepted Internationally: American Express (160+ countries and territories); Discover (200+).
Least Widely Accepted in the U.S.: American Express and Discover (10.6 million locations).
Most Widely Used: Visa has the most credit cards in circulation (about 838 million). American Express has the highest purchase volume, at $15,904 per cardholder annually.
Best Worldwide Credit Cards: Visa or Mastercard credit cards with no foreign transaction fee.

The difference between Visa and Mastercard acceptance is slight. Either network should suit your needs almost anywhere in the world. But if you plan on traveling internationally, be sure your Mastercard or Visa credit card doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee. That will save you up to 3% on every purchase you make abroad.

Finally, it’s worth pointing out that store cards are the least widely accepted credit cards. They don’t belong to any of the four major card networks. So, they can only be used at their affiliated retailers.

This answer was first published on 09/08/18 and it was last updated on 03/05/24. 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.

Is Mastercard or Visa more widely accepted?

There isn’t much of a difference between Mastercard and Visa when it comes to acceptance. Both card networks are accepted in more than 200 countries and territories, and almost every merchant that takes credit cards accepts both Visa and Mastercard.

Mastercard does have a slight advantage over Visa in terms of worldwide acceptance. Mastercard works in 210+ counties and territories, compared to 200+ for Visa.

You can find out more in our guide comparing Visa...

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Where is a Discover card accepted internationally?

A Discover card is accepted in 200 countries and territories internationally. That includes India, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Puerto Rico, the United Arab Emirates and most other popular destinations for American business and vacation travelers. But just because a Discover card is accepted by at least some merchants in a given country does not mean you should rely on it exclusively. Even Discover classifies its acceptance as low in places like France and Egypt. So, you may...

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Where is American Express accepted?

American Express is accepted at 10.6 million merchant locations in the U.S. and in 160+ countries and territories abroad. But you’ll find some stores that have exclusive deals with the more popular networks, Visa and Mastercard. For example, Costco only accepts Visa cards now, after switching from Amex only in 2016. Plus, despite the good number of foreign countries where you can use American Express cards, acceptance is on a merchant-by-merchant basis. So, coverage in a...

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