what's the difference between mastercard and visa ?
110296
Similarities\nThey are both card associations that set rules and standards on how card transactions are accepted, authorized and processed. They both make money the same way and, currently, they are both owned by member banks. Citibank is the largest issuer of MasterCard and Bank of America is the largest issuer of Visa.\n\nBy the way, neither set interest rates - the banks set the rates.\n\nKey differences...\n\nAcceptance\nMasterCard is accepted in more places globally, Visa is accepted more in the US.\n\nOrganizational Structure\nMasterCard is about to go public, meaning you can buy shares in MasterCard Inc. Visa is an association of several geographic organizations owned and operated by member banks.\n\nProducts\nVisa Debit cards are all over the place, not sure MasterCard has a debit card - or if it does it is not widely available. MasterCard does have a neat product called PayPass that allows you to just tap your card and go.\n\nAds\nVisa ads stink. MasterCard's "Priceless" ads are cool.\n\nAt the end of the day, pick the card that gives you the most reward points - which might stear you to American Express!
376623
It's probably a cost thing.  Each company charges a small fee, so maybe mastercard raised its fee.
921186
probably call the 1-800 mastercard office and they should be able to tell you
916773
yes, anywhere mastercard is accepted
342626
If your debit card has the Visa or Mastercard logo on it, it works as a credit card too. If yours doesn't then talk to your bank and ask for a newer card, because these days almost all debit cards can be used just like a credit card.\n\nAMEX sometimes works as a credit card, sometimes not. It depends on if the merchant does business with AMEX. Same with Diners. The reason no one takes those cards any more is that all charge/credit cards (Visa, Amex, etc) make their money in part from fees they charge the merchant. Amex and Diners charge fees that are a LOT higher than Visa/MC. That's how they can stay in business and not charge the cardholder any interest.
720108
With a Credit Card, you spend now, and pay through the nose later. With a Debit Card, you pay now, and spend your money whenever needed, later !
441212
You use the 16 digit serial number on the card in your wallet.  It may have a logo with the words "visa" or "mastercard".
427524
You can check here:\nhttp://www.edealinfo.com/creditcard/\n\nThe most popular ones are Citi Dividend Platinum Select MasterCard and Chase Cash Plus Rewards Visa Card.  Both have no annual fees, 5% cash back on grocery stores, drug stores and gas stations, 1% on other purchases.  The only difference is that Citi Dividend has a $300 limit on cash back per year.\n\nHaving too many cards increases the possibility of identity theft and stolen credit cards, and most likely you will lose check of them.  You don't really need specific credit cards for specific stores/purposes if you don't spend that much on them, because the benefit difference is not that much.
410029
Have them checked out by Visa and Master card they would know if they are officially a merchant and if they had any complaints!Good luck and be wise about giving out your information!
423701
It won't work as a normal debit card, but you can use it at any ATM that accepts Visa to get American currancy
687597
It depends what you want.  To generalize, the four different cards associations have different market positioning that can be summarized as the following:\n\nMasterCard/Visa: Greatest worldwide acceptance\nAmerican Express:  Good for frequent travellers and affluent customers\nDiscover:  Good for customers wanting cashback rewards.\n\nHowever, what really matters is the loyalty program that you get attached to the card.  This depends on the bank that is issuing the card, not the cards association.  You can find a cashback card that is branded with the Visa logo, the MasterCard logo, the Discover logo, or the American Express logo.  The deal given by the bank is what you should use to determine what card you want.
1029268
The lesser the better. U get tempted to spend more when u have more number of cards. I would recommend two at the most - one of each type, like master card/ visa etc.
1010277
4 cards.\n\nCitibank Mastercard - no balance.  Pays back 5% on gas, supermarket and drugstore purchases, 1% on everything else.  I get the maximum $300 cash back out of this card every year.\n\nChase Mastercard - no balance.  Pays back 1% on everything.  I usually get $100-200 cash back on this card every year.\n\nWescom Credit Union Visa - no balance.  I only use this card when I travel overseas because it doesn't have a 3% service charge for currency exchanges like the other cards I have.\n\nChase Visa - carrying an $9K balance at 0% interest (introductory 1st year offer).  I took out a $11K cash advance (cost me $75) and put the money into a CD paying 4.75% interest.  When the year is up, I'll pay off the card and keep the interest earned.  Net gain: $447.50 before taxes.\n\nBasically, once you get out of the hole, credit cards can be a good tool for generating extra money on stuff that you're going to buy anyway.  The main thing is to keep tight control on your spending.  If you can't afford to pay off the card every month, you probably shouldn't buying the item.\n\nMost people make the mistake of believing that credit cards stretch their money because they can buy things they can't normally afford.  But that's a mistake.  The reality is that you not only have to pay for whatever you purchased, you also have pay interest on top of that.\n\nCredit card companies offer deals to lure people in.  The key is to make those deals work for you, instead of falling into their trap.  The company will lose money on you, but they don't really care because they'll more than make up their losses on you by profiting from those who get can't control their spending.  So take control of your life and get yourself out of the hole.  You can do it and once you do, you'll be amazed at how much extra money you'll have because your earnings are not being dragged down by interest payments.\n\nThere a bunch of us money geeks who discuss this stuff all the time, so much that one guy started a Web site for such discussions.  There's no membership, no fees to pay, nothing being sold.  Just a bunch of people talking about how to save money and invest.  Check out the link below and if you have questions, don't be shy.  Feel free to ask anything you like.
791459
two totally different cards, one is n in house financing card, another is a bank card that has a best buy logo on it with offer for best buy consumers, in fact you might not be able to transfer your best buy balance to your best buy mastercard, read the fine print and call for questions before applying.
758920
Orchard Bank Mastercard (issued by HSBC Bank) - probably the most reputable issuer among the lot. Plus now, you can even get 2% cash rebates with Orchard Bank Mastercards.\n\nTribute Mastercard\nImagine Mastercard\nTotal Visa\nFirst Premier Bank (both secured and unsecured cards)\nRewards 660 Visa\nContinental Finance
323185
get a prepaid gift card from visa.  it works to make the purchase, and if anybody scams it, it doesn't matter.  but overall , making a purchase online is as safe or safer than making a purchase at say a resteraunt or mall store.
121575
I think Visa is more common but its just the differance of Visa vs Mastercard. Most places that take one also takes the other. You bank is probably switching over due to a price brake from matercard.