What is the most popular credit card brand?
Most Common Types of Credit Cards
Of the four main types of credit cards—Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover—Visa is by far the most common, making up 52.8% of cards in circulation.
Most Common Types of Credit Cards
Of the four main types of credit cards—Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover—Visa is by far the most common, making up 52.8% of cards in circulation.
- American Express.
- Bank of America.
- Barclays.
- Capital One.
- Chase.
- Citibank.
- Discover.
- PNC.
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.
Key takeaways. Credit card companies generate most of their income through interest charges, cardholder fees and transaction fees paid by businesses that accept credit cards.
The best credit card overall is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card because it gives 2% cash rewards on all purchases and has a $0 annual fee. For comparison purposes, the average cash rewards card gives about 1% back. Cardholders can also get an initial bonus of $200 cash rewards after spending $500 in...
Among credit card issuers, Chase comes first with more than 149 million credit cards in circulation. Narrowing it down to a single credit card, the most popular in the U.S. is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, according to WalletHub's findings.
The four major credit card networks are Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover.
The four major credit card networks in the United States are Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.
Kim Kardashian and Oprah Winfrey, meanwhile, have used the American Express Centurion, which is said to enable cardholders to buy anything they desire, no matter how seemingly inaccessible. Here's a closer look at three of these exclusive credit cards and what they offer.
What is the least accepted credit card?
Credit card processors make money by collecting a percentage of every transaction that comes through their credit card network. Part of the reason that American Express cards aren't accepted as widely as others is that it charges merchants a higher fee on average.
While the term “deadbeat” generally carries a negative connotation, when it comes to the credit card industry, you should consider it a compliment. Card issuers refer to customers as deadbeats if they pay off their balance in full each month, avoiding interest charges and fees on their accounts.
Using Geolocation Tracking
Credit card companies and banks generally use software to extract geolocation data and leverage it for information like the malicious user's time zone, internet service provider (ISP), and exact location of the fraudster at the time of the fraudulent purchase.
While credit card issuers don't make money through credit card interest if you pay your balance in full each month, they make money through credit card fees and miscellaneous charges. Credit card networks also charge merchants interchange fees for every purchase you make.
- Best for students: Discover it® Student Cash Back.
- Best for no annual fee: Citi Double Cash® Card.
- Best secured credit card: Discover it® Secured Credit Card.
- Best for cash back: U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa® Secured Card.
- Best for no credit: Petal® 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa® Credit Card.
So, while there is no absolute number that is considered too many, it's best to only apply for and carry the cards that you need and can justify using based on your credit score, ability to pay balances, and rewards aspirations.
It may seem counterintuitive, but closing a credit card can hurt your credit score in the short term. You may be less likely to spend if the card is gone, but without that information on your credit report, the lender has also lost insight that could help them gauge your reliability as a borrower.
- American Express Centurion Card (“Black Card”)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve.
- American Express The Platinum Card.
- Capital One Venture X Rewards.
- American Express The Business Platinum Card.
- Mastercard Black Card.
- American Express Gold Card.
- Mastercard Gold Card.
There may be a few significant differences between Visa and Mastercard, but acceptance isn't one of them. Both cards are widely accepted in the U.S. and in more than 200 countries and territories globally.
But Capital One's cards are more than hype — they include generous rewards cards as well as excellent products for business owners, students and those with average or poor credit. What won't you find on any Capital One card? Foreign transaction fees.
Is Discover or Mastercard better?
Overall, it's probably best to have a Mastercard in your pocket, especially if you're going to be traveling abroad frequently. But if you only plan to use your card within the U.S., a Discover card will work just fine, as it benefits from 99% nationwide acceptance.
Acquisition by Capital One
In February 2024, Capital One announced that it would acquire Discover Financial Services in an all-stock transaction valued at $35.3 billion.
For a score with a range between 300 and 850, a credit score of 700 or above is generally considered good. A score of 800 or above on the same range is considered to be excellent. Most consumers have credit scores that fall between 600 and 750. In 2022, the average FICO® Score☉ in the U.S. reached 714.
The American Express Centurion Card is the original black credit card and still the most expensive, with a one-time initiation fee of $10,000 and a $5,000 annual fee.
Capital One issues both Visa and Mastercard credit cards that offer a wide range of benefits, including cash back, travel rewards and other perks. Explore and compare all Capital One credit cards to find the one that's right for you.
