Updated
Fact Checked
Eric McWhinnie
If you're looking for a new credit card, you may find yourself picking between American Express vs. Visa. Consumers often wonder which is the better choice, considering that these are two of the world's four major payment networks. Here's how they stack up.
Acceptance of American Express vs. Visa
Winner: Visa
More merchants accept Visa than American Express. In fact, Visa is one of the most accepted payment networks in the world. There's not a major difference in American Express vs. Visa acceptance in the United States, but there is internationally.
American Express has traditionally charged higher payment processing fees than other payment networks. To avoid those fees, some merchants opted not to accept American Express cards. However, after efforts to improve in this area, American Express is now accepted by 99% of U.S. merchants that accept credit cards.
In terms of international acceptance, Visa has a sizable lead. It's accepted in over 200 countries, compared to over 170 countries for American Express. When you travel abroad, using an American Express card can be hit or miss, whereas Visa can normally be used anywhere credit cards are accepted.
TIP
Payment Networks vs. Card Issuers
A card issuer is the third party, typically a bank, that extends credit to consumers. When you use your card, the card issuer pays for the transaction. It gets reimbursed once you pay off what you charged.
A payment network processes transactions. It transfers funds from the card issuer to the merchant.
American Express is both a card issuer and a payment network. American Express does double duty. It processes transactions for its own American Express cards and cards from other issuers that use the American Express card network.
Visa is only a payment network. Since Visa isn't a credit card issuer, every Visa card also has a card issuer. For example, Chase credit cards with Visa will have both the Chase and Visa logos on them. That means Chase is the credit card issuer and Visa is the payment network.
Customer service of American Express vs. Visa
Winner: American Express
American Express consistently gets high marks for its customer service. In the 2022 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study by J.D. Power, American Express came in first. It has taken the top spot in 12 out of 16 years that J.D. Power has done this study. If you get a card that's issued by American Express, you can expect high-quality service.
With Visa cards, you won't interact with Visa for customer service issues. You'd contact the credit card company that issued the card. Since Visa partners with so many card issuers, that means customer service is more variable. It will depend on the card issuer, and Visa itself doesn't have control over the service quality.
READ MORE: Our favorite American Express cards
As of Sep. 21, 2023
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| The Platinum Card® from American Express | Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express | American Express® Gold Card |
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00 stars
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
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Apply Now for The Platinum Card® from American Express
On American Express' Secure Website. Terms apply |
Apply Now for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
On American Express' Secure Website. Terms apply |
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Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
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Welcome Offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points |
Welcome Offer: Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. $250 |
Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership. 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points |
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Rewards Program: Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on other purchases. 1X - 5X points |
Rewards Program: 6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%). 6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions. 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more). 1% Cash Back on other purchases. 1% - 6% cash back |
Rewards Program: Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). Earn 3X Membership Rewards® Points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. Earn 1X Membership Rewards® Points on other eligible purchases. 1X - 4X points |
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Intro APR: Purchases: n/a Balance Transfers: n/a |
Intro APR: Purchases: 0%, 12 months Balance Transfers: 0%, 12 months |
Intro APR: Purchases: n/a Balance Transfers: n/a |
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Regular APR: See Pay Over Time APR |
Regular APR: 19.24%-29.99% Variable |
Regular APR: See Pay Over Time APR |
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Annual Fee: $695 |
Annual Fee: $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95. |
Annual Fee: $250 |
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Apply Now for The Platinum Card® from American Express
On American Express' Secure Website. Terms apply |
Apply Now for Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
On American Express' Secure Website. Terms apply |
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Show More
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Card selection of American Express vs. Visa
Winner: Visa
You'll have far more card options with Visa vs. American Express. Most of the major card issuers partner with Visa for at least some of their credit cards. It's also the payment network with the greatest market share.
There's not as wide a selection of American Express credit cards. It offers its own cards and a limited selection of cards with other card issuers on the American Express payment network. You'll have plenty of options, just not as many as you would with Visa.
READ MORE: Our favorite Visa credit cards
As of Sep. 21, 2023
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| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card |
U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card |
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card |
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50 stars
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00 stars
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
|
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website. |
|
|
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
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Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. 60,000 bonus points |
Welcome Offer: N/A |
Welcome Offer: $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening $200 |
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Rewards Program: Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more. 1x - 5x points |
Rewards Program: N/A |
Rewards Program: 3% cash back in your choice category, 2% at grocery stores & wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases), 1% on all other purchases. 1% - 3% cash back |
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Intro APR: N/A Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A |
Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for the first 18 billing cycles on purchases billing cycles, and after that 18.74% - 29.74% (Variable) Purchases: 0%, 18 billing cycles on purchases Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 billing cycles |
Intro APR: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee applies to all balance transfers. Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days |
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Regular APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable |
Regular APR: 18.74% - 29.74% (Variable) |
Regular APR: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) |
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Annual Fee: N/A $95 |
Annual Fee: $0 |
Annual Fee: $0 |
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
On Chase's Secure Website. |
Apply Now for Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website. |
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Show More
Show Less
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Should you get an American Express or Visa card?
You can't go wrong with either an American Express card or a Visa card. Both offer high-quality credit cards. And even though American Express has a reputation for luxury, it's not so simple anymore. You can find every type of card, from cards without an annual fee to luxury cards, with American Express or Visa.
Visa has one important advantage when it comes to international acceptance. In the United States, you don't need to worry much about American Express vs. Visa. If a U.S. merchant accepts credit cards, then it most likely accepts either payment network. In other countries, you could encounter merchants that will take Visa, but not American Express.
If you travel internationally often, a Visa card is good to have. Other than that, both American Express and Visa cards can do the trick.
Still have questions?
Here are some other questions we've answered:
Choosing a credit card
Don't you wish you could take a peek inside a credit card expert's wallet sometimes? Just to see the cards they carry? Well, you can't look in anybody's wallet, but you can check out our experts' favorite credit cards. Get started here:
FAQs
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Visa is a payment network that processes transactions, whereas American Express is both a payment network and a card issuer. That means Visa doesn't actually issue cards, but American Express does. In addition, more merchants accept Visa cards, especially internationally. Visa is accepted in over 200 countries, compared to American Express which is accepted in over 170.
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American Express offers excellent credit cards and highly rated customer service. It's also different from most card issuers because it both issues credit cards and has its own payment network.
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American Express is just as good as Visa and Mastercard, but it's not as widely accepted. It's accepted in over 170 countries. Visa is accepted in over 200 and Mastercard in over 210.
Our Credit Cards Experts
Lyle Daly is a personal finance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel rewards programs, and banking. He writes for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, and his work has appeared in USA Today and Yahoo! Finance. He was born in California but currently lives as a digital nomad with a home base in Colombia.
Fact Checked
Eric McWhinnie
Eric McWhinnie has been writing and editing digital content since 2010. He specializes in personal finance and investing. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.
Bank of America is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. JPMorgan Chase is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. American Express is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Mastercard, Target, Uber Technologies, Visa, and Walmart. The Motley Fool recommends U.S. Bancorp and recommends the following options: long January 2025 $370 calls on Mastercard and short January 2025 $380 calls on Mastercard. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
For rates and fees for the American Express® Gold Card, click here
For rates and fees for the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here
For rates and fees for the The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here