Best Visa Credit Cards December 2023

Updated December 20, 2023

Visa is one of the most widely accepted payment networks in the world. Accepted in more than 200 countries, Visa is a global leader in moving money. 

Visa doesn’t issue credit cards but partners with most major U.S. card issuers to offer Visa credit cards. There are 4.2 billion Visa cards worldwide. There’s a good chance there’s one in your wallet or purse now. 

Visa credit cards come in all types to meet various consumer needs. The best Visa card for you depends on your spending habits, credit score, and goals. 

featured product

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

featured product

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Credit scoreAPRAnnual feesannual_feesRewards3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.Welcome offer

Why we like it:

The card_name is a solid flat-rate earnings card with annual_fee_disclaimer annual fee. Although the 1.5% cash back doesn’t seem impressive at first glance, it becomes more valuable when combined with other rewards cards from Chase that can be redeemed for a far greater value. 

This card is recommended for everyday use, whether for doctor copays or big box store purchases. It can be a large earner for cardmembers who want to get the most out of their everyday spending.

Keep reading to learn about the best Visa credit cards in 2023, why we picked them, and how to find the right Visa card for you.

Best Visa credit cards compared 2023

Visa credit card	Best for	Intro offer	Regular APR	Annual fee	Credit needed
card_name	Travel rewards	bonus_miles_full	reg_apr,reg_apr_type	annual_fees	credit_score_needed
card_name	Airline	bonus_miles_full	reg_apr,reg_apr_type	annual_fees	credit_score_needed
card_name	Hotel	bonus_miles_full	reg_apr,reg_apr_type	annual_fees	credit_score_needed
card_name	Cash back	bonus_miles_full	reg_apr,reg_apr_type	annual_fees	credit_score_needed
Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card	Flat-rate cash back	N/A	16.99% – 26.99% variable	$0	Excellent
card_name	No annual fee	bonus_miles_full	reg_apr,reg_apr_type	annual_fees	credit_score_needed
card_name	Premium benefits	bonus_miles_full	reg_apr,reg_apr_type	annual_fees	credit_score_needed
card_name	Cash-back choices	bonus_miles_full	reg_apr,reg_apr_type	annual_fees	credit_score_needed
card_name	Gas purchases	bonus_miles_full	reg_apr,reg_apr_type	annual_fees	credit_score_needed
card_name	Small business	bonus_miles_full	reg_apr,reg_apr_type	annual_fees	credit_score_needed

Our recommendations for the best Visa credit card

Best travel credit card: card_name

The card_name offers premium travel benefits, including a $300 annual credit for travel booked through Capital One Travel and the ability to transfer rewards to more than a dozen travel transfer partners. The card has a annual_fees annual fee, which is lower than other top-tier travel cards. 

Cardholders earn 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2x miles on all other eligible purchases. If you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening the account, there is also a generous welcome offer of 75,000 bonus miles.

Other card_name perks include a 10,000-mile card anniversary bonus, up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every four years, airport lounge access, and Hertz President’s Circle Status.

Best airline credit card: card_name

While it’s not a luxury airline card, the card_name offers a nice blend of airline benefits for a relatively low annual fee. This card costs annual_fees annual fee.

Cardholders earn 2x miles on United Airlines purchases, dining, and hotel stays and 1x miles on all other purchases. You can also bonus_miles_full.

The card_name offers more than just basic benefits with the airline. It comes with a free first checked bag for the primary cardholder and a companion, and priority boarding for the primary cardmember and travel companions on the same reservation. The card also provides two annual United Club passes, 25% back on inflight purchases, and up to a $100 credit for Global Entry, TSA Precheck, or NEXUS application fees every four years.

Best hotel credit card: card_name

Hyatt is a fan favorite for many travelers, making the card_name a top choice for Hyatt loyalists. For a annual_fees annual fee, cardholders receive a wealth of value and benefits. 

You can earn up to 60,000 points through the card’s welcome offer. You’ll bonus_miles_full.

As a hotel card, it also rewards spending with Hyatt. You can earn up to 9x points with Hyatt— 4x points per dollar spent on purchases at all Hyatt hotels plus 5x base points for each dollar spent as a World of Hyatt member. The card also earns 2x points from restaurants, airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, local transit and commuting, and fitness club and gym memberships. All other eligible purchases earn 1x points. 

The card_name features several hotel perks, including one free night at any category 1 to 4 Hyatt hotel or resort every year after your card’s opening anniversary. You can earn an additional free night if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year. 

Other perks include automatic Hyatt Discoverist status plus annual credits toward the next status tier. There are also several travel protections, including baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and an auto rental collision damage waiver. 

Best cash back credit card: card_name

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Credit scoreAPRAnnual feesannual_feesBonus rewardsbonus_milesWelcome offer details

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• SPECIAL OFFER: Unlimited Matched Cash Back. Chase will automatically match all the cash back you earned at the end of your first year! There is no limit to how much cash back you can earn.
• 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
• No annual fee.
• 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months.
• Additional 5x cash back on travel purchased through the Ultimate Rewards program, 3x on dining, and 3x on drugstore purchases.
• Extra 1.5% earned the first year up to $20,000.

Cons:

• 5% cash advance and balance transfer fees.
• 3% foreign transaction fee.
• Only available for cardholders with a good credit score.

If you want a Visa that earns bonus cash back rewards, look no further than card_name. The card has an easily attainable welcome offer. You can bonus_miles_full. 

The cash back rewards are impressive, too. You’ll earn 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% at restaurants and drugstores, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.The no-annual-fee card also comes with a intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration and a balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration. 

card_name is not great for international travel since the card charges a foreign_transaction_fee foreign transaction fee. That said, it does come with several travel protections such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, an auto rental collision damage waiver, and travel and emergency assistance services. 

Best credit card for flat-rate cash back rewards: Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card

You must be an Alliant Credit Union member to apply for the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card, but it could be worth it to earn the card’s elevated flat-rate cash back.

Eligible cardholders will earn 2.5% cash back on the first $10,000 of qualifying eligible purchases per billing cycle and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other qualifying eligible purchases. There are some hoops to jump through to earn Alliant’s highest cash-back tier. You need to open an Alliant High-Rate Checking and meet the following requirements each month:

• Opt in to receive eStatements 
• Have at least one electronic deposit posted to the account each calendar month
• Maintain an average daily balance of $1,000 or more

Cardholders who don’t meet those requirements earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all qualifying eligible purchases. Other card perks include travel accident insurance, an auto rental collision damage waiver, and roadside dispatch.

If you don’t meet the credit union’s eligibility requirements through employment, family, or location, you can qualify by becoming a Foster Care to Success member. Alliant will even pay the one-time $5 membership fee on your behalf. 

Best credit card for no annual fee: card_name

If you want to get rewarded for spending but don’t want to pay a fee, consider the card_name. It has annual_fees annual fee and earns bonus rewards in several popular spending categories. You’ll earn 4x points on dining; 2x points on groceries, at gas stations and electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and on streaming services; and 1x points on all other eligible purchases. 

The card_name has a welcome offer of 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. The card also comes with a $15 credit for annual streaming services purchases like Netflix, Apple TV+, and Spotify. It’s also a decent option for financing purchases and balance transfers. The card offers a intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration on purchases and a balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration. After the introductory bonus period, the APR reverts to reg_apr,reg_apr_type.

Best credit card for premium benefits: card_name

card_name offers a bounty of travel benefits and other perks. The card has a hefty annual_fees annual fee, but its value exceeds the fee as long as you take advantage of annual credits. 

The premium card comes with a welcome offer of 60,000 bonus points if you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. With card_name, you can earn 5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and car rentals when purchasing travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. In addition, you can get 10x points on Chase Dining, 3x points on other travel and dining, and 1x points on all other purchases. And your points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. 

Other benefits include a $300 annual travel credit; a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Fee Credit up to $100 every four years; Priority Pass Select membership eligibility); trip cancellation/interruption insurance; an auto rental collision damage waiver; lost luggage reimbursement; trip delay reimbursement; and other travel and purchase protections. 

Best credit card for cash-back choices: card_name

The card_name offers a good cash back rate on gas, along with excellent rates in categories of your choice. 

As a cardholder, you’ll earn 5% cash back on your first $2,000 in combined eligible purchases each quarter on two categories you choose, which can include fast food, TV, internet and streaming, home utilities, cell phone, and more. You’ll also earn 2% cash back on one everyday category, which includes gas stations and EV charging stations, grocery stores, or restaurants, and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. 

The card has annual_fees annual fee and comes with a $200 bonus welcome offer after you spend $1,000 in the first 120 days from account opening. Another introductory perk is a intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration and a balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration.

Best credit card for gas purchases: card_name

The card_name is our top choice for fueling up at gas stations. The card earns 5x points on gas paid at the pump and EV charging stations, 3X points at the supermarket (including select Target and Walmart locations), restaurants and TV, radio, cable and streaming services, and 1X points on all other purchases. Points are redeemable for travel, gift cards, shopping and other options. 

The annual_fees-annual-fee card has a welcome bonus offer of 15,000 points after you spend $1,500 in the first 90 days of account opening. The card_name offers 0% intro APR for 12 months on balance transfers (after that, a variable APR of reg_apr,reg_apr_type applies). PenFed membership is required to apply for this card. 

Best credit card for small businesses: card_name

The card_name is one of the best Visa cards for small businesses. The card has a annual_fees annual fee but offers more than enough value to make up for that. 

First, the card has a welcome offer of 100,000 points after you spend $15,000 on purchases in the first three months after account opening. It also earns 3x points on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in the following categories each account anniversary year: 

• Shipping purchases
• Advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines
• Internet, cable, and phone services
• Travel

All other purchases earn 1x point per dollar spent.

The card_name has access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards program and flexible redemption options. Plus, points are worth 25% more when used to book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Other perks include complimentary employee cards, fraud and purchase protection, and no foreign transaction fees.

Our methodology

To find the best Visa cards, we compared cards based on the following criteria: 

• Rewards rates
• Welcome offers
• Introductory APR offers
• Variable APRs
• Annual fees
• Card benefits and perks 
• Travel benefits
• Consumer protections

The cards on this list represent the best Visa cards, either for a specific benefit or their overall strength of rewards and features. 

Are Visa credit cards worth it?

Visa cards are among the most valued credit cards on the market. Visa is a payment network, not a card issuer, so it doesn’t necessarily have much say in which benefits and features are included with a particular credit card. That said, all Visa credit cards offer basic benefits and protections such as roadside dispatch, complimentary identity-theft monitoring, and zero liability. Higher-tier Visa cards, such as Visa Signature and Visa Infinite, offer additional benefits and perks that add value to the existing rewards and perks card issuers offer.

How to choose the right Visa card for you

The best Visa card depends on your spending habits and whether you’re willing to pay an annual fee for access to card benefits. It also depends on your credit score and history since some cards may require good to excellent credit to qualify. 

Start by analyzing why you want a Visa credit card. Consider factors such as annual fees, welcome offers, APR, rewards structure, and additional card benefits until you find a card that aligns with your needs. 

TIME Stamp: Visa is one of the most widely accepted cards worldwide

If you’re looking for a credit card you can use nearly anywhere, look no further than a Visa card. Visa can be used in more than 200 countries and territories and is one of the most accepted digital payment technologies in the world. Card benefits and rewards vary significantly among the different cards, but all Visa cards come with basic benefits such as zero liability protection, roadside dispatch, and identity-theft monitoring. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Is Visa a credit card issuer?

No. Visa is a payment network, not a credit card issuer. Visa connects cardholders with merchants and banks, authorizing and processing over 250 billion transactions annually. 

Which credit cards are most widely accepted: Visa, Mastercard or American Express?

Visa and Mastercard are the most accepted credit cards worldwide. Both payment networks operate in more than 200 countries and territories. 

Are Visa credit cards widely accepted internationally?

Yes, Visa credit cards are accepted by millions of merchants in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. 

Do Visa credit cards offer purchase protection or extended warranties?

Many Visa credit cards offer purchase protection and extended warranty protection, but these are not standard benefits that come with all Visa credit cards. It’s up to the card issuer to include these types of additional perks, not Visa. 

Can I transfer balances from other credit cards to a Visa credit card?

Many, but not all, credit cards allow you to transfer balances to a Visa credit card. Balance transfers are typically at the discretion of card issuers, not payment networks like Visa. Most credit card issuers do not allow you to transfer a balance from one of their cards to another of their cards.

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