Payment networks
Visa, Mastercard and Amex are the rails your payment travels on, not the companies setting your rewards or interest rate. That's your bank.
The most widely accepted payment network in Canada.
Acceptance effectively identical to Visa, worldwide.
Both a network and an issuer: strong rewards, narrower acceptance.
For the full comparison, read Visa vs Mastercard: what's the difference?
Frequently asked questions
Does it matter whether my card is Visa or Mastercard?
Almost never. Acceptance is effectively identical in Canada, and both are payment networks rather than card issuers. Your rewards, interest rate, annual fee and insurance are all set by the bank that issued the card. Choose on the card, not the logo.
Why is American Express accepted in fewer places in Canada?
Amex charges merchants higher fees, and unlike Visa and Mastercard it runs its own network and issues its own cards. That funds richer rewards but gives smaller merchants and some grocery chains a reason to decline it. Many Canadians carry an Amex alongside a Visa or Mastercard for that reason.
What do Infinite, World and World Elite actually mean?
They are network tiers that set a floor for benefits and usually carry an income requirement. Visa Infinite and Mastercard World Elite sit at the top. The tier guarantees a baseline, but the issuing bank decides what sits on top of it, which is where the real differences are.