Payment networks
Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover are the rails your payment travels on, not the companies deciding your rewards or your rate. Those come from the bank that issued the card.
The most widely accepted network worldwide.
Acceptance effectively equal to Visa.
Runs its own network and issues its own cards.
The fourth US network, also an issuer.
Frequently asked questions
Does it matter whether my card is Visa or Mastercard?
Almost never. Acceptance is effectively identical in the United States, and both are payment networks rather than card issuers. Your rewards, interest rate, annual fee and benefits 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?
Amex historically charged 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 a reason to decline it. The gap has narrowed in the US but remains real abroad.
Is Discover still its own network?
Yes. Discover operates its own payment network and is now owned by Capital One following the completed acquisition. Domestic acceptance is broad, but international acceptance is meaningfully narrower than Visa or Mastercard.