What Credit Cards Are Widely Accepted Everywhere?

If you're planning a trip abroad, it's essential to know which credit cards are widely accepted everywhere. Mastercard is one of the most widely accepted credit cards globally, with over 3.8 million acceptance points in over 150 countries.

Visa is another popular credit card that's widely accepted, with over 44 million merchants accepting Visa payments worldwide. This makes it a great option for travelers who want to avoid foreign transaction fees.

American Express is also widely accepted, but its acceptance rate is lower compared to Mastercard and Visa, especially in smaller towns and rural areas. However, it's still a great option for travelers who want to earn rewards and enjoy exclusive benefits.

Additional reading: Credit Card with Travelers Insurance

Credit card acceptance can be a bit confusing, but don't worry, I've got the lowdown. Virtually every merchant that takes credit cards accepts both Visa and Mastercard.

The only exceptions to Visa's almost universal acceptance may be in the case where a retailer has an exclusive deal with one payment network. For example, Costco wholesale clubs used to only accept American Express cards.

Readers also liked: Visa Credit Cards for No Credit

Here's a breakdown of the major payment networks and their acceptance rates:

Don't worry too much about the differences between Visa and Mastercard, as both are accepted in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

If you're wondering whether a retailer accepts credit cards, there are a few ways to find out.

You can look for a sticker on the door or checkout area with the Discover acceptance mark, as Discover is accepted nationwide by 99% of the places that take credit cards. This is a good indicator that they accept credit cards, but it's not a guarantee.

If you're shopping in person, you can always ask to try your credit card first. This way, you'll know for sure whether they accept your card.

If you're traveling abroad, you might find that Discover and American Express are less popular, though they can often still be used. Mastercard and Visa, on the other hand, are accepted in more than 200 countries and territories.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Do Most Places Take Discover Card

Here's a quick rundown of the major payment networks and their acceptance rates:

Keep in mind that even if a retailer doesn't accept your preferred credit card, they might still accept other forms of payment.

Visa and Mastercard are two of the most widely accepted credit card brands in the world. Virtually every merchant that takes credit cards accepts both Visa and Mastercard.

Visa cards are accepted in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. If a retailer accepts credit cards, then it's likely they accept Visa. According to the Nilson Report, there were 335 million Visa cards in circulation as of 2017.

Mastercard's presence is also nearly universal, with acceptance in 210 countries. As of 2017, there were 200 million Mastercards in circulation.

The only exceptions to Visa's almost universal acceptance may be in the case where a retailer has an exclusive deal with one payment network. Costco wholesale clubs, for example, used to only accept American Express cards, until they switched to an exclusive deal with Visa in 2016.

On a similar theme: Using Credit Cards in Europe

You can use either Visa or Mastercard almost anywhere in the world, but if you plan on traveling internationally, be sure your card doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee. That will save you up to 3% on every purchase you make abroad.

Here's a comparison of the number of merchant locations and countries where Visa and Mastercard are accepted:

Either network should suit your needs almost anywhere in the world.

Mastercard and Visa are the most widely accepted credit cards internationally, with acceptance in over 200 countries and territories.

Both Mastercard and Visa have a massive network of merchants, with over 110 million merchant locations for Mastercard and 130 million for Visa.

If you're planning to travel internationally, make sure your credit card doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee, as this can save you up to 3% on every purchase.

Discover cards are accepted in 200 countries and territories, but their acceptance can be low in some countries like France and Egypt.

American Express has a smaller network of merchants, with acceptance in 130 countries and territories, but they are accepted in many popular destinations.

Here's a rough breakdown of the major credit card networks and their acceptance:

To check if your credit card is accepted in a specific country, you can visit the Discover international credit card acceptance page or check for logos like Diners Club, China UnionPay, and JCB when making a purchase.

Additional reading: Rental Car Companies That Take Prepaid Debit Cards

Most major merchants in the United States accept cards from the Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express payment networks.

If you're traveling abroad, Discover and American Express might be less popular, but they can often still be used.

You can check if your Discover card is accepted abroad by looking for logos from partner networks like Diners Club, China UnionPay, and JCB.

Some countries where Discover is widely accepted include North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and Europe.

Suggestion: Does Walmart Accept American Express Credit Cards

However, it's essential to note that even if a country says it accepts Discover, not every merchant may accept your card.

If you have an American Express card, it's accepted in various countries, but unfortunately, American Express doesn't have a map to check where your card is accepted abroad.

Here's a breakdown of the Discover networks where you can use your card overseas:

In the United States, most major merchants accept cards from the Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express payment networks.

If you're traveling abroad, you might find that Discover and American Express are less popular, though they can often still be used.

You can still use your American Express card while traveling abroad, even if it's less popular, and it's always a good idea to check with the merchant beforehand to confirm their acceptance.

Readers also liked: Copenhagen Discover Card

Discover isn't as far behind Visa and Mastercard as Amex is when it comes to merchant acceptance, however, the slightly fewer locations can catch some cardholders by surprise.

Discover operates differently than Visa and Mastercard, it issues cards to consumers and processes transactions, whereas Visa and Mastercard are only networks that help process payments in unison with banks.

The reason for this difference is that Discover is both an issuer and network, whereas Visa and Mastercard are not the ones issuing cards, the banks handle that.

This unique setup means Discover has fewer partnerships than Visa and Mastercard that can aid in merchant acceptance and make their cards more widely accepted.

Readers also liked: Is a Discover Card a Credit Card

If your app isn’t accepted, you can try using it again to see if it works. Sometimes, it's just a matter of retrying.

You can also message or call the app's customer service team to let them know about the issue. They'll work to resolve the problem and get you up and running again.

Return can be a real challenge, especially if you're traveling abroad. Most businesses in the U.S. accept Discover cards, but that's not the case overseas.

Discover cards are not widely accepted in many countries, except for China, where they have a partnership with China UnionPay. This means you can use your Discover card in most Chinese merchants.

If you're planning a trip to China, having a Discover card can be a lifesaver. Just remember that outside of the U.S. and China, very few businesses accept Discover cards.

Visa has the largest global card acceptance network with 44 million merchant locations worldwide.

MasterCard is a close second, with 37 million merchant locations across the globe.

American Express has a significant presence with 31 million merchant locations in over 130 countries and territories.

Discover also has a substantial network, with 30 million merchant locations in 185+ countries and territories.

Let's take a closer look at the numbers:

To have the best shot at getting the credit cards you want, you need a good credit score. You can learn more about the best credit cards with worldwide acceptance here on WalletHub.

A good credit score is typically considered to be 700 or higher, but the exact definition can vary depending on the lender. You can learn more about the best international credit cards that are accepted worldwide here on WalletHub.

Having a good credit score can help you qualify for lower interest rates and better credit limits, which can save you money in the long run.

A fresh viewpoint: Good Cards for Building Credit