Visa is one of the most widely accepted payment networks worldwide. With its presence in over 200 countries, Visa is a global leader in facilitating money transactions. While Visa itself doesn’t issue credit cards, it partners with major U.S. card issuers to offer a wide range of Visa credit cards. With over 4.2 billion Visa cards in circulation globally, chances are you have one in your wallet or purse right now.
Visa credit cards cater to various consumer needs and preferences, offering a variety of benefits and rewards. Choosing the best Visa card for yourself depends on factors such as your spending habits, credit score, and financial goals. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled a list of the top Visa credit cards for January 2024.
Best Visa Credit Cards Compared
Below is a comparison table of the best Visa credit cards for January 2024:
| Card Name | Credit Score Needed | Intro APR | Balance Transfer Intro APR | Welcome Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | credit_score_needed | intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration | balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration | bonus_miles_full |
| Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card | Excellent | 16.99% – 26.99% variable | – | – |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | credit_score_needed | – | – | bonus_miles_full |
| UnitedSM Explorer Card | credit_score_needed | – | – | bonus_miles_full |
| The World Of Hyatt Credit Card | credit_score_needed | – | – | bonus_miles_full |
Our Recommendations
Best Travel Credit Card: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Credit Score Needed: credit_score_needed
Regular APR: reg_apr,reg_apr_type
- Welcome Offer: bonus_miles_full
- Rewards Rate: 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.
- Why we recommend it: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card 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. With an annual fee lower than other top-tier travel cards, this card provides excellent value.
Best Airline Credit Card: UnitedSM Explorer Card
Credit Score Needed: credit_score_needed
Regular APR: reg_apr,reg_apr_type
- Welcome Offer: bonus_miles_full
- Rewards Rate: Earn 2x miles on United Airlines purchases, dining, and hotel stays, and 1x miles on all other purchases.
- Why we recommend it: The UnitedSM Explorer Card offers a nice blend of airline benefits at a relatively low annual fee. Cardholders enjoy a free first checked bag, priority boarding, and several other travel perks. With up to $100 credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fees every four years, this card provides great value for United Airlines loyalists.
Best Hotel Credit Card: The World Of Hyatt Credit Card
Credit Score Needed: credit_score_needed
Regular APR: reg_apr,reg_apr_type
- Welcome Offer: bonus_miles_full
- Rewards Rate: Earn up to 9x points with Hyatt, including 4x points per dollar spent at all Hyatt hotels and 2x points from various categories.
- Why we recommend it: The World Of Hyatt Credit Card is a top choice for Hyatt loyalists. With a annual fee that offers a wealth of benefits, cardholders receive excellent value. The card provides a free night at Hyatt hotels, automatic Hyatt Discoverist status, and various travel and purchase protections.
Best Cash Back Credit Card: Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Credit Score Needed: credit_score_needed
Intro APR: intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration
Balance Transfer Intro APR: balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration
- Welcome Offer: bonus_miles_full
- Rewards Rate: Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% at restaurants and drugstores, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- Why we recommend it: Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a fantastic Visa card that offers impressive cash back rewards. With an easily attainable welcome offer, this card is perfect for maximizing cash back. While not ideal for international travel due to its foreign transaction fee, it does offer several travel protections and benefits.
Best Credit Card for Flat-Rate Cash Back Rewards: Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card
Credit Score Needed: Excellent
Regular APR: 16.99% – 26.99% Variable
- Welcome Offer: None
- Rewards Rate: Earn 2.5% cash back on the first $10,000 in qualifying eligible purchases per billing cycle and 1.5% cash back on all other qualifying eligible purchases.
- Why we recommend it: The Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card offers elevated flat-rate cash back rewards. While eligibility requires Alliant Credit Union membership, the card provides excellent value. With no annual fee and various travel and purchase protections, this card is worth considering.
Best Credit Card for No Annual Fee: U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card
Credit Score Needed: Excellent
Regular APR: 18.24% to 29.24%
- Welcome Offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
- Rewards Rate: Earn 4x points on dining, 2x points on groceries, gas stations, electric vehicle charging stations, and streaming services, and 1x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Why we recommend it: The U.S. Bank Altitude® Go Visa Signature® Card is an excellent choice for those who want to earn rewards without paying an annual fee. With its generous welcome offer and rewards rate, plus benefits like streaming service credits and financing options, this card provides great value.
Best Credit Card for Premium Benefits: Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card
Credit Score Needed: credit_score_needed
Regular APR: reg_apr,reg_apr_type
- Welcome Offer: bonus_miles_full
- Rewards Rate: Earn 5x points on flights, 10x points on hotels and car rentals, 10x points on Chase Dining, 3x points on other travel and dining, and 1x points on all other purchases.
- Why we recommend it: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card offers an abundance of travel benefits and other premium perks. While it has a high annual fee, the value it provides surpasses the fee if you take advantage of its annual credits. With access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards program and various travel and purchase protections, this card is perfect for frequent travelers seeking premium benefits.
Best Credit Card for Cash Back Choices: U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Credit Score Needed: Good, Excellent
Regular APR: 19.74% to 29.74% Variable
- Welcome Offer: Earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 120 days of account opening.
- Rewards Rate: Earn 5% cash back on two categories of your choice, 2% cash back on one everyday category, and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
- Why we recommend it: The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is perfect for those who want to earn cash back across a variety of categories. With its flexible rewards program and generous welcome offer, this card provides excellent value. Additionally, it offers a introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers.
Best Credit Card for Gas Purchases: PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card
Credit Score Needed: credit_score_needed
Regular APR: reg_apr,reg_apr_type
- Welcome Offer: bonus_miles_full
- Rewards Rate: Earn 5x points on gas paid at the pump and EV charging stations, 3x points at supermarkets, restaurants, and more, and 1x points on all other purchases.
- Why we recommend it: The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card is our top choice for gas purchases. With its generous welcome bonus and no annual fee, this card offers great value. It also provides a 0% intro APR on balance transfers and requires PenFed membership.
Best Credit Card for Small Businesses: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Credit Score Needed: credit_score_needed
Regular APR: reg_apr,reg_apr_type
- Welcome Offer: bonus_miles_full
- Rewards Rate: Earn 3x points on select business categories and purchases, and 1x points on all other eligible purchases.
- Why we recommend it: The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is an excellent choice for small businesses. With its valuable welcome offer, flexible redemption options, and various benefits, this card provides great value. It offers complimentary employee cards, fraud and purchase protection, and no foreign transaction fees.
Our Methodology
To find the best Visa credit 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 listed here represent the best Visa cards based on either specific benefits or the overall strength of rewards and features they offer.
Are Visa Credit Cards Worth It?
Visa credit cards are highly valued due to their widespread acceptance and basic benefits such as zero liability protection, roadside dispatch, and identity-theft monitoring. While Visa itself does not determine the benefits and features of a specific credit card, higher-tier Visa cards like Visa Signature and Visa Infinite offer additional perks to enhance the rewards and benefits provided by card issuers. Therefore, Visa credit cards are definitely worth considering.
How to Choose the Right Visa Card for You
Choosing the right Visa card depends on your spending habits, willingness to pay an annual fee, and credit score. Start by analyzing why you want a Visa credit card and consider factors such as rewards structure, welcome offers, APR, annual fees, and additional card benefits. Finding a card that aligns with your needs and financial goals is crucial in making the right choice.
Conclusion
Visa credit cards offer a wide range of benefits and rewards, making them a preferred choice for many consumers. With their global acceptance and various card options available, you have plenty of choices to find the perfect Visa card that suits your financial needs. Whether you’re looking for travel rewards, cash back, or premium benefits, there’s a Visa credit card out there for you. Explore your options, compare the features, and choose the best Visa card that will help you achieve your financial goals.