Credit cards are important tools for purchasing, both at home and abroad. At home, credit cards are an easy way to build credit while paying off purchases. In other countries, getting cash can be very costly with foreign currency withdrawal charges at local ATMs. Furthermore, you want to have a minimal amount of cash on you in case you are robbed. Credit cards seem to be the best option when it comes to money while traveling and a smart choice while at home. However, having a credit card is only helpful if it is accepted. Although most countries now accept some form of plastic, not all credit cards are always accepted everywhere. Some are taken more than others. And if you want to be able to pay with yours, it is important to choose your credit card accordingly.
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So what is the most widely accepted credit card today: MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover…? By examining the information below, you will be able to get a better idea of the credit cards you can use anytime, anywhere.
If you want a widely accepted credit card, you should go with MasterCard or Visa. Research shows that MasterCard, closely followed by Visa, is the most universally accepted. MasterCard is taken by restaurants, retailers, and companies all over the world. From Kenya to France to Hong Kong, MasterCard credit cards are accepted in over 210 countries and territories. Visa cards are also used in over 200 countries and are nearly as accepted as MasterCard. If you are within the United States or traveling internationally, you will almost always be able to use these cards. Furthermore, consumers report that MasterCard and Visa’s widespread availability is very helpful when making international transactions. Many of these cards waive foreign transaction fees and provide the currency conversion rates online. Thus, it can be much easier to travel with these cards, knowing that you can use them at almost any venue and you know exactly what you are spending. Here are just some of the MasterCard and Visa credit cards that are almost universally accepted today:
Overall, getting a widely accepted credit card means you won’t have to worry about getting turned away from places or not knowing how to pay. As always, do your research before getting a credit card, but if you are looking for the most widely accepted cards, MasterCard and Visa are the top picks.
