The U.S. credit card market is crowded and complicated, making it difficult to choose a card from the hundreds available. MasterCard or Visa are the two most popular and prevalent choices. People often wonder about the difference between the two.

There are no significant practical differences between a MasterCard and a Visa credit card. MasterCard and Visa are the names of the global companies that manage credit cards, coordinate payment systems and keep track of transactions. Both MasterCard and Visa credit cards can be used all over the U.S. and abroad. Visa and MasterCard make a certain percent of each transaction the consumer initiates using their respective cards. Add up the total retail transactions in this country made every day, and you are talking about billions of dollars. As a result, both companies have spent billions of dollars in advertising and building brand equity to ensure their cards are accepted in most places.

Since they are both so widely accepted, Visa and MC are almost interchangeable in the USA. It really comes down to a matter of preference. Today, Visa has roughly 50% market share, while MasterCard has 30%.  In general, Visa is the more popular choice.

If you're thinking of traveling, check which type of card is more prevalent in the countries you'll visit. MasterCard and Visa credit cards are both internationally recognized, but one might be a better choice than the other depending on the country you wish to use it in. 

But that's just acceptance. There's a separate issue of promotions. If you stay at hotels often, but aren't super loyal to one brand, be aware that sometimes one hotel chain will have a promo such as "stay two nights, get one night free" that only works with a MasterCard. Another chain may have the same kind of promo, or a promo such as double miles and/or points, that only works with a Visa! So if you're into taking advantage of such offers, it can be useful to have both a Visa and a MasterCard (if you only plan to use one rarely to take advantage of such promotional offers as they arise, get a no-annual-fee card for that).

Choosing the right credit card

Whether you'd prefer Visa or MasterCard, you will need to shop around to decide which card is the best for you. Standard credit card APRs can range from under 6% to over 18%, so it's worth making sure you're getting a good deal before you sign up. In many instances, banks will offer a card choice in both MasterCard and Visa, leaving it up to the consumer to decide. 

CreditEmporium.com's service is provided with the confused credit card hunter in mind, and will provide you with a list of the best deals available today for your individual circumstances. Given your individual needs, you may find American Express or Discover a better choice for you. 

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