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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: MrMoogle on June 28, 2016, 12:00:38 PM

Title: Credit Card Brands
Post by: MrMoogle on June 28, 2016, 12:00:38 PM
I currently have two credit cards, the MasterCard (MC) I use, and a Visa that I don't.  I've just been informed my MC is becoming a Visa.  One of the reasons I picked the Visa was because it wasn't MC, since I already had that.  I'm not sure that was important.  But now that I'm going to have two Visas, is there any risk mitigation having different brands?
Title: Re: Credit Card Brands
Post by: themagicman on June 28, 2016, 01:09:03 PM
I currently have two credit cards, the MasterCard (MC) I use, and a Visa that I don't.  I've just been informed my MC is becoming a Visa.  One of the reasons I picked the Visa was because it wasn't MC, since I already had that.  I'm not sure that was important.  But now that I'm going to have two Visas, is there any risk mitigation having different brands?

I have never noticed a store only taken visa or mastercard. I think I might have remembered hearing that Costco might only be taking one (If you shop there) but other than that I would not worry too much about having both. 
Title: Re: Credit Card Brands
Post by: tonysemail on June 28, 2016, 01:14:06 PM
99.9% of the time, you have no reason to prefer one over the other.

But since you asked, this recent article says MC has better exchange rates in some currencies.
http://www.milevalue.com/currency-conversion-fees-use-mastercard-not-visa-abroad/

I'm going to Europe in a month, so I will bring the MC :)
Title: Re: Credit Card Brands
Post by: ketchup on June 28, 2016, 01:18:26 PM
Visa is the only credit card accepted right now at Costco, if you shop there.  Any debit card will work though.

The State of Illinois used to not accept Visa credit or debit (only MC/Discover/Amex), but the last time I went to the DMV that was cleared up.

I've never seen anywhere else accept one but not the other.
Title: Re: Credit Card Brands
Post by: Choices on June 28, 2016, 01:31:55 PM
I've seen some stores not accept AmEx or Discover, but if they accept cards at all they typically accept both Visa and MC.

The differences seem to be more between the different banks and rewards/interest/etc. than between Visa and MC.