The 4 Major Credit Card Networks in the United States

Stack of credit and debit cardsThere are four major credit card networks in the U.S. The network brands are Visa®, MasterCard®, American Express® and Discover®. Credit card networks are different from credit card issuers in that they handle the transactions between merchants and issuers, whereas issuers such as Chase and Capital One, provide the financial backing and help to develop the benefits and rewards of the various different card offerings. Below is a summary of each of the major credit card networks and some of the key features and benefits of each association.

Visa

Visa logoFounded in 1970, Visa is a global payments technology company that allows companies to issue Visa branded business, debit, prepaid, and personal credit cards; and offers many other related financial services. Visa’s credit cards come with various benefits that include exclusive offers and protections for consumers.

Visa credit cards offer three levels of benefits: Traditional, Signature and Infinite. All three levels include auto rental collision damage coverage, emergency card replacement, emergency roadside assistance protection, and zero fraud liability that safeguards each cardholder against unauthorized uses and purchases. For more information visit: Visa.com.

MasterCard

MasterCard logoOriginally founded in 1966 as Interbank Card Association (ICA), MasterCard is a leading global payment solutions provider that allows companies to issue MasterCard branded personal, business, debit and pre-paid cards. Similar to Visa, MasterCard also offers three levels of service: Standard, World and World Elite. All three levels of MasterCard benefits include: emergency card replacement, zero fraud liability and identify theft protection. The upper tiers include numerous other features and perks. For more information visit MasterCard.com.

American Express

American ExpressFounded all they way back in 1850, American Express – also known as AmEx – is a global financial services company that issues credit cards, charge cards, re-loadable cards, corporate cards and gift cards for businesses and consumers. American Express claims to be the world’s largest card issuer by purchase volume, and has one of the largest travel networks that allows them to offer some of the industries best rewards and benefits. For more information visit AmericanExpress.com.

Discover

discoverCreated in 1986, Discover Financial Services is a direct banking and payment service company that issues credit cards primarily in the United States. Although most of their credit cards are issued directly from Discover Bank, it allow other companies to issue Discover branded credit cards too. Discover Card is well-know for having pioneered the industries first cash rewards program, Cashback Bonus®, which is one of America’s top credit card cash rewards program. Discover Cards include secured, student, small business, travel, cash back and other rewards credit cards. For more information visit Discover.com.

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Posted on March 11, 2020 by in Credit Cards

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