Instead of issuing its own credit cards or lines of credit, Visa is a third-party payment processor. Many Canadian credit cards come equipped with Visa functionality. This means that when you get a card with the Visa logo on it, you can use it to make payments in stores, online and by phone in more than 200 countries.
Depending on the Visa credit card you choose, you can also look forward to perks, exclusive offers and the security of Verified by Visa. Use our guide to compare Visa credit cards, discover the perks of using Visa and the factors you should consider before applying for one.
Compare Visa credit cards
What are the benefits of using a Visa credit card?
Banks and other credit card companies typically decide on the features that are available with individual Visa options. Some of the standard Visa benefits you can expect are:
If you have a Visa card, you can make use of Visa’s round-the-clock Visa Global Customer Care Services to report lost and stolen cards from anywhere in the world. Contact the Visa team at 1-800-847-2911 in Canada or the US or at 1-303-967-1096 internationally.
If you sign up for Visa Checkout, this service will securely save your payment and shipping information so you can spend less time at the checkout when spending with partnered merchants.
Visa Signature credit cards come with a 24/7 global concierge service. You can contact your concierge at 1-800-953-7392 for anything from booking restaurant reservations, scoring tickets to a concert or sending flowers to a loved one.
Certain Visa credit cards offer complimentary insurance. Some of the common complimentary insurance you can find with such cards include lost or stolen card reporting, auto rental collision damage waiver, zero liability, roadside dispatch, emergency card replacement and emergency cash disbursement.
As a Visa cardholder, you can look forward to exclusive discounts and deals with partnered merchants including some restaurants, hotel chains, shops, car rental chains and much more. You can see a full list of the available offers on the Visa website.
What is Verified by Visa?
Verified by Visa (VBV) is a free program offered by Visa that gives you an added level of protection when shopping online. It’s designed to make online purchases with your Visa credit card even more secure.
Non-VBV credit cards only have first-level protection — requiring just your card number, expiration date and CVV number on the back of your card. Unfortunately, hackers can often find ways around this level of protection to gain access to your card information.
When you shop online, you want quick and easy transactions — and you expect safety. Thousands of online merchants have enrolled in Verified by Visa, adding an extra layer of protection to make shopping online safer. What this means for you is more confidence in your purchases, and knowing your identity is protected.
How can I compare Visa credit cards?
Since many credit card issuers offer Visa cards, there are a few other factors you should consider when comparing your options. These include:
- Fees. Visa cards can vary from no-frills offers to premium products, so expect fees to vary.
- Interest rates. If you don’t always pay your balance in full, compare Visa cards by the standard purchase rate. Some cards also come with 0% promotional interest rates, which can help you save on interest costs. If you plan to use the card for ATM withdrawals or to purchase online gaming chips, compare cards by cash advance rates instead.
- Rewards. Some Visa cards come linked to rewards and frequent flyer programs, allowing you to earn points as you spend. If you’re a regular spender who often pays your balance in full, a rewards credit card can be a useful way to get more value from your Visa.
- Credit limit. While your approved credit limit will depend on factors such as income and credit history, you should apply for a credit limit that can support your financial needs without tempting you to overspend.
- Eligibility requirements. Different Visa cards will come with specific eligibility requirements including minimum annual income, credit history, age and residential status.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll find with a Visa Classic versus a Visa Infinite or Infinite Privilege.
| Visa Classic | Visa Infinite and Infinite Privilege |
|---|
| Cardholder inquiry service | | |
| Emergency cash disbursement and card replacement | | |
| Lost or stolen card reporting | | |
| Zero liability policy | | |
| Roadside assistance | | |
| Extended warranty | | |
| Rewards programs | | |
| Insurance coverages | | |
| Travel and emergency assistance services | | |
| Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection | | |
| Visa Infinite Concierge | | |
| Visa Infinite Dining Series | | |
| Visa Infinite Wine Country Program | | |
| Visa Infinite Privilege travel benefits | | |
*The card provider may offer some nonstandard benefits.
Visa Classic and Visa Infinite standard features
Even your typical Visa Classic comes with valuable basic features.
Roadside assistance
If you have problems with your vehicle while you’re on the road, you can call Roadside Dispatch 24/7.
Services include:
- Towing
- Tire change
- Dead battery jump start
- Lockout service
- Fuel delivery
- Winching (which extracts your vehicle if it’s stuck)
You’ll pay a flat fee of $69.95 per service call — and there are no usage limits.
Other features
- Cardholder inquiry service. Call Visa anytime to ask about card benefits, as well as product and service information.
- Emergency cash disbursement and card replacement. If your card is lost, stolen or damaged, Visa will send you an emergency card replacement within three business days. Visa can also make cash available to you at a nearby location.
- Lost or stolen card reporting. Call Visa Global Customer Care Services to get a replacement card.
- Zero Liability. You’ll never be asked to pay for unauthorized purchases on your card.
- Extended warranty. Through this service, you can register your warranties and get extended warranties.
Visa Infinite and Infinite Privilege features
Visa Infinite and Infinite Privilege cards outshine Visa Classics with more enticing rewards and travel benefits.
Rewards
The most coveted credit cards offer miles, cash back or points for purchases. Visa Infinite and Infinite Privilege cards tend to offer strong sweeteners for spending, such as more points earned per dollar spent.
Visa Concierge
Visa Concierge can help you with travel plans and dining reservations. It can also help with special events — booking shows, arranging meeting spaces and more — and shopping, including gift recommendations and delivery. Visa Concierge is accessible 24/7.
Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection
The Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection comprises the world’s top hotels, like Park Hyatt and Shangri-La. As a Visa Infinite cardholder, you can book stays at these resorts. Booking through the Visa Infinite Luxury Hotel Collection brings such benefits as:
- Complimentary room upgrades
- Complimentary in-room Wi-Fi
- Complimentary continental breakfast
- 3 p.m. checkout on request
- Food or beverage credit
Travel and emergency assistance services
If you’re in an emergency during vacation, you can call Visa for help. Benefits are available for you, your spouse and your children up to a specified age. It’s free to contact Visa’s travel and emergency hotline, but you may need to pay for the services you receive. You’ll find services like Emergency Transportation Assistance and Legal Referral Assistance that help in medical and legal emergencies. You can also receive assistance for travel emergencies like lost tickets and lost luggage return.
Insurance coverage
These cards usually come with a host of travel insurance which may include:
- Collision / Loss Damage Insurance (CLDI)
- Out-of-Province/Country Emergency Travel Medical Insurance
- Trip Cancellation Insurance
- Trip Interruption Insurance
- Flight Delay Insurance
- Baggage Delay Insurance
- Lost/Stolen Baggage Insurance
- Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance
- Car Rental Collision/Loss Damage Insurance
- Extended Warranty
- Purchase Security Insurance
Other features
- Visa Infinite Dining Series. Receive offers for dining experiences with top chefs at some of the best dining rooms in the country.
- Visa Infinite Wine Country Program. Get special access to culinary experiences and wine tastings. Enjoy discounts, private tours and complimentary tastings.
- Visa Infinite Privilege travel benefits. This feature isn’t standard for all Visa Infinite Privilege products, but it may be offered by your card provider. Receive discounts on travel expenses like hotels, car rentals and cruises, plus become a member of the Hotel Loyalty Program. Some cards offer access into Airport lounges, exclusive airport benefits and access to services like discounted airport parking, valet services and access to the security fast-track lane.
What benefits, rewards and privileges can I get with a Visa Platinum credit card?
Perks may vary from provider to provider, but some of the benefits could include:
- Higher credit limit
If you qualify for a Visa Platinum card, your credit limit could be from $1,000 up to $50,000.
- Better rewards programs
You could earn rewards and points with your Visa Platinum card and spend them on travel, shopping and merchandise purchases. You can even save money on fuel. Platinum reward rates are usually higher than those of regular rewards cards, which means you earn rewards at a faster rate. Check out the best of rewards credit cards here.
- Premium insurance
Depending on the issuer, you could enjoy protection for your car, travel and eligible purchases.
- Emergency travel assistance
Some Visa Platinum providers offer assistance for emergencies when travelling.
- Possibly no annual fee
While some Visa Platinum cards do come with an annual fee, this fee could be waived during the card’s intro offer in the first year. Even better, some cards actually come with no annual fee at all.
- Intro APR period.
You may get a 0% intro APR period on purchases and/or balance transfers from the moment you open your account. This varies, however, on your card issuer’s sign-up offer.
What is Visa?
Visa’s history dates back to 1958 when Bank of America launched the BankAmericard. This was the first mass-marketed credit card program, and it quickly grew in popularity with US consumers. Almost two decades later, BankAmericard was no longer affiliated with Bank of America and went on to be a part of the Visa brand.
Visa now operates in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, including Canada. A Visa credit card makes access to money simple, no matter where you are. With so many credit card options available, be sure to research and apply for cards that will benefit you the most.
American Express vs. Visa credit cards
Visa's company history
Origins of Visa date back to the late 1950s, when Bank of America introduced BankAmericard and mailed out 60,000 unsolicited credit cards. This was the first consumer credit card program that middle-class consumers had at their fingertips in the US, and by 1974, the company had expanded overseas. The introduction of debit cards happened soon after, in 1975.
During the 1970s, BankAmericard went on to become an independent entity after uniting under the common Visa brand later. During the same period, Visa introduced VisaNet, which was the first completely electronic authorization, clearing, and settlement system, enabling transactions in a matter of seconds.
Until 2007, Visa operated as a bunch of entities owned by regional banks around the world. It was only in 2007 that the US, Canada, Caribbean, Latin America, Central Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific regions came together to form Visa Inc. In March 2008, this company went public, and it remains among the most successful IPOs of all time. In 2013, the company introduced Visa Checkout, an online payment system that eliminates the need to share payment details with merchants.
As of now, Visa has operations in more than 200 countries and territories, and it provides services across multiple platforms like debit and credit cards, desktop and laptop computers, as well as smartphones. Getting a Visa credit card can simplify how you access money, no matter where you are. Since there are numerous options, make sure you look for one in accordance with features that’ll serve you best, and watch out for unnecessarily high fees.
What is Visa Checkout?
Visa Checkout is a free payment option that lets you make purchases at certain retailers with just your email. To use it, create a Visa Checkout account beforehand with your email, credit card information and shipping details. You can use this account across all partner retailers.
Despite its name, this feature doesn’t work only with Visa cards. You can also add any major credit or debit card, such as Mastercard and American Express.
Why use Visa Checkout?
- Convenience.
When you’re checking out at an online retailer, it can be a hassle to pull out your credit card, type in your card information and enter your billing and shipping address. But with Visa Checkout, your card details and address will be automatically populated. All you need to do is confirm your purchase.
- More secure.
When you use Visa Checkout, your credit card details aren’t stored on a retailer’s website. That’s one fewer place where potential hackers might access your data. The service also helps you keep your information up to date. If you add a Visa card to your account and it’s reissued — perhaps due to fraud — Visa Checkout will update the card details for you.
What are the fees to use Visa Checkout?
There’s no cost to use Visa Checkout. You can sign up for free, and using it with online retailers comes with no fees.
How Visa Checkout works: Signing up and using
Using Visa Checkout is fairly straightforward. First, register an account at the Visa Checkout website. Then, sign in to this account to pay for purchases at participating retailers.
What sets Visa Checkout apart?
Visa Checkout is very similar to Mastercard Masterpass and Amex Express Checkout, two competing services. However, it’s currently accepting new signups, while Masterpass isn’t. And while anyone can sign up for Visa Checkout, you must be an Amex customer to use Amex Express Checkout.
Which stores accept Visa Checkout?
Here’s a partial list of merchants and retailers that accept Visa Checkout, according to Visa.ca.
- Aldo
- Gap
- Banana Republic
- Old Navy
- Cineplex Entertainment
- Clearly.ca
- Grand & Toy
- Indigo
- Grand & Toy
- Indigo
- Kobo
- Lowe’s Canada
- London Drugs
- United Airlines
- Roots
- Running Room
- Staples Canada
- Simons
- Ticketmaster
- Pizza Pizza
- Heart and Stroke Foundation
- World Vision
