topic Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa? in Credit Cards

Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2015 11:59:00 GMT

My current card line up is 3 store cards, two Mastercards, one Discover, and on AmEx. Is it strange that I don't have a Visa? Is that something that I should be getting? I don't see any reason for it, since I have never seen any stores that only accept Visa. Am I missing out on any benefits by not carrying a Visa?

Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

kdm31091 — Wed, 27 May 2015 12:09:13 GMT

Visa Signature (as in, what you typically get if you're approved for over $5k on a card) comes with no preset spending limit (you can charge above your limit on condition you pay it back when due at least down to the limit), and a few fringe perks like roadside assistance and discounts on movie tickets. Is it something someone really needs? No. Other than that, there is nothing special about normal Visa vs. anything else

Don't get a Visa just to get one. Mastercard and Visa are both accepted 99% of the time. I have never seen a place that took only Visa. They always take MC as well. Those two are interchangeable. There is no reason to get a Visa just because.

Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

Platinum — Wed, 27 May 2015 12:10:47 GMT

Well, if you do shopping at Costco, you will need Visa soon.

Under the terms of the agreements, Citi, the world's largest issuer of consumer credit cards, would become the exclusive issuer of Costco's co-brand credit cards and Visa will replace American Express as the credit card network for Costco in the United States and Puerto Rico beginning April 1, 2016. Once issued, Costco's co-brand Visa credit card would provide generous rewards to Costco members, serve as the Costco membership card, and would be accepted at Costco locations in the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as all merchants worldwide that accept Visa credit cards.

Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

kdm31091 — Wed, 27 May 2015 12:12:07 GMT

@Platinum wrote:
Well, if you do shopping at Costco, you will need Visa soon.

Under the terms of the agreements, Citi, the world's largest issuer of consumer credit cards, would become the exclusive issuer of Costco's co-brand credit cards and Visa will replace American Express as the credit card network for Costco in the United States and Puerto Rico beginning April 1, 2016. Once issued, Costco's co-brand Visa credit card would provide generous rewards to Costco members, serve as the Costco membership card, and would be accepted at Costco locations in the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as all merchants worldwide that accept Visa credit cards.

Or you can switch to BJ's (if you have them around). I used to use Costco, but BJ's has the same selection, less crowds, same prices as much as I can tell, and is open longer (better hours). I also find them less restrictive, you can pay with whatever you want card wise. Restricting people to JUST Visa for CC is a bit silly, but I know it's nothing new for Costco.

Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2015 12:13:50 GMT

@Platinum wrote:
Well, if you do shopping at Costco, you will need Visa soon.

Under the terms of the agreements, Citi, the world's largest issuer of consumer credit cards, would become the exclusive issuer of Costco's co-brand credit cards and Visa will replace American Express as the credit card network for Costco in the United States and Puerto Rico beginning April 1, 2016. Once issued, Costco's co-brand Visa credit card would provide generous rewards to Costco members, serve as the Costco membership card, and would be accepted at Costco locations in the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as all merchants worldwide that accept Visa credit cards.

I live in Kentucky and I don't think we have any Costcos here. Sam's Club is the only big warehouse store we have and the closest one to me is over 100 miles away. I guess I am safe with what I have. Come to think of it, I do have two Visa debit cards, but I haven't swiped them at all since I started rebuilding, so I forget that I even have them.

Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2015 12:25:25 GMT

@Kdm, I don't think that's weird. SAMs club is only MasterCard and Costco currently is only American Express. I believe SAMsclub used to only Discover at one point and Costco was also Discover at one point (i read 16 years ago). This is nothing new for warehouse clubs.

As for the comparison between Costco and BJ's..Costco no doubt is the better of the two but BJ's has more variety and is family friendlier. I have both.

If you live in the U.S. you will rarely find someone who doesn't accept MasterCard. Visa and MC tend to go hand in hand.

Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

takeshi74 — Wed, 27 May 2015 12:34:12 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

Nope.

@Anonymous wrote:
Am I missing out on any benefits by not carrying a Visa?

Only you can answer that. Some don't find any of the features and benefits of the payment network/tier to be of any use. Some find them very useful. You have to look at them and decide for yourself or tell us what you're specifically looking for. IMO one should consider an entire product versus fixating on the payment network (unless acceptance is a major concern) and/or tier.

Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

ksantangelo23 — Wed, 27 May 2015 15:03:00 GMT

I actually didnt get my first Visa until 3 weeks ago, now I have 4! (CSP, two US Bank, second CapOne on the way) That is, if you dont count my Visa debit card.

It simply came down to that I didnt come across any Visa's that fit my spending patterns better than my other cards at the time.

Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2015 15:50:22 GMT

I always think of VISA and MC as the same thing.. I'm extra conscious of AMEX and Discover as they are less accepted.

Next year, I suppose I'll have to make sure I have a VISA on me when I shop at Costco.

Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2015 15:53:20 GMT

There is a Costco in Louisville. I'm a member there.

@Anonymous wrote:
@Platinum wrote:
Well, if you do shopping at Costco, you will need Visa soon.

Under the terms of the agreements, Citi, the world's largest issuer of consumer credit cards, would become the exclusive issuer of Costco's co-brand credit cards and Visa will replace American Express as the credit card network for Costco in the United States and Puerto Rico beginning April 1, 2016. Once issued, Costco's co-brand Visa credit card would provide generous rewards to Costco members, serve as the Costco membership card, and would be accepted at Costco locations in the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as all merchants worldwide that accept Visa credit cards.
I live in Kentucky and I don't think we have any Costcos here. Sam's Club is the only big warehouse store we have and the closest one to me is over 100 miles away. I guess I am safe with what I have. Come to think of it, I do have two Visa debit cards, but I haven't swiped them at all since I started rebuilding, so I forget that I even have them.

Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

jim44 — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:17:25 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous, I don't think that's weird. SAMs club is only MasterCard and Costco currently is only American Express. I believe SAMsclub used to only Discover at one point and Costco was also Discover at one point (i read 16 years ago). This is nothing new for warehouse clubs.

As for the comparison between Costco and BJ's..Costco no doubt is the better of the two but BJ's has more variety and is family friendlier. I have both.

Until Costco starts accepting Visa, BJ is better as far as payment acceptance is concerned. You can use both Visa and Mastercard, AMEX, Discover, Debit Cash and Check. Not sure if you can use manufacturer coupons at Costco but Sams Club doesn't accept them. Getting a little off topic here. sorry

Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

Blodreina — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:31:56 GMT

@jim44 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous, I don't think that's weird. SAMs club is only MasterCard and Costco currently is only American Express. I believe SAMsclub used to only Discover at one point and Costco was also Discover at one point (i read 16 years ago). This is nothing new for warehouse clubs.

As for the comparison between Costco and BJ's..Costco no doubt is the better of the two but BJ's has more variety and is family friendlier. I have both.
Until Costco starts accepting Visa, BJ is better as far as payment acceptance is concerned. You can use both Visa and Mastercard, AMEX, Discover, Debit Cash and Check. Not sure if you can use manufacturer coupons at Costco but Sams Club doesn't accept them. Getting a little off topic here. sorry

Not off-topic, really. This is all semi-related to the original question of whether a visa is needed.

Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

thelethargicage — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:33:04 GMT

Don't come back 'round here till you get yourself a decent Visa, you Visa-less freak

Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:53:10 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
There is a Costco in Louisville. I'm a member there.
@Anonymous wrote:
@Platinum wrote:
Well, if you do shopping at Costco, you will need Visa soon.

Under the terms of the agreements, Citi, the world's largest issuer of consumer credit cards, would become the exclusive issuer of Costco's co-brand credit cards and Visa will replace American Express as the credit card network for Costco in the United States and Puerto Rico beginning April 1, 2016. Once issued, Costco's co-brand Visa credit card would provide generous rewards to Costco members, serve as the Costco membership card, and would be accepted at Costco locations in the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as all merchants worldwide that accept Visa credit cards.
I live in Kentucky and I don't think we have any Costcos here. Sam's Club is the only big warehouse store we have and the closest one to me is over 100 miles away. I guess I am safe with what I have. Come to think of it, I do have two Visa debit cards, but I haven't swiped them at all since I started rebuilding, so I forget that I even have them.

I had no idea that there is one on Louisville. I don't go up there much, just to 4th Street Live every couple of years or so. I am in Somerset, so I just to get to Sam's Club I would have to drive north to Lexington or south to Knoxville. My boyfriend lived in California for most of his adult life (in the USMC) and he is always telling me that I would get a better deal or better quality on something at Costco vs. WalMart. And I have to remind him, again, that we are not in CA and we don't have Costco. He would never let me live it down if he knew that I had been wrong all these years!

Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:55:39 GMT

Lol you could argue that the distance would offset the savings. I do love it there though.

Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2015 17:58:01 GMT

@takeshi74 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?
Nope.

@Anonymous wrote:
Am I missing out on any benefits by not carrying a Visa?
Only you can answer that. Some don't find any of the features and benefits of the payment network/tier to be of any use. Some find them very useful. You have to look at them and decide for yourself or tell us what you're specifically looking for. IMO one should consider an entire product versus fixating on the payment network (unless acceptance is a major concern) and/or tier.

I don't know of any benefit to having a Visa. I just wondered if I was missing something, since it seems to be the common card to have. I think I am totally set with the cards that I have. Maybe the Sallie Mae will come in handy for the cash back on groceries and gas, but I think I will wait another year or so before I apply for it. From what I can tell, everything I can do with a Visa can also be done with one of my other cards (keeping note of the fact that my limits are not high enough to qualify for a signature.)

Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

amakol — Wed, 27 May 2015 18:24:36 GMT

Functionally or statistically?

Visa/MC are basically identical nowadays. I never think about whether the card I'm using is Visa or MC. They're both accepted at every place credit is accepted. I also don't shop at places like Sam's Club or (soon to be) Costco. You might.

I've never used the World vs. Sig vs. WE perks either. I'd guess 99% of people don't and just like having a more exclusive tier.

Now statistically it might be odd. Visa's marketshare of cards is around 50% with MC 30%. So it may be rare to not find any card you like that's backed by the Visa network considering it's as common as MC/Amex/Discover combined.

Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2015 18:30:12 GMT

There's nothing wrong with not having a Visa credit card. Use whatever cards are best for your spending. My only Visa cards are both debit, but I have never had a problem with that.

Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

CarbonCard — Wed, 27 May 2015 20:46:45 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
My current card line up is 3 store cards, two Mastercards, one Discover, and on AmEx. Is it strange that I don't have a Visa? Is that something that I should be getting? I don't see any reason for it, since I have never seen any stores that only accept Visa. Am I missing out on any benefits by not carrying a Visa?

Not even your debit card?

Re: Is it odd that I don't have a Visa?

Anonymous — Wed, 27 May 2015 21:57:45 GMT

@CarbonCard wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
My current card line up is 3 store cards, two Mastercards, one Discover, and on AmEx. Is it strange that I don't have a Visa? Is that something that I should be getting? I don't see any reason for it, since I have never seen any stores that only accept Visa. Am I missing out on any benefits by not carrying a Visa?
Not even your debit card?

I remembered that I do have two Visa debit cards. I don't carry them anymore so I had forgotten about them. lol