What is the REAL difference between MasterCard and Visa?

[Anonymous]

If you had to choose one or the other, which one would you choose and why?  Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Personally, for me there is no difference.  I do have more Visa cards than Mastercards, but I have never noticed a difference. 

But then I'm not one to care about the extra benefits on a card, like concierge etc, so maybe there is a difference there.  

[MidnightVoice]

Nothing?

[score_building]

if i could have only one card i'd probably choose Visa which is more widely accepted (though not by a huge margin) and is also more amenable than MC if you have a dispute.

Message Edited by score_building on 12-10-2008 11:51 AM

[sammyfire2001]

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@score_building wrote:
if i could have only one card i'd probably choose Visa which is more widely accepted than MC (though not by a huge margin).  Otherwise, no notable difference i can think of-

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Really?  Do you mean outside the U.S.?

[score_building]

Accepted by merchants at over eight million locations in over 64 countries, VISA is reportedly the most widely accepted card in the world.

the main differences are as follows: VISA is the most widely accepted form of payment, with Mastercard quickly closing the gap. American Express and Discover are still not as widely accepted by many merchants. many American Express cards require you to pay your balance in full each month. however, when it comes to disputing a charge, you will almost always have better luck with AMEX than you ever would with VISA/Mastercard. Visa and Mastercard have 16 digit account numbers.

When it comes to VISA vs Mastercard, one of the only differences you need to be concerned about are how they handle disputes and between the two, Mastercard is much stricter. Visa will look at reasonableness in making its decision, Mastercard not so much.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, everyone!