September 12, 2023
Josh is a freelance writer specializing in personal finance and travel credit card rewards. He also writes at Wallet Hacks, Well Kept Wallet, Frugal Rules, and USA Today Blueprint.
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What’s the difference between a Visa Platinum and a Signature card? Basically, perks and benefits are what set apart the Visa credit cards. Did you know you may be carrying Visa card benefits like cell phone protection, theft protection, and rental car discounts? If you have a Visa Platinum or Visa Signature branded card, there are likely unused perks available to you. My favorite Visa card is the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, and it currently has a 75k offer!
Best Visa Credit Cards:
The list below is a quick look at my favorite Visa credit cards.
- Best overall: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Big Miles Credit Card Offer 75k bonus: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Airline Credit Card for Incidental Fees: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Visa Platinum or Visa Signature
Most credit cards are either a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover card. What people don’t realize is there are several different tiers of Visa credit cards. When talking about credit cards, usually the main topics are signup bonuses or limited-time credit card offers.
However, Visa Platinum and Visa Signature cards offer various fringe benefits that most people don’t know much about.
Just like a hotel or airline loyalty program has different membership tiers, Visa offers four different card levels:
- Classic
- Platinum
- Signature
- Infinite
When credit cards were still “new,” there was only one type of Visa card. As Visa rolled out new versions with more benefits than previous generations, the original Visa became the Visa Classic. The best type of Visa (and the hardest to qualify for) is Visa Infinite. And a Visa Signature is better than a Visa Platinum.
Visa Signature Cards
Let’s look at what the Visa Signature is all about first. You can begin qualifying for select Visa Signature credit cards with a 670+ credit score. However, some cards require a 740 credit score to have the best approval odds.
Visa Signature Benefits
Here are some of the built-in Visa Signature benefits regardless of which bank you get your Visa card from:
- Minimum $5,000 initial credit limit
- Secondary rental car collision and theft damage waiver
- Rental car discounts
- Special discounts and perks at the Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection
- Extended warranty protection for up to 1 additional year
Your bank may build on the above benefits or offer other exclusive benefits:
- Trip delay reimbursem*nt
- $100 discount when booking qualifying flights on the Visa Signature Discount Air website
- Emergency cash disbursem*nt
- Cell phone protection
- Theft protection
You will need to check with the bank and individual card to see what Visa benefits are included.
Visa Signature Credit Cards
Below are some of the best Visa Signature credit cards. How many of these did you know are Visa Signature?
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Arguably the best travel rewards credit card for most people, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more. Cardholders can earn points on:
- 5x points on travel purchases made through Chase Ultimate Reward
- 3x points on dining, takeout, and qualifying food delivery services (previously 2x points)
- 3x points on select streaming services
- Also 3x points for online grocery purchases (excludes Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs)
All remaining travel purchases continue to earn 2x Ultimate Rewards if you book directly from the carrier or a non-Chase travel booking site. Non-bonus purchases earn 1x points.
In addition to the manySapphire Preferred benefits, members also get a 10% anniversary point bonus (receive 10% of the points you earn each year at your next card anniversary).
You can redeem your points for travel, cash, gift cards, and merchandise rewards. Your Ultimate Rewards points are worth 25% more when redeemed for any award travel booked on the Chase travel portal.
New Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Member FDIC
Additional Chase Sapphire Preferred Benefits
You can also transfer your Ultimate Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio to airline and hotel loyalty programs including United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and World of Hyatt.
This card also offers primary rental car insurance rather than the standard secondary coverage that Visa offers. With primary coverage, your credit card benefits activate first if your rental car is in a collision or gets vandalized. However, secondary coverage only activates after your other insurance policies go into effect.
Check out the Chase Sapphire Preferred review to see how you can get the most out of this super popular credit card.
There is a $95 annual fee for this card but a $0 foreign transaction fee.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a Visa Signature travel rewards credit card earning 2x miles for every $1 spent on purchases. However, if you want to earn a few more miles on travel, there’s some good news—earn 5x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
This card requires “excellent credit“, but it’s possible to qualify with a score of at least 700. You can redeem your miles for travel statement credits, book upcoming travel, and transfer to the Capital One transfer partners.
You get the standard Visa Signature card benefits like secondary auto rental coverage, travel accident insurance, and extended warranty with the Capital One Venture card. Capital One also includes these fringe benefits:
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit, up to $100
- Wikibuy online shopping tool
- Paribus price monitoring tool for recent purchases
The Capital One Venture Rewards is often compared to the Chase Sapphire Preferred because of its earning ability and travel perks. Both cards earn rewards on travel, have a $95 annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and more. Compare the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Capital One Venture if you like the idea of both but are unsure which is best for your wallet.
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel, with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card
The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Cardis a hotel rewards card with no annual fee. This Visa Signature card comes with the following benefits:
- Earn up to 14x Bonvoy points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Card
- Earn 2x Bonvoy points for every $1 spent on other travel purchases (from airfare to taxis and trains)
- And earn 1x point for every $1 spent on all other purchases
- Receive 15 Elite Night Credits annually
- Silver Elite Status
- No foreign transaction fees
There is no limit to how many points you can earn.
New Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card cardholders can earn 30,000 Bonus Points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Visa Platinum
The Visa Platinum at one time was the best Visa credit card tier. Then, Visa launched the Visa Signature and eventually the Visa Infinite. Most Visa Platinum cards are “starter credit cards” and make good best first credit cards for the start of your credit journey. These cards don’t require a security deposit like a secured credit card.
The rewards programs for most Visa Platinum cards are less robust than Visa Signature cards. In fact, some Platinum cards don’t offer any reward points for any purchase at all. But, each on-time payment can help improve your credit score.
Visa Platinum Benefits
You will see that Visa Platinum cards offer fewer built-in benefits than Visa Signature cards:
- Minimum $500 initial credit limit
- Secondary rental car damage and collision waiver
- Travel and emergency assistance service
- Extended warranty protection of up to 1 year
- Visa shopping and travel discounts(available for all Visa credit cards)
If you get a Visa Platinum, you won’t get perks like rental car discounts nor the likelihood your bank will offer additional card benefits. Yet, despite having fewer rewards, banks are likely to charge an annual fee for these Visa Platinum cards.
Visa Platinum Credit Cards
Below are some of the best Visa Platinum credit cards. These two cards don’t charge an annual fee, either!
Chase Freedom Unlimited
The information for the Chase Freedom Unlimited® has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® will either be a Visa Platinum or Visa Signature. For the Visa Platinum, your starting credit limit will be at least $500. The minimum limit is $5,000 for the Visa Signature.
Cardholders earn unlimited:
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services
- 3% cash back on drugstore purchases
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
These are great opportunities to earn cash back on every purchase, all without worrying about an annual fee. Points can be used for travel, gift cards, and merchandise rewards. You can learn more about it in this Chase Freedom Unlimited review.
New Chase Freedom Unlimited® cardholders can enjoy unlimited matched cash back! Use the card for all purchases and at the end of the first year, Chase will automatically match all the cash back earned! There is no limit to how much can be earned. Every dollar in cash back rewards earned is a dollar Chase will match.
And if you were wondering, yes, you can transfer Freedom Unlimited points to the Sapphire Preferred.
You will need a 670 credit score or higher to have the best approval odds. Yet, you can qualify with a score as low as 620 if you have a strong enough credit history or annual income.
Related:Comparing the Chase Freedom Flex and Freedom Unlimited
U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card
The information for the U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card offers these perks:
- Cell phone protection
- Free TransUnion credit score
- Flexibility to choose a payment due date that works with your schedule
- No annual fee (See Rates and Fees)
Cardholders can enjoy up to $600 protection on their cell phone (subject to a $25 deductible) against covered damage or theft when paying their monthly cellular telephone bill with their U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Credit Card. Certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
There is also fraud protection, and you can set up autopay to make things a bit easier. Additionally, you can set up your card in your digital wallet like Apple Pay.
The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card is also contactless.
Summary of Visa Platinum vs. Visa Signature
Are you still deciding whether to get a Visa Platinum or Visa Signature? If possible, try Visa Signature credit cards first as they tend to offer better benefits and purchase rewards. But even if you get a Visa Platinum, it’s possible to earn rewards, get fringe benefits from Visa, and build credit to qualify for better cards.
FAQs
What does Visa Signature mean?
Visa Signature is the second-highest tier Visa credit card you can get. Many of the best travel credit cards and best cash-back credit cards have the Visa Signature logo stamped on the card. If you’re not sure, look for the Visa logo, and you should see the word “Signature” printed below it.
Some of the key Visa Signature benefits include:
- Minimum initial $5,000 credit limit
- Secondary rental car collision and theft damage waiver
- Rental car, travel, and golf course discounts
- Select travel and shopping protection benefits
Many of these cards are also some of the best credit cards for groceries.
What does Visa Platinum mean?
The Visa Platinum is the second tier of the four Visa credit card types. It’s better than a Visa Classic but less luxurious than a Visa Signature or Visa Infinite. Most Visa Platinum cards require a credit score in the 600s. You might be able to qualify for some with a score in the very high 500s. Visa Platinum credit cards areunsecured, meaning they don’t require an upfront security deposit.
Some of the automatic benefits include:
- Minimum $500 initial credit limit
- Secondary rental car collision and theft damage waiver
- Emergency and travel assistance (fees from non-Visa service providers still apply)
- Extended warranty up to 1 year for select purchases
What credit cards are Visa Signature?
The below list is by no means exhaustive. However, below is a list of some of the best Visa Signature credit cards:
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Chase Freedom Unlimited
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
- Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card
- Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card
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3 Comments On "Visa Platinum or Visa Signature: Which is Better?"
SYED Rasheed-Uddin Ahmed|
March 27, 2021 at 7:03 am | Reply
Dear Sir,
What are the Airports Lounges covered under the “Visa Signature,” credit card
Please provide of the Airport Names.Thanks
Johnny Jet Editorial|
March 29, 2021 at 1:03 pm | Reply
Unfortunately, there are no airport lounges associated with these products.
Ben|
April 6, 2023 at 2:04 pm | Reply
What market is this info for? Right now I only see visa traditional, signature, and infinite on Visa’s site. Was Platinum rebranded as traditional?
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As a seasoned expert in the realm of personal finance and credit card rewards, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the table, having extensively covered topics ranging from travel credit cards to financial strategies. My expertise is underscored by my contributions to reputable platforms such as Wallet Hacks, Well Kept Wallet, Frugal Rules, and USA Today Blueprint. I am well-versed in the intricacies of credit card perks, benefits, and the nuances that distinguish various card tiers.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article regarding the differences between Visa Platinum and Visa Signature cards:
1. Visa Card Tiers:
- The article introduces the idea that Visa credit cards come in several tiers: Classic, Platinum, Signature, and Infinite. This tier system is likened to loyalty program levels in hotels or airlines.
2. Evolution of Visa Cards:
- Initially, there was only one type of Visa card. As Visa introduced new versions with enhanced benefits, the original Visa became the Visa Classic. Notably, Visa Infinite is regarded as the most prestigious, while Visa Signature is superior to Visa Platinum.
3. Visa Signature Benefits:
- For Visa Signature, a credit score of 670+ is the entry point, with some cards requiring a 740 credit score for optimal approval odds.
- Built-in benefits include a minimum $5,000 initial credit limit, secondary rental car collision and theft damage waiver, rental car discounts, special discounts at Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection, extended warranty protection, and more.
- Additional benefits may vary among banks, such as trip delay reimbursem*nt, $100 discount on qualifying flights, emergency cash disbursem*nt, cell phone protection, and theft protection.
4. Examples of Visa Signature Cards:
- The article highlights specific Visa Signature cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, detailing their features, benefits, and rewards structures.
5. Visa Platinum Overview:
- Visa Platinum is positioned as a lower tier, often considered a starter credit card. It is suggested that Visa Platinum cards typically have a minimum credit limit of $500.
- Benefits of Visa Platinum are comparatively fewer, including a secondary rental car damage and collision waiver, travel and emergency assistance service, extended warranty protection, and Visa shopping and travel discounts.
6. Examples of Visa Platinum Cards:
- The article mentions examples of Visa Platinum cards, such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited and the U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card, outlining their features like cash back rewards, flexibility in payment due dates, and cell phone protection.
7. Recommendations and Conclusion:
- The article provides recommendations for choosing between Visa Platinum and Visa Signature, suggesting that, if possible, individuals should opt for Visa Signature cards due to their superior benefits and purchase rewards.
In conclusion, my expertise allows me to distill complex credit card concepts, ensuring that readers grasp the nuances of Visa Platinum and Visa Signature cards, empowering them to make informed decisions based on their financial needs and creditworthiness.
