What is the difference between visa and Mastercard?
 

I always see the Visa and Mastercard logo together. Are these seperate brands which some mechants would only accept one over the other? Is there a case where a merchant would only accept Visa only and not Mastercard or vis vera?

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You said "places I go" and "store". The one "famous" example I can think of where Visa has not been accepted but Mastercard (as well as AMEX and I think Discover) has been was with online tax payments for a few years (tho I think now finally Visa is accepted for those as well).

But that's just acceptance. There's a separate issue of promos. If you stay at hotels often, but aren't super loyal to one brand, be aware that sometimes one hotel chain will have a promo such as "stay two nights, get one night free" that only works with a Mastercard, then another chain may have the same kind of promo, or a promo such as double miles and/or points, that only works with a Visa! So if you're into taking advantage of such offers, it can be useful to have both a Visa and a Mastercard (tho if one of them you only use rarely, just for such promos, obviously get a no-annual-fee one for that).

I tried to apply for Visa, whenever there is a choice. because I shop at Sam's club, and they only take Visa.

Visa, a/k/a BankAmericard, and MasterCard, a/k/a Master Charge, were competing consumer credit products put out in the late 1950s/early 1960s, by Bank of America and a consortium of banks including Wells Fargo and the Bank of California, respectively.

They are generally recognized as the first national charge cards not tied to a specific type of purchase (e.g. Diner's Card for restaurants).

Just stop at WalMart on your way and buy a gift card with your Visa and then use the GiftCard at Sam's Club...been doing it for 9 months (thankfully WalMart is right next to Sam's)

Thats funny because our Sam's Club will only accept MasterCard, Discover, and the WalMart card.

Any my Sam's club only accepts Discover.

Same here..Discover Only

Just shopped at The Sam's Club in Natick,MA. I was eager to use my new AA MasterCard to start racking up miles during the six month free trial period, but they only accepted Visa or Discover Card. They accept MC as a debit card only.

Curious as to why Cards accepted, vary from store to store. You would think it would be uniform nation wide.

It is uniform, some people in the thread are confusing the types of cards taken. Sams takes Discover and Debits Card ( MC or Visa ) and the Wal Mart shopping card.

I think they wont take AMEX or CC Visa and MC is due t the charges. they claim their margins are so low, the extra 1 1/2% - 2% would squeeze them

[This message has been edited by Ken in Phx (edited Jan 27, 2004).]

I have fun going to Wal Mart, buying $500 in a gift card using my Amex, and then going across the street to our Sams and using the gift card to pay for my Sams items. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Sam's also has their own credit card which can be attached to the membership card. In my experience it has fairly liberal limits, and is very good for business as you recieve a copy of the itemized reciept with the statement.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/confused.gif Not familiar with that promotion. Please tell me more.

AA is running a promo right now on their website - 6 month no fee CC, 10,000 bonus miles with first purchase.