Visa, Mastercard, JCB or UnionPay abroad: which fits your trip
Compares card networks by how they are commonly accepted abroad, with no product recommendations or rankings. How to check which network your destination takes, and why carrying two networks gives peace of mind.
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- No network is best for every country. Visa and Mastercard are commonly accepted widely across many travel destinations, while JCB and UnionPay are commonly seen in certain areas, for example JCB in Japan and parts of Asia, UnionPay in China and some tourist spots, though it depends on the shop and time.
- The safest approach is to check which network your destination and the shops you will use take, carry cards on at least two networks, and check the network's and your issuer's current information.
Visa or Mastercard abroad: how they differ in real use
For travellers, Visa and Mastercard are commonly accepted about as widely as each other across many travel destinations. In real life the difference is usually not which network more shops take overall, but the terms and offers of each individual card, which your bank sets and which you should read in its own documents. This page does not recommend card products or rank them.
- If choosing between two cards on different networks, look at your destination and how shops take payment before looking at the network alone.
- Read each card's foreign-use terms, fees and insurance benefits from the bank itself.
- There is no rule that one network is always better, so do not decide on hearsay alone.
Visa, Mastercard or JCB abroad: by acceptance pattern
| Rete | Commonly seen acceptance pattern | Cosa controllare |
|---|---|---|
| Visto | Commonly accepted widely in many travel destinazioni | Small shops or older terminals may take only some networks; look at the shop's stickers |
| Mastercard | Commonly accepted widely, similar to Visa | Check the same way, especially small shops and unattended machines |
| JCB | Commonly seen in Japan and parts of Asia, but less common in many countries outside Asia | Check JCB's and your bank's current info, and carry another network as backup |
| UnionPay | Commonly seen in China and some tourist spots or shops used to Chinese visitors | May be less widespread in many countries, so check your destination before relying on it |
This table is a general overview and real conditions change. Check the network's and your issuer's current info.
Visa and Mastercard credit cards for travelling abroad
For Visa and Mastercard credit cards used abroad, the points to look at are enabling foreign use, transaction alerts, the fees and currency-conversion method your bank sets, and any travel insurance benefits. These vary from card to card and bank to bank, not by network alone.
JCB credit cards for travelling abroad
A JCB credit card is commonly convenient in Japan and parts of Asia. Sometimes the network or bank offers services or help specifically for cardholders in destinations the network focuses on, which you should confirm in current information from JCB and your bank. If you are going where JCB is less common, carry another network as backup.
UnionPay credit cards for travelling abroad
UnionPay credit cards are mostly talked about for use in China and in shops used to Chinese visitors. Payment in China takes several forms though, including cards, ATMs and mobile payment apps, and these can change. See the guide to credit cards and Alipay or WeChat in China before you go, and check current information with UnionPay and your bank.
How to check which network your destination takes
- 1Look at the network's acceptance or locator pagesEach network usually has traveller information, so find it on the official site.
- 2Look for stickers or signs at the shop and on the terminalIf unsure, ask before ordering or before you reach the till.
- 3Check with your issuing bank that foreign use is enabledSome banks let you switch foreign use on or off in their app.
- 4Read the card-in-country guidesDestinations differ in payment habits, such as cash, contactless cards or QR payments.
Carry two networks and a backup
People often carry two networks because if a shop does not take one, or a card is declined or lost, the other can help. Keep the cards in separate places and carry some cash as backup, sized to your trip, which depends on your destination and style of travel.
- Store the cards separately, for example one in your wallet and one in another bag.
- Note your banks' contact channels for reporting a lost card. See the lost or stolen card guide.
- If a card is declined, see the guide on fixing declined cards.
Conversion tools and fees: check official sources
Visa, Mastercard and JCB each provide reference-rate tools on their official sites. Foreign-use fees are a matter for your issuing bank, so check the bank's own fee schedule rather than the network's. For which date the rate uses, see the related guide.
If you are travelling: staying online, briefly
Checking what a shop accepts, opening your banking app and receiving verification codes all need a connection. A data-only eSIM is one option; check the live price and plan details on the day you buy.
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FAQ
Visa or Mastercard abroad: which is easier to use?+
Both are commonly accepted about as widely across many travel destinations. The real difference usually lies in each card's terms, which you should read from the bank.
What is the difference between Visa and Mastercard abroad?+
For a traveller's use, the difference between the networks is usually smaller than the difference in card terms, such as fees, insurance and benefits, which the bank sets.
Visa, Mastercard or JCB: which is better abroad?+
No network is best for every country. Visa and Mastercard are commonly accepted widely; JCB is common in Japan and parts of Asia. Choose by destination and carry at least two networks.
Does a JCB credit card work everywhere abroad?+
Not everywhere. It is commonly convenient in Japan and parts of Asia but less common in many countries. Check JCB's current information and carry another network as backup.
Where is a UnionPay credit card useful abroad?+
It is commonly seen in China and in some tourist spots or shops used to Chinese visitors. In many countries it may be less widespread, so check your destination first and have a backup network.
What should I prepare for using a Visa credit card abroad?+
Check foreign use is enabled, switch on transaction alerts, read your bank's fee and conversion terms, and carry a backup card on another network.
Is using a Mastercard credit card abroad different from Visa?+
In everyday use it is very similar. Prepare the same things: enable foreign use, set alerts, read your bank's terms and have a backup. For specific differences, read the bank's documents.
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Correlati
- Which Day Does Your Credit Card Use for the Exchange Rate? Swipe Date, Posting Date and Visa, Mastercard, JCB Rates
- Using a Credit Card Abroad: How It Works, Fees and What to Know Before You Tap
- Using a Credit Card in Japan: Where It Works, Where Cash Still Wins
- Using a Credit Card in China and Linking a Card to Alipay or WeChat Pay