Knowing the payment network on your credit card might seem frivolous – especially since most cards feature the network image prominently. Not all cards do this, however. For example, are Citi or Capital One credit cards Visa or Mastercard? The answer might not be as straightforward as you’d think.
Are Capital One and Citi Credit Cards Visa or Mastercard?
Most credit cards feature the payment network prominently on the bottom right of the card. The logos most seen on the card are usually either Mastercard or Visa – the two largest payment networks by the total number of places accepted worldwide. The Visa network is the largest payment network in the world, with more than 336 million Visa credit cards in circulation – over 100 million more than Mastercard in second.
Both Citi and Capital One credit cards don’t feature a payment network, however. So which network do they use – Visa or Mastercard? The answer is both.
Which is Which?
Capital One credit cards can be either a Visa or Mastercard since the bank uses both card networks. The same logic also applies to Citibank credit cards, though most Citi cards will use the Mastercard payment network. Some cards feature one specific network, while others depend on when the card is issued.
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, for example, will always be a Visa. Similarly, the Capital One® Walmart Rewards™ Card, BuyPower Business Card, and the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp Card will always bear the Mastercard logo.
With other cards, the situation is less clear. The Capital One® Savor® Cash Rewards, QuicksilverOne®, and Platinum Card are examples of Capital One cards without a payment network displayed. The same applies to Citi’s AT&T Access Card and its Expedia Rewards credit cards. These cards can be either a Visa or Mastercard credit card, but the differences aren’t as noticeable as you might expect.
The protections and security that both Visa and Mastercard provide are essentially the same. Both offer Zero Fraud Liability protection, for example, plus extended warranty coverage and rental car insurance. Both are accepted globally, with cardholders struggling to find a merchant that doesn’t accept Visa or Mastercard in most destinations worldwide.
How to See What Payment Network Your Credit Card Uses
Which credit card network your new Capital One or Citi credit card will use isn’t apparent until you receive your new card. Once you get your new Citi or Capital One card, your guide to benefits should spell out which payment network your new card is on. What network your card uses is not based on credit score, rewards, credit limits, or other factors.
Another way to figure out your credit card network is by examining your card number. The first digit in a credit card number identifies the payment network that processes its transactions. Also known as the Major Industry Identifier (MII), it provides information on your card’s payment network:
- 3: American Express
- 4: Visa
- 5: Mastercard
- 6: Discover
No matter what your payment network, Capital One and Citi offer some of the most popular credit cards on the market today. Both issuers provide valuable rewards, lucrative sign-up bonuses, and lengthy 0% intro APR offers, making their products incredibly enticing.
Related Article: Who Can Apply for a U.S. Credit Card?
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