Are you looking for a new rewards credit card? While evaluating various welcome offers, rewards, and redemption options, don’t forget to consider the benefits of the card’s payment network. The Visa Signature and Mastercard World Elite programs are two of the largest and most widely accepted credit card payment networks in the U.S. Both provide excellent benefits for select rewards cards. Here, we compare both programs to help you decide which one has the benefits you will use the most.
Visa Signature Overview
Visa Signature is a benefits package offered by Visa on certain premium Visa credit cards. The list of benefits Visa Signature cardholders receive falls somewhere between basic Visa card benefits and ultra-premium Visa Infinite benefits.
Key Visa Signature Perks:
- Travel and emergency assistance services
- Roadside dispatch
- Emergency card replacement
- Retail offers and perks
For example, credit cards in the Visa Signature line, including the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, offer tremendous benefits to users. These include online discounts when you shop with Visa’s growing network of partners and enhanced travel benefits.
Mastercard World Elite Overview
The World Elite Mastercard line, which includes cards such as the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, offers expanded benefits not available on a standard Mastercard credit card.
Key Mastercard World Elite Perks:
- Exclusive partner discounts
- World Elite Concierge service
- Cellphone protection on select World Elite cards
To see if you’re carrying a World Elite Mastercard or Visa Signature card, look for the payment network logo, typically located on the bottom right of the card. Then, look for the word “Signature” under the Visa logo or the word “World Elite” above the Mastercard logo.
Discounts and Credits
People are spending more than ever on monthly streaming subscriptions, ride-hailing purchases, and food delivery services. Credit card benefit programs like Mastercard World Elite and Visa Signature can help you save money by offering discounts and credits on these and other purchases.
Mastercard World Elite Discounts:
- Instacart: Free delivery with Instacart+ for two months and $10 off the second order each month (valid until March 31, 2025).
- Lyft: $5 credit after three rides in a month (once per month).
- Peacock: Monthly discount of $3 or $5 off (valid until March 31, 2025).
- ShopRunner: Free membership with free two-day and return shipping.
Visa Signature Discounts:
- Online Retailers: Save up to 35% or more at various online retailers.
- Shipt: Three months free of Shipt service.
Fraud Protection and Card Security
Visa and Mastercard both take security and fraud protection seriously. Their Signature and World Elite cards offer enhanced security features that go above and beyond standard cards.
Visa Signature Security Features:
- Zero liability for fraudulent charges
- Emergency card replacement (within 24 to 72 hours)
- Emergency cash disbursement (within two hours)
- Lost or stolen card reporting
- Roadside dispatch (pay per use)
- Additional benefits like cellphone protection, emergency medical and dental coverage, price protection, return protection, emergency evacuation, extended warranty, and purchase protection on select cards.
Mastercard World Elite Security Features:
- Zero liability fraud protection
- Mastercard ID Theft Protection™
- Extended benefits such as extended warranty and purchase protection. Car rental insurance is available on select cards.
Travel Protections
For frequent travelers, travel-related protections are a crucial factor when choosing a credit card.
Visa Signature Travel Protections:
- Auto rental collision damage waiver
- Roadside dispatch
- Travel and emergency services
- Additional protections like lost luggage reimbursement, hotel theft protection, trip delay reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, and baggage delay coverage on select cards.
Mastercard World Elite Travel Protections:
- Recently removed many travel protections, including travel insurance, besides car rental insurance.
Travel Benefits
Special experiences and access to unique events are key reasons why frequent travelers covet cards in these programs.
World Elite Travel Benefits:
- Priceless Experiences: Access to unique experiences and special discounts in over 40 cities worldwide.
- Booking.com Discounts: Up to 7% off on prepaid stays.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi: Available at over 1 million Boingo hot spot locations.
- Airport Lounge Access: Access to over 1,300-plus airport lounges through the Mastercard Travel Pass provided by Dragon Pass.
Visa Signature Travel Benefits:
- Special Guest Status: At over 900 Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection properties.
- Discounts: At wineries and golf courses across the U.S.
- Rental Car Privileges
Comparison Table
| Feature | Visa Signature | Mastercard World Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Assistance Services | Yes | Yes |
| Emergency Card Replacement | Yes | Yes |
| Zero Liability Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Roadside Dispatch | Yes | No |
| Cellphone Protection | Yes (on select cards) | Yes (on select cards) |
| Emergency Cash Disbursement | Yes | No |
| Extended Warranty | Yes (on select cards) | Yes |
| Purchase Protection | Yes (on select cards) | Yes |
| Travel Insurance | Yes (on select cards) | No |
| Rental Car Insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Special Hotel Benefits | Yes (Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection) | Yes (Booking.com discounts) |
| Exclusive Discounts | Yes | Yes |
| Concierge Service | Yes | Yes |
| Free Wi-Fi Access | No | Yes (Boingo hotspots) |
| Airport Lounge Access | No | Yes (Mastercard Travel Pass by Dragon Pass) |
| Experiential Perks | Yes (wineries, golf courses) | Yes (Priceless Experiences) |
| Streaming Discounts | No | Yes (Peacock Premium discount) |
| Shopping Discounts | Yes (online retailers) | Yes (ShopRunner membership) |
| Grocery/Delivery Discounts | No | Yes (Instacart free delivery, Lyft credits) |
| Additional Benefits | Emergency medical and dental coverage, price protection, return protection, emergency evacuation | None noted |
Top Visa Signature Cards
Here are three top cards under the Visa Signature program:
- Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Credit Card
- Welcome Offer: 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™.
- Annual Fee: $95
- Benefits: Earn 3 miles per dollar on Alaska Airlines purchases and 2 miles per dollar on eligible gas and other purchases.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Welcome Offer: 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 in the first three months.
- Annual Fee: $95
- Benefits: Earn 2 miles on all purchases and get a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- Welcome Offer: 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in the first three months.
- Annual Fee: $95
- Benefits: Earn 5 points per dollar on Chase Travel, 3 points on dining, and more.
Top World Elite Mastercards
Among the many available World Elite cards, here are three of the best for travelers:
- Bilt Mastercard
- Welcome Offer: None
- Annual Fee: $0
- Benefits: Earn points on rent payments, dining, travel, and more.
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Welcome Offer: $300 cash-back bonus after you spend $3,000 in the first three months.
- Annual Fee: $95
- Benefits: Earn 4% on dining, entertainment, and streaming services.
- Citi Strata Premier Card
- Welcome Offer: 70,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months.
- Annual Fee: $95
- Benefits: Earn 10 points per dollar on hotels and more, plus an annual $100 hotel credit.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between Visa Signature and Mastercard World Elite ultimately depends on your specific needs and spending habits. Visa Signature cards generally offer more comprehensive travel and security benefits, while Mastercard World Elite cards provide better discounts and unique experiences. Evaluate the specific benefits of each card to find the best match for your lifestyle.
