Are you looking for a new rewards credit card? You may be evaluating various welcome offers, rewards and redemption options, but when considering a credit card’s features, don’t forget to look at 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., and both provide benefits for select rewards cards. 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.
Visa Signature perks include travel and emergency assistance services, roadside dispatch, emergency card replacement and 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
Likewise, the World Elite Mastercard line, which includes cards such as the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card and the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees), offers expanded benefits not available on a standard Mastercard credit card.
Perks include exclusive partner discounts, World Elite Concierge service and 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.
If you’re shopping for a premium Visa or Mastercard, there’s a good chance your new card will include one of these payment networks. Now, let’s see which program suits your lifestyle best by comparing their various benefits.
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The information for the Capital One Savor card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: The best credit cards with price protection
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.
World Elite
Mastercard recently added the following discounts and credits to make its World Elite program more competitive:
- Instacart: World Elite cardholders enjoy two months of free delivery with Instacart+ and $10 off their second order each month (valid until March 31, 2025).
- Lyft: Each month you take three or more Lyft rides, you’ll get an automatic $5 credit once per month to apply to future rides.
- Peacock: Use your World Elite Mastercard to pay for Peacock Premium or Peacock Premium Plus each month, and get a monthly discount of $3 or $5 off (valid until March 31, 2025).
- ShopRunner: You’ll receive a free ShopRunner membership, which gives you access to free two-day and return shipping for more than 100 online retailers.
You can also enjoy other valuable perks, such as access to Priceless Experiences, Mastercard Travel & Lifestyle Services and World Elite Concierge.
Visa Signature
Visa Signature offers dozens of money-saving deals, which you can view on the Visa Signature website. For example, you can save up to 35% or more at online retailers, from Hertz to various hotels. You also receive three months free of Shipt. You can put your Visa Signature savings toward your next trip — or whatever you’d like.
Winner: In our view, the World Elite program is better for tangible, money-saving perks. For example, if you spend a lot of money on food delivery or online shopping, you can save a bundle through Mastercard World Elite.
Related: Best grocery credit cards
Fraud protection and card security
Visa and Mastercard both take security and fraud protection seriously. For that reason, their Signature and World Elite cards carry fraud protection, emergency card replacement and other security features that go above and beyond cards outside these programs. Let’s compare their offerings.
Visa Signature
Traditional Visa cards offer many protections, including:
- 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)
While many extra benefits are ultimately up to the card issuer, some (not all) Visa Signature cards also provide the following:
Related: Best cards for phone protection
World Elite
Most Mastercard products offer fraud protection and security benefits, including:
The World Elite program offers extended benefits such as an extended warranty and purchase protection. Depending on your card, you may be eligible for car rental insurance.
While it’s getting harder to find cards that provide cellphone protection, select Visa Signature and World Elite cards reimburse you for damage or theft to your mobile phone if you pay the monthly bill with the credit card.
Winner: Visa Signature gets the edge thanks to a longer list of protection and card security benefits. However, it’s important to look at the benefits of the specific Visa Signature card you are considering because some offer more than others.
Travel protections
If you travel frequently, you’ll want to ensure that your credit card offers travel-related protections, whether on a road trip or outside the country.
Visa Signature
The Visa Signature program includes the following travel protections on all cards:
Visa also offers the following benefits on a select number of cards within the Visa Signature program, depending on the issuer:
World Elite
Mastercard recently removed many travel protections consumers previously relied on, including travel insurance. Besides car rental insurance, it advertises nothing of note that would make the World Elite program stand out in travel coverage.
Winner: Visa Signature travel protections are unmatched. If you require travel insurance while you’re away, the Visa Signature card might be your best option since Mastercard offers little coverage. That said, always consider the full list of benefits for each specific credit card before making a final decision.
Related: Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
Travel benefits
One-of-a-kind experiences and access to special events are key reasons why frequent travelers covet the cards in these programs. From luxury experiences to free hotel stays, there is no shortage of perks to enjoy.
World Elite
The World Elite Mastercard program offers Priceless Experiences, which gives cardholders access to unique experiences and special discounts in more than 40 cities worldwide. You can also receive up to 7% off in additional discounts on prepaid stays through Booking.com, one of the world’s leading travel booking websites.
While traveling, World Elite members receive complimentary Wi-Fi at over 1 million Boingo hot spot locations and access to over 1,300-plus airport lounges through the Mastercard Travel Pass provided by Dragon Pass.
Visa Signature
Visa Signature members benefit from special guest status at over 900 Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection properties and discounts at places such as wineries and golf courses across the U.S. You can also take advantage of Visa Signature rental car privileges.
Winner: Mastercard World Elite wins for its wide range of travel-related perks, including useful Booking.com discounts, free Wi-Fi hot spots and airport lounge access. The Priceless Experiences perk is an added bonus.
Related: The best credit cards for concert tickets and VIP access
Top Visa Signature cards
Although not an exhaustive list, here are three top cards that fall under the Visa Signature program.
Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card
Welcome offer: Get 60,000 bonus miles plus Alaska’s Famous Companion Fare™ ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23) with this offer. To qualify, make $3,000 or more in purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.
Annual fee: $95
Why we like it: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card holders earn 3 miles on eligible Alaska Airlines purchases and 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible gas and electric vehicle charging station purchases, as well as local transit, ride-hailing, cable and select streaming services purchases.
For each account anniversary, you also receive a companion fare starting at $122 ($99 fare plus taxes and fees from $23). Alaska miles are especially valuable because of the carrier’s many partner airlines.
Read our full review of the Alaska Airlines Visa.
Apply here: Alaska Airlines Visa Signature
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 within the first three months.
Annual fee: $95
Why we like it: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers 2 miles on all purchases, which you can redeem as a statement credit for travel or by transferring to one of Capital One’s 15-plus airline and hotel partners.
The straightforward points system means no confusing categories to memorize, making the Venture Rewards card a great first rewards card. Additional perks include a statement credit of up to $100 for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck enrollment fee.
Benefits are only available to accounts approved for the Visa Signature card. Terms apply.
Read our full review of the Capital One Venture card.
Apply here: Capital One Venture Rewards credit card
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
Annual Fee: $95
Why we like it: With the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, you’ll earn 5 points per dollar spent through Chase Travel℠; 3 points per dollar spent on dining purchases and takeout, online grocery purchases and select streaming services; 2 points per dollar spent on other travel; and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
You’ll earn points through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program, which can be transferred to points or miles with airline and hotel partners or redeemed for travel directly through Chase. You can also choose gift cards or cash back through the Chase portal, although you’ll get a better return if you hang onto your points to use for travel.
Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred card.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
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 (see rates and fees)
Why we like it: The Bilt Mastercard® earns transferable points when you pay rent and don’t pay any fees. The card also earns 3 points per dollar spent on dining, 2 points per dollar spent on travel and 1 point per dollar spent on up to $100,000 in rent and all other purchases (cardholders must use the card five times each statement period to earn points). Bilt has over 15 transfer partners.
Read our full review of the Bilt Mastercard.
Apply here: Bilt Mastercard
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Welcome offer: You will receive a $300 cash-back bonus after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Annual fee: $95
Why we like it: You’ll earn an attractive 4% on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services and 3% back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target).
The information for the Capital One Savor card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Read our full review of the Capital One Savor card.
Citi Strata Premier Card
Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening
Annual fee: $95 (see rates and fees)
Why we like it: The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a mid-tier travel rewards card. You’ll earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions (excluding air travel) booked through the Citi travel portal; 3 points per dollar spent on restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations, air travel and hotel purchases; and 1 point per dollar spent on everything else. You also receive an annual $100 hotel credit.
Read our full review of the Citi Strata Premier.
Apply here: Citi Strata Premier
Bottom line
There is no clear front-runner when it comes to the Visa Signature and World Elite Mastercard programs. Visa offers more security and insurance protections, but Mastercard leads the way in travel-related benefits and useful money-saving perks.
You can find excellent credit cards under both programs, so it might be best to have at least one card that belongs to each program. Before you apply, understand each card’s specific benefits package, especially regarding Visa Signature cards, since the offerings vary. Always check with the card issuer for the exact benefits package.
For rates and fees of Bilt Mastercard, click here.
For rewards and benefits of the Bilt Mastercard, click here.
For rates and fees of the Capital One Venture Rewards, click here.
For rates and fees of the Citi Strata Premier, click here.
Related: Quick Points: Book through Visa Signature Hotels for elitelike perks
