Visa v. Mastercard

dave333

I wonder if anyone knows who has the better exchange rate (Visa or Mastercard) when purchasing in the USA.

I have tried checking online but the Mastercard website doesn't seem to be working for me..

I'm just looking at the exchange rate, not the loading fees of the issuing bank.

reclusive46

MasterCard normally has the best exchange rate but sometimes its Visa or Amex (If your not including the loading fee).

dave333

reclusive46 wrote: »

MasterCard normally has the best exchange rate but sometimes its Visa or Amex (If your not including the loading fee).

Thats great, thanks. I thought it might have been (Sod's law I have a Visa Credit Card - also have Amex but their loading fees are high so don't want to use that, ironic given that its in the US)

Do you know roughly what the difference is say on a $100 spend?

reclusive46

dave333 wrote: »

Thats great, thanks. I thought it might have been (Sod's law I have a Visa Credit Card - also have Amex but their loading fees are high so don't want to use that, ironic given that its in the US)

Do you know roughly what the difference is say on a $100 spend?

You would be talking about a couple of pence difference (Assuming both the Both the MC and Visa are loading free). Bare in mind that some places give a discount for Amex (Around 10%), so make sure you take it with you. Also if your going to New York or Boston, you may find restaurants that only take Amex. Visa and MC tend to be very tricky happy with the US transactions as well, so you may find the Amex is the only one that won't get blocked.

dave333

reclusive46 wrote: »

You would be talking about a couple of pence difference (Assuming both the Both the MC and Visa are loading free). Bare in mind that some places give a discount for Amex (Around 10%), so make sure you take it with you. Also if your going to New York or Boston, you may find restaurants that only take Amex. Visa and MC tend to be very tricky happy with the US transactions as well, so you may find the Amex is the only one that won't get blocked.

Thats great advice, thanks so much.

10% discount for using Amex would wipe out their loading charges +extra £££!