Visa Signature Credit Card Guide

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The term “Visa Signature” is not used to describe a specific credit card per se. Instead, Visa Signature is a selection of card benefits that some Visa credit cards include. The benefits offered by Visa Signature cards are offered free to customers, meaning you never have to pay to access your Visa Signature benefits. While all Visa credit cards offer some standard benefits such as rental car insurance, roadside assistance and fraud liability waivers, Visa Signature offers a more extensive selection of benefits.

How does Visa Signature work?

Once you are a Visa Signature cardholder, you automatically receive all of the Visa Signature benefits. Additionally, you will be offered Visa Signature perks in addition to all of the rewards and card-specific benefits you receive with your credit card.

For example, let’s say you signed up for the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card. In this case, you would receive all the Visa Signature benefits you are entitled to as a Visa Signature cardholder.

However, you also get the benefits of an Alaska Airlines credit card, such as the ability to earn a welcome bonus and miles on all your purchases, access to Alaska’s famous Companion Fare, and more.

What is the difference between Visa Signature and other Visa cards?

When comparing credit cards to find the right option for your needs, keep in mind that Visa Signature is not the only type of Visa credit card on the market today. Visa offers three benefit levels that can apply to different card options. While Visa Signature offers generous perks, it is the mid-range credit card package with fewer perks than the top-tier Visa card variant, Visa Infinite. However, Visa Signature has more to offer than regular Visa cards.

Some credit cards are offered as a traditional Visa card, a Visa Signature card, or a Visa Infinite card. The type of Visa credit card you ultimately receive may depend on the type of card you apply for, your personal credit score, and the amount of credit you qualify for.

Visa Signature cards have a minimum credit limit of $5,000, which creates a barrier to entry for new cardholders. If you don’t qualify for a credit limit of at least that amount, you’ll likely get a traditional Visa card if different tiers of the same card are offered.

What are the benefits of a Visa Signature card?

Visa Signature benefits can protect you from financial loss or save you money, but you only benefit from them if you actively use them. Additionally, some Visa Signature benefits are included with all Visa Signature cards, while other benefits vary by card.

Here are the key benefits of Visa Signature that you can definitely look forward to:

• Visa Signature Luxury Hotel Collection: Access to 900+ luxury hotels, potentially with automatic upgrades, free in-room Wi-Fi, free breakfast, late checkout and more.
• No liability for fraud: This benefit ensures that you will never be held liable for fraudulent purchases charged to your credit card account.
• Road service: For emergency assistance, you can call a breakdown assistance hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Reporting a lost or stolen card: If your credit card is lost or stolen, you can get help via a special hotline.
• Travel and emergency assistance services: Get emergency assistance and recommendations worldwide by calling a hotline.
• Cardholder information services: Call for personalized assistance with your Visa Signature benefits.
• Emergency card replacement: Visa Signature replaces your credit card within 24 to 72 hours.
• Emergency cash payout: Get a quick cash transfer in an emergency.

In addition to these pros and cons, Visa Signature cards can offer other benefits. These depend on the specific credit card you sign up for and may include:

• Extended warranty
• Waiver of comprehensive insurance for rental cars
• Reimbursement for lost luggage
• Global Entry Statement Credit
• Reimbursement in case of travel delay
• Travel cancellation and trip interruption insurance
• Airline additional costs
• Travel accident insurance
• Access to the airport lounge with Priority Pass
• Reimbursement for delayed baggage
• Wine and food events
• Hotel theft protection
• Mobile phone protection
• Emergency medical and dental care
• Coverage for emergency evacuations
• Price protection
• Purchase security
• Return protection

Updated Visa Signature Benefits

To keep pace with changes in consumer behavior, Visa has also recently added the following benefits:

• Shipment: Get groceries, household goods and more delivered within an hour. Registered Visa credit cardholders receive a free three-month membership that includes free same-day delivery on orders over $35.
• Other sounds: Ticketholders enjoy exclusive pre-sale access to select Sofar events and are entitled to one free ticket per show with purchase.
• GigSky: Stay connected and get free or discounted mobile data in 125 countries.
• Dovly: Cardholders can access Dolvy Uplift™ for free with their Visa card. It can improve your credit score with monitoring, alerts, tips and recommendations.
• LifeLock: ID Navigator by LifeLock provides tools and resources in the event that your identity is stolen. Access to this service requires verification of eligibility.

In addition, you have exclusive access to additional features through Visa offers and benefits, including:

• Decorate your home affordably with 10% off at Wayfair.
• Dining credits and premium benefits when staying two or more nights at the Knickerbocker Hotel in New York City
• Competitive prices and 5 percent discount on rental cars at Alamo

How do I know if my credit card is a Visa Signature?

If you have a Visa credit card but aren’t sure what type it is, you can easily find out by looking at it. Many card options will have the word Visa Signature somewhere on the card, either on the front or back.

Another way to find out what type of credit card you have is to check the cardholder documents you received in the mail. You should have received a small piece of mail with your cardholder agreement and information about any cardholder benefits you have access to.

Some credit cards now have the term “Visa Signature” in their name, so you can easily identify which type of Visa credit card you have.

If you still can’t figure out which type of Visa credit card you have, you can always call the number on the back of your credit card and ask.

Which cards are Visa Signature cards?

A wide range of credit cards can be offered as a Visa Signature, including the popular Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Other popular Visa Signature cards include the Prime Visa and the Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card*.

Some cards, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited®, can also be a traditional Visa card, Visa Signature or Visa Infinite, depending on the credit line you are approved for.

As always, take the time to compare all of the top credit cards currently on the market and their unique benefits before applying.

The conclusion

A Visa Signature card offers a variety of benefits and perks that can make it a valuable addition to your wallet. With free access to Visa Signature benefits and the possibility of even more perks depending on which credit card you choose, this type of Visa card can provide financial protection and savings.

Whether you already have a Visa Signature card or are considering applying for one, be sure to take advantage of all the benefits and perks available to you.

*The information about the The Fidelity® Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card was independently collected by Bankrate.com. Card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.