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  Why is American Express more expensive than Visa? Some American Express cards may be more expensive than Visa cards in terms of annual fees. Generally,  cards with higher annual fees have more valuable features, like statement credits for Global Entry or generous welcome bonuses. Is Visa more widely accepted than American Express? Visa cards are more widely accepted worldwide than American Express cards, and you may find that small retailers are more likely to accept Visa cards.  That’s because the interchange fees, which is the percentage of your transaction a processing network charges the retailer so that they can accept your credit card payment, skews higher on many American Express cards compared to Visa cards.

  Which is better: Visa or American Express? For someone with credit issues, a Visa card might be your best option. It can be difficult to qualify for an American Express card with a score below 700 and some of their cards have even higher requirements.  Visa cards can also be a better option for frequent travelers , since cards in the Visa network are more widely accepted abroad. For someone who values prestige and rewards from a credit card, an Amex card could be the way to go. Yes, some American Express cards have annual fees in the three- and even four-digit range, but the features often compensate for the unusually high cost to carry a card.