Visa credit cards by now are the most widely utilized payment brand in the world - they can be used pretty much anytime and anywhere. Cardholders in more than 150 countries carry more than 1 billion Visa-branded cards, which accounts for more than $3 trillion in annual transaction volume. People seem to agree that, indeed, Life Takes Visa.
Visa branded cards are offered by most banks, financial institutions, and many major brand names, airlines, hotels, universities, charitable organizations and other types of institutions.
Visa offers users worldwide acceptance and numerous additional benefits, such as extended warranty on purchases made with certain types of Visa cards and rental car collision and theft coverage on rental cars paid for with a Visa card (restrictions apply, see your card's terms and conditions). Other benefits include emergency cash disbursement and roadside assistance service. Lastly, card holders today enjoy worry-free shopping because of Visa's zero liability policy-if your card is stolen, you will owe nothing on any resulting fraudulent transactions.
Credit cards are such a ubiquitous part of life today that it is hard to believe that only fifty years ago, the only payment options were cash or checks. Credit cards are here to stay, and Visa cards have played and continue to play an important role in the evolution of the way payments take place in today's society.
Visa International's history can be traced back to 1958, when Bank of America launched its BankAmericard program in California, which marked the birth of the credit card industry. From that early beginning, Visa International emerged as an economic joint venture with more than 13,000 member financial institutions issuing Visa credit cards and debit cards to their customers.
Visa International provides an organizational umbrella within which member financial institutions have the freedom to structure their own credit card offers to consumers. Over the years, this built-in autonomy has spawned the profusion of Visa card deals costumers enjoy today. With the advent of online approval cards and other online conveniences, it has become easier than ever before to apply for a credit card.
