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Our Take on BancaStato Visa Gold
Identical to BancaStato's Mastercard Gold. Same CHF 250,000 coverage, different network logo.
The BancaStato Visa Gold is functionally identical to its Mastercard sibling: same CHF 200 fee, same 20,000 welcome points, same CHF 250,000 medical coverage, same Priority Pass access. For Ticino residents, your choice between Visa and Mastercard should be purely about network preference or portfolio diversity.
Does Network Choice Actually Matter?
In Switzerland and Europe, Visa and Mastercard have virtually identical acceptance. You'll rarely encounter a merchant that takes one but not the other. The technical differences in processing networks don't affect your cardholder experience. Both work essentially everywhere.
The practical reason to choose: portfolio diversity. If all your cards are Mastercards, adding a Visa provides backup during network outages (rare, but they happen). Some international travelers prefer carrying both logos. Beyond that, the decision is aesthetic preference.
What Actually Stands Out
Everything matches the Mastercard version. CHF 200 annual fee. CHF 250,000 medical coverage abroad protecting against catastrophic emergencies. CHF 20,000 trip cancellation and CHF 15,000 trip interruption coverage. 1.5 Surprize points per CHF 1 spent with 20,000 welcome points.
Standard Priority Pass membership at EUR 30 per lounge visit. Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Garmin Pay all work. The 1.75% FX fee is standard. Up to 2 additional cards at CHF 50-75 depending on billing arrangement.
What Most Reviews Miss
Banks offer both Visa and Mastercard versions because customer preferences genuinely vary. Some subscription services work better with one network. Some reward programs track spending by card type. Some people organize finances by keeping travel on one network and daily spending on another.
If you're overthinking this decision, just pick whichever network you don't already have. Or flip a coin. The underlying product is identical in every meaningful way.
The Bottom Line
A reliable gold card for BancaStato customers, interchangeable with the Mastercard version. The insurance provides genuine value for international travelers. Network choice has zero impact on your day-to-day experience. See alternatives in our best premium credit cards in Switzerland comparison.
Verdict: Same excellent insurance value as the Mastercard. Choose Visa if you want network diversity or prefer the logo.
PROS
- 20000 welcome bonus points
- Travel insurance coverage up to CHF 20,000
- Up to CHF 250,000 coverage for medical expenses
- Airport lounge access
- Apple Pay compatible
- Contactless payments for convenient transactions
- 1 welcome bonus points
- Up to 250,000 Swiss francs medical coverage per incident for international travel
CONS
- High annual fee (CHF 200)
- No concierge service
Card Details
At a Glance
Annual fee
CHF 200
Rewards rate
1.5 points/CHF
FX Fee
1.75%
Welcome bonus
20,000 points
Travel insurance coverage
CHF 20,000
Fees & Costs
Fees & Costs
First year annual fee
CHF 200
Annual fee (after first year)
CHF 200
Foreign exchange fee
1.75%
Cash Withdrawal (Domestic)
4% (min CHF 10)
Cash Withdrawal (International)
5.75% (min CHF 10)
Late Payment Fee
CHF 0
Additional Cards
CHF 50/card/year • Up to 2 cards
Rewards Program
Rewards Program
Rewards type
Points
Base rewards rate
1.5 / CHF
Welcome bonus
20,000 points
Insurance & Protection
Insurance & Protection
Travel insurance coverage
CHF 20,000
Medical insurance coverage
CHF 250,000
Purchase protection
CHF 2,000
Card Features
Card Features
Card Network
Visa
Card Type
Gold
Currency
CHF, USD, EUR
Minimum income requirement
No income requirement
Monthly spending limit
-
Airport lounge access
Airport lounge access available
Concierge service
Key Features
- 1 welcome bonus points
- Up to 250,000 Swiss francs medical coverage per incident for international travel
- 24-hour customer service support
- Multiple mobile payment options
- Standard Priority Pass membership
Calculate If This Card Is Worth It for You
= CHF 30’000/year
You Pay
CHF 200
per year
You Get Back
CHF 900
estimated value
Bottom Line
+CHF 700
in your pocket
Annual calculation:
CHF 30’000/yr × 1.5 points/CHF × 1 ct
20’000 points × 1 ct
Move the slider to see how your spending affects the card's value. Miles: 1.5 ct, points: 1 ct.
Rating by Category
Compare to Other Cards
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the annual fee for the BancaStato Visa Gold?
- The BancaStato Visa Gold has an annual fee of CHF 200.
- What are the foreign transaction fees for the BancaStato Visa Gold?
- The BancaStato Visa Gold charges a 1.75% foreign exchange fee on international transactions.
- What rewards does the BancaStato Visa Gold offer?
- The BancaStato Visa Gold offers points rewards at a base rate of 1.5 per CHF spent.
- What insurance coverage does the BancaStato Visa Gold include?
- The BancaStato Visa Gold includes travel insurance up to CHF 20,000 and medical coverage up to CHF 250,000 abroad.
- Does the BancaStato Visa Gold include airport lounge access?
- Yes, the BancaStato Visa Gold includes airport lounge access through Priority Pass or partner programs.
- Is the BancaStato Visa Gold compatible with Apple Pay?
- Yes, the BancaStato Visa Gold is fully compatible with Apple Pay for contactless mobile payments.
How We Rated This Card
Wondering why BancaStato Visa Gold got its score? We rate Premium cards using a weighted formula. Here's what counts:
Same formula for every card in this category. No exceptions.
See our full rating methodologyReady to Apply?
Apply for the BancaStato Visa Gold today and start enjoying its benefits.