BCV Visa Gold

Identical to BCV's Mastercard Gold. Same CHF 250,000 coverage, different network logo.

The BCV Visa Gold is functionally identical to its Mastercard sibling: same CHF 200 fee (first year CHF 100), same 20,000 welcome points, same CHF 250,000 medical coverage, same Priority Pass access. For Vaud 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 rare network outages. Some international travelers prefer carrying both logos. Beyond that, the decision is aesthetic preference or existing portfolio composition.

What Actually Stands Out

Everything matches the Mastercard version. CHF 200 annual fee (first year CHF 100 promotional). 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. Insurance claims process identically regardless of network.

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 differently. Having both options serves customers without meaningful cost to the bank.

If you're spending more than five minutes deciding between BCV's Visa and Mastercard gold cards, you're overthinking it. Pick whichever network you don't already have, or flip a coin. The underlying product is identical.

The Bottom Line

A reliable gold card for BCV 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. Compare alternatives in our best premium credit cards in Switzerland guide.

Verdict: Same excellent insurance value as the Mastercard. Choose Visa if you want network diversity or prefer the logo.