BCV Visa Silver

Identical to BCV's Mastercard Silver. Pick whichever network complements your existing cards.

The BCV Visa Silver is functionally identical to its Mastercard sibling: same CHF 100 fee, same 10,000 welcome points, same Surprize program, same travel insurance. For Vaud residents banking with BCV, your network choice is purely about personal preference or portfolio diversity.

Does Network Choice Actually Matter?

In Switzerland and across Europe, Visa and Mastercard acceptance is virtually identical. You'll occasionally encounter a merchant that prefers one network, but it's rare enough that you shouldn't base your decision on it. Both work at essentially every retailer, restaurant, and online store.

Swiss cantonal banks routinely offer both Visa and Mastercard versions with identical terms. This isn't redundant product development. Customers have genuine preferences, some subscription services work better with one network, and portfolio diversity provides backup during rare network issues.

What Actually Stands Out

Everything matches the Mastercard version. CHF 100 annual fee. 10,000 welcome Surprize points worth CHF 50-100. 1 point per CHF 1 spent ongoing. Travel insurance covering CHF 10,000 cancellations and CHF 7,500 interruptions for trips up to 90 days.

Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Garmin Pay all work. The 1.75% FX fee is standard. Additional cards cost CHF 25-50 depending on billing arrangement. Everything integrates seamlessly with your BCV accounts.

What Most Reviews Miss

If you're spending more than five minutes deciding between BCV's Visa and Mastercard silver cards, you're overthinking it. The products are identical in every meaningful way. Pick based on what logo you prefer, which network you don't already have, or flip a coin.

The more important decision is whether a silver card meets your needs at all. If you travel internationally and want medical coverage, consider BCV's gold cards. If you want better rewards, look at cashback-focused alternatives.

The Bottom Line

A reliable silver card for BCV customers, interchangeable with the Mastercard version. Network choice has no impact on your day-to-day experience. Pick based on existing wallet composition or personal preference. Compare alternatives in our best credit cards in Switzerland guide.

Verdict: Same solid value as the Mastercard. Choose Visa if you want network diversity or already have Mastercards.