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The Daily Insight Hub

Can you build credit with a Visa card?

Author

Matthew Harrington

Updated on February 08, 2026

Why It’s One of the Best Credit Cards to Build Credit With: The Upgrade Visa® Card with Cash Rewards is one of the best credit cards to build credit with because it has a $0 annual fee and rewards cardholders with unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases (after you pay the bill).

Does a Visa prepaid card count as a credit card?

1. Prepaid cards are more like debit than credit. Prepaid cards look like credit cards and spend like credit cards, but there’s no credit behind them. They are technically debit cards – when you use them, you’re spending your own money, not the bank’s.

Can I have good credit without a credit card?

Yes, you can establish credit and have a credit score without a credit card. Credit card companies are not the only ones that report your payment and usage history to the three credit bureaus that report on your credit score, Experian®, TransUnion®, and Equifax®.

Can a Visa debit card help build credit?

Even if the card has the Visa logo, the money being drawn to pay the merchant at the point of sale is yours, not Visa’s. The debit card can help you manage your money, but doesn’t indicate how you manage credit. On the other hand, a secured credit card operates similarly to a debit card and can be used to help build your credit history.

How to use the self visa to build your credit?

Use the card for everyday expenses that fit within your credit limit, and remember to make on-time payments every month so that you can continue to establish a positive credit history. The other good way to build your credit with the Self Visa is to pay off your card in full as often as possible.

What happens when you pay with a Visa debit card?

When you pay with a debit card, the money leaves your account immediately – you can’t carry a balance. Even if the card has the Visa logo, the money being drawn to pay the merchant at the point of sale is yours, not Visa’s. The debit card can help you manage your money, but doesn’t indicate how you manage credit.

How does a prepaid Visa card work like a credit card?

Some Prepaid cards are very similar to credit and debit cards and have Chip, Pin and even PayWave capabilities. With Visa Reloadable Prepaid Cards, you can add funds whenever you need to top up the balance of your card. There are a variety of different ways to load your card.