Co-operative bank - possible to have Visa & Visa Electron on one account?

somnerd13

I have a current account with the Co-operative Bank and the account comes with a Visa debit card. I like having the Visa debit because I know that it is the most widely accepted card, however my problem is that some transactions don't show up for a few days, sometimes five days, and some show up the next day. I was wondering if anybody know if it is possible to have a Visa Electron card issued on the account alongside the Visa debit? As obviously this way all transactions with the Visa Electron will show up immediately, and when I go abroad or need to use a merchant that doesn't accept Electron, I can just use the Visa debit.

Anybody know if this is possible with my account? If not, does anybody know of any other banks who would do this?

ShelfStacker_3

You will have the same problem whether you use electron or Visa Debit. It relates to how your bank processes debit card payments. Mine always come out the day after I make a transaction, with Alliance and Leicester they could take anywhere up to a week. Really just depends.

somnerd13

ShelfStacker wrote: »

You will have the same problem whether you use electron or Visa Debit. It relates to how your bank processes debit card payments. Mine always come out the day after I make a transaction, with Alliance and Leicester they could take anywhere up to a week. Really just depends.

I thought that the transactions and change to your balance show up immediately, as the transactions are authorised straight away?

I know that when I had a Solo with NatWest ages ago, the transactions would show up immediately, but then when I was upgraded to Maestro, things would take days to show.

davidhenson1

I have a visa electron with abbey and in most cases the money comes off immediately. On the odd occasion the funds came off but some days later they reappear in your balance just like a visa debit card. This can cause problems as it makes you think you have money when you dont I would keep the visa debit personally.

somnerd13

davidhenson1 wrote: »

I have a visa electron with abbey and in most cases the money comes off immediately. On the odd occasion the funds came off but some days later they reappear in your balance just like a visa debit card. This can cause problems as it makes you think you have money when you dont I would keep the visa debit personally.

I do want to keep the Visa debit, I just want an Electron issued on the account as well, if possible.

sutton111

why don't you open another account with abbey have an electron card and transfer the money over when needed.

somnerd13

sutton111 wrote: »

why don't you open another account with abbey have an electron card and transfer the money over when needed.

Co-op don't support faster payments yet and from what I have ready neither do Abbey, so it will just be a pain. Also, if I would be willing to have an Electron on a second account, then I would just open a Cashminder with the Co-op as well. I want both cards on one account so my finances are easier to manage.

Voyager2002

Smile (part of the Co-op group) allow you to have both a visa debit and an electron on your current account.

somnerd13

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Smile (part of the Co-op group) allow you to have both a visa debit and an electron on your current account.

Do co-op not offer an account that does this? I would be willing to transfer over to smile but surely as they are pretty much the same thing but with different names, it would be a little pointless? I'll have a look anyway, thanks for the heads up.

wombat3

Yes - it is possible with Co-op. I've just done it.
Spent money on it today with Easyjet but it does not
show on the account yet.

somnerd13

Just rang co-operative bank to find out. The lady wasn't sure at first but after putting me on hold and finding out it appears that it is possible and she has ordered a Visa Electron for me and that I can still use my Visa Debit too.

It's a joint account though, and I forgot to ask if they would issue one for my fiancee too. Nevermind, we'll see what comes and I will ring them again to get one for her if it doesn't come!