Visa electron, YUK!

happymummy

I have a cardcash account with the halifax and they have just replaced solo with visa electron, now solo wasn't up to much but visa electron is worse! >:(

I went into branch to ask if I could upgrade to an account which had switch, but I've been refused due to bad credit history, but I'm not applying for credit, I dont want an o/d I just want a better debit card, one that I can use for my many online purchases, and one that I can also use to gaurantee cheques (imagine my embarressment when I tried to pay by cheque in argos on sat only to be told this isn't a cheque gaurantee card :-[ )

OK, I am on state benefits, but my account is credited with over £800 a month, I've not missed a DD or SO or gone overdrawn for at least a year.

Not sure what to do now, I really really dont want visa electron, but the banks I've looked at online state visa debit card, is this the same as visa electron or something better?

And, can anyone recommend a bank account for me please?

Cheers, V

hornblower

It's true - Electron cards are almost useless! If you say a bank offers you a Visa debit card then it should be a proper one. Visa debit cards used to be called Visa Delta or simply Delta. Visa Electron means Electron. It was only a few years ago that Visa renamed the Electron to Visa Electron to make it seem better.

If you cannot obtain a Visa card then an account that may interest you is the Natwest Card Plus account. I used to hold one of these. You will be offered a Solo card.

dunstonh

A current account has a credit facility and Visa Delta cards can be used to run up an unauthorised overdraft.

Hence, why credit history is looked at.

student100

AFAIK Natwest and HSBC both issue Solo cards on similar accounts.

happymummy

Good to know, but dont have a branch of either of these online, can I do it online and manage it online?

Cheers folks

V

hopefulfooluk

Yeah both of these banks have online banking facilities but to apply you'll have to visit a branch and take in your paperwork.

Natwest has the best online banking of the two, in my opinion, if that was your main choosing criteria.

However if you want a Maestro rather than a Solo then you could try HSBC. They will probably give you a Solo to start with but if you run your account well for six months or so, they will upgrade it to a decent card without running a credit check.

Hope this helps,

Chris

mdoo98

Hi All,

I have recently opened an account with A&L and was mortified when the debit card arrived and it was a Visa Electron, completely useless, fuel, food drugs, nobody seems willing to take them. I was reading the blurb with my new account and I noticed the pic shows debit card with a standard Visa logo. I have informed the A&L this one is crap and I'd like the one they led me to beleive I was getting ........ watch this space.

RobBob_3

Does anyone know if Visa Electron cards be used in cash machines overseas?

alexj2002

From my experience nearly anywhere using a HSBC or Natwest machine seems to accept electron cards.

The thing to note is the "for electronic use only". I believe this has something to do with the lack of acceptance.

The BBC have an article on it here : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/moneybox/3717331.stm

blinko

in my experience visa electrion sucks big time, if the bank try and give me one i refuse, i truly hate them.

try to get a visa debit if you can they are quite good the same as visa except they d#ebit your account but visa election isnt taken everywhere and they are usually for people like me with dodgy credit ratings.

Karma67

Hi All,

I have recently opened an account with A&L and was mortified when the debit card arrived and it was a Visa Electron, completely useless, fuel, food drugs, nobody seems willing to take them.  

I have an Electron card with my Abbey account. I find it frustrating not being able to use it online alot but I have found it useful for purchases in the following places (HTH someone):
INSTORE:
Tescos...and at their 'pay at pump' petrol stations
Asda
Morrisons
Boots
Clarks
Mothercare
Pets@Home
Argos
Total Garages
P C World
Homebase
WH Smith
All i can remember at the moment! but covers food, petrol etc
And .....
ONLINE (not as many so far)
Play.com
ToysRUs/BabiesRUs
Game.net
BuyCosmetics.com (very good site for reduced make-up/perfume etc)
blueberrybarn.co.uk (hampers/gifts)
freerangekids.co.uk (cloth nappies etc)
a few others but many indepent small companies

Hope this list helps some other poor Electron card Users!!