natwest select silver account

jen245

Hmm, the leaflet I got with my debit card (I have the purple card, with the CG hologram on the back), says that if you have a card beginning 4751 27 or 4751 28 ( my card for my first reserve account begins 4751 28), you cant use your card in the pay at pump machines, so unless they have changed it?
If you have credit cards with them, I would have thought you should have the purple card? I also have a credit card, overdraft and cheque book

jalexa

jen245 wrote: »

you cant use your card in the pay at pump machines, so unless they have changed it?

Some personal feedback on that. The previous Solo incarnation of the current "online" blue Visa Debit, didn't work at train ticket machines (as Visa Electron still doesn't). I recently tried the blue Visa Debit and was very susprised to find it worked at a train ticket machine.:). Not sure about "on-train" though.

With that in mind I loaded it with enough funds for Morrison's Pay@Pump £100 limit. The machine recognised it was Visa Debit, asked for my PIN, then the bank "refused authorisation".:(.

Struggling to see the essential difference between Pay@Pump and train ticket machines.

older_wiser

Yes that is correct jen245 i can't use my blue natwest debit card on trains or at petrol stations but my debit card does begin with those numbers perhaps ralphy has a blue card but with different numbers and its similar to yours in all but colour i'm not even sure if thats possible.

Jalexa thanks for the advice and yes your observations are correct i have a credit card with a small limit due to past errors these have now been resolved and thankfully i'm starting afresh i have a clean credit file the only problem is i haven't used any credit facilities in 8 years.
I opened a bank account in june at first i wanted a basic account from natwest but i went in branch and they said that i could get a full bank account but without an overdraft or chequebook. I accepted as i'd hoped overtime that this could be upgraded.On acceptance of the account i realised that this card couldn't be used on trains petrol pumps and some hotels. So i applied for a credit card and got one but with only a small limit well small to me compared to what i earn. Your advice that i should request a credit increase is something i'll consider but not at this time credit is not what i want. I'd rather have my account upgraded to the purple debit card. hopefully i'm on the right track with natwest sending me a chequebook so for now its a waiting game and as coolesticeking suggested i'll try for an upgrade in branch after christmas.

stclair

Ralphy101 wrote: »

Ive just contacted Natwest using the telephone number provided above... and spoke to a lady.

She said its pot luck as to what colour card you get and you can use the blue card on trains / petrol pumps as long as you have a current plus account with the said card.

NB. I have a 2 credit cards with natwest .. a platnium and classic.. and i have the blue debit card...

Who ever told you that is speaking nonsense

coolesticeking

stclair wrote: »

Who ever told you that is speaking nonsense

Indeed! All they should do is look at the computer at your internal score and check to see if it gives them the option to order the Purple Visa Debit Card instead - Job done.

What is the difference between the Blue Visa Debit Card and the Purple Visa Debit Card?

Blue Card = Means each card transaction MUST be authorised by the bank in real time by checking you have enough available funds to go ahead. If not, the transaction will decline and the same if a connection to the bank is not available such as at Pay@Pumps or on Trains.

Purple Card = Means if the amount of the transction is below the merchants floor level, it will go ahead regardless if you have enough money in your bank or not and does not check.

In respect to train stations, if they are the automated ticket machines then yes the Blue Visa Debit Card will work as these do have a connection to the bank to check. It's when people are on the trains they have the issue as this is when they don't have a connection to the bank.

Hope this clears it up a little!

coolesticeking

older_wiser wrote: »

thanks for the replies everyone i'm in no hurry for the purple natwest card at the moment if i need to use a card on the train i use my credit card it does mean i have to make multiple transfers to it thought but its not a big hastle. Perhaps after christmas i'll pop in to my local branch and ask but an overdraft isn't what i'm looking for knowing they might offer me one is always welcome though. Just after opening my select account back in june i asked via my online account to be sent a cheque book but it said i would have to contact telephone banking or go to my local branch to ask for this service. So i think something has changed.

On both occasions when i went into my local branch to open my account in june and then to upgrade it to the silver in august i saw the same woman and she remembered my details job partner holiday plans etc so maybe she had something to do with it too i also opened a first reserve savings account on the same day. so perhaps its all those put together along with the way i'm conducting the account thats led to this.

Also, haivng a Credit Card even with a small limit and using this each month and paying in full will help your lending score with NatWest as they take your internal conduct and can see your commitments elsewhere to make sure you are being a model customer

Ralphy101

older_wiser wrote: »

Yes that is correct jen245 i can't use my blue natwest debit card on trains or at petrol stations but my debit card does begin with those numbers perhaps ralphy has a blue card but with different numbers and its similar to yours in all but colour i'm not even sure if thats possible.

NAIL ON THE HEAD...

my step account = 4751 2700
My current account = 4751 2801

Both blue card.... When taking out the current account i did not opt for a cheque book - therefore thats the reason why i didnt get a purple card...

With regards to bank actually authorizing payments in real time ... i am of the impression this is to do with the 4751 27 cards...

jen245

Have you asked about getting a purple card?

older_wiser

Ralphy101 wrote: »

NAIL ON THE HEAD...

my step account = 4751 2700
My current account = 4751 2801

Both blue card.... When taking out the current account i did not opt for a cheque book - therefore thats the reason why i didnt get a purple card...

With regards to bank actually authorizing payments in real time ... i am of the impression this is to do with the 4751 27 cards...

my card is 4751 2800 and can't be used at pumps/onboard trains etc
If you think you qualify then i'd get in touch with your local branch. If you contacted lending on the number jen provided and got that reply i'd query it again as its the opposite advice most people are suggesting.
But it would be interesting to finally get an answer if you can have a blue debit card and yet for it to be authorised for use on trains etc.

jalexa

jen245 wrote: »

Have you asked about getting a purple card?

OK, I'm not picking on you other than I think you are informed on the topic.

Why should "Select" or (especially) "Select Silver" customers "have to ask"? I can see nothing in the product information which implies that the Select product range "Visa Debit" card is anything other than the "purple".

The "Basic Account visa debit card" guide doesn't even mention the restriction (though it is mentioned as a FAQ in the Visa Debit pages).

If what is being reported isn't just a "temporary misunderstanding", ISTM account holders on Select or Select Silver (or upgrading to, even from Step, and even if a cheque book and/or overdraft was not requested) are being "conned" if not being issued with "purple". This may an advertising standards issue.

Account holders in the situation (as you suggest) should ask for "purple", and if declined raise a bank and/or advertising standards complaint.

Unless any bank facing posters can convince me I'm wrong.