What can a Bank Debit VISA card NOT DO,that a credit card can do? Traveling Abroad?

Galeeno

If you have a bank account card, (for a basic bank account - no overdraft etc), which has the 16 digit Visa debit card

or a credit card,

Then what can the Credit card do that a Visa debit card CANNOT do ?

-Especially if you travel abroad often, from UK to USA, to Canada, to Australia,to China?
(and want to use the card abroad, for purchases, paying for food out, and shopping abroad.)


Can the debit card be used in them countries + more, without any problem? (it is a basic account, with a 16 digit VISA card)

(i know fees will differ)

opinions4u

It will probably be accepted in most places, but not all. So having an alternative is wise.

It will probably be expensive to use overseas. So a prepaid card may be better value.

Which bank and account is it? Have you asked them?

InsideInsurance

The main difference is you have the consumer credit act Section 75 protection on a credit card so if you buy something and it breaksdown you can recover your losses from your credit card rather than having to try and contact the shop in china and return the item to them etc

Acceptance should be fairly similar as both use the Visa network though you may find a small number who accept one but not the other

JournalGirl

InsideInsurance wrote: »

The main difference is you have the consumer credit act Section 75 protection on a credit card so if you buy something and it breaksdown you can recover your losses from your credit card rather than having to try and contact the shop in china and return the item to them etc

I may be wrong, but I didn't think S75 protection applied to overseas purchases.

bowlhead99

If using it during travels abroad you may find the debit card is a bit more restrictive compared to a credit card, either because the system doesn't work the exact same way behind the scenes as their 'local' debit cards, or as a matter of company policy for particular transaction types.

For example, car rental is one place where they sometimes will just not take debit cards and instead need a credit card - sometimes the ban is on 'foreign debit cards' and sometimes all debit cards.

For example here's a page on the Avis website explaning that you can't use a debit card to rent in Ireland or Spain. http://www.avis.co.uk/blog/avis-payment-methods/

Sometimes you can use them but they charge the entire expected amount up front rather than simply a deposit. So if you were hoping to get your salary in your account part way through a trip, you may be caught short because they charged you everything on day 1 rather than waiting to see when you actually brought the car back and whether it had any petrol in it. Whereas with a credit card they would just do a small deposit because they know from experience that the credit card issuer would pay them at the end regardless of you having cleared funds or space on your card.

JournalGirl wrote: »

I may be wrong, but I didn't think S75 protection applied to overseas purchases.

This was a subject of much debate with it being considered that it didn't apply (the original rule dating from the 70s and not anticipated to be relevant to foreign purchases - and transactions now involving multiple banks and international networks). For a period, some card companies accepted claims voluntarily in the 90s while different groups argued one way or the other.

Then in 2006 there was a ruling settling it, that it did apply to overseas. There are still some exceptions or grey areas as mentioned on the relevant MSE page.

chattychappy

Indeed, S75 does apply to overseas purchases, subject to the usual rules. S75 makes a CC jointly liable for misrepresentation or breach of contract. UK consumer law (eg Sale of Goods Act) implies certain terms into contracts (fitness for purpose etc.), but his probably doesn't apply to contracts formed overseas which would be under the local jurisdiction. People often rely on these terms when something goes wrong.

So if you buy something in China that "goes wrong", you *might* need to establish that you've suffered a breach of contract under local law, before holding the CC liable under S75. Easy if there was a written contract that was broken. More difficult if you are relied upon implied terms. (I've often seen vouchers overseas that say "no refunds" which of course wouldn't be enforceable here - but might be in other places.)

I say *might* because although this seems to be the case, I don't think it has been ruled on.

lisyloo

Then what can the Credit card do that a Visa debit card CANNOT do ?

Companies can put a "reservation" on a credit card.
Typically hotels do this (for extras you purchase like food and drinks) but where it really matter is car hire.
In some countries (US probably) you will not be able to hire a car without a credit card OR a large deposit.
This is in case you do damage, don't bring the car back or have extra charges.
Even if you paid for the super-dooper insurance and had no excess I suspect they would still want a deposit in case you had extra charges like for bringing it back empty of fuel.

Some companies might accept a large deposit, other might not be prepared to deal with you unless you have a credit card because they know they can charge it.

Atidi

Galeeno wrote: »

If you have a bank account card, (for a basic bank account - no overdraft etc), which has the 16 digit Visa debit card

or a credit card,

Then what can the Credit card do that a Visa debit card CANNOT do ?

-Especially if you travel abroad often, from UK to USA, to Canada, to Australia,to China?
(and want to use the card abroad, for purchases, paying for food out, and shopping abroad.)


Can the debit card be used in them countries + more, without any problem? (it is a basic account, with a 16 digit VISA card)

(i know fees will differ)

I think you need to go back and start with looking at what is the difference between a credit and a debit card.

A debit card deducts funds from your bank account.

A credit card gives you a line of credit that you can pay off over a period of time if you wish. (Minimum monthly payments will apply). As such you protected under the consumer protection act as far as it applies to such transactions.

Another advantage of a credit card is often when hiring a car or even at some hotels, a deposit will not be required on arrival if the contract is secured by the credit card.
(Note that in some cases a car hire company, and perhaps the odd hotel, will not accept you unless you have a credit card)

As regards where a debit card may be used, as long as it carries the Visa symbol, then it can be used anywhere that accepts payment by Visa.
Without a Visa symbol, a debit card is not so widely accepted.

BMN

Also, let's say you're paying for something at a hotel/shop/etc and the transaction fails but an authorisation was put on the account (with the amount being reflected in the available balance).
With a debit card this stops you accessing your money for a little while but with a credit card it's only the card companies money which you can't access.

System

MasterCard is good too.

It's worth getting a credit card even with a lowish limit for car rental or hotel stays when traveling.

Capital One has one for those new to credit cards which doesn't charge foreign commission and pays you £10 each year to have it.

dzug1

I would not be certain that a debit card issued with a 'basic' bank account can be used overseas at all

'basic' as in issued to someone with poor credit rating, not just a no frills, no extras account