18yrs old, no income, need a credit card to book holiday

ETURNER

Hi there,


I am a school leaver travelling to Europe and taking an overnight train with Deutsche Bahn however they require a credit card or and EC/Maestro card as a form of identity (passports are not accepted). I cannot get a credit card due to the fact I have no previous credit history and no independent income.


Does anyone have any advice or suggestions for credit cards/ maestro cards that I can get to fix this?


Thanks

cifpower

Open a Yorkshire Bank Readycash account. Its their basic current account. It comes with a Maestro card.

http://www.ybonline.co.uk/personal/current-accounts/standard-current-account/

ETURNER

thank you for the link, I will check it out ASAP

greenorange

Alternatively, ask a family member or friend to add you as a 'secondary card holder' onto their credit card.

thebritishbloke

Or apply for a credit building card, such as Vanquis.

Mikhail

ETURNER wrote: »

...Deutsche Bahn however they require a credit card or and EC/Maestro card as a form of identity

http://www.bahn.com/i/view/GBR/en/prices/onlineticket/onlineticket.shtml

In order to book online tickets you need:
An identification card (BahnCard, bahn.bonus Card, credit cards*, ec-card/Maestro or ID card**) for booking via Internet and as identification during fare controls on the train.

The software Adobe Reader® to open the online ticket PDFs.

* American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club, Visa or JCB
==================

I used my MasterCard (debit card) with them, secondly they have never asked me to show it, so I think you will be just fine.

I don’t think there is a different between credit and debit cards when you are outside of your home country. For example, in the US I was always using the 'credit option' to pay with my debit cards, otherwise transactions were declined.

reclusive46

Mikhail wrote: »

I don’t think there is a different between credit and debit cards when you are outside of your home country. For example, in the US I was always using the 'credit option' to pay with my debit cards, otherwise transactions were declined.

The US is an exception (along with countries like Australia and New Zealand), as Debit and Credit don't actually mean what you'd think. Debit means use the local debit networks like NYCE or Pulse and credit means use the signature networks like Amex,Visa,MasterCard etc. You can use any US debit card in the US that carries a signature network logo and say credit as well. Most do as you sign if you say credit and enter a PIN if you say debit.

But the OP will be fine with a debit card, in most EU countries the term credit card is used for both internationally accepted debit and credit cards as credit cards are extremely rare in many EU countries like, France, Germany, The Netherlands etc.

giblet10

Last week at Hannover Airport the DB machine would only accept Maestro for any transaction under 10 Euro. No credit or other debit card accepted. Fortunately I had change.

Rhenser

cifpower wrote: »

Open a Yorkshire Bank Readycash account. Its their basic current account. It comes with a Maestro card.

http://www.ybonline.co.uk/personal/current-accounts/standard-current-account/

For identification with ec-cards/Maestro, your bank must have its registered office in Germany.

Rhenser

Mikhail wrote: »

http://www.bahn.com/i/view/GBR/en/prices/onlineticket/onlineticket.shtml

In order to book online tickets you need:
An identification card (BahnCard, bahn.bonus Card, credit cards*, ec-card/Maestro or ID card**) for booking via Internet and as identification during fare controls on the train.

The software Adobe Reader® to open the online ticket PDFs.

* American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club, Visa or JCB
==================

I used my MasterCard (debit card) with them, secondly they have never asked me to show it, so I think you will be just fine.

I don’t think there is a different between credit and debit cards when you are outside of your home country. For example, in the US I was always using the 'credit option' to pay with my debit cards, otherwise transactions were declined.

Yes, a debit card providing it has the Visa sign on it, (or Mastercard if your bank issues those) will be fine

Rhenser

giblet10 wrote: »

Last week at Hannover Airport the DB machine would only accept Maestro for any transaction under 10 Euro. No credit or other debit card accepted. Fortunately I had change.

I believe the OP is wishing to buy a ticket online.