Contactless Debit Cards - Under 18

Liam_W

I am 17.

I just went into Barclays, and they stated that you had to be 18+ to get a contactless card.

Does anyone know why? Or, more specifically, does anyone know why Nationwide can provide a contactless debit card with their under 18 accounts while Barclays can't?

Liam

(If this is in an invalid forum, please move it )

MrSilk

Hi Liam,

That's because the Nationwide FlexOne account is specifically aimed for customers between 11 & 17 year olds, the Barclays account with contactless is for customers who are 18+.

Liam_W

MrSilk wrote: »

Hi Liam,

That's because the flex0 account is specifically aimed for customers between 11 & 17 year olds, Barclays account is for customers who are 18+.

That doesn't make sense. I have a Barclays account and a Barclays debit card (Visa Debit). Why are they saying that I have to be 18 for it to be contactless, but the nationwide site says that they're under 18 account gets a contactless card?

Liam

Also, have the site fixed... I shouldn't be blocked for posting if I quote a URL. It causes annoyed confusion.

MrSilk

Liam_W wrote: »

That doesn't make sense. I have a Barclays account and a Barclays debit card (Visa Debit). Why are they saying that I have to be 18 for it to be contactless, but the nationwide site says that they're under 18 account gets a contactless card?

Liam

Also, have the site fixed... I shouldn't be blocked for posting if I quote a URL. It causes annoyed confusion.

It all comes down to the way the banks issue their cards. The contactless Barclays debit card is offline, meaning that when you purchase something either by contactless or PIN it doesn't always check with the bank first if you have enough funds - That's why they don't issue them to customers under the age of 18.

Nationwide's contactless card is online, which means that it checks with the bank first before authorizing the purchase. Barclays don't have online contactless cards yet, which is why they won't offer it to you until you're 18, although they are not obliged to offer you a contactless card until you've built up a credit history, depending on how long you've been with Barclays currently.

Also, I am not responsible for site maintenance, I am merely just offering advice, which is what you came here for in the first place.

Liam_W

MrSilk wrote: »

It all comes down to the way the banks issue their cards. The contactless Barclays debit card is offline, meaning that when you purchase something either by contactless or PIN it doesn't always check with the bank first if you have enough funds - That's why they don't issue them to customers under the age of 18.

Nationwide's contactless card is online, which means that it checks with the bank first before authorizing the purchase. Barclays don't have online contactless cards yet, which is why they won't offer it to you until you're 18, although they are not obliged to offer you a contactless card until you've built up a credit history, depending on how long you've been with Barclays currently.

If that's the case, then why does my debit card work in offline situations? Surely it's exactly the same risk?

(I've been with them since a few months before my 13th birthday)

Liam

MrSilk

Liam_W wrote: »

If that's the case, then why does my debit card work in offline situations? Surely it's exactly the same risk?

Liam

Please elaborate what you mean by 'offline situations'?

I don't see the big fuss for contactless, all my cards are contactless and I use it very rarely, around twice a month at best.

I think you may be best actually talking to Barclays if you really want one why they won't give you one, or just change to Nationwide, Nationwide are better than Barclays IMO

Liam_W

MrSilk wrote: »

Please elaborate what you mean by 'offline situations'?

I don't see the big fuss for contactless, all my cards are contactless and I use it very rarely, around twice a month at best.

In places without instant charge, such as some train shops etc.

Also, it's annoying. And as well as that, London buses don't accept cash anymore, and I rarely carry enough cash to top up my oyster if I need to... That's one of the major reasons.

JimmyTheWig

I don't think that Barclays _can't_ provide a contactless card. Just that they choose not to.
Why do they choose not to? I have no idea. But, presumably, they've got their reasons.

You might want to read Martin's blog article...
http://blog.moneysavingexpert.com/2009/07/29/because-they-can/


[Incidentally, the site isn't broken. You need a higher post count to be allowed to post links. Why does MSE insist on this? Well, one answer is "Because they can"!]

MrSilk

IMO I'd ditch Barclays and go to Nationwide who'll happily offer you a contactless card, along with a bit of in-credit interest and money off cinema tickets to boot

colsten

Liam_W wrote: »

Also, have the site fixed... I shouldn't be blocked for posting if I quote a URL. It causes annoyed confusion.

Please wind your neck in a bit. New users are deliberately not allowed to post links. If you hang around for a bit longer on this forum, you will appreciate the benefits of making it harder for spammers to fool about (note I am not suggesting you are a spammer).

As to your card question: just go for a Nationwide One account as they offer what you want. Barclays don't. It's going to be like that with many other things you will come across in life - some companies offer products that others don't. It's called a free market.