Offline card?

Paul_1977

Can someone please explain what an offline card is?

I thought offline cards were those with embossed letters/numbers, so that they could be used with the old fashioned pull over machines which traced the card details, have not seen one for years though.

However I have been told my card is not offline, and can only be used if funds are verified.

It just says Visa. Not Visa electron like my old Santander card.

thanks.

eskbanker

Not sure it's sufficient to try to differentiate by physically looking at embossing, etc, I believe it's the number ranges that dictate whether a card is set up for online or offline processing, what are the first six digits of your card number?

20aday

Paul_1977 wrote: »

Can someone please explain what an offline card is?

I thought offline cards were those with embossed letters/numbers, so that they could be used with the old fashioned pull over machines which traced the card details, have not seen one for years though.

However I have been told my card is not offline, and can only be used if funds are verified.

It just says Visa. Not Visa electron like my old Santander card.

thanks.

Who do you bank with, out of interest?

AFAIK those with online only cards from NatWest (for example) were a dark blue (rather than purple) colour but their recent redesign has now changed them to silver.

Paul_1977

RBS 4751 18
TSB 4763 67 (contactless)
Halifax 4462 91 (contactless)

20aday

Paul_1977 wrote: »

RBS 4751 18
TSB 4763 67 (contactless)
Halifax 4462 91 (contactless)

Your TSB and Halifax Visa Debit cards are available for Offline transactions then by the sounds of it.

It's just your RBS which probably isn't.

Paul_1977

20aday wrote: »

Your TSB and Halifax Visa Debit cards are available for Offline transactions then by the sounds of it.

It's just your RBS which probably isn't.

Thanks, I thought it was the RBS (C&C) one that was offline. Not that much of a deal.

stclair

20aday wrote: »

Your TSB and Halifax Visa Debit cards are available for Offline transactions then by the sounds of it.

It's just your RBS which probably isn't.

RBS cards beginning with 4751 18 are offline.

Paul_1977

stclair wrote: »

RBS cards beginning with 4751 18 are offline.

Thanks, I could not find anything on the RBS site etc to say if it was or not.

planteria

Paul_1977 wrote: »

I thought offline cards were those with embossed letters/numbers, so that they could be used with the old fashioned pull over machines which traced the card details, have not seen one for years though.

surely it would be the other way round.. ie. the embossed digits are the ones that would leave info on a 'pull over' slip:huh:

i read recently that 'offline' cards from RBS are those that are accepted with less verification required.. for example on an aeroplane, when a connection to a terminal may not be possible.

Paul_1977

planteria wrote: »

surely it would be the other way round.. ie. the embossed digits are the ones that would leave info on a 'pull over' slip:huh:

i read recently that 'offline' cards from RBS are those that are accepted with less verification required.. for example on an aeroplane, when a connection to a terminal may not be possible.

Thats what I was trying to say, sorry if it did not make sense.

I think its only abroad now they use those machines.

System

AFAIK the embossing or not doesn't make a card on or offline but it's what is in the magnetic strip and chip that define it. Some issuers like RBS use the card design and number to differentiate but this isn't strictly necessary.

e.g. Visa cards have a three-digit Service code:

1. The first digit indicates if a card can be used internationally or is valid for domestic use only. It is also used to signal if the card is chip-enabled.
2. The second digit indicates if the transaction must be sent online for authorisation ("X2X") or if transactions that are below floor limit can take place without authorisation ("X0X").
3. The third digit is used to indicate the preferred card verification method (e.g. PIN) and the environment where the card can be used (e.g. at point of sale only).