Can I use my HSBC Debit Card on the Train ?

AlisonGray

I am sorry as I know there are some threads relating to using Debit Cards on trains but I could not find one about HSBC.

I have just opened a HSBC Bank Account (The one that you need to pay in £500 a month), and I have just received the Debit card, it is silver and IS NOT contactless, it begins 4659 43, am I safe to use this on the train as I am not sure if this is a on-line or offline card.

Many Thanks.

Semple

Yes there should be no reason why you cannot use the debit card on the train (i'm guessing it's likely to be a VISA card from HSBC?). Unless the card reader on the train isn't working.

Which TOC are you planning to use?

EDIT: A bit of further reading I can see some forum posts from around 5 years ago where some people have had problems with their VISA cards when using scotrail. I've used my HSBC VISA on both FGW and XC services without issue - my card too starts with 4659 43.

teffers

Semple wrote: »

Yes there should be no reason why you cannot use the debit card on the train (i'm guessing it's likely to be a VISA card from HSBC?). Unless the card reader on the train isn't working.

Pretty sure Alison is questioning if it's a full authority or online only card (the latter requires the balance being checked before authorising the transaction).

Hopefully someone will be along soon who knows the card number prefixes for each type.

Javens

Hi, your card will not work on terminals that do not have an internet connection, i.e. some trains.

Ring HSBC, ask for a Contactless Debit Card, they will say you're not eligible (as if you were, they would have sent you one), tell them you require it, or you'll move to another bank, they'll order you one.

dr_adidas01

How do you know that threatening them with leaving will result in them giving the OP a contactless card? They may just turn around and say leave then.

10pence

That's an authority card and shouldn't require an active connection. Cards with 4659 42 are normally the contactless ones for 'normal' accounts.

Seems strange they never issued a contactless card at account opening as that account is eligible for them.

AlisonGray

Javens wrote: »

Hi, your card will not work on terminals that do not have an internet connection, i.e. some trains.

Ring HSBC, ask for a Contactless Debit Card, they will say you're not eligible (as if you were, they would have sent you one), tell them you require it, or you'll move to another bank, they'll order you one.

Thanks but that sounds risky, as knowing my luck they would say 'Bye', so I have sent a secure message asking for one, and I got a reply to say they would pass it on to the relevant department for action, so I don't know if that's good or bad.

If its a no then I will mention that the bank I am moving from has given me a contactless card so I would effectively now be worse off, but I don't want to push it too much.

AlisonGray

Just a quick update, just received an email from HSBC welcoming me to my new account and telling me that....

By now you should have received your:

Bank Account Welcome Pack

Contactless Debit Card

PIN number

HSBC Secure Key, if requested for online banking

Confirmation of your overdraft, if you have arranged one

If you're missing anything, please contact us on 03457 404 404*2 or visit us in branch.

Now it does say Contactless Debit Card, so it is mis-leading to say the least as they have not sent me one !, or can I use that email in my argument to get one ?.

Javens

dr_adidas01 wrote: »

How do you know that threatening them with leaving will result in them giving the OP a contactless card? They may just turn around and say leave then.

Because I've done it before, and if they say 'leave then', you've lost nothing, as a current account cannot be closed over the phone.

AlisonGray wrote: »

Thanks but that sounds risky, as knowing my luck they would say 'Bye', so I have sent a secure message asking for one, and I got a reply to say they would pass it on to the relevant department for action, so I don't know if that's good or bad.

If its a no then I will mention that the bank I am moving from has given me a contactless card so I would effectively now be worse off, but I don't want to push it too much.

Let them say bye... they can't close your account over the phone. You'd have to close it via branch, or writing in.

AlisonGray wrote: »

Just a quick update, just received an email from HSBC welcoming me to my new account and telling me that....

By now you should have received your:

Bank Account Welcome Pack

Contactless Debit Card

PIN number

HSBC Secure Key, if requested for online banking

Confirmation of your overdraft, if you have arranged one

If you're missing anything, please contact us on 03457 404 404*2 or visit us in branch.

Now it does say Contactless Debit Card, so it is mis-leading to say the least as they have not sent me one !, or can I use that email in my argument to get one ?.

Ring them and ask. You've absolutely nothing to lose.

10pence

AlisonGray wrote: »

Now it does say Contactless Debit Card, so it is mis-leading to say the least as they have not sent me one !, or can I use that email in my argument to get one ?.

During account opening the incorrect card has been selected from the drop down list; after all the account opening process isn't without human interaction even if done via telephone or online.

Unlike some poster(s) on here, there is no need to threaten to leave the bank. Ring and request the card as you either need or require it. If they decline file a complaint - HSBC don't particularly like complaints - as according to they state you'll get a contactless card.

Personally, I hate contactless cards as their usage doesn't immediately reflect in your actual balance so can make budgeting a nuisance. HSBC have just 'upgraded' me to one and won't downgrade, so I'll just use it the old fashioned way.

AlisonGray

Just a quick update..............

I got a phone call this morning from a very nice woman at HSBC in response to my Secure Message, she advised that normally they would have to see the account running for around 6 months before issuing a contactless card.

I explained that the bank I was moving from had given me a contactless card, so I felt I was in effect being downgraded, she then said that under the circumstances she would be happy to issue a contactless card.

In all I am very impressed, I did not expect to get a call back and to get the result I was looking for.