New Credit Card Designs

SoozyJ22

jet01 said:Do card companies still accept payments taken using carbon slips on those old slider imprint machines? I don’t remember anywhere taking payment from me using one of those since the late nineties. I assumed the fact that these are now obsolete was one of the main reasons many cards are no longer embossed with the card number on the front.

About 18 months ago a new restaurant opened in my town - part of a chain with about 100 restaurants. I popped in a couple of days after it opened to make a booking and found the manager walking round with an imprint machine as they didn't have the proper card machine infrastructure set up yet. It was a surprise to say the least! 

stclair

It appears TSB have changed their credit card design.
https://www.tsb.co.uk/credit-cards/

Sandtree

jet01 said:

WillPS said:

It doesn't matter one jot in terms of deciding which product to use, but my preference is for a flat card rather than one with embossed details as the foil always rubs off within a few months, and they take up more wallet space.

In 20 years of having a debit card I have honestly never had an imprint taken; although the first 7 of those would have been an electronic-only Solo card.

Do card companies still accept payments taken using carbon slips on those old slider imprint machines? I don’t remember anywhere taking payment from me using one of those since the late nineties. I assumed the fact that these are now obsolete was one of the main reasons many cards are no longer embossed with the card number on the front.

I think they do, certainly 5 years ago was in a restaurant that had a power cut and they went to the carbon slips... I have also had to use one a couple of times when in the USA but probably about the same sort of timescales.

[Deleted User]

Sandtree said:

jet01 said:

WillPS said:

It doesn't matter one jot in terms of deciding which product to use, but my preference is for a flat card rather than one with embossed details as the foil always rubs off within a few months, and they take up more wallet space.

In 20 years of having a debit card I have honestly never had an imprint taken; although the first 7 of those would have been an electronic-only Solo card.

Do card companies still accept payments taken using carbon slips on those old slider imprint machines? I don’t remember anywhere taking payment from me using one of those since the late nineties. I assumed the fact that these are now obsolete was one of the main reasons many cards are no longer embossed with the card number on the front.

I think they do, certainly 5 years ago was in a restaurant that had a power cut and they went to the carbon slips... I have also had to use one a couple of times when in the USA but probably about the same sort of timescales.

Well the USA still swipe and sign so using an imprint machine still is probably no biggy.

BNJ78

I know I'm late to the party here, but I read that the new design was for accessibility - the little dip and the bottom is to easily identify which way round to put the card into the machine.

The new design helps customers easily and quickly identify the correct way a card should be inserted into a cash machine. The flat design also makes it easier to fit into a wallet or purses and helps to increase the lifespan of the card. The larger card lettering helps make it easier for customers to identify in poor lighting.

As part of the development of the card design, NatWest has been working closely with the Alzheimer’s Society to make sure the new cards also help customers with dementia. Extra features such as the notch and raised dots, differentiate the card from others and act as a reminder to dementia customers which way around the card should be. Additionally with all customers having the same card any stigma associated with a special card is taken away.

David Wheldon, NatWest Chief Marketing Officer said: “We know more of our customers could benefit from our accessible cards and this is a great way to not only help people with dementia and visually impaired customers but also ensures all customers can take advantage of the new design.”

hoc

This new card design does not make it easy to identify cards in a traditional wallet or purse, it makes it much harder as the text and logo that should appear at the top of the card are now hidden on the left side when tucked in horizontally into a card slot. With contactless far more prevalent over inserting for chip & pin the value of this orientation is lost. The extreme minimalism some of these cards have adopted make it rather difficult now to make sure I'm using the correct card.

It is also awkward for the name to not be on the front, this is frequently required for verification purposes on a prepaid purchase and causes additional and unnecessary faffing about for staff. The signature box is also far too short.

The only improvement in this design is the CVV being engraved and not printed with ink which should ensure it doesn't fade. I think this vertical design should have been an optional alternative for those who want it. Otherwise all cards should change to this new style so it is consistent and new wallets and purposes can be used. Halifax have within a few months sent me a new credit card with this vertical design and a new debit card with the old horizontal design.

[Deleted User]

hoc said:

This new card design does not make it easy to identify cards in a traditional wallet or purse, it makes it much harder as the text and logo that should appear at the top of the card are now hidden on the left side when tucked in horizontally into a card slot. With contactless far more prevalent over inserting for chip & pin the value of this orientation is lost. The extreme minimalism some of these cards have adopted make it rather difficult now to make sure I'm using the correct card.

It is also awkward for the name to not be on the front, this is frequently required for verification purposes on a prepaid purchase and causes additional and unnecessary faffing about for staff. The signature box is also far too short.

The only improvement in this design is the CVV being engraved and not printed with ink which should ensure it doesn't fade. I think this vertical design should have been an optional alternative for those who want it. Otherwise all cards should change to this new style so it is consistent and new wallets and purposes can be used. Halifax have within a few months sent me a new credit card with this vertical design and a new debit card with the old horizontal design.

The card slots in my wallet are already vertical and I prefer vertical slots. You're assuming every wallet and purse on the market has horizontal slots.

[Deleted User]

Came across this



Debit card but there is a credit card as well which I assume is the same design but silver/grey

od244051

Had a new Halifax credit card today. I hardly use it, it’s just a backup.

My main concern is the print of the numbers and name will rub off as not embossed. Yes most cards will not go into a machine now with contactless and paying online. Some cards can have numbers rubbed off when sitting in a purse/wallet 

kaMelo

od244051 said:

Had a new Halifax credit card today. I hardly use it, it’s just a backup.

My main concern is the print of the numbers and name will rub off as not embossed. Yes most cards will not go into a machine now with contactless and paying online. Some cards can have numbers rubbed off when sitting in a purse/wallet 

The embossing makes the numbers stand proud, they are the parts that touch other surfaces hence why they rub off.
The non embossed printed numbers do not stand proud so there is no reason as to why they would rub off any more than any other part of the card..
For example, my debit card only has printed numbers, started 01/19 so over two years old and they are still as clear as the day it was new.