Amazon Not Taking Visa Credit Cards From Jan 19th 2022

Shagg

The email I got, genuine as I could see on my laptop that it came from Amazon.co.uk - wouldn't have been able to see that on my mobile:

Dear [my full name],

We’re writing to notify you of an upcoming change to Amazon.co.uk.

Starting 19 January, 2022, we will unfortunately no longer accept Visa credit cards issued in the UK, due to the high fees Visa charges for processing credit card transactions. You can still use debit cards (including Visa debit cards) and non-Visa credit cards like Mastercard, Amex, and Eurocard to make purchases. Please update your default payment method now, or add one of these new, eligible payment methods if you do not have one.

You can update your Prime membership <here>, and if you have any subscriptions on Amazon.co.uk, you can update them on the ''manage your subscription'' page <here>.

We know this may be inconvenient, and we’re here to help you through this transition so you can continue enjoying Amazon’s low prices and wide selection. Please visit this <help page> for more information on payment methods, or go directly to your account.

<Update your account now>

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Last week I was offered £10 off my next purchase if I added a new credit card.  Oddly enough, my other Visa credit card, the one I DON'T use for online purchases because it has a very high credit limit, wasn't accepted!  A Mastercard debit card was.  It's a Wise card used for foreign travel and not linked automatically to any of my accounts so I won't be using it.

After I got this morning's email, I looked to see whether Amazon has a tie-up with Mastercard...  Yes they do!  They have their own branded Mastercard credit card. The charge to them will certainly be less than from a Visa credit card.

Will be looking to make purchases before my Prime trial expires (yet again).  Would prefer not to use Amazon thereafter, but what are the alternatives with such a variety of choice?..

Grumpy_chap

It's official:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-59306200

emmajones1976

Grumpy_chap said:

It's official:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-59306200

It was official the second it went on Amazon's website tbf.

NBLondon

Shagg said:

After I got this morning's email, I looked to see whether Amazon has a tie-up with Mastercard...  Yes they do!  They have their own branded Mastercard credit card.

I have one of those.  I took it out last year when Amazon offered me £20 to do so.  I only use it for Amazon so it's already the default there.

So if they offer you an incentive to take it out - that's an MSE solution right there.

emmajones1976

Seems this is all down to the UK leaving the EU so there is no longer a cap on merchant fees, so Visa have chose to raise them.

Another tangible Brexit benefit eh?

Shagg

NBLondon said:

Shagg said:

After I got this morning's email, I looked to see whether Amazon has a tie-up with Mastercard...  Yes they do!  They have their own branded Mastercard credit card.

I have one of those.  I took it out last year when Amazon offered me £20 to do so.  I only use it for Amazon so it's already the default there.

So if they offer you an incentive to take it out - that's an MSE solution right there.

£40 Amazon Gift Card now...

jefaz07

NBLondon said:

Shagg said:

After I got this morning's email, I looked to see whether Amazon has a tie-up with Mastercard...  Yes they do!  They have their own branded Mastercard credit card.

I have one of those.  I took it out last year when Amazon offered me £20 to do so.  I only use it for Amazon so it's already the default there.

So if they offer you an incentive to take it out - that's an MSE solution right there.

I took one out this week. Got £40 free. It’s sitting in my account now. 

bilies123

LondonSouth556 said:

daithecrane said:

Yes. First reaction was that it was a scam. But it is from Amazon. My concern is that other organisations are going to follow suit and stop accepting Visa cards. But, if so, Visa could go out of business if not competitive with Mastercard. Fortunately, I have been offered a credit card from my bank. Perhaps Barclaycard will no migrate to Mastercard?? I don't think this is the end of the matter.

Major UK banks have been moving away from Visa in the last year. Are Visa really charging significantly more than Mastercard I wonder or is there something else going on.

According to media reports, they're both charging 1.5% now. A fair increase from the 0.2% it used to be!
I daresay Mastercard have given Amazon a special rate hence the continued acceptance.

tronator

Will my Curve card still work even if I use a Visa card behind it? I guess yes as it's a Mastercard and Amazon won't know that it will come out of the Visa card at the end.  But who pays the difference in the fees? Curve?

1882

I too got this email and with the offer of £20 when I add a card and buy something which few seem to have been offered. I went in and added my VISA debit card as the only Mastercard I had was already registered with them although my VISA credit was the preferred card.

Problem is it said that the card I added wasn't eligible for the £20 without any further explanation after it accepted the card as a payment method. I tried deleting and adding the Mastercard again only to be met with the same message!