Visa Debit

Visa Electron has nothing to do with what the OP is mentioning, Electron is (in simplified terms) the Visa version of a Solo card.

Visa Delta (now usually just called Visa Debit) (which the OP has been told he is having) is the Visa version of Switch/Maestro, and globally speaking I would imagine it is far more common than Switch/Maestro
 
I remember I couldn't use my Visa Electron to buy tickets for Watford matches. They probably couldn't afford the technology to make the contact with the bank though!
The excitement when I was given my first Visa card from the bank though, I could spend anywhere!

Solo/Maestro still aren't accepted in some places though, wouldn't let my girlfriend buy a ticket for National Rail into Euston, for example.
 
Little summary:

Visa Credit - Accepted wherever you see the VISA sign (near enough all places).
Visa Debit - Accepted wherever you see the VISA sign (near enough all places).
Visa Electron - Also a debit, but isn't always accepted wherever there is a VISA sign. I currently have one of these and always ask when I reach the till, but very few places don't accept it these days, including online retailers (the only place I haven't been able to use it online so far is John Lewis, but I rarely buy from there so it's not a big deal for me).

Edit: With regards to the Visa Debit vs. Switch/Maestro point, I would much rather have a Visa Debit, much more widely accepted, and I plan on changing to this when I can.
 
Justin said:
No it isn't, pretty much everywhere accepts it now.
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I've been using Vista Debit for 6 years, never had it refused. If it has the Visa logo, they'll accept it. That's the whole point of Visa Debit - using the common Visa interface to wrap around direct bank debits, so there didn't need to be another system to handle those.
 
This doesnt seem to hold in the states though, very few places i went seem to be able to take VISA debit, though they could take visa credit cards ok
 
Lopéz said:
Visa Electron has nothing to do with what the OP is mentioning, Electron is (in simplified terms) the Visa version of a Solo card.

Visa Delta (now usually just called Visa Debit) (which the OP has been told he is having) is the Visa version of Switch/Maestro, and globally speaking I would imagine it is far more common than Switch/Maestro
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Visa delta is the the other one I was thinking of. Although are you sure it's the same as the debit? There are usually options online to use VISA or VISA Delta, I always use the VISA option for my Debit card and have never had a problem. If they were the same either I wouldn't be able to use the VISA option or the Delta option would have been removed?
 
saddler said:
This doesnt seem to hold in the states though, very few places i went seem to be able to take VISA debit, though they could take visa credit cards ok
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Not when I went in November, all the places I used my card were fine with it, same with everywhere in europe.
 
AtreuS said:
I beg to differ, had mine for 4 years now and had zero problems, just put it through as a visa and it works.
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This.

Visa delta is better than maestro. Switch changed to maestro ages ago.

More chargeback protection with Visa delta than maestro.

Electron is not accepted on some websites or pay at pump petrol.
 
HSBC is switching to VISA Debit as it is taken in more places world wide than Maestro. It should make traveling around Europe easier - I couldn't use my Maestro card in many places in Germany for example and was sick of people say they took VISA.
 
saddler said:
This doesnt seem to hold in the states though, very few places i went seem to be able to take VISA debit, though they could take visa credit cards ok
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No debit cards work in the states, they dont use chip n pin :( (you still sign everywhere weirdly)

I found this one out over christmas when i checked into the hotel and had to hand over cash as a retainer as i dont own a working credit card, only visa debit and my trusty maestro
 
Again: My debit card worked fine in Las Vegas and LA just last november, as well as a friend of mines. :confused:
 
I have a Solo card at the moment, never had it rejected anywhere except for the train station strangely! When it expires will I get something different?
 
Visa debit is awesome, I'm glad hsbc is moving. you can use it anywhere which accepts normal visa and more importantly it works on foreign sites.
 
Visa Debit uses the same clearing system as Visa credit cards so is as widely accepted. Visa Electron is completely different.

RBS is switching to Visa Debit too soon (They signed the contract the same time as HSBC did so it should be any day now), which I personally can't wait for. Maestro is good, but still not widely accepted (Can't use online on foreign sites, Xbox LIVE doesn't accept it, neither does the Wii).
 
VISA is for 18+ iirc.

Maestro/Solo can be held by under 18s. I have come across websites before that have been a PITA as I was trying to buy something online that is minimum 18 age and they said a maestro is not proof of age I had to email scan ins of passport or my driving license.

VISA>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Maestro/Solo
 
Not quite sure whats with the maestro bashing. I can honestly say i've never had any issue using mine.

That said, after having my card cloned in the summer I only use my maestro once a month now to withdraw cash from the bank. All other purchases go on a credit card for added protection.
 
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