Mastercard DEBIT
Apr 13th 2010, 7:17 am
#1
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2009
Location: Somewhere in Hamilton, ON
Posts: 4,307
Mastercard DEBIT
Any thoughts please...
RBS has just changed our Maestro cards on our current accounts to Mastercard DEBIT!!
In the initial few weeks of having them a couple of times the shops machines declined our cards - very embarassing!
When we spoke to the bank they said that it was a new type of card and that not all shops had updated their software to read them!!! Not very helpful!
Anyway, we're over in Canada in May and our bank has reassured us that we can use the cards over there with no problem but does anybody have experience of Mastercard DEBIT in Canada as we don't want to be in a situation where we either don't have enough money with us (don't like / use credit cards) or the embarassement of them being declined!
Thanks for your thoughts...
RBS has just changed our Maestro cards on our current accounts to Mastercard DEBIT!!
In the initial few weeks of having them a couple of times the shops machines declined our cards - very embarassing!
When we spoke to the bank they said that it was a new type of card and that not all shops had updated their software to read them!!! Not very helpful!
Anyway, we're over in Canada in May and our bank has reassured us that we can use the cards over there with no problem but does anybody have experience of Mastercard DEBIT in Canada as we don't want to be in a situation where we either don't have enough money with us (don't like / use credit cards) or the embarassement of them being declined!
Thanks for your thoughts...
Apr 13th 2010, 7:24 am
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2009
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 424
Re: Mastercard DEBIT
Any thoughts please...
RBS has just changed our Maestro cards on our current accounts to Mastercard DEBIT!!
In the initial few weeks of having them a couple of times the shops machines declined our cards - very embarassing!
When we spoke to the bank they said that it was a new type of card and that not all shops had updated their software to read them!!! Not very helpful!
Anyway, we're over in Canada in May and our bank has reassured us that we can use the cards over there with no problem but does anybody have experience of Mastercard DEBIT in Canada as we don't want to be in a situation where we either don't have enough money with us (don't like / use credit cards) or the embarassement of them being declined!
Thanks for your thoughts...
RBS has just changed our Maestro cards on our current accounts to Mastercard DEBIT!!
In the initial few weeks of having them a couple of times the shops machines declined our cards - very embarassing!
When we spoke to the bank they said that it was a new type of card and that not all shops had updated their software to read them!!! Not very helpful!
Anyway, we're over in Canada in May and our bank has reassured us that we can use the cards over there with no problem but does anybody have experience of Mastercard DEBIT in Canada as we don't want to be in a situation where we either don't have enough money with us (don't like / use credit cards) or the embarassement of them being declined!
Thanks for your thoughts...
I also have a UK AMEX card which everyone is amazed over here has a Chip & PIN - again it doesn't work we have to sign for them in the old fashioned way!
Apr 13th 2010, 11:02 am
#3
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,284
Re: Mastercard DEBIT
Our First Direct card works here if they treat it as if it was a credit card, otherwise if gets rejected.
Apr 13th 2010, 11:14 am
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2010
Location: Ontario
Posts: 35
Re: Mastercard DEBIT
Any thoughts please...
RBS has just changed our Maestro cards on our current accounts to Mastercard DEBIT!!
In the initial few weeks of having them a couple of times the shops machines declined our cards - very embarassing!
When we spoke to the bank they said that it was a new type of card and that not all shops had updated their software to read them!!! Not very helpful!
Anyway, we're over in Canada in May and our bank has reassured us that we can use the cards over there with no problem but does anybody have experience of Mastercard DEBIT in Canada as we don't want to be in a situation where we either don't have enough money with us (don't like / use credit cards) or the embarassement of them being declined!
Thanks for your thoughts...
RBS has just changed our Maestro cards on our current accounts to Mastercard DEBIT!!
In the initial few weeks of having them a couple of times the shops machines declined our cards - very embarassing!
When we spoke to the bank they said that it was a new type of card and that not all shops had updated their software to read them!!! Not very helpful!
Anyway, we're over in Canada in May and our bank has reassured us that we can use the cards over there with no problem but does anybody have experience of Mastercard DEBIT in Canada as we don't want to be in a situation where we either don't have enough money with us (don't like / use credit cards) or the embarassement of them being declined!
Thanks for your thoughts...
Hi there,
They have just changed mine to a Visa Debit but I haven't even used in the UK yet. Please post how you get on with your card as we will be over in June, so will be good to know.
Thanks
BMM69
Apr 13th 2010, 11:47 am
#5
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,332
Re: Mastercard DEBIT
My UK Abbey card has been Visa debit for the last couple of years, here in Canada I tell cashiers that it's a credit card, it works fine. It's also chip and pin, more chip and pin machines will be in use here by the Summer.
Apr 13th 2010, 11:54 am
#6
Analyst for hire
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Toronto
Posts: 1,698
Re: Mastercard DEBIT
Just make sure the cashiers over here put it through as a credit card and it should be fine. Debit works differently over here.
Apr 13th 2010, 1:50 pm
#7
Slob
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Ottineau
Posts: 6,342
Re: Mastercard DEBIT
My Canadian visa card (Desjardins) is chip & PIN. I've had it for a year and only had to use the PIN a few times (always the same grocery store).
Apr 13th 2010, 2:21 pm
#8
Purpe80 in another life..
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 665
Re: Mastercard DEBIT
Mine works fine here.
Apr 13th 2010, 6:09 pm
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Location: Vancouver Island, BC
Posts: 251
Re: Mastercard DEBIT
As long as your card states something like Cirrus on the back you can use it abroad (I am sure there are other symbols for foreign use too). I know that when using your debit card abroad your transaction is treated like a credit card as far as the tills are concerned.
Apr 14th 2010, 9:13 am
#10
Just Joined
Joined: Jul 2009
Location: Canterbury (UK) / London (Ontario)
Posts: 23
Re: Mastercard DEBIT
Or have an alternative e.g. Mastercard credit card - set up a direct debit to pay off the full amount every month to ensure you never pay interest.
Or switch to a bank that uses Visa debit. IIRC I thought Natwest and RBS were switching to Visa Debit because of problems with Switch/Maestro/Mastercard Debit (think they are all names for the same system).
Or switch to a bank that uses Visa debit. IIRC I thought Natwest and RBS were switching to Visa Debit because of problems with Switch/Maestro/Mastercard Debit (think they are all names for the same system).
Apr 14th 2010, 9:46 am
#11
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 280
Re: Mastercard DEBIT
ok MC is fine over there,
everywhere I went. they looked at my Barclays Debit card , which had Visa written on it and tried to say it was a credit card.
A lot of shops take Debit cards, all the main bank ATM machines will take UK cards, visa, mc, amex etc
you wont have a problem, actually I never ever saw a Mastro sign, but plenty of MC / PLUS / VISA signs
you'll be fine !
everywhere I went. they looked at my Barclays Debit card , which had Visa written on it and tried to say it was a credit card.
A lot of shops take Debit cards, all the main bank ATM machines will take UK cards, visa, mc, amex etc
you wont have a problem, actually I never ever saw a Mastro sign, but plenty of MC / PLUS / VISA signs
you'll be fine !
Any thoughts please...
RBS has just changed our Maestro cards on our current accounts to Mastercard DEBIT!!
In the initial few weeks of having them a couple of times the shops machines declined our cards - very embarassing!
When we spoke to the bank they said that it was a new type of card and that not all shops had updated their software to read them!!! Not very helpful!
Anyway, we're over in Canada in May and our bank has reassured us that we can use the cards over there with no problem but does anybody have experience of Mastercard DEBIT in Canada as we don't want to be in a situation where we either don't have enough money with us (don't like / use credit cards) or the embarassement of them being declined!
Thanks for your thoughts...
RBS has just changed our Maestro cards on our current accounts to Mastercard DEBIT!!
In the initial few weeks of having them a couple of times the shops machines declined our cards - very embarassing!
When we spoke to the bank they said that it was a new type of card and that not all shops had updated their software to read them!!! Not very helpful!
Anyway, we're over in Canada in May and our bank has reassured us that we can use the cards over there with no problem but does anybody have experience of Mastercard DEBIT in Canada as we don't want to be in a situation where we either don't have enough money with us (don't like / use credit cards) or the embarassement of them being declined!
Thanks for your thoughts...
Apr 14th 2010, 9:47 am
#12
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 280
Re: Mastercard DEBIT
They will see VISA (even on a debit card) AS a credit card and there machines wont accept it. EVEN if its a debit card.
MOST shops DONT take credit card but will take debit.
MC signs are all over the place the OP wont have a problem
<edited to add>
some big shops take credit/debit.. small outlets only debit
MOST shops DONT take credit card but will take debit.
MC signs are all over the place the OP wont have a problem
<edited to add>
some big shops take credit/debit.. small outlets only debit
Or have an alternative e.g. Mastercard credit card - set up a direct debit to pay off the full amount every month to ensure you never pay interest.
Or switch to a bank that uses Visa debit. IIRC I thought Natwest and RBS were switching to Visa Debit because of problems with Switch/Maestro/Mastercard Debit (think they are all names for the same system).
Or switch to a bank that uses Visa debit. IIRC I thought Natwest and RBS were switching to Visa Debit because of problems with Switch/Maestro/Mastercard Debit (think they are all names for the same system).
Apr 14th 2010, 9:49 am
#13
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 280
Re: Mastercard DEBIT
yup Cirrus is another one which works
and correct they treat your card as a credit card as far as tills are concerned
and correct they treat your card as a credit card as far as tills are concerned
Apr 14th 2010, 7:18 pm
#14
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2009
Location: Vancouver Island, BC
Posts: 251
Re: Mastercard DEBIT
They are actually getting rid of the Maestro card too which is why RBS have changed this one. Not sure when but they will be no more soon leaving
Visa Credit
Visa Debit
Mastercard Credit
Mastercard Debit
Visa Electron (taking over all solo cards)
There is also recognition for UK Visa debit and International Visa debit....I mean they will register a different way on some sites.
Visa Credit
Visa Debit
Mastercard Credit
Mastercard Debit
Visa Electron (taking over all solo cards)
There is also recognition for UK Visa debit and International Visa debit....I mean they will register a different way on some sites.
Apr 14th 2010, 7:58 pm
#15
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Mastercard DEBIT
As long as the merchant accepts Master Card you will be fine, however it will be like others have said processed as a credit card and not a debit card with PIN.
I never came across a merchant in Canada who did not accept credit cards, only the smallest of places wont, just carry some cash with you.
I never came across a merchant in Canada who did not accept credit cards, only the smallest of places wont, just carry some cash with you.
