Still using the credit card, while out shopping, Bernie?

Still using the credit card, while out shopping, Bernie?

No, don' have a credit card, haven't had one for years now.

I use a debit card, which by the name is the direct opposite of a credit card.

If you are not aware of the difference, a credit card lets you buy things with money you don't necessarily have at that moment, whereas with a debit card, you have to have the money in your bank to pay.

Just for the record since I started this thread I have not used any cash at all.

Does your Debit card work in the USA ?
Mine doesn`t, i have to use credit card.

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With each crime and every kindness we birth our future.

My Visa Debit card is valid at any business that accepts Visa cards, world wide (according to the FAQ at my Credit Union).
The ability to use Paywave (Contactless payments) depends on the terminal used by the business supporting the function.

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Grant
Darwin NT

Yes same here my card is Visa and as my bank says.

Whether you're shopping or at a restaurant abroad, enjoy the convenience of using your cards anywhere that displays the logo on your card.

You can use your cards at cash machines abroad whenever you need extra local currency.

I remember my last trip in 2013, I hired a car online and the details said I would need a credit card to actually hire the vehicle.

So I went and got one from my bank

When I got there they were quite happy to accept my debit card as it is a Visa card, so I didn't need a credit card, I am assuming it will be the same in September!!

I guess that`s a german thing again.
Our debit cards only work in europe.

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With each crime and every kindness we birth our future.

I think it's also a "common language" issue yet again - Americans seem to have a habit of using 'credit card' as the term for all forms of plastic payment. For a long time, the donation page here only mentioned credit cards, but my UK Visa debit card has always worked. Now it says "credit card or VISA check card", which is clunky and still doesn't mention the generic debit card common in other parts of the world.

Bernie, the general advice is to carry more than one form of payment when travelling abroad, just in case of a mishap with your primary card. I've taken to carrying a prepaid Euro cash card (processed by Mastercard, as it happens) when travelling in Europe, in addition to my normal UK cards.

Edit - talking about the donation page, anybody notice how few generic are showing these days? It's great to see so many special donation icons, of course, but we need to keep the lights on too!

So now there are three types of bank cards.
Credit, Debit and Check.
The Check card is new to me.
Strange. "A Visa check card is a type of debit card that looks similar to a credit card but acts like a check because the purchase amount is deducted from the cardholder's checking account."
And if I want to purchase something with a bank card why would the seller accept only one type of bank card but not the other?

So now there are three types of bank cards.
Credit, Debit and Check.
The Check card is new to me.
Strange. "A Visa check card is a type of debit card that looks similar to a credit card but acts like a check because the purchase amount is deducted from the cardholder's checking account."

So a Check (Cheque) card is just a different name for a Debit card.

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Grant
Darwin NT

... purchase something with a bank card why would the seller accept only one type of bank card but not the other?

I think that in general the seller will accept anything that moves, but restrictions may be imposed by the bank which issues the card.

I don't think my Euro cash card can be used for online purchases, for example. It's designed for use with a PIN and with the owner present, and I used it last month in restaurants and gas stations: internet fraud would be too easy if the card got stolen and there were no restrictions.

I guess so. Or perhaps a Check card is a mix of a Credit and Debit card.
Here is an explanation that actually I don't really understand.

Why are you asked "debit or credit" when using your check card?
He or she is simply asking how you want the purchase to be processed. It does not matter which you say, "debit" or "credit," - the transaction will be deducted from your CHECKING account. Responding "credit," will NOT bill your purchase to a credit card.
If you say "debit," the transaction will be processed through the ATM network and you will need to use a PIN (personal identification number).
If you say "credit," your purchase will be processed through the VISA network. You will receive a signed receipt and will not need to give a PIN, which could improve the security of your card.

Why should a customer or seller care how bank transactions work?

That must be a country-specific thing.

Here in the UK, the question is simply "are you paying by card?" and nothing else needs to be said. The same machine processes any card, 99.9% of the time either contactless or by PIN - I haven't had to sign anything for years, possibly decades.

Whether the money leaves my bank account immediately, or is settled through my credit provider at the end of the month, depends entirely on which card I choose to present. There are some benefits from paying by credit card for larger transactions: automatic free insurance (universal), and a small cash kickback (from my particular provider). I suppose the retailer pays for those through higher fees: i'm careful not to lumber small businesses with those.

...Euro cash card...

Oh. A cash card is the fourth type of bank card.
Here is a company called Swish issuing that type of card.
Funny name really. You can hear how your money swishing from your account.
But that type is only meant to be connected to an account with a small amount of money.
And the reciever have also to be connected to the system.
Doesn't work abroad.

That must be a country-specific thing.

My quotes are copied and pasted from the UK Waterford Bank. Hehe:)
https://www.waterfordbank.com/check_card.htm

Waterford Bank is United States, not UK.

Also remember the Charge Card (most famously American Express): monthly billing, but no extended credit.

Waterford sounded very English to me:)
Anyway.
Charge Card?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge_card
But Debit card are also billed monthly or in my case once per year, a fee about 20 Euros.

But Debit card are also billed monthly or in my case once per year, a fee about 20 Euros.

Just shows the difference, I don't get charged for a debit card and I am fairly sure other UK banks don't either.

There was a time when I had an "advance" account (more benefits, personal banker etc) and was charged a monthly fee, but gave up on that when I retired.

Edit - talking about the donation page, anybody notice how few generic are showing these days? It's great to see so many special donation icons, of course, but we need to keep the lights on too!

Note, [some of] the special icons replace the so that it doesn't show even if you have made a generic donation.

... purchase something with a bank card why would the seller accept only one type of bank card but not the other?

I think that in general the seller will accept anything that moves, but restrictions may be imposed by the bank which issues the card.

In the USA there is a cost difference to the merchant between debit cards and credit cards. Debit cards cost more to process, so some places refuse them on that basis.

If you rent a car in the USA, try and use a credit card. The rental company puts a large hold amount on the account. If it is a debit card, they are holding your cash. A credit card they are holding paper and you still have access to your bank account.

Then there is the cost of cash conversion and fees. You may have a better rate with someone other than your bank card. If so, consider cash and/or buying a pre-paid debit card once you are in the USA.

But Debit card are also billed monthly or in my case once per year, a fee about 20 Euros.

Just shows the difference, I don't get charged for a debit card and I am fairly sure other UK banks don't either.
There was a time when I had an "advance" account (more benefits, personal banker etc) and was charged a monthly fee, but gave up on that when I retired.

The difference lies in how much you are trusted in the bank.
The UK, Sweden, USA or whatever.
I'm pretty sure that you in the UK are charged for a debit card as well if you don't have a "personal banker" or a very big loan.
To me I was told that I didn't have a "cash flow" enough!