VISA

I've just come back from holiday and the experience has reaffirmed one particular conviction of mine regarding getting cash abroad. I went to Aegina, a small island near Athens with one large town and a number of coastal villages and all I took was my VISA. No travellers cheques or cash, just VISA - and it was fine. I used ATMs when they were available and paid for all my meals with the card and although I didn't use my card there, there were plenty of Beuareau de Change's which would give out money on VISA credit. VISA have better rates than travellers cheques and you don't get charges ... more

I was recently issued a visa Electron debit card by LlotdsTSB, great I thought at last I can use a card and not worry about carrying cash around with me and as it is a debit card and as the info that came with the card says your account balance is checked everytime you use it then there is no chance to over spend ...even better. I was wrong I've had the damn card a few weeks now and ive yet to find a retailer that actually taked the thing ,oh everyone takes Switch ,Delta and a few even take Solo but I'll be dammned if I can find anyone that will accet this, its so inconvenient ,what do the ... more

My very first Visa Card was issued by Barclays many moons ago when I was a student at University. With a student grant as my main source of income I did not use the card very often or for transactions involving sizeable sums. Later on when I was lecturing I got a Visa Card from the old TSB Bank and used the card much more extensively and was very pleased with the service I received. For the last 15 years I have had a Visa Classic Card from HSBC and have equally been pleased with the service. I find Visa to be one of the very best credit cards.What you might ask are my criteria for saying so ... more

I'm getting really sick of being looked down upon by stuck up shop assistans just because I've got an Electron card.When I was offered one by Abbey National I thought I'd be able to use it anywhere because it says Visa on it, how wrong can you be? The only place I've used it so far, successfully, is Asda.I did use it once in Smiths, with no prolems, but the next time I went in there the assistant said they didn't take them, Oh yes you do, I said I brought a cuddly Tigger with it last week.Well apparently I must have imagined the whole episode because they can't take them, she said. I believe ... more

Yes, Just several weeks ago I found the new and very intersting site of the Off-shore UK Bank. They claim that they are a real international off-shore bank and that there services are available world wide. First I thought that off-shore - will be too expensive, but this is the BEST. They offer FREE off-shore checking account with only 50 GBP initial deposit (The only thing, you can't cash it out until closing the account) and the FREE VISA card. Real VISA - not the Electron one with the credit limit of your deposit x 3. So I gave the 75 GBP initial deposit and get the real off-shore checking ... more

Visa is recognised everywhere - as long as it is Visa and not Electron, but that's another story. When I went to Crete and ran out of money, I got money out on my Visa card, with only a minimal charge. This might seem obvious, but I think it is one of the card's great advantages. How many times has it got me out of a scrape? Not just getting money out but paying for things by card. I only wish the limit was lower! When buying stuff over the phone or on the internet it is invaluable - though I can't get cashback on it, which is a bit of a pain. Otherwise, a pretty handy little card! Just don't ... more