Advantages: Increased Online Security, Will Eventually Replace The Visa, Excellent And Fast Customer Service, Usually A Good Account Package (From My Experience With Barclays And The Abbey National)
Disadvantages: 7.5 million outlets in the UK accept the card. 11.8 million do not, and most smaller shops havent even heard of it. Online usage is still very difficult as most sites still dont accept it.

...The Falcon writes... Whilst the Visa Electron, the new 'Electronic Use Only' card from Visa, seems like a fantastic idea since it offers increased security for internet transactions, and a long needed update to the Visa system, and a host of other things your 'Personal Banker' will speil off at you, the card has one quite major flaw. Unlike its father the Visa, which has become the global electronic currency, the fledgling Electron is not accepted in very many places at all. In fact, apart from your large chain stores like Woolworths and Tesco, it's hardly accepted anywhere at all. And on the internet, which, as the name suggests, is the main area your card is meant to be used, it is hardly accepted anywhere! I do alot of internet surfing and consequently alot of shopping too, at the major sites like amazon.com,whsmith.co.uk, and tesco... Read review

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Advantages: You won't be in the red
Disadvantages: not widely accepted

...I have used a visa electron for the past 5 years, and I find it easier to manage than a normal visa. The great news is that the Visa Electron looks like a normal Visa with a chip and PIN. But let's get to the point: with a visa electron you are not untitled to any overdraft. The money you spend or withdraw is automatically deducted from your account straight away, so there are no bad surprises at the end of the month. If you want to purchase something make sure you have enough in your account otherwise the transaction will not be accepted. It taught me to manage my account and to not overspend and yes it was hard at the beginning with all the bills to pay, the rent, travel… but I am so glad I do not to live on any loans or credit card. The visa electron is widely accepted in shops (H&M, Tiffany's and Co, Sainsbury's… the list... Read review

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Advantages: good prices
Disadvantages: bit slow on site at times

...www.intersaver.co.uk This site offers consumer electronics from major manufacturers at low prices. they have a number of sections and cover a large range of consumer electronics. I have bought a microwave from them and it was on sale at a high street shop at the same time for £20 more. they deliver in the evenings and the staff are both friendly and helpful. The only slight gripe is that my e-mails were not a first answered but once sorted out they were excellent. They are moving into other areas as well (Home and Garden) I think this is a very good site but the links are sometimes very slow. I recommend it to you all.... Read review

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Advantages: is accepted worldwide, spend what you have, no fee at Ryanair and Easyjet
Disadvantages: some internet and normal stores don't accept it

...Since I have joined this community, I was taken aback from how many of you people don't like Visa Electron. I do agree that they have limitations, but they DO have good traits. I'm Italian and have moved to England a few years ago. It's useless to let you know what difficulties I had when I first arrived, but something that really helped me out was my Italian "postepay" card, a pre-paid credit card issued by the Italian post office. You can charge it with up to €3000 euros and works pretty well on the Internet and in the shops. Visa Electron prepaid credit cards were introduced in Italy in November 2003, by the Post Office. I signed up for mine in December 2003 and it has only recently (December 2007) sadly expired. I won't renew it, but only because now I have better accounts. One of my accounts, though, has a Visa Electron card... Read review

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Advantages: One of the only debit cards available to under 18s
Disadvantages: Not accepted everywhere

...There are only two debit cards that I know of which are available to under 18's, one being Visa Electron and the other being Solo. I decided when I was 17 that I wanted a debit card, as they are so much easier than carrying cash around with me - and much safer too. My bank account at the time was with Lloyds TSB, but they could not offer me any type of debit card because of my age. After finding out that Halifax would be able to give me an account with a Visa Electron card I quickly accepted and opened a new account with them. My card arrived, and I hit the shops! It was so easy to be able to walk around town with my Visa Electron in my wallet and just a small sum of cash for the places which don't take it. I felt safer, knowing that if my purse was stolen I didn't have any cash in there to lose, and that my debit card could... Read review

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