definition of Maestro, Switch, Cirrus, Delta, etc ?

Thanks. Unfortunately this is a rather brief list. There is no mention of: Cirrus, Link, Visa Plus, etc.

I have added the info on that page to what I had already guessed to create the list below. It's still pretty incomplete. Maybe someone else can add some more info.

Thanks.

JJ

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Maestro = international debit card and ATM cash card

Cirrus = cash withdrawal abroad from debit card ??

Switch = common UK based debit card. Will be superseded by maestro over the coming years.

Link = ? Visa Delta = debit card that uses the Visa system Visa Electron = debit card that uses the Visa system (what is the difference?)

Plus = ? Visa Plus = ?

Visa debit card = ?

any others?

J.J. wrote: || Shevek wrote: || ||| On Mon, 14 Jun 2004 17:05:18 +0100, "J.J." ||| wrote: ||| |||| What exactly are these logos I see on my debit and credit |||| cards? |||| ||| |||

Link - Common point for withdrawing money from ATM's. Most ATM have a big Link logo above them which means you can withdraw cash from them. Most UK cashpoint cards are capapble of using the Link system.

Doesn't the Cirrus logo mean the same thing abroad?

Electron is the same as delta but has restrictions on how much you can spend on it. Usually issued to some under-18's and ppl who habe had debt problems i the past.

a.k.a. visa delta

basically visa delta and switch are both debit card systems from different companies.

maestro is a euro debit card company and has an agreement with switch - so you can use your switch card abraod if it advertises as taking maestro.

Maestro is done by Mastercard, AFAIAA

Without a hint of irony, "steeler" astounded uk.finance on 14 Jun 2004 by announcing:

Not just an agreement anymore. Switch is now (UK) Domestic Maestro.

Electron isn't accepted in a lot of places that accept Delta, though. I've noticed the signs on petrol pumps.

Don't know......I've seen a few places that accept both. Think it depends on the retailer

That may be the issuing criteria for Electron card, but simply put, Visa Electron is a debit card for use only at electronic terminals - they cannot be used at places not so equipped, which are very much in the minority. The reason for this is that Electron needs (automatic) authorisation for every transaction, while Visa Delta can be accepted freely within the merchant's floor limit, which varies. Because of this, Electron is suitable for those with no overdraft privilege or lower creditworthiness.

Alec

Wasn't link the internal UK system set up by Building Societies many moons ago? I remember when inter-bank withdrawals were charged, you could use the Link system for free and none of the big banks - NatWest, Midlands, Barclays, Lloyds - used it.

- dr. mabuse snipped-for-privacy@instamail.org

---------------------------------------------------------------- "Duran Duran swooned us to altitudes ecclesiastic." - Village Voice

What about Solo? The poor man's Switch?

As far as I can tell, it's the baby version of Switch like Electron is the baby version of Delta.

- dr. mabuse snipped-for-privacy@instamail.org

---------------------------------------------------------------- "Duran Duran swooned us to altitudes ecclesiastic." - Village Voice

From soon - Switch == Maestro. Switch is being dropped, at least according to the info leaflet included with my bank statement last week.

Pretty much.

Yes, they seem to give Solo debit cards to people who have accounts which banks aren't certain about, ie poor/uncertain credit rating, minimal debits into account and people under 18 can have them.

Dusty Bin

or for those who request a solo

TracyM

Why would anyone do that?

You may as well tattoo 'pikey' on your forehead.

I requested a solo account as I just wanted a basic account that I couldnt go overdrawn on. Thanks for the insult!

That was the same for me, just wanting a basic account

Thankyou

TracyM

begin quote from dr. mabuse in uk.finance about: Re: definition of Maestro, Switch, Cirrus, Delta, etc ?

Indeed, although (virtually?) everyone has joined since then. LINK also included some of the smaller banks (Yorkshire Bank and Co-operative Bank amongst others, iirc, and also the Airdrie Savings Bank (I've used what is probably their only ATM!)), and also AmEx.

Once upon a time I had a leaflet detailing the location of every LINK ATM in the country(!) from my BS.

And don't forget the even smaller Matrix network, including, iirc, Alliance & Leicester, and, for some strange reason, Bank of Scotland. This later merged with LINK.

There were other free (but limited) ATM networks, covering the 'big players' before LINK: TSB/Clydesdale/Midland[sic]/NatWest and BoS/RBoS/Lloyds/Barclays

I remember when TSB joined LINK and then merg\\\\were assimilated by Lloyds and I think that was the first time I had a single ATM card I could use anywhere.