How to explain 'online authorisation only'cards to bank staff

[Yew]

Hey all,

I'm just back from natwest. I went with the simple aim of changing my student current account, to their normal account. In order to get a card that allowed offline transactions, as my current (Blue) card cannot do that. Anyway, after a good 15 mins of discussion, the staff had no idea what I was talking about. Maintaining that 'the student account it a proper account and it should work, maybe the card is damaged' So now I have a new card on the way.

Just wondering if anyone has tips for explaining this to the staff at the bank, as they didnt seem to understand the concept of an offline transaction, even when given the examples of advantix machines, and pay at the pump petrol.

Thanks, Yew

 

[bb21]

Can you not just ask them for a normal Debit card? They might be willing to do that now that you have had the account for a few years.

I had a student account with NatWest and have always had the normal Debit card. They are automatically converted to the graduate account after you finish for a number of years to allow you to still have an interest-free overdraft, and finally converting to an ordinary current account after another three years. If you convert to an ordinary current account now you lose your interest-free overdraft.

Do you have an overdraft on your account?

 

[Yew]

Do you have an overdraft on your account?

Yes, Although I've managed to avoid going into it, and now I'm employed I think it should stay the same.

I think next time rather than asking to upgrade to an account that has offline transactions enabled, I'll just ask to change to their standard current account.

I did find it truly amazing that, in a branch near a university, none of the staff has came across this issue before.

 

[DownSouth]

Speak to a supervisor with better product knowledge than the grunt at the front.

 

[starrymarkb]

Ask if it has the same restrictions as a Solo/Electron card (the older name for Online only cards)

 

[Yew]

Ask if it has the same restrictions as a Solo/Electron card (the older name for Online only cards)

I'm wondering if there is a better phase for 'online only' as I imagine that put into the staff members head thoughts of internet sites like ebay and amazon?

 

[DownSouth]

I'm wondering if there is a better phase for 'online only' as I imagine that put into the staff members head thoughts of internet sites like ebay and amazon?

Good point, considering that many banks offer cards prohibiting online (i.e. internet vendors) transactions.

Perhaps calling a central contact instead of visiting a branch might be better? Call centre operators are generally, in my experience, better at recognising the limits of their expertise and passing you on to the right person - it helps that they aren't seeing you face to face as they admit they don't know the answer.

 

[IanXC]

Strictly speaking a bank is not permitted to admit there are different types of card - its against the scheme rules! (As in a Visa debit card is a Visa debit card is a Visa debit card.) Although I'd suggest its unlikely this is the reason you've not had success!

Are the online and offline Natwest cards not different colours? Do they issue contactless debit cards (have to be offline) yet? That could be 2 ways of describing what you're after.

 

[transmanche]

Strictly speaking a bank is not permitted to admit there are different types of card - its against the scheme rules! (As in a Visa debit card is a Visa debit card is a Visa debit card.) Although I'd suggest its unlikely this is the reason you've not had success!

I notice that the information leaflet for the NatWest Basic Bank Account's Visa Debit Card does state explicitly the restrictions.

Your card helps you budget by ensuring every transaction is checked with the bank before it is agreed.

Please note, this means your card cannot be used at merchants who are unable to connect to the bank’s systems for these checks. Most merchants can, but examples of those who cannot include unattended petrol pumps and some readers on trains, ships or planes.

This also means your card is not compatible with the technology needed to make contactless payments.

 

[GB]

According to Natwest, VISA debit cards issued by Natwest need to connect to the bank system in order to check there are sufficient funds...

How your card works
Your card helps you budget by ensuring every
transaction is checked with the bank before it
is agreed.

Please note, this means your card cannot be used at
merchants who are unable to connect to the bank’s
systems for these checks. Most merchants can, but
examples of those who cannot include unattended petrol
pumps and some readers on trains, ships or planes.
This also means your card is not compatible with the
technology needed to make contactless payments.

http://personal.natwest.com/personal/current-accounts/your-visa-debit-card.html

 

[Yew]

Aha, I wonder if i'll have more success trying to get hold of a contactless card.

(Supposedly when I called them a few weeks ago, this was what they where going to do anyway)

 

[maniacmartin]

I'd refer to it as a full authorisation card to avoid the online/internet confusion.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Strictly speaking a bank is not permitted to admit there are different types of card - its against the scheme rules! (As in a Visa debit card is a Visa debit card is a Visa debit card.)

I don't agree with Visa on this. The loss of the separate branding for what was Electron just leads to confusion.

 

[IanXC]

Interesting quotes from Natwest publicity. What I stated was certainly the case when Electron was withdrawn, there is a conflict with the regulator's view which might be influencing them too.

 

[bb21]

According to Natwest, VISA debit cards issued by Natwest need to connect to the bank system in order to check there are sufficient funds...

Not all of them do.

I have a NatWest Visa Debit card that does not require online authorisation. They come in different colours. The online-only ones are blue iirc, whereas I have a purple one.

I don't agree with Visa on this. The loss of the separate branding for what was Electron just leads to confusion.

Visa are powerful, too powerful at times. I'm sure you know what happens with powerful organisations.

 

[Yew]

Not all of them do.

I have a NatWest Visa Debit card that does not require online authorisation. They come in different colours. The online-only ones are blue iirc, whereas I have a purple one.

Indeed, I had a purple one to begin with, then moved to my student account which gave me a blue card upon renewal. I had an unpleasant surprise when I first tried to get a ticket from an advantix. Fortunately I had enough money to cover the fare.

I might try a larger branch, maybe the staff will be more savvy.

 

[transmanche]

I might try a larger branch, maybe the staff will be more savvy.

Try pointing them to this answer on the NatWest Ideasbank site, or this tweet from @NatWest_Help.

 

[fowler9]

Many thanks for all the info guys. I was kind of confused as my Nat West card from when I opened the account was blue and wouldn't work on the portable card readers that conductors carry. What baffles me is that despite choosing to downgrade my account to one with no monthly fee about 2 years ago the new card I was sent when the old one expired last October was a purple one which lets me make contactless payments and I presume pay by card on the portable machines. Despite opting to downgrade my account I now have a more versatile card. Perhaps it is because I had at that point had an account with them for three years and not caused any problems? I would be interested if anyone knows the reason for this purely out of interest.

 

[Yew]

I rang them up, asked for a contactless card. I now have a lovely purple contactless card in my wallet. (And got them to ring the 0845 number for a new credit card too, saved me a few pennies )

 

[bb21]

Perhaps it is because I had at that point had an account with them for three years and not caused any problems? I would be interested if anyone knows the reason for this purely out of interest.

It could be for all sorts of reasons. Apart from what you have mentioned, it may also depend on age, internal credit rating, account type, etc. A more expensive account does not necessarily mean a "better card".

I rang them up, asked for a contactless card. I now have a lovely purple contactless card in my wallet. (And got them to ring the 0845 number for a new credit card too, saved me a few pennies )

Well done.

 

[fowler9]

It could be for all sorts of reasons. Apart from what you have mentioned, it may also depend on age, internal credit rating, account type, etc. A more expensive account does not necessarily mean a "better card".



Well done.

Possibly, but my age has gone from 35 to 39 and if anything my credit rating is worse following a period of unemployment and plenty of unpaid bills.