Using a UK Debit Card

[stevegrother]

I decided that the best way for me to spend was to open a Nationwide current account and put my spending money in the account. There are no fees at all, at the moment with the use of a Nationwide debit card. (However, need to be carefull as some ATMs will charge a fee- I'm still trying to figure out which ones do not.)

However, everytime I make a purchase on the card I am asked "credit or debit?". As this is a debit card I say "debit" but the card is declined. They then try under the "credit" system and the card is authorised. One store told me that as I am "not from around here" I should always say "credit". Can someone explain whatthis means please. Thanks.

PS- lovely and sunny at the moment- having a chill day and some shopping !

[Susan Veness]

I don't have a good answer for your question, but it MIGHT be something like what we have with our bank card. When we opened up the card account, we were told it was both a credit card AND a debit card. Not true. We used it as we would a credit card, but the money came out immediately. Had a long conversation with our bank manager, who insisted it was both a credit card and a debit card, but when I said, "What is the definition of a credit card?" they had to admit that this one didn't offer CREDIT, it was instant DEBIT, and therefore our card could not correctly be a credit card.

BUT....

When we use it we have the option of pushing either credit or debit. If we call it 'credit', we don't have to put our PIN number in. If we push Debit, we do. That's the extent of the difference. Might be that way for you, too?

[ELAINE]

We found that a debit card using the visa system needs to be called a credit card ( even though it isn't) but cards using the switch (now meastro) system went through ok as a debit card??? I have no idea why but we just said credit whenever asked and everything seemed to go through ok

[Ret400]

Be careful with your Nationwide account. I read a thread here the other month which said its abour to start charging very soon.

I'm not sure re the credit debit thing, but it may be that when you are abroad the card processing/acceptance has to use the VISA or MASTERCARD processing sytem and is not recognised being an overseas card as a debit (fro a loval bank).

It should make no diffrence to your charges either way.

[stevegrother]

Thanks all- I think the Nationwide card starts charging in some countries from next month, I will still use it in my Portugal hols in August as Europe is still fee free. It is a bit confusing this credit debit thing but as long as they simply take the money from my account I should be ok..thanks.

[Ret400]

Thanks all- I think the Nationwide card starts charging in some countries from next month, I will still use it in my Portugal hols in August as Europe is still fee free. It is a bit confusing this credit debit thing but as long as they simply take the money from my account I should be ok..thanks.

Apologies for being slow on the uptake hear.

Yes it will just come out of your current account. It does not mean that you suddenly have a credit card account. You have not entered into a credit acgreement etc