imutual.co.uk

First Direct have notified me that my Visa debit card will shortly be replaced by a MasterCard. This will mean that I don't have any Visa cards at all.

I don't think I've come across anywhere that takes one but not the other. So does it matter that I only have MC (and Amex)?

In most usual circumstances, it won't matter in the UK. Any situation that might treat them differently is likely to be pretty obscure, perhaps withdrawal of gambling winnings, or something like that. If you do want a VISA card there are still plenty around.

Sounds like Mastercard are having a drive to get new custom. Tesco recently changed my Visa for MC. I wonder if they are offering special rates to banks in order to get the new business.

Bear in mind that First Direct are part of HSBC who may or may not follow on later, (if they have not done so already).

In the case of whether you need one or both if there was a system failure on of them it might just bite you if you are trying to use it. But I guess it is not that likely.

Same thing happened to me some years back. I've only had MC and Amex for quite a few years now and it's made no difference to my life at all.

Many banks have flipped their cards between the major providers, some multiple times, or even issued more than one card type at the same time; including First Direct previously moving from Switch/MasterCard to Visa. The reasons might simply be as mundane as contracts coming to an end, going out to re-tender and the Incumbant not always submitting the winning bid.

yes the two providers have competed, and at times the UK providers have moved en masse from one to the other.
the basic answer to your question Pab, is that it doesn't ordinarily make any difference.
fwiw i currently have 12 debit cards, all of which are Visa.

Thanks, all. I recall occasional promotions only available to holders of one or the other and that was driving a bit of fomo.

That's true; well remembered. Each provider runs their own prize draws (etc) from time to time and both have done occasional Amazon promotions.

planteria wrote: ↑

Thu Jun 10 2021 11:26am

fwiw i currently have 12 debit cards, all of which are Visa.

12! Do you have three wallets too?

I'm assuming there is a profitable reason to have 12, rather than a practical one. Are you just shifting money from one to another and so forth to get kickbacks of some sort?

all goes back to some serious stoozing days gar.. 2 are company account cards, of the personal ones there are 4 Halifax Rewards that used to generate £5/m, M&S that used to provide access to their competitive RegSav, HSBC similar, Nationwide similar, Club Lloyds benefits, TSB rate was good...