Has anyone ever be able to get a Visa electron card?

[piggynose]

its the best way to avoid charges when booking flights, but not easy to get your hands on!!

[ubasses]

Never tried but the only place I've heard do them is Halifax, have you tried to open one of their accounts.?

[dotty.]

I've had one for years, my youngest son had one when he was 16, my daughter has a newish one with RBS.

[Buenchico]

This page suggests the Halifax:
http://blogs.thisismo...-airline-charges.html
but note the update regarding Ryanair now charging for using Visa Electron cards. (Follow the link for information about prepaid Mastercards).

Chris

[piggynose]

i heard this too ubasses, so while i was in brum last week for flying visit to the uk from spain, i thought i´d pop in a halifax branch which happened to be in the city centre. my 1st question was originally about pre-paid mastecards, she said that halifax dont do them. but she went on to say that i should try and get a visa electron, so i asked her if halifax do em, she had a look at her pc, and said No!! but suggested that i try HSBC. they also said no, so did santander, and the nationwide(another of her suggestions)

[Buenchico]

Go back to the Halifax and ask about their Easycash account:
http://www.halifax.co...nk-accounts/easycash/

Bank of Scotland (which is the same firm anyway) also offers the Easycash account, with a Visa Electron card:
http://www.bankofscot...accounts/easycash.asp

Chris

[237SJ]

It depends on the airline. Some charge if you pay with visa debit, some charge if you pay with mastercard. If you want to buy inflight duty free most don`t take electron/maestro/switch. It really depends who you are going to fly with.

[Sooper]

Ive got an Electron card and they are rubbish, i would not recommend getting one if it was to be your sole card. I have come across so many places that dont/wont take them, especially purchases via the Internet. I know John Lewis wont take them and Direct Line wouldnt when i last tried. I cant wait to get rid of mine!

[MarkRae]

I wouldn't bother: http://news.bbc.co.uk.../business/8384034.stm

[piggynose]

thanx mark

[mike11111]

Electron, and its counterpart Solo, are normally issued to young people (under 21) or those with very poor credit ratings. As has been mentioned many places will not accept them as they work on a different banking system, i.e. it takes longer for the payee to get their money and the charges to the retailer are higher. There are a few cheap stores near me who will accept not only major debit and credit cards but also 'tickets' such as Provident, but will not accept Electron or Solo. Their only real value is as a cash card, although some retail outlets accept them. Although it shouldn't, these cards mark you out as a second class customer. Before they closed down Woolworths, who would take even tram tickets, would not accept these cards.

[BenDToy]

I have a Halifax EasyCash account, only for the Visa Electron card which it provides. This avoids card charges on many budget airlines (EasyJet and FlyBe to name but two) and i save around 150 pounds per year with it. I also have a FairFX card (PrePaid MasterCard) to avoid RyanAir charges (perhaps another 50 pounds).I travel mostly on business, but object to the charges on principle. And I like to score a few points from them.