Visa Electron - Any banks in Ireland?

nava

Hi

Does anyone know of any banks in Ireland that offer the Visa Elctron? When booking in Ryanair there's no extra charge for using the Visa Elecron but for Normal Visa they charge €5 per ticket.

Even if you have to pay the €40 Government charge I will save money as we book 2 or 3 trips with them every year for 4 people and some of them involved 2 flights.

Thanks

Awful Scut

Just logged in to post this very question myself. I want a debit card, but the Maestro is fvcking useless for anything online.

Obviously AIB and Ulster Bank have some sort of sweetheart deal with Mastercard given that they're both using it.

smartblaa

nava wrote:

Hi

Does anyone know of any banks in Ireland that offer the Visa Elctron? When booking in Ryanair there's no extra charge for using the Visa Elecron but for Normal Visa they charge €5 per ticket.

Even if you have to pay the €40 Government charge I will save money as we book 2 or 3 trips with them every year for 4 people and some of them involved 2 flights.

Thanks

In the UK, the debit cards are called Solo and Electron.
They are the UK equivilant of an Irish Laser Card (although the two above are more widely accepted)

I would imagine that the Solo and Electron cards are exclusive to UK only, just like a Laser card can only be issued in Eire

lasno

Hi smartblaa

Laser cards are not for use exclusively in Ireland. I regularly use mine in other
EU countries for purchases in supermarkets and other retail outlets.
I also use it for online purchases and have never encountered a problem.

Awful Scut

Bump.

Anyone any ideas on this?

lasno

What exactly do you want to know?

okidoki987

Does anyone know of any banks in Ireland that offer the Visa Elctron?

Think that was the question

mcaul

Halifax are planning ti issue Visa Debit cards in the near future. They are said they wanted to meet with other banks here to try and get them to do so too.

My guess Ulster bank will join up with them as Ulster allows retailers on their credit card system accept Visa Electron on internet & phone orders (as well as regular store sales).

As for time frame - haven't a clue. Report was in one of the sunday papers about 2 weeks ago.

snubbleste

The only Irish institution afaik doing Electron is MBNA which have a prepaid 'gift card' like the 3v idea.
It can be used both online and in any bricks and mortar store that take Visa Electron in Ireland.
There's a maximum of €350 loading on it, €6 each time you purchase the card and €4 for a balance refund

https://mbnagift.ie/

eth0_

Sweet if the Halifax are going to offer Visa debit - which isn't the same as Electron, btw - I will switch to them! It's a joke that we don't have visa debit, it's been around in the UK for at least 5 years now, I have one and it's so handy, you can use it everywhere Visa is accepted.

ZenV

Its almost a year since the question was asked (Ryanair just charge nearly €13 for 2 tickets using VISA ) just wondering if anything has changed :
Does anyone know of any banks in Ireland that offer the Visa Electron?

dudara

Moved to Banking, Insurance & Pensions.

dudara

BuffyBot

No. Halifax however offer a normal Visa Debit card. How Ryanair handle it in relation to charges, I don't know however

MIN2511

Halifax visa debit card is being used now but most places that do cash back (Tesco, Dunnes, M&S) may not have integrated Cash back on their terminals. I don't think any store in Ireland has started giving cash back on the cards tbh.

axer

None of the following do the Visa Electron Card:
Bank of Ireland, AIB, First Active or MBNA

I think MBNA giftcard is the only option then. I wonder do Ryanair accept the gift card though. It says in the terms and conditions:

You must not use the MBNA Gift! Card for preauthorised regular payments

There is also an expiry date - plus if it gets lost or stolen you cannot replace it. Pity.

Narrowback

axer wrote: »

None of the following do the Visa Electron Card:
Bank of Ireland, AIB, First Active or MBNA

I think MBNA giftcard is the only option then. I wonder do Ryanair accept the gift card though. It says in the terms and conditions:
There is also an expiry date - plus if it gets lost or stolen you cannot replace it. Pity.

I was on hold waiting to buy an MBNA gift card when I came across your message, so I hung up. Ryanair's charges for using credit cards is putting me off flying with them. €8 per return ticket is a lot.

This seems an obvious market opening for someone in the banking world here. Do you know if the Halifax Visa debit card is a Visa Delta card, which costs €3 per return ticket.

Narrowback

I also notice that Ryanair features the Maestro card symbol (new since revamp?) on the payment page, but they don't allow you to use Maestro. Annoying (if they'd allow it for the same cost as Visa Delta).

BuffyBot

Do you know if the Halifax Visa debit card is a Visa Delta card

Yes, it is a Visa Debit, the equivelant of the old "Delta" brand cards.

Narrowback

BuffyBot wrote: »

Yes, it is a Visa Debit, the equivelant of the old "Delta" brand cards.

That's good to know. I might actually open an account with them just to get such a card. I generally fly Ryanair two or three times a year with the family, which means an extra €150 or so in credit card fees each year with a regular Visa card.

axer

Does ryanair see the Visa Debit card as a Visa Delta card then or what?

Charges per card:
Ryanair Mastercard €4.00
Ryanair Visa €4.00
3V €4.00
Visa Connect €1.50
Visa Delta €1.50
ELV €4.00
Mastercard €4.00
Visa Electron €0
Visa €4.00

BuffyBot

Narrowback wrote: »

That's good to know. I might actually open an account with them just to get such a card. I generally fly Ryanair two or three times a year with the family, which means an extra €150 or so in credit card fees each year with a regular Visa card.

I don't know how Ryanair deal with them - as debit, or charge them as they would for a Visa credit card.

Narrowback

axer wrote: »

Does ryanair see the Visa Debit card as a Visa Delta card then or what?

Charges per card:
Ryanair Mastercard €4.00
Ryanair Visa €4.00
3V €4.00
Visa Connect €1.50
Visa Delta €1.50
ELV €4.00
Mastercard €4.00
Visa Electron €0
Visa €4.00

You know, I'm not 100% sure on this, but I was figuring that I'd ask Halifax before I opened the account. They might be able to get an answer from Ryanair because I can't.

thewaterman

Ryanair now have the pleasure of charging €19 for using your Visa Card... Complete RIP off

Narrowback

thewaterman wrote: »

Ryanair now have the pleasure of charging €19 for using your Visa Card... Complete RIP off

I just bought plane tickets - just now. I paid €4 per person, per flight. (€8 per round trip).

Davy

axer wrote: »

Does ryanair see the Visa Debit card as a Visa Delta card then or what?

Charges per card:
Ryanair Mastercard €4.00
Ryanair Visa €4.00
3V €4.00
Visa Connect €1.50
Visa Delta €1.50
ELV €4.00
Mastercard €4.00
Visa Electron €0
Visa €4.00

Last time i booked i paid €2 using the Visa Debit, that was in January.

Narrowback

davton wrote: »

Last time i booked i paid €2 using the Visa Debit, that was in January.

Do you mind me asking from what bank you got the Visa Debit card?

Davy

Narrowback wrote: »

Do you mind me asking from what bank you got the Visa Debit card?

No i dont mind

see linky
Has all the details there, if u have any questions just ask. I find it great, only place so far i cant use it in is lidl.

Narrowback

davton wrote: »

No i dont mind

see linky
Has all the details there, if u have any questions just ask. I find it great, only place so far i cant use it in is lidl.

Okay, that's it. I have to shake off the inertia and open that account at Halifax.

FullHD

Ask yourself, why do Ryanair offer tickets with no extra charge on Visa Electron cards.
Because no one effin has a Visa Electron. As soon as people have the option to get Visa Electron cards. Wankair will start charging an arm and 2 legs to use the card.

Garry

FullHD

Narrowback wrote: »

Okay, that's it. I have to shake off the inertia and open that account at Halifax.

Don't forget the April 1st 40euro Government STEALth Tax for all the irish fools.
You are ****£d no matter which way you turn in this country, the only thing left to do is bend over.

Sorry to be a party pooper.
Garry

FullHD

I take back everything i said about our lovely country. The STEALth tax on Debit cards is only 5euro, i must rush out and get one.
Garry

Davy

garrycs69 wrote: »

Don't forget the April 1st 40euro Government STEALth Tax for all the irish fools.
You are ****£d no matter which way you turn in this country, the only thing left to do is bend over.

Sorry to be a party pooper.
Garry

Its not 40euro anymore,, now €30. if you close another credit card you don't pay twice. But neither of these applies to the Halifax card as it is a Debit card.
* ATM card: 5 euro
* Debit (Laser) card: 5 euro
* Combined ATM and debit card: 10 euro

BDPinDublin

I used to use VISA Electron debit cards in Brazil more than 8 years ago... I really don't know why here in Ireland we don't have it... And also, I'm sure Ryanair think their customers are fools, because with the "free" handling, they can advertise cheaper prices! (again, we have "fake" values being advertised...)
But, even with these extras, Ryanair still cheaper (and still using they're "selling techniques" that made they grow from nothing to the bigger) - excellent for their business, not too bad for the price sensitive customers!!
PS.: But I really don't understand why Electron is not issued in Ireland...

bclewis

I see Ryanair have just changed their policy - now it's €5 each way for both credit and debit cards -so much for my Halifax Visa debit. Must have just changed in the last couple of weeks as I booked a flight last month at the lower cost.

The UK Post Office sell Visa Electron cards (in euros and other currencies) on their website http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump1?catId=19300207&mediaId=26800661. The bizarre thing is that they are issued by Bank of Ireland!!

Has anyone used an MBNA gift card on Ryanair's site -wonder would it work despite that condition?

axer

bclewis wrote: »

Has anyone used an MBNA gift card on Ryanair's site -wonder would it work despite that condition?

Yes but there are restrictions like you cannot top it up. If you loose it you cannot get it replaced and there is a charge for getting it. A bit too risky for my liking. Plus what happens when you have €9.54 left and cannot get a flight for that. I suppose you could always spend that in tescos or something.

irishpancake

OK we all know RyanAir will fleece you for everything, including using Credit and Debit cards to book online.

However, my gripe is with Aer Lingus, who state under their "Taxes and Charges" link during the booking process:

5. Payment Card Handling Fee
For all bookings except those originating in the USA, there is a handling fee charged. Charges as follows:
€4 per person, per flight, Credit Card handling fee.
€1.50 per person, per flight, Debit Card handling fee.

OK I have a Halifax Debit Card, but Aer Lingus charge me €4 per person/per flight regardless.

They seem to think that there is only one Debit Card, i.e. Laser.

Also, there is grave difficulty in contacting Aer Lingus via e-mail to complain, as they do not provide an e-mail address!!! The only contact for so-called Customer Care is a Fax Number, for God's sake. in 2008!!!!

I have found this difficulty with on-line booking using Halifax Visa Debit previously with Hotel Booking site www.1800Hotels.ie and www.roomsnet.com.

1800 Hotels charged me for using a Visa Debit same as Credit Card, whereas those using the Laser option were not charged. No apologies, simply told me their Bank charges them the same to process Visa Debit as Credit.

Roomsnet were simply not able to process the Irish Visa Debit, even when the Visa Debit option was selected during booking. At least Roomsnet were willing to refund the charge to me, as it seemed to be a bug in their booking system.

GerardKeating

irishpancake wrote: »

However, my gripe is with Aer Lingus, who state under their "Taxes and Charges" link during the booking process:

OK I have a Halifax Debit Card, but Aer Lingus charge me €4 per person/per flight regardless.

They seem to think that there is only one Debit Card, i.e. Laser.

Actually your gripe is with Halifax, Laser is the only irish domestic debit card, while Halifix might operate your card as a debit card, it's processed in Ireland as a visa credit card.

irishpancake wrote: »

Also, there is grave difficulty in contacting Aer Lingus via e-mail to complain, as they do not provide an e-mail address!!! The only contact for so-called Customer Care is a Fax Number, for God's sake. in 2008!!!!

At least the phone numbers are not toll-numbers...

irishpancake wrote: »

I have found this difficulty with on-line booking using Halifax Visa Debit previously with Hotel Booking site www.1800Hotels.ie and www.roomsnet.com.

1800 Hotels charged me for using a Visa Debit same as Credit Card, whereas those using the Laser option were not charged. No apologies, simply told me their Bank charges them the same to process Visa Debit as Credit.

Hey, just like Aer Lingus..

irishpancake wrote: »

Roomsnet were simply not able to process the Irish Visa Debit, even when the Visa Debit option was selected during booking. At least Roomsnet were willing to refund the charge to me, as it seemed to be a bug in their booking system.

Seriously, the same card has problems on many different sites, and you assume all the site have a problem, your card is the main common factor here, the problem is the card.

Narrowback

irishpancake wrote: »

OK we all know RyanAir will fleece you for everything, including using Credit and Debit cards to book online.

However, my gripe is with Aer Lingus, who state under their "Taxes and Charges" link during the booking process:

OK I have a Halifax Debit Card, but Aer Lingus charge me €4 per person/per flight regardless.

They seem to think that there is only one Debit Card, i.e. Laser.

Also, there is grave difficulty in contacting Aer Lingus via e-mail to complain, as they do not provide an e-mail address!!! The only contact for so-called Customer Care is a Fax Number, for God's sake. in 2008!!!!

I can't stand calling Aer Lingus any more. I've actually called their US number - 001-800-474-7424 -when I need help. (Using Skype it's 2c per minute.)

Narrowback

bclewis wrote: »

I see Ryanair have just changed their policy - now it's €5 each way for both credit and debit cards -so much for my Halifax Visa debit. Must have just changed in the last couple of weeks as I booked a flight last month at the lower cost.

For once my procrastination was to my advantage. I'm glad I didn't open the Halifax account.

oclugg

Narrowback wrote: »

I can't stand calling Aer Lingus any more. I've actually called their US number - 001-800-474-7424 -when I need help. (Using Skype it's 2c per minute.)

Hey narrowback, that's a great tip, using Skype to make calls like that. Wonder how much premium rate calls (ryanair etc) work out at? And while I'm at it I was booking 4 return flights the other day with Ryanair and was walloped with an extra 40 euro charge for using my credit card to book so I cancelled the whole trip.

ircoha

bclewis wrote: »

I see Ryanair have just changed their policy - now it's €5 each way for both credit and debit cards -so much for my Halifax Visa debit. Must have just changed in the last couple of weeks as I booked a flight last month at the lower cost.

The UK Post Office sell Visa Electron cards (in euros and other currencies) on their website http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump1?catId=19300207&mediaId=26800661. The bizarre thing is that they are issued by Bank of Ireland!!

Has anyone used an MBNA gift card on Ryanair's site -wonder would it work despite that condition?

the mince pies may not be the may west after 1500hrs of drug free olympics, well almost:)
but I cant see the Visa electron card being offered on the above UK link.

All help welcome as I just cancelled a booking with Ryanair due to 60 euro cc charges.
Thanks

therecklessone

ircoha wrote: »

the mince pies may not be the may west after 1500hrs of drug free olympics, well almost:)
but I cant see the Visa electron card being offered on the above UK link.

All help welcome as I just cancelled a booking with Ryanair due to 60 euro cc charges.
Thanks

The Travel Money Card is a Visa Electron card!!!

You can use your card anywhere that accepts VISA Electron.

ircoha

Many thanks.
Had a read of the T+C's and this is what I think is the way it works.

In this example assuming card is issued in euros and all transactions are in euros.

First Card: free
All renewal cards: £5 each
Closure: £5 or balance if lower.

What I cannot see is what period the card is issued for?

Initial funding of card done online, all top-ups are via fone to UK.

Funding is done in STG and they convert it to euro so u cannot say get 40 euro exactly

BuffyBot

As part of the application procedure, however, you'll be asked to provide proof of address/ID which must be in the UK

ircoha

BuffyBot wrote: »

As part of the application procedure, however, you'll be asked to provide proof of address/ID which must be in the UK

Thanks for that.

Is there an annual Govt fee with the card?

Any thoughts on the length of time the card is valid for?

BuffyBot

No government fees in the UK

the_galway_fry

so to sum up a 4 page thread it is not possible to get a visa electron card in ireland.

axer

the_galway_fry wrote: »

so to sum up a 4 page thread it is not possible to get a visa electron card in ireland.

but possible via the UK

aramo

the_galway_fry wrote: »

so to sum up a 4 page thread it is not possible to get a visa electron card in ireland.

As I think axer pointed out the MBNA gift card, www.mbnagift.ie, is a VISA electron albeit prepaid and with some T&Cs you might not be pleased with. Using Firefox you might miss that the you need to phone a 1800 number to get the card look near the BUY NOW button. Some more details are available at www.mbnagiftcard.com

Does anyone know what fees apply with this card e.g. loading, purchase, atm usage?

ircoha

ircoha wrote: »

Many thanks.
Had a read of the T+C's and this is what I think is the way it works.

In this example assuming card is issued in euros and all transactions are in euros.

First Card: free
All renewal cards: £5 each
Closure: £5 or balance if lower.

What I cannot see is what period the card is issued for?

Initial funding of card done online, all top-ups are via fone to UK.

Funding is done in STG and they convert it to euro so u cannot say get 40 euro exactly

Just to answer my own question re duration, I have an email this morning from UK Post stating that the duration is 2 years and then each renewal is 5 quid stg.

This, IMO, makes it an attractive option to explore once you can source a UK address.

If you are registering, have the UK address first as while it allows u have a number of addresses, the first one filled in is the 'master' address, which cannot be deleted.

MollieM

I just booked a flight with Ryanair, paid 10 euro for the visa card charge, I had to borrow the card as I cut my own visa up! they do not take the only Irish debit card (laser) which in my opinion beggers belief... I have written to them about this some time ago, and as you all probably know, I got NO reply to my email...

I would book with Aer lingus but they do not fly to stanstead.. honestly I am so fed up with sites that do not take laser, I do not understand why this is the case, but my shopping online is becomming very tedius as I am always trying to find sites that do take Irish debit cards (Irish sites included!!!)

Ok rant over now, but honestly why is this the case? is it that we a nation tend to sit back and say nothing?? go with the flow??