Debit Vs Credit Cards

Visa debit cards on the other hand are accepted in almost every establishment which takes credit cards, as they are cleared through the Visa system.

When it pays to use your debit card

It is becoming increasingly common for merchants to pass on their credit card processing fees to the consumer. This is most noticeable on flight booking websites, where no-frills airlines charge a fixed fee for credit card transactions. Travel agents and other ticket providers are also likely to charge a fixed or percentage fee for credit card bookings.

When only credit cards are accepted

The main situation in which you must use a credit card, and a debit card is not acceptable, is when your credit card is being used to verify your financial status. This is particularly common when renting a car, where a deposit is taken on your credit card. This is not usually possible to do using a debit card.

When only debit cards are accepted

There are some situations where only debit cards are accepted and you will be unable to use your credit card. This is often the case with certain types of bill payments, for example some councils and utility companies will accept payments by debit card only, and not by credit card. You can also order foreign currency or place bets using a debit card. This is not usually possible to do with a credit card without incurring a substantial handling fee. Debit cards can also be used to transfer funds from a current account into ISAs and some other investments.