Amazon no longer accepting Visa credit cards from January 2022 - WTF?

[peanuts87]

AIBU to think this is madness? They're going to inconvenience so many of their customers. Still, it's good incentive to stop using Amazon I suppose!

www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/amazon-stop-accepting-visa-credit-cards-issued-uk-bloomberg-news-2021-11-17/

I wasn’t aware of this as I haven’t had an email. However, I do have an Amazon credit card (which is a Mastercard) so maybe that’s why I haven’t had an email? Maybe it’s only been sent to those who use Visa?

It doesn’t affect me but this is a risky move for Amazon to make. I agree with others that I think Amazon are hoping Visa will reduce their fees so it won’t have to happen.

So many UK banks have swapped to Mastercard in recent months, I thought something must be afoot.

How is it that Visa are suddenly costing more to use than Amex? Amex was always a PITA to use because their charges to the retailer were so much higher, which is why most places in the UK refused to take it.

WTF?

My debit card is a Visa Debit card - supposedly has the same protections as an actual Visa card. But I have a Mastercard in the UK as well, so I'm covered there at least (which, to be fair, is where I mostly where I use Amazon).

So many UK banks have swapped to Mastercard in recent months, I thought something must be afoot.

Sounds like Visa have shot themselves in the foot.

I hope this does what major banks changing doesn't seem to.

Small traders are being hit hard by this. They have no leverage, banks and Amazon might just get Visa to see sense! Unless of course something else is going on at Visa!

I'm sure our current MasterCard with M&S is swapping to Visa in the near future.

this is a risky move for Amazon to make. I don't think so. They have waited until the major banks have changed. So any customer can just ask for a replacement card and carry on as normal.

This does sound a bit like the Tesco v Unilever Marmitegate which was a lot of Willy waving

Credit cards don’t just get you better consumer rights for items over £100. They also offer more protection against fraud than debit cards, and that’s for small payments as well as big ones.

If your credit card is used for fraud, you won't usually be liable for any unauthorised payments, providing you contact your provider as soon as you spot the transactions. If your card is lost or stolen, you may be liable for the first £50 and if you’ve been negligent, you may not get the money back at all.

www.money.co.uk/guides/when-to-use-your-credit-card-or-debit-card.htm

[quote peanuts87]AIBU to think this is madness? They're going to inconvenience so many of their customers. Still, it's good incentive to stop using Amazon I suppose!

www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/amazon-stop-accepting-visa-credit-cards-issued-uk-bloomberg-news-2021-11-17/[/quote]
Why? You can use all other credit cards, ie MasterCard etc, and a visa debit card

So no issue

bloodfart exactly what I meant !

@Chimley

I'll have to stop using Amazon which is a shame. I get 0.5% cashback with my Visa card so I'd literally lose money if I used a debit or other credit card.

Same here. Although we are lucky in the UK that we have free banking, financial incentives for moving bank accounts and cashback credit cards, unlike many places where people have to pay for banking facilities.

Yes, you're right Barbara - my "bank" is a building society in Australia because the banks all charge fees to have accounts and do anything with them.

@Bunnycat101

MatildaIThink

“ or just use a debit card like the majority of people do.”

I barely ever use a debit card. It’s much more sensible to use a credit card for the additional consumer protection.

With Amazon that does not really work though, if you use Chargeback or Section 75 against Amazon then they blacklist you and your address and lock you out of any existing digital purchases.

On top of that their protections always seem to exceed what is offered by cards anyway, they always seem to be happy to sort out any issues.

How can I get a MasterCard if my bank only supplies a Visa credit card?

@Plexie

Barclaycard is Visa.

Who on earth uses debit cards online? Security nightmare. Although understandable if you're not eligible for a credit card.

It depends on what sites, Amazon or John Lewis happy to use a debit card, random sites much less so.

@TeloMere

How can I get a MasterCard if my bank only supplies a Visa credit card?

change to a bank or provider that does offer Mastercard I guess. Or use a Visa debit card if you've got one alongside your credit card.

I have a credit card from a bank I have never banked with (as well as one I do bank with). Lost in the mists of time how I applied. Remember it was because my bank had so pissed me off I vowed to do what I could to cost them money rather than give them more money.

I never use my debit card for online purchases as if there is any fraud (hardly uncommon) then it’s not my current account that is exposed.

Far easier to deal with fraud to a credit card than something that might affect my current and associated accounts.

Also CCA protection for larger purchases

interesting that a company so wealthy and avoids paying tax is worried about fees

@TeloMere

How can I get a MasterCard if my bank only supplies a Visa credit card?

Apply to a different provider.

@TeloMere

How can I get a MasterCard if my bank only supplies a Visa credit card?

Check with them. They too may have the change in line to happen.

They’re doing what Amazon do - bullying a company to accept their - always unreasonable- terms. Their pressuring VISA to give them what they want.
There’s a reason they dominate and are so cheap.
We work with them, and what we laughingly call annual terms negotiations take 9/10 months of the year. They just don’t give a f-ck.

ive just remember my bank natwest sent an email saying all current account cards will be switched over to mastercard

@TeloMere

How can I get a MasterCard if my bank only supplies a Visa credit card?

You can apply for any credit card you choose, it's totally separate to which bank you use