Credit cards - Mastercard vs VISA?

[Hilary]

Does it make any practical difference if a cc is with Mastercard or VISA?

I've only ever had VISA cards, but my Tesco card people have just written to me to say they're 'upgrading' me to a Tesco Finest platinum Mastercard (I didn't ask to be ), but that I can opt out and keep my ordinary VISA card if I want to.

I think the Finest card would earn me more clubcard points than I get now, so I'd be very happy with that, but I have an irrational reluctance to switch from VISA to Mastercard.

Any thoughts?

 

[Claire L]

No difference at all, in fact I prefer to always carry one Visa and one Mastercard. I have known for one or other system to crash so having the other is always a good back up especially if on holiday

Claire

 

[kristieuk]

I find that they are both accepted equally - it's not like Amex where in Europe it's not always possible to use it.

If you get more points, go for it I say - I can't think of any reason not to do so

 

[Minniespal]

Like Claire, I prefer to carry one of each on holiday. A few weeks ago the visa system crashed and all of the attempted transactions were being declined. Nice to have a back-up if that happens whilst on holiday.

 

[tashasmum]

We only carry Amex and Mastercard as a backup if the Amex card gets refused as still some shops over here and even in the States don't take it.
So you shouldn't have any problems with Mastercard.

 

[Hilary]

Thanks for the reassurances

We do always take a back-up cc (or two!) with us when we go abroad, but I hadn't thought of the whole of one system crashing! That's a good enough reason for me to go with this new Mastercard and keep another VISA as a safety net.

Thanks for your advice

 

[CarolynU]

Hilary I have just had exactly the same letter, and hadn't even noticed that it was mastercard, so without reading this post I expect that I would have kept inserting visa on all the online bookings and wondered why it was being rejected, and then I would probably have cursed Tescos for giving me a dud card! So thank you. LOL
Carolyn

 

[Hilary]

Hilary I have just had exactly the same letter, and hadn't even noticed that it was mastercard, so without reading this post I expect that I would have kept inserting visa on all the online bookings and wondered why it was being rejected, and then I would probably have cursed Tescos for giving me a dud card! So thank you. LOL
Carolyn

LOL! They didn't exactly spell it out in the letter, did they? Do you think we earn more clubcard points with this card?

 

[Goofyish]

Get the Tesco Mastercard and then get a Nationwide Visa - you get the best of both then - more clubcard points and great rates when using the Visa abroad

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

Do you think we earn more clubcard points with this card?

I posed the same question of Paid To Shop forum, if you have the 'older' Tesco credit card that was more generous than the 'newer issue credit card' people claimed you are better sticking with the Visa card. I and many others found the benefits with the new 'finest' Mastercard were of no use to us and Tesco were not going to get more generous with their points so I have this morning declined the offer of a new card.

 

[Hilary]

I posed the same question of Paid To Shop forum, if you have the 'older' Tesco credit card that was more generous than the 'newer issue credit card' people claimed you are better sticking with the Visa card. I and many others found the benefits with the new 'finest' Mastercard were of no use to us and Tesco were not going to get more generous with their points so I have this morning declined the offer of a new card.

That's interesting, Lizzy Lemon

DH has just applied for a Tesco card in his name (to earn clubcard points that we get converted to AirMiles because his NatWest one has just severed links with AirMiles) and I thought the points earning seemed lower than I thought I was getting with my old card. Then, when I had the letter about the Finest card, it seemed more generous than the deal DH signed up for, so I assumed it was better than I currently get on the old card (are you following so far? LOL ) Looks like my assumption was wrong.

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

Hilary - you may be right about it being more generous than applying for a card as a new customer. Could your DH be added onto your account as an additional card holder and still get the better benefits?

 

[Hilary]

Hilary - you may be right about it being more generous than applying for a card as a new customer. Could your DH be added onto your account as an additional card holder and still get the better benefits?

He is already a card-holder on my account, but wanted to have a card in his name as well to replace the Nat West one (and he'll get a higher credit limit than me).

Mind you, whether we'll get confused with who's using which card on which account when they all say TESCO remains to be seen!

 

[tennisfan]

Sainsburys are also going over to Mastercard too, so I reckon the big supermarkets have negotiated a good deal with them.

I have a Visa & Mastercard but I always use the Mastercard.

 

[Hilary]

Sainsburys are also going over to Mastercard too.

Doh! My Sainsbury's card was going to be my back-up VISA if I decided to go with the Tesco Mastrecard LOL!

I think I'm swinging round to thinking I'll keep the Tesco VISA as I only have it for the points so, if I'd continue to earn more with the old card, I don't see any advantage switching.

 

[tennisfan]

Doh! My Sainsbury's card was going to be my back-up VISA if I decided to go with the Tesco Mastrecard LOL!

I think I'm swinging round to thinking I'll keep the Tesco VISA as I only have it for the points so, if I'd continue to earn more with the old card, I don't see any advantage switching.

They may still be doing the Visa, its just that they have written to my dad as his cards are due for renewal and the cards pictured are Mastercards.

If your Sainsburys card has a while before expiry use it, although its up to you with what you will be happier with.

I want to change my Natwest card as I no longer get the airmiles, but I don't earn enough to apply for other cards and I got the Natwest one as a student credit card.

 

[CarolynU]

Now you've all gone technical on me, and really lost me. I have had a Tescos visa for years, but have only just started collecting the points, which so far I have been using for money off shopping. Should I stick with the visa or swop or doesn't it matter? I'm still glad Hilary pointed out that it was Mastercard though, because I would never have noticed!
Carolyn

 

[starlionblue]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centurion_Card

This is the only card that matters!