Debit card users....

[Beth76]

can you think of an occasion (or perhaps a specific store) where you do not have to enter a PIN? I received, as a rebate, a $50 Visa debit card. Now, I don't recall being given a PIN to use this and if I did, that info is loooooong gone. Please tell me I'm not SOL.

 

[Chicago526]

If it has a Visa logo on it, you should be able to use it as a credit card and sign for it rather than use a pin. Or gas stations also give you an option of "credit or debit", just hit credit and you're on your way!

 

[va32h]

If it has the Visa logo, you don't have to say it's a debit card - just tell the cashier to process it as a credit card.

When I use my debit card, I always tell them to run it as a credit card - I get a cashback bonus that way. Never had a problem. If the keypad instructs you to enter your PIN, just hit "cancel" and it should run as a credit card.

 

[jer1997]

I would keep track of how much is left on the card (if you don't spend it in one place). The card was denied at a store because there wasn't enough for the total purchase (I was planning on paying the rest in cash) and I didn't know how much was left on the card. It was a pain to call and find out the balance.

 

[Beth76]

I would keep track of how much is left on the card (if you don't spend it in one place). The card was denied at a store because there wasn't enough for the total purchase (I was planning on paying the rest in cash) and I didn't know how much was left on the card. It was a pain to call and find out the balance.

Thanks. I'll probably just buy exactly $50 of gas. Or maybe buy a gift card for $50. That way the exact dollar amount is used. Good to know I can still use it.

 

[monarchsfan16]

Definitely just say it's credit. Even in the machines at cash registers that automatically read them as debit cards you can hit cancel and process it as a credit card. I always do this, because my bank charges me a quarter every time I type my pin, and those quarters add up fast

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

If it's a Visa Gift Card there is no PIN and you can not use it to purchase gas at the pump. You will have to pay inside with the cashier and use it as a credit card.

Visa Gift Cards are very easy to use. I bought one to use for vacation expenses and used the balance at a few different locations - southwest.com, Giant Food Store, Target and Walmart - with no effort to complete the sales.

 

[KarenAylwood]

If it's a Visa Gift Card there is no PIN and you can not use it to purchase gas at the pump. You will have to pay inside with the cashier and use it as a credit card.

Visa Gift Cards are very easy to use. I bought one to use for vacation expenses and used the balance at a few different locations - southwest.com, Giant Food Store, Target and Walmart - with no effort to complete the sales.

If you can use a credit card at the pump why couldn't you use a Visa gift card at the pump?


I used to work retail and you'd be shocked at the number of people that don't realize that they are being charged when they are using their debit card as a debit rather than credit! (of course, some banks don't do this, but many do- so many people don't know one way or the other!) I always run as credit- nothing to worry about!

 

[4greatboys]

You should be able to use it without a pin. Only one time have I ever been given a PIN and it was to active the card and it was a Toys R Us gift card. But once it was activated I didnt need to use that pin anymore.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

If you can use a credit card at the pump why couldn't you use a Visa gift card at the pump?


I used to work retail and you'd be shocked at the number of people that don't realize that they are being charged when they are using their debit card as a debit rather than credit! (of course, some banks don't do this, but many do- so many people don't know one way or the other!) I always run as credit- nothing to worry about!

The gift card can not be used at the pump due to the verification hold most gas retailers use for credit/debit card purchases.

My bank doesn't charge either way, debit or credit. The bank I was with previously charges 50 cents each time the card is used to make a purchase with a PIN, no charge for using as credit. I think they still charge a $12 annual fee as well.

 

[aprilgail2]

I used to work retail and you'd be shocked at the number of people that don't realize that they are being charged when they are using their debit card as a debit rather than credit! (of course, some banks don't do this, but many do- so many people don't know one way or the other!) I always run as credit- nothing to worry about!

My bank it costs more to use it as a creidt rather than a debit card.
I got one of those cards too from Marlboro (I don't smoke) and I just used it to buy 50.00 worth of gas.

 

[tar heel]

My bank, Wachovia, offers rewards for using it as credit. There is no charge to ME for doing this. I just punch credit at the gas station and enter when it asks for a pin at the grocery store check out. Most of the mall stores here run everything as credit already.

 

[powellrj]

I got one of those last year from cingular. I kept trying to use it, and couldn't. Then I realized that you had to activate it! I called and activated it and used it for a meal at Ruby Tuesday. I just gave the server the card and then a ten to cover the rest of the bill.

 

[Beth76]

I got one of those last year from cingular. I kept trying to use it, and couldn't. Then I realized that you had to activate it!

I'm a little concerned about that as well. All credit cards that I get I have to activate. But there's always been a sticker on it that gives the number. This didn't have a sticker, so I'm hoping I won't need to. I didn't save any of the paperwork that came with it, but I suppose I could see if there's an 800 number on the back.

 

[HayGan]

My bank it costs more to use it as a creidt rather than a debit card.

I would be looking for a new bank then. The bank makes at least 3% off the retailer for your purchase and then is charging you as well for the transaction! That is highway robbery. My bank (PNC) actually participates in the Visa Extras program which encourages me to use my debit card as a Visa. The program is free to me and I actually get points for using my card as a Visa rather than a debit card.

 

[cardaway]

I was given a Amex card as a work award recently. No need to activate, no PIN needed, and it's wise to use it on a purchase larger than the card amount. In our case that meant using it for a large shopping trip to Costco.

I suspect all that is true for the Visa versions as well.