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Thread ID: 81404 2007-07-26 14:30:00 Visa Debit Cards in NZ ? xpcoe (12594) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
573032 2007-07-26 14:30:00 This might be a Dumb Question but is Visa Debit Cards available in NZ?
If so which banks offer them?
xpcoe (12594)
573033 2007-07-26 19:43:00 Westpac only (AFAIK at the moment) johcar (6283)
573034 2007-07-26 20:31:00 I got one from a Post Shop. CYaBro (73)
573035 2007-07-26 20:42:00 I got one from a Post Shop.

Debit cards and prepaid-Visa cards are different things. Debit cards are connected to your bank account, like an EFTPOS card except it can be used as though it were a credit card.
somebody (208)
573036 2007-07-26 20:46:00 Are the Post Shop versions linked to your bank account? I thought the Post Shop cards were just like prepaid gift cards that just happened to be linked to a Credit Card company logo so that could be used online.... Don't they have an expiry date on the credit value on them?

True Debit Cards (like the very first BNZ Visa back in 1978) are just like Credit Cards, except the credit limit is whatever you happen to have in your bank account - a bit like a bank ATM card.
johcar (6283)
573037 2007-07-26 21:15:00 Sorry I thought they were the same thing :groan:
The post shop ones are just a prepaid card and are not linked to any bank account.
CYaBro (73)
573038 2007-07-26 23:31:00 My National Bank Thoroughbred Visa Card can be used either as a credit card or debit card.
It works well and eliminates the need for two cards
bonzo29 (2348)
573039 2007-07-26 23:50:00 My National Bank Thoroughbred Visa Card can be used either as a credit card or debit card.
It works well and eliminates the need for two cards

That's slightly different. National Bank lets you tie your credit card to your bank account so it can be used as an EFTPOS card. If you buy something online using the number on the front of your Visa card, it'll be being used as a credit card.

Debit cards are credit cards which have a $0 credit limit, and are directly connected to your bank account.
somebody (208)
573040 2007-07-27 00:03:00 That's slightly different. National Bank lets you tie your credit card to your bank account so it can be used as an EFTPOS card. If you buy something online using the number on the front of your Visa card, it'll be being used as a credit card.

Debit cards are credit cards which have a $0 credit limit, and are directly connected to your bank account.

You are technically correct, semantics apart it CAN be used as a debit card without any drawbacks.

If I were buying online I don't think I would want to use a debit card where the transfer to your account is instantaneous
bonzo29 (2348)
573041 2007-07-27 00:23:00 This might be a Dumb Question but is Visa Debit Cards available in NZ?
If so which banks offer them?

Yes - but only thru Westpac like Johcar said.
NZ is still catching up with rest of world. Aust,UK, Canada,US already have it

Visa Debit card looks just like credit card i.e has the 16 numbers and expiry date and VISA logo on it, but it normally says "Debit" on it

You can use it wherever VISA is accepted e.g online purchase of stuff or buying stuff of the phone i.e those crappy commercials.
Just be aware Rental companies are an exception, they nearly always need Credit card and wont accept VISA Debit Card.

We automatically think of VISA as credit card but it not the case anymore
If you have Visa Debit card, it is directly linked to your Savings/Cheque account...i.e you pay out of your account like you do when using Eftpos


When using it locally in NZ, you would select the normal Cheque/Savings When using overseas you would select Credit. It has PIN like normal Eftpos
but can just be charged on customer signature as well.


BEAWARE the card can be charged without even requring your PIN (just like credit card) at certain merchants. In US its very common to swipe card at Shell stations which just sucks up the fund based on petrol purchase without any authorisation.

So if you Loose a VISA debit card, it can be used just like Credit card i.e unlike EFTPOS PIN protection. When it gets widespread in NZ, it will be common for thieves to pump up gas when in possession of someone elses VISA Debit card
learning (5137)
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