Collected Thoughts on Card Design (Part 2)

Cash card for whichever savings account lets you have one (the most boring easy access one, probably called Instant or Easy or Access Saver).

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I just feel like the Lloyds font is very basic and dull, it’s seems like the design brief was the least offensive font ever. I think the private back version (font aside) is nice and fairly understated. The green version is a clash of too muchness in my opinion, but I guess it is a distinct design language!

The only time I’ve really cared whether a card is MasterCard or Visa is when I’ve been working at a major international sporting event, and the on-site catering (and indeed everything else) only takes cards from their ‘official payment partner’.

Otherwise as a consumer it makes zero difference to me.

(Except maybe with the Child & Co card, which looked classier with the monochrome Visa logo. Same reason Nationwide’s current designs would be less good if they switched.)

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Eh I used to be all about the Mastercard on cards but really these days it’s the wider card design.

Japanese Railway Company’s creditcard redesigned.
I like the magnetic slit with Holo.

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I slightly favour Visa just on

  • I had issues with MasterCard Debit acceptance in a number Canadian ATMs, Visa Debit worked fine
  • I had several merchant acceptance issues in Hong Kong with MasterCard Debit, Visa accepted ok
  • Had a couple of offline acceptance issues (planes) with MasterCard Debit, Visa was good

Plus minor things like, if you use Apple Pay for transactions that may vary later (like Uber) MasterCard transactions never change from the original amount but Visa transactions update in AP once adjusted.

Never had any real issues around Europe with MasterCard (except Benelux but that’s different reasons) and I don’t care that much, just slightly favour Visa as marginally more confident in them.

If it’s just aesthetics, I prefer MC branding :joy:

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But again this depends on the card! MasterCard on hot coral is a yay, if it were Visa it would be a nay.

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Opened a HSBC Account last week and I like the card design. Got the Standard Debit Card and also the Global Money Card.

I think both the designs looks really nice!

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No it isn’t as it means you’re not building up any contributions to your state pension. See Check your State Pension forecast - GOV.UK where I think it will be saying zero for you.

As you say a bit off topic, though in years gone by they used to send you out a card with your NI number which I’m sure most people here either never got it have long since lost.

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These days it doesn’t matter whether you have a Visa card or a MasterCard, because everybody accepts both. That was not always the case 40 odd years ago, when I tried to buy some clothes at Burtons (I think) and presented my Trustcard (TSB’s Visa credit card) only to be told “sorry we only take Access.”. Access was the forerunner of MasterCard in the UK and I didn’t have an Access card at the time, so I went and applied for one.

The Access logo, a red capital A, was far nicer than the MasterCard circles. I loved my Access card, - “your flexible friend” as the slogan went.

The old Visa logo, a blue, white and gold flag, was also much nicer than their current logo. I wish they’d bring it back.

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I remember presenting my Access card at M&S in the mid 80s to be told the only card they accepted was their own.

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Often with a “Classic” or “Premier” mark, when Premier was hard to get. Cards would also have an embossed identifier for the card scheme, DC, AX, MC, for Diners, Amex and Mastercard. Visa had CV and PV for Classic and Premier. In the days of zip-zap machines and manual processing of carbon copes of the card charge slip.

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No they don’t. Mostly noticed in ATMs in the UK e.g. I think Coventry only takes Visa.

Overseas, it’s not always the case that everywhere takes both either as some have noted on the travel topic here. And, if you’re ever at the Olympics they only take Visa who sponsor them.

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I see what you mean, but at least it stood out in a way which I don’t think the word Visa does on its own.

I don’t think they do anymore but I still have mine! I remember getting it in the post when I was 16 and I was excited as it was the first thing I got that made me feel “grown up”

(It’s still a card design technically :kissing_heart:)

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I just know my NI number off by heart. The first two letters are my initials by chance so that makes it easier.

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If most places accept both Visa and MasterCard then it doesn’t matter to the customers, but it might matter to the networks. They will want to promote their brand and make the customers aware of it. Visa blends in too much, in that respect.

Yes, M&S held out a long time before they accepted Visa and MasterCard credit cards. I’m not certain, but I think John Lewis used to be the same. I remember having a John Lewis store card, or Cole Brothers as it was called in Sheffield.

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Did they only do the one design? Pretty sure mine was that design too.

Just recalled another card that you sadly can’t get anymore: the NS&I cash card for their now defunct instant access account.

Seems very odd now, but I remember trying my brand new TSB MasterCard and the shop saying that they didn’t take them despite them taking Access cards which were always just a brand of MasterCard.

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