Visa is a transnational payment system used by banks all over the world for non-cash payments for goods and services, money transfers and cash withdrawals. To implement these functions, there are plastic cards, and in the Visa system the most common types of them are Visa (Visa Classic) and Visa Electron.
On the basis of Visa Classic and Visa Electron, different banks issue their other varieties, designed for narrower and more specific groups of customers, but Classic and Electron are in greater demand.
Both types of cards can be either debit or credit. The Classic balance provides for the placement of large amounts, however, the service fee for such a card is higher than for Electron.
Differences in appearance
Visa Classic and Visa Electron differ slightly in appearance. The first has an additional electronic chip, and the card number, expiration date, first and last name of the owner are indicated by raised symbols. On Visa Electron, this information is simply printed, the inscription Electronic use only is applied, and the microchip is not always built-in. These cards are not suitable for use in mechanical terminals.
Otherwise, Classic and Electron differ in the package of services provided. Let's consider the service conditions for the first and second types of cards.
International card Visa Classic
For Visa Classic, a card account is opened to choose from - in rubles, dollars or euros. These cards are equipped with electronic chips. Their validity period is 3 years, and the cost of service is 750 rubles. per year, or $ 25 / euro.
Visa Classic holders are entitled to issue additional cards on a single card account.
Services provided under the visa classic program:
• account management and loan repayment via mobile applications and Internet services;
• cashless payment for goods and services in more than two hundred countries;
• receiving cash from ATMs throughout Russia and abroad;
• replenishment of the card in cash and by bank transfer;
• execution of transfers and payments using ATMs and terminals of Sberbank;
• linking the card to electronic wallets;
• bonus programs, all kinds of special offers and promotions presented by the Visa payment system;
• cashing out funds in case of loss of the card abroad;
• hotel reservation and transport rental with discounts.
International Visa Electron card
Unlike the "classic" ones, the annual cost of servicing electron cards is 300 rubles, or 10 dollars / euro.
The conditions for obtaining Visa Classic and Visa Electron cards and the potential for their use may differ significantly in different banks, and such nuances must be clarified when talking with bank consultants.
The package of services provided for the Visa Classic and Visa Electron programs differs slightly. For holders of the second type of cards, only hotel reservations, car rentals and cash withdrawals abroad in case of loss of the card are not available.
