You may have noticed that over the past few years (five years, to be precise), the Switch debit card brand has been phased out by MasterCard and replaced with Maestro, the international debit card brand. The Maestro brand now covers all of MasterCard's non-credit financial products. Switch cards are no longer being issued, although there are still some in use. If you have a Switch card, and you don't see a Switch option available for online payments, you can select the Maestro option.

Why was the decision made to phase out Switch in favour of Maestro? The main benefit is that, unlike with Switch, Maestro cards can be used to draw cash and make payments abroad. Maestro cards also enjoy the benefit of chip-and-PIN security. Additionally, it will be clearer to visitors to the UK that Maestro is accepted.

You can easily use a Maestro card online. Maestro cards can be issued in connection with a UK bank account, or as prepaid cards.

By Helena Henderson

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