Amazon will no longer accept Visa credit card payments in the UK - here's why

Amazon has announced it will stop accepting payments through Visa credit cards in the UK but will continue to accept Visa credit in other countries.

UK customers will still be able to use Visa debit, Mastercard and Amex credit cards when they reach the checkout.

The online retailer said in an email to customers that the change comes 'due to the high fees Visa charges for processing credit card transactions”.

But the move has not gone down well with all customers.

Pietre Samways, from Queens Road, Portsmouth, works for a large IT firm in its logistics department.

The 65-year-old often uses his Visa credit card to make purchases on Amazon, before claiming them back on his expenses.

He said he was not happy about the proposed changes.

He said: ‘They are trying to get their fees down but it is ridiculous what they are doing.

‘I use my credit card for work and then claim it back as that’s got the largest limit.

‘This is a step too far. I have asked for a pro-rata refund on my Amazon Prime account and they said they couldn't do it, even though they are removing the way I pay for goods from them.

‘When I first saw their email I thought it was a scam, they are having a laugh. It's not on.’

Visa said it is disappointed by the decision by Amazon, which it claims is ‘threatening to restrict consumer choice’.

Customers will need to update their default payment option or add a new, eligible payment method if they wish to continue shopping on the online store.

Amazon has also asked customers to update their prime memberships due to the change which can be done here.

Subscriptions on the site will also need to be altered if you have a default payment method with a Visa credit card.

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Amazon UK will stop accepting Visa credit cards on January 19, 2022.

For more information on Amazon payment methods, see the Amazon.co.uk help and customer service page.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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