Laser (debit card)
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Laser is the primary debit card system used in the Republic of Ireland.
Laser was launched in 1996 and currently has around 2.5 million customers. Six Irish financial institutions are partners in the Laser card system: Allied Irish Banks, Bank of Ireland, EBS Building Society, First Active, National Irish Bank,and Permanent TSB. Halifax and Ulster Bank (from the 15th September 2009) on the other hand, issues the Visa Debit card, and they are the only banks to do so in the Republic of Ireland. Postbank do not offer Laser cards, but solely Maestro branded debit cards.
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[edit] Use
Laser is primarily an electronic point of sale debit card, but can also be used by telephone and internet. There is no maximum limit on a Chip and Pin transaction, and a EUR 1,500 maximum limit on all other transactions.[1] Laser also offers a cashback option similar to many other cards. Laser is the only non-cash payment method that is accepted by some discount stores in Ireland, namely Aldi and Lidl. Postbank and Halifax debit cards are not currently accepted in these stores.
Laser cards are not widely acceptable for online purchases made on sites operated outside of Ireland. For example, at present it is still not possible to use Laser with the Irish iTunes Music store (although it can be used to purchase hardware there). Also some major Irish companies such as Ryanair do not accept Laser payments.
[edit] Online Stores That Accept Laser
Examples of online stores that accept Laser. In the case of International companies, Irish customers need to shop on the Irish versions of the companies' websites.
| 1800 Hotels | Aer Lingus | BillPay | CD WOW! | Easons | Heatons | PhotoBox | Recordstore | Spectra Photo | Ticketmaster | Vodafone |
| Ann Summers | Books Unlimited | Eircom | Irish Rail | Pixmania | Spreadshirt | |||||
| Apple Store (online) | Booze |
[edit] Co-branding
Since 2005, Allied Irish Banks (AIB) and Bank of Ireland account holders are receiving co-branded Laser/Maestro card. These are Chip and PIN cards with both Laser and Maestro functions. Within Ireland, they function primarily as Laser cards, outside they function as Maestro cards, although with patchy acceptance. All other Laser partners are to issue Chip and PIN cards, and this will allow them to co-brand with other debit card brands.
[edit] Technical
Laser cards are prefixed with either "6304", "6706", "6771" or "6709", and may be between 16 and 19 (inclusive) characters in length.
[edit] References
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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