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Safe Banking with Carte Bleue
In the modern world, walking around with pockets full of cash is simply not practical (or even very safe!). That is why people use a wide variety of alternate transaction methods in order to pay for their purchases. In France, the Carte Bleue is the safe payment method of choice. The Carte Bleue (translated as the blue card) is a debit card that is widely accepted throughout the country (although not abroad - you need an international credit card for that). The debit card can be used for cash transactions as well as for withdrawing money from ATM machines. There is a small fee for using the debit card and many stores place a limitation on how small a purchase can be made with a card (usually no less than 15 Euros). The blue card is a debit card and not a credit card. This means that you cannot pay on credit.
Safe Banking and Payment Convenience with Carte Bleue
Debit cards generally draw money directly from your account at the time of the transaction. This is not necessarily the case with the Carte Bleue. With this debit card, it is possible to arrange that all transactions will be paid for at a given day of the month (one that takes into account the time the salary arrives - for example). This option is termed - "debit differre" as opposed to the other option of "debit immediate". Selecting this option for a card raises the annual cost somewhat. Identity is protected by using a PIN number so as to ensure safe banking.
Carte Bleue Goes International
It is possible to pay a slightly higher annual fee and have a VISA logo inscribed on the blue card. This logo makes the card one that can be recognized internationally for international purchases. Such a card is known as a "Carte Bleue Internationale".
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