Using paper vouchers to process card transactions

General rules

Our standard service provides our customers with an electronic terminal to process card transactions. In the event of a fault, or interruption with the power supply we also provide a ‘back-up’ service utilising a card imprinter and paper vouchers.

If you process on paper vouchers which are not being used as part of the ‘back-up’ service you cannot process Maestro (Domestic), Solo, JCB, Visa Electron and Maestro International cards. For these cards, you must have an electronic terminal.

For paper vouchers being used for the ‘back-up’ service, which means you have a terminal and an Agreement to use it, but the terminal is not working, in this case you can use ‘back-up’ paper vouchers to take Maestro (Domestic), Debit MasterCard, Solo or JCB payments. Even in these circumstances you will not be able to accept Visa Electron or Maestro International or any card that is issued unembossed until your terminal is working again.

Remember you can only accept card types that are written in your Agreement. If you take any others, the transaction may be returned unpaid.

To remind your staff of the cards you can take, we suggest you display the till and shelf stickers provided in the start-up pack close to the tills.

See Further Information for details on how you can order till stickers from Streamline.

For all transactions you will need to telephone for authorisation. Refer to Authorisation for further information.

Never split a transaction into two separate amounts on the same card, or split a transaction between two different cards or vouchers. You can split transactions between a card payment and cash. For the card element you will need to telephone for authorisation.

Only use Streamline vouchers which can be ordered via the Streamline Helpdesk by pressing Option 5 on your telephone keypad. Refer to How to contact Streamline for further information.

You may also want to read:

Paper voucher process

Banking paper vouchers