Since the 31st March 2011 card issuers do not accept Solo cards anymore. This is a result of MasterCard’s Maestro Alignment Migration program. To make the long story short – here are the details:

What’s the migration program?

In general, it means that MasterCard is cleaning its Maestro closet. Apart from the changes to Solo Card Scheme, this also includes the fact that domestic Maestro users are being transferred to the international Maestro platform. Maestro UK is quite a significant transfer here. It’s now sort of aligned under Maestro International, so merchants shall offer Maestro International without distinction into domestic UK.

I’m a merchant – what does this mean for me?

If you haven’t done this already, you should stop offering Solo as a payment method; also remove the Solo card type and logo wherever it is displayed. Furthermore, you should be aware of some issues.

• Since the 31st March 2011 you’re not able to do Solo refunds.
• If you’re still processing any recurring payments with Solo cards, you should contact your customers and request alternative payments from those cardholders.
• Ensure all pre-authorised transactions are submitted for settlement.

What about card numbers?

All BINs from ranges 676703–676799 are ceased since the 31st March 2011. Also two BINs in the “6767” range have been allocated to Maestro cards, and these are: 676770 and 676774. This information is particularly important if you validate BIN ranges.

This information means that also PayLane stopped offering Solo as a payment method.

For further information you should contact your acquiring bank.

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