In the UK, you'll find Maestro as easily accepted as Visa Debit. Outside the UK, Maestro is accepted in Europe, but visa debit is more international.

Given you've held an account for several years, I'd first of all talk to the bank you've been with to see if they'll upgrade your account.

Current accounts are easier, but if the account you have currently lets you have unlimited, instant withdrawals, then I don't see any great advantage. The impression I have is that we tend to pay less attention to the whole checking/savings thing than in the US.