Pre loaded cash cards

[simon and marcie]

We used the Revolut Prepaid card in the states for a month with no issues. We have heard some awful stories about cards being cloned and monies taken from the accounts. Our hearts go out to these people as it must be an awful experience.

We came up with a few things that helped us with our account. We had two accounts on two different phones. We got two physical cards on both accounts. It costs a little more but peace of mind was worth it. There is a fee if you withdraw cash over the £200 limit. We quickly realised that we never used more than £20 cash the whole time we were there. Only topped up what we needed for that day. If we needed extra we topped up via the app. We made sure we always had the data running on our phones so we knew what was being spent. We turned off the ATM and online purchase when not needed. I am sure it wasn’t 100% safe but nothing is. Revolut is FSA approved and following an investigation they are obliged to refund your monies if it is found that your card was used fraudulently. Easier said than done I am sure. The Starling Bank card is also very good but you only get one card and there is no International Replacement Card cover.

[nickimiz]

We used the pre paid post office card this time - never again ! Wouldn't accept it at reception in port Orleans, couldn't use it for uber, even though I had the app, I didn't know where I was - not the best 🙁

[Djtrax]

We used travelex, and worked fine, linking it to the magic bands account, and paid for Ubber with it no problem.

Used it in Dubai and France over the last year also, with no problems.

[Bal]

Originally Posted by nickimiz

We used the pre paid post office card this time - never again ! Wouldn't accept it at reception in port Orleans, couldn't use it for uber, even though I had the app, I didn't know where I was - not the best 🙁

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Uber is an online service and Port Orleans would have wanted to take a security guarantee. Neither can are allowed on cash cards.

You use them in normal shops etc for here and now transactions.

Never had a problem with them.

[keeley78]

I used the Thomas cook one in 2013 and had trouble with it, I only used it in places like Walgreens, nowhere where they place a hold/shadow transaction but whenever I did use it it got declined everywhere for days after even though there was loads of money left on it, I've had a Caxton card now ever since & it's been great, I've used in USA & Europe with no issues whatsoever & they don't charge a fee for taking out the ATM like a lot do, very easy to top up on the app or website too

[yorky]

From using them ourselves in the past and the many searches on various pre paid cards online it’s very simple. They are great, until you have a problem. When you have a problem you find customer service both at the time when you need them most and later to be something between poor to none existent. As others have also said don’t even start thinking about the same rights you have compaired to a standard credit card. I always ask the same question, if you have to activate and deactivate every time you want to use a card and only load a certain amount on to them on a daily basis what does that honestly say about the card ? Personal choice but i’m more than happy paying extra to use my American Express card. They are, on the whole superb when you have a problem and if i’m thousands of miles away from home that’s worth it’s weight in gold to me. I’ve already paid £5/7000 for my holiday, I don’t have a problem spending another £50/100 to make sure it’s not a nightmare.

[Darwen Bird]

Originally Posted by yorky

From using them ourselves in the past and the many searches on various pre paid cards online it’s very simple. They are great, until you have a problem. When you have a problem you find customer service both at the time when you need them most and later to be something between poor to none existent... Personal choice but i’m more than happy paying extra to use my American Express card. They are, on the whole superb when you have a problem and if i’m thousands of miles away from home that’s worth it’s weight in gold to me.

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I agree that’s it’s only when things go wrong that you find out how good (or otherwise) something is - however my experience with prepaid cards reinforces my positive opinion. As I posted last week, my prepaid card was cloned and the account cleaned out while I was still on holiday. I had been checking my balance and spending on it regularly so was surprised to have it declined. I was able to ring a 24hour toll free US number (so no expense to me) explain the situation and set about reclaiming the money. I received an email telling me my money had been refunded to my e-account within 36 hours of me reporting the fraud. I had the secondary card to the account with me, which I activated using the toll free phone number so was able to access the money on my card.

Incidentally, my eldest daughter has an Amex Card for work expenses - the only country she’s had problems using it is in the US.

Any card can be cloned, it’s not just an issue with prepaid cards, the important thing is how it is dealt with by the card provider and if you have the means to access your funds if something does go wrong. For me, the prepaid travel card I use works well.

[nickimiz]

Originally Posted by Bal

Uber is an online service and Port Orleans would have wanted to take a security guarantee. Neither can are allowed on cash cards.

You use them in normal shops etc for here and now transactions.

Never had a problem with them.

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I know that now ! Bit of a pain though as I only took a small amount of cash and no credit card.

[Guest]

Originally Posted by Shroom

I’ve got one from Thomas cook. It’s a multi currency one and they now have an app to use. Rather than use my actual debit card abroad I take that and limit the amount on it to a couple hundred dollars or enough for maybe two days spend. Then I top it up and and when needed so if anything happens it’s just that one card.

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I do the same with Thomas cook one but I stay onsite so only Disney use it to pay off my room charges I plan ahead and if going off site I take enough cash as I only have 1 debit no credit cards through choice.
I've never had an issue using it this way depends on what you are using for and where?

[cupcakefairy]

I have a fair fx card and I just use it to withdraw cash so I take $300 out at a time at the atm x