Card Credit Instant Prepaid - What You Need to Know -Part One

Today I would like to discuss the issue of prepaid cards.

Prepaid cards are relatively new and they are becoming increasingly more popular.

Many retail stores offer ‘prepaid gift cards’ - you may already have one of these!

But prepaid cards are not limited to gift cards.

There are prepaid cards for many more situations such as sending money to family and friends, managing travel funds, shopping over the Internet.

Prepaid Cards can be a secure substitute for travellers' cheques, cash, cheques and gift certificates.

Prepaid Debit Cards can offer a number of benefits such as:

* No credit checks (so approval can be instant!!)

* No line of credit (so no borrowing and no debt!!!).

* No interest charges

* No employment verification.

* Fees may be charged depending on the type of card.

(Read T and Cs carefully where they will be clearly explained.)

* Only require basic customer information.

* under 18's

* Most of them can be used worldwide,wherever Visa - MasterCard and/or Maestro are accepted, depending on the brand mark on your card.

* Can be used at an ATM

* Usually, includes free bill payment service meaning that you can pay anyone

online or over the phone.

* Can be cancelled/blocked if lost or stolen.

* Many also offer free rewards programs(points can be redeemed for free music downloads, free travel, etc).

That's it for me now, my next entry will include a comparison/review of prepaid debit cards against "bank" debit cards and your normal credit card. Do you know their main differences? Read my next post to find out. 

Card Credit Instant Prepaid - What You Need to Know - Part Two

Hello everyone,

As promised, here is Part Two of "Card Credit Card Instant Prepaid - What You Need to Know".

Today, I wanted to show you a brief comparison of prepaid cards, bank debit cards and credit cards:

Prepaid Debit Cards:

No credit checks
No line of credit (so no borrowing and no debt).
No interest charges
No employment verification.
Fees may be charged depending on the type of card.
(Read T and Cs carefully where they will be clearly explained.)
Only require basic customer information.
under 18's
Can be used worldwide,wherever Visa - MasterCard and/or Maestro are accepted, depending on the brand mark on your card.
Can be used at an ATM
Usually, includes free bill payment service meaning that you can pay anyone
online or over the phone.
Can be cancelled/blocked if lost or stolen.
Many also offer free rewards programs


Bank Debit Cards:

Credit check to open the bank account to which the card is linked.
Account can have an overdraft facility.
Interest charges on money borrowed against an overdraft and with no interest free period.
Fees if you exceed an agreed overdraft.
Require full customer information.
Can be used wherever Visa - MasterCard and/or Maestro are accepted,
depending on the brand mark on your card.
Can be used at an ATM
Can be cancelled/blocked if lost or stolen.


Credit Cards:

Credit check to approve card, decide credit limit and set interest rate.
Line of credit that can be increased over time
Interest charges on money borrowed against the credit limit,
if there is an outstanding balance after the interest-free period.
Charges such as late payment fees, over-limit fees, cash advance fees,
foreign exchange charges, duplicate statement fees and non-activity fees.
These are explained in the T and Cs for each card product.
Require full customer information.
over 18
Can be used anywhere Visa or MasterCard is accepted.
Can be used at an ATM
Can be cancelled/blocked if lost or stolen.

Ok, I hope you found the above information useful.

Do you know "who" would benefit from prepaid cards the most?

The answer will be revealed soon. Check my next posting.

Until then, keep safe,

Eli Elst - Editor
The Best Credit Card Site.com