Cashless transactions are becoming increasingly convenient with the ever changing digital world today. Although with the credit card, there is a higher risk of running into debt, especially if you are not able to control your appetite for shopping. However, to address this challenge, there is the option of reloadable prepaid visa cards, which function like regular debit cards by allowing users to shop, transfer funds, pay bills, make ATM withdrawals, as well as receive direct cash deposits. You can use these cards at any outlet that accepts Visa payments.
The fundamental difference is the cash you are spending is available in your account either through transfer or direct deposit. Unlike the non-reloadable prepaid visa gift card, these are real plastic cards allowing reloads when you deplete the available balance. Without money, then the card will decline further transactions if you attempt. It is an excellent way to help you manage money. By enabling several withdrawals and unlimited deposits, the card acts like a transactional account. It requires no background check on your credit history for you to own a prepaid card. With a prepaid card, there is no interest charge and fee for late payment. Monthly and overdraft fees are minimal.
You don’t need to open a bank account to get reloadable prepaid visa cards. You can either transfer or allocate cash to a card. For example, you can load a prepaid card with a credit card online through a checking account. By doing so, you have protected your identity and set aside money to spend that is well within your budget. There are numerous cards on offer by various institutions. Finding an excellent prepaid visa card that is convenient can be a difficult task.
Top 10 Best Reloadable Prepaid Visa Cards
Below is a highlight of available cards to consider when making a choice. Look at how each card can best serve your needs.
1. NetSpend Fee advantage plan
NetSpend fee advantage plan offers convenience to its users by exempting several charges associated with prepaid cards, including adding money to someone else NetSpend card.
Key Features
- Monthly fee: $9.95
- Cash reload fee: $0
- Card purchase fee: $0
- ATM Fee: $2.50
- It allows unlimited transactions at no charge.
- No fee on direct deposits
- With the NetSpend Mobile App, you can manage your account easily on the go
- High monthly charge.
2. NetSpend Pay As You Go plan
Whereas other cards accrue charges, NetSpend pay as you go card will only attract charges once you are using it, therefore, making it ideal for people with few transactions to make.
Key Features
- Monthly fee: $0
- Cash reload fee: $0
- Card purchase fee: $0
- ATM Fee: $2.50
- Attracts charges only when in use
- Online balance inquiry is free
- Failure to use the card for 90 days, $5.95, is charged as an inactivity fee.
3. NetSpend Premier
Also referred to as a reduced monthly plan, NetSpend premier offers unlimited transactions at no charges. An annual fee of less than $1 is applicable as well
Key Features
- Monthly fee: $5
- Cash reload fee: $0
- Card purchase fee: $0
- ATM Fee: $2.50
- Referral bonus in case you refer someone, and they sign up
- Unlimited transactions at no charge
- Failure to use the card for 90 days, $5.95, is charged as an inactivity fee.
4. American Express Serve
The American Express Serve is one of the best reloadable prepaid visa cards with a fall back saving plan for big purchases.
Key Features
- Monthly fee: $6.95 or $0 with a $500 monthly direct deposit
- Cash reload fee: up to $3.95, depending on the retail partner, or $0 via direct deposit and bank transfer
- Card purchase fee: up to $3.95, or $0 online
- ATM Fee: $0 With in-network withdrawals
- Allows cardholders to set up sub-accounts and fix expenditure threshold
- No monthly fee for New York, Texas, and Vermont residents
- Waiver for a monthly fee for select areas
5. American Express Serve Cash Back
American express serves cashback is among the best rewarding prepaid visa cards. It offers a 1% reward for every dollar spent.
Key Features
- Monthly fee: $7.95 or $0 with a $795 cash back reward
- Cash reload fee: up to $3.95, depending on the retail partner, or $0 via direct deposit and bank transfer
- Card purchase fee: up to $3.95, or $0 online.
- ATM Fee: $0 With in-network withdrawals,
- Allows cardholders to set up sub-accounts and fix expenditure threshold
- No monthly fee for New York, Texas, and Vermont residents
- It Earns a 1% reward in the form of cash back for every dollar spent while shopping. It means that if you spent $795 within a month, then you will have earned enough cashback to waiver your monthly fee.
- Failure to collect maximum rewards limits the waiver on a monthly charge.
6. American Express Serve Free Reload
Just like the name may suggest, American Express Serve Free Reload offers reloads at no fee across select stores.
Key Features
- Monthly fee: $6.95
- Cash reload fee: $0 across select stores, or $0 via direct deposit and bank transfer
- Card purchase fee: up to $3.95, or $0 online.
- ATM Fee: $0With in-network withdrawals,
- Allows cardholders to set up sub-accounts and fix expenditure threshold
- No monthly fee for New York, Texas, and Vermont residents
- it will enable free reloads.
- Reloads are restricted to select stores
7. American Express Bluebird
Whereas many cards charge various fees, Bluebird, on the other hand, has close to no charges.
Key Features
- Monthly fee: $0 fee
- Cash reload fee: $0 across select Walmart stores, or $0 online
- Card purchase fee: up to $0 fee, or $0 online.
- ATM Fee: $0 at MoneyPass ATMs
- Zero visa prepaid card balance checking fee
- Free cash transfers between bluebird accounts.
- Free card replacement
- You can load the prepaid visa card online or at select Walmart stores free of charge
- You can download and use Bluebird Insight App to track the activities of your account from any location.
- Reloads are restricted to select Walmart stores
- It takes a more extended period to load through mobile.
8. Brinks Prepaid Card
Brinks holds a reputation of having high security and safety features. It is also known to have payback rewards that enable customers to earn on purchases.
Key Features
- Monthly fee: $9.95
- Cash reload fee: up to $3.95, depending on the retail partner
- Card purchase fee: $0
- ATM Fee: $2.50
- Associated pharmacy discount of up to 50% on significant pharmacies
- Payback rewards
- Brinks does not partner with any network for free ATM use
- High monthly fee
9. Movo Virtual Prepaid Visa Card
The card is best known as a low-cost card due to its broad exemption of charges such as monthly, purchase and activation.
Key Features
- Monthly fee: $0 fee
- Cash reload fee: Less than a dollar
- Card purchase fee: up to $0 fee, or $0 online.
- ATM Fee: $0 in network, $2 non network
- it allows online transactions without submitting the card number. You can do this by generating virtual prepaid cards which cost 50 cents each
- Convenient for online payments
- Can send money through the web or mobile phone
- If the account is inactive for 90 days, then $4.95 will be charged as an inactivity fee.
- Online payment fee
10. Fifth Third Access 360 Reloadable Prepaid Card
It is a product of Fifth Third bank. Monthly charges have been waivered to the bank customers. For a non-customer to receive a waiver, you have to deposit $500 monthly
Key Features
- Monthly fee: $0 for members, or $4 for non-members alternatively $0 for $500 monthly deposit
- Cash reload fee: $0
- Card purchase fee: $0
- ATM Fee: $0 with in-network
- No loading fee is required
- Cheap compared to most cards
- The card is available on a few states only
- Lack of a nationwide network for loading cash
- When purchasing fuel, the transaction needs to complete at the gas station.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get a prepaid visa card for international use?
You can get an international prepaid visa card by visiting any bank or financial institution in your country and opening an account. The bank will link to a visa, which is a global credit company hence the name visa card. Load it with any currency and transact at any international platform. You can make ATM withdrawals overseas using the card. Another way to get an international prepaid visa card is by downloading the App of the card you prefer and opening an account. You will then receive your card after a couple of days.
How to get cash from prepaid visa debit card
You should exercise precaution when it comes to withdrawing at a non-network ATM. The most important thing is to look out if the ATM bears a visa logo similar to the one displayed on your card or if there is a display that reads the visa card accepted. Then Enter your PIN, select withdraw, then choose the amount you wish to remove and confirm.
How much money can you put on a prepaid visa card
Visa prepaid card balance limit, is the set amount that a card can hold at any given time. This amount may vary depending on the card—the majority range from as little as $2500 to $20,00. However, the American Express Serve and Bluebird offer a maximum of up to $100,000.
How to use a prepaid visa card online
Prepaid visa cards can shop, pay bills online, or even transfer cash online. After choosing the payment to settle, select the card as the mode of payment. Enter a 16-digit card number. Enter the security code at the back of your card for verification. You don’t need to provide your pin. The card deducts the funds after some days.
Conclusion
There are numerous cards on offer from different institutions. When selecting a prepaid visa card, look at the various card charges. Consider a card with minimal or no monthly fees. Choose a card that requires no reload fee, and that allows direct deposit at no cost. A sound card should be secure against fraud and acceptable across a wide range of service providers. You don’t need to open a bank account to get a reloadable prepaid visa card. You can simply transfer cash to a card. By doing so, you have protected your identity and set aside money to spend that is well within your budget. Select a card that can allow you to send money online or through a mobile device. A reputable online presence and an excellent retail network are essential factors to the lookout.