pre paid visa/mastercard?

greatfloyd69

Firstly apologies if this is on the wrong board, but can anyone give any advice on pre paid cards?

I was told about the Thomas Cook cash passport while in a branch recently and was interested because it seems a great idea for our holiday in 2 weeks.

Having done a little reading I decided to go ahead and load up a few days before I travel, but whilst reading about these cards I've decided having a pre paid mastercard/visa may be a great way of regulating my spending each month.

I'll try not to bore you guys too much.... I have 2 bank Accounts, 1 I've had for years that my wages are paid into, and another I recently set up purely for bill payments. I calculate everything on spreadsheets, and have a DI per month.... but i always end up spending to much (no I'm not perfect) or somehow miscalculating something!

I've tried dealing in cash only, having a weekly allowence but I do a lot of bargain hunting online.

SO.... All the reading ive done has confused me further, which card would be the best for using here in the UK? The lowest charges and good for purchases online... and is getting a visa better than mastercard. (visa seems to be the bigger brand??)

Thank you

pmduk

Make sure you understand all of the charges connected with your choice of pre-paid cards. Some will charge for changing PINs, withdrawing cash etc

hate-banks

The cashplus mastercard is, in my opinion, the cheapest. Go check it on their website. The "Escape Card" is also a very good one.

pcombo

Just get an o2 one, they dont charge you any fees.

Get an o2 sim card and load £10 go to website and order one.

hate-banks

that's not entirely true, you need to load £10 PER MONTH! So that is a fee, especially for someone who dont need a new phone number!

JuicyJesus

hate-banks wrote: »

that's not entirely true, you need to load £10 PER MONTH! So that is a fee, especially for someone who dont need a new phone number!

You can spend the £10 though, they don't take it. Not really a fee...

hate-banks

you're right

eurobell

i have had a o2 card for about a year it is brilliant no fees for using online or in the shops toping up and txt tell you how much you have left. orange do similer one but it has charges for loading cash at paypoint but not if you top up at a orangee shop. :beer:

pmduk

The orange card charges should you need to withdraw at an atm