Orange Prepaid Mastercard

LemonTree_3

First, I thought the Orange Cash Card is a great offer. But after the experience of setting it up I have to change my mind.
Maybe the following could be useful for others:
If you buy £15 credit in a Orange store the card is free, see here
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/beat-budget-airline-charges

BUT: I had to try four Orange stores before I could actually buy £15 credit. The staff seemed not to know how to sell you the £15 credit or claim it is better to do everything online. This was my experience in two Orange stores in Bath and one in Bristol. Finally I was able to get the £15 credit in an Orange store on Oxford Street in London! So be resistant if the staff doesn't know.

It takes about 10 days for the card to arrive. Strangely, I applied in August 2011 but the card is valid from February 2011, so 6 months before I applied?!
Also, the card is not fully functional. But you wouldn't know that before actually receiving the accompaying letter saying "Your card has some spending limits and you can't top-up by credit or debit card."
Before one is able to top-up by debit card one has to do a postal identity check by sending in documents. And Orange Cash Card charges a £5 admin fee for this. But again, you wouldn't know when you apply.
Also topping-up by debit card takes 48 hours and by direct transfer from an UK account up to 3 business days. Again, there is no information about the topping-up time when you apply. Thus, I don't consider this card very practicable. You need to put credit on the card well in advance and cannot make spontaneous purchases unless you want to leave large amounts of credit on the card and losing interest on it.
For example, top-ups on the FairFX Prepaid Mastercard is available immediately.

LemonTree_3

By the way, I just read
"Customers will be charged 20p for any PIN change."
"Calls to Customer Services Advisors are charged at 50p per minute."

battyboimatt

I have one of these and no issuses, I even got £5 free on the card in a promotion, they only impost spending restrictions if they cant electronically verify your identity, no restrictions imposed on mine and didnt have to send anything,

andyt8

I just got my Orange card through and even though I am an orange phone customer for ages I have the spending limitations and need to send them more identity documents plus a £5 to enable me to top up for free online with a debit card.... wonder what the criterion is for being electronically verified in the first place. Also had the same home address for 20yrs and my bank account for similar time so not as if I have recently moved house or bank.

Not too impressed especially when I read it is 50p / min just to talk to someone. Huh.

prl100

Had similar experiences with orange store staff

Got my card online, but every time I went to my local store (Middlebrook, bolton) they had NO CLUE how to top the thing up. Each time it was a ten minute affair. I have a feeling the cards were just released without ANY training provided to the instore staff.

The card itself has been fine. I like the fact that it is contactless, can be used free at point of sale and topped up for free at an orange store. I have been verified electronically when I applied online, so do not need to send in any documents.

I don't like charges to use ATM and i havent changed my PIN because of the 20p charge to do so. I know 20p is not a lot of money but its a principle!

Incidentally the Middle brook store which was so useless has now closed. I have had no problems topping up my card at the Trafford Centre orange store.

Bob_the_Saver

They gave me 'one' for free with a fiver on, spent the fiver(s) - job done and I'm not even an Orange customer, so no complains here.

andyt8

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

They gave me 'one' for free with a fiver on, spent the fiver(s) - job done and I'm not even an Orange customer, so no complains here.

Lucky you. I am in email discussions to their customer support to try and find out why they could not verify my identity electronically. I wonder if they just send out a proportion "restricted" to get the extra £5.00 and then use this to pay for the £5.00 promotions that you lucky people all got

jasonwatkins

Rather than start a new thread, I just thought i'd bump this.

These cards are now free for a limited time ..

http://studio.orange.co.uk/orangemoney/

Plxply

Since it's free should I get this card? I have a credit card and enough bank accounts, but it's just another to add to the pile. Will there be any fees if it's left dormant?

jasonwatkins

Plxply wrote: »

Since it's free should I get this card? I have a credit card and enough bank accounts, but it's just another to add to the pile. Will there be any fees if it's left dormant?

I've had a balance of 47p on mine for nearly a year and haven't used it at all, save for checking that balance last week when I got an email saying I actually had £47 pounds

I haven't been charged at all.

Like most prepay cards, it's only really useful if you need it. But then if i didn't already have one, i'd probably get one as it's free.

happy_bunny_2

I didn't use mine for a month around new year and they sent me a top up £100 and get £5 free. Free money as no charges to use in shops etc.

I use it quite a bit now as you get points that can be redeemed against PAYG mobile with orange and I will be switching to PAYG when my orange contract ends, so useful for that.