Best pre paid card

daz_c

what the best pre paid card to use in france , i reciently got a large ppi claim, paid off my debts and booked a holiday in euro disney for halloween

we have not been abroad before and when getting passports from the post office they suggested we use their pre paid mastercard , is this a good one to use

any advice please

TakeThis

Read the other threads on exactly the same subject is my advice.

Bob_the_Saver

TakeThis wrote: »

Read the other threads on exactly the same subject is my advice.

He/she might not have time to read them all before his holiday

TakeThis

I didn't suggest that he should read them all, but I have answered the same question almost every day.
So a cursory search would have revealed the answer.

Simple answer; Stay away from the Post Office Prepaid card. Cash Passport Globe is much better.

If in London, get a Metro Bank debit card.

Peruse the recent threads on the Currency board for more detail.

firebelle

My 14 yr old son is going to florida in july with his sports team, i have read virtually all the posts about pre paid cards and to be honest still a little confused.
is a prepaid card the best for safety and could anyone recommend the best one and how easy is it use, ie transferring money onto it while he is there and is it like a credit card with pin number or would he have to sign ?
Thanks

Bob_the_Saver

firebelle wrote: »

My 14 yr old son is going to florida in july with his sports team, i have read virtually all the posts about pre paid cards and to be honest still a little confused.
is a prepaid card the best for safety and could anyone recommend the best one and how easy is it use, ie transferring money onto it while he is there and is it like a credit card with pin number or would he have to sign ?
Thanks

Basically they work like this.

You get one, issued by your choice of supplier.
You usually have to activate it in some way.
You load it, fees (if applicable - often not) vary see card issuer.
After a period of time, this can vary from card to card
you withdraw cash from ATM's with PIN
You usually use over the internet 'like a credit card' but as you can only spend what is on the card it is like a debit card but is actually neither, it's a pre-pay card.
Any card charges (booking fees) are usually but not always as if it were a credit card.
Topping up can be done but the ways to do this and charges if any vary, see individual issuers.
Like any plastic the suppliers can pay silly beggars and block transactions 'for your own safety' but as it's your money this is fairly rare in my experience.
When it comes to spending in some places a the holder may have to sign, and in some places for spending a 14 year old waving what looks like a credit card may raise some questions. Charges may apply this varies from card to card.
HOWEVER. Anyone with the card and a valid pin should be able to take cash out of an ATM with the card.
That's the easy bit.
Now search the forum and MSE sit see the various opinions as to the 'best' card.
Personally I only use a pre-paid currency card as a back-up up but for what its' worth I use a Fairfx anywhere card. This can usually be obtained free (with an initial top-up)
http://www.fairfx.com/wizard/start/card
You must make up your mind which is best for you.
If he's taking out lot's of small amounts maybe a card with no or lower ATM fee's but a poorer exchange rate might be better.

It is a bit horses for courses I'm afraid. Or you could just gaffer tape some dollars to his leg.

Read this page (Pre-pay cards towards the bottom)

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/travel/cheap-travel-money

smithwalker

Hi,
Prepaid card is an easy way to secure money in traveling. Lots of business men often use it to make payment.