Prepaid Travel Cards guide

NiftyDigits

FirstTimer4Me wrote: »

I find all this very confusing

Is a pre-paid card as simple as transferring cash from my current bank account onto a pre-paid card, so, if I transfer £100.00, I have £100.00 to spend on a pre-paid card with no further charges.

if I need to top up whilst abroad, I just transfer from my bank account onto the pre-paid card.

Is a pre-paid card the same as using a debit card, just hand it over to pay make purchase.

Off to Spain soon, if I have any money left on the card, can if use the card when in Mumbai early next year?

I want to avoid any monthly / annual, low balance charges / top up charges.

So, after all that, what's the best pre-paid card please?

As you describe. Though with Revolut, you will need an iPad, iPhone or Android Phone in order to service the account.
Otherwise something like Kalixa Pay. For a mainstream card, Halifax Clarity.

tisszy

Revolut is great ... except I forgot $US and $Can aren't the same.

Biggest BUT (so far) is that Google Play won't accept it ... tells me it's an invalid credit card number so I'm having to pay high exchange rate fees.

NiftyDigits

tisszy wrote: »

Revolut is great ... except I forgot $US and $Can aren't the same.

Biggest BUT (so far) is that Google Play won't accept it ... tells me it's an invalid credit card number so I'm having to pay high exchange rate fees.

It matters not if you are converting from Pounds.

Get another card for Google Play if Revolut doesn't work.. If you don't qualify for a card such as the Halifax Clarity, you can try Kalixa Pay if you can get a referral(referral gets you a £5 credit). Useful, as the card costs £6.95. No exchange rate fees.

djroyz22

Revolut Prepaid card T&C mentions this in one of their T&C sections..

How You May Close Your Revolut Account
6.1 If you wish to close your Revolut Account you must contact us by phone at +44 (0) 203 725 7583. Your Revolut Account can be closed only by you and only over the phone. If you call us with such a request, Revolut will take certain steps to verify your identity and you agree to cooperate in such verification. Once Revolut has verified your identity and confirmed you wish to close your Revolut Account, Issuing Bank will close your Account. When your Revolut Account is closed, any pending instructions will be cancelled.

Limitations on Closing Your Revolut Account
6.2 You may not close your Revolut Account to evade an investigation. If you attempt to close your Revolut Account while the Issuing Bank is conducting an investigation, it may freeze the account to protect all parties to the Revolut Services, its affiliates, or a third party against any liability. You will remain liable for any obligations related to your Revolut Account even after the Revolut Account is closed.
7.1 All fees are charged as per Revolut App notifications. Your bank may also charge you fees as related to the applicable Payment Instrument.

Does anybody have clarity on this? I emailed Revolut's support and they got back saying,

"Hi, it implies that the bank may charge you, not us"

That was their reply. Just a one liner with no more details on the "All fees are charged as per Revolut App notifications". The T&C say that the bank may ALSO charge. So what other charge is applied on closure before your bank may decide another charge?

Could anybody help on this?

helibird

Looks like the new best buy prepaid card for both Euros and Dollars is the Revolut. What a shame the only way to get it is to down load their app. I have tried to download it to 2 android devices (Asus tablet and ZTE Blade !!! phone) running versions 4.0.3 and 4.0.4 and I get the same error message Device is not compatible with this version. Has anyone got it to work? What version of Android are you using?:(

helibird

Very quick answer from Revolut on my Android problem. They don't support Android versions less than 4.2. Looks like I'll have to work out how to update my Android

FrancescaWilliams

I have just used Revolut - a prepaid debit card - which I was recommended via the best prepaid debit cards section of this site. It is absolutely brilliant. I downloaded the App, and it was very easy to use. I simply topped up with the holiday cash that I wanted to spend and each time I used the debit card whilst in Mallorca, I could instantly see on the app how much I had spent and where. The exchange rate is excellent and I could withdraw cash from ATMs without being charged a withdrawal fee. Highly highly recommended.

CatBat_2

Hi. Feedback on the Revolut card. Thought it looked like a great product and so got one for our travels around Asia. Day 2 of our 4 week holiday and we're in Singapore. We go to get some cash out and card is declined. Try again to pay for breakfast in a restaurant and it works perfectly, later we try to pay in a shop and again no problems, however we then try to use it in another shop and the transaction is declined. Problem is each time it is declined we're having to use a credit card with a bad rate. Came back to the hotel to contact Revolut. No response so far however reading the forums and it seems other people have had problems including accounts being frozen and funds held. Given this is a holiday we've been saving for for 18 months we don't want to risk having any more problems. We've given up and transferred all our holiday funds to our metro bank card. Not the best card but would rather pay a transaction fee than risk being left high and dry. Disappointing and frustrating start to our holiday. If you do decide to try this card I would have a back-up in place and don't transfer all your money over at once - just what you need bit by bit.

plusjp

Applied for Revolut after reading about it on this site. Needed it within 3 days and Revolut did not disappoint (although they say can take longer to deliver).
Worked a dream. Forgot PIN at first use, got locked, sent message via App to Revolut and within the hour was unlocked and had uneventful use. Transferred funds from bank account via app as needed and had instant access. Got amazing rates on Euros. Worked at ATMs and retail shops in Spain. Did not work for Parking meters or at Toll booths but I was happy to use my credit card for the small amounts.
Will use it again.

Joshuapattinson1990

Global travel card advice required

Hello all, in a nut shell: 14 month trip, West & East Africa, South Asia and South America

Wishing to take 2 pre paid travel cards, 1 MasterCard, 1 visa, both loaded from a UK debit or savings account

Reason being that from advice certain areas I am going to a MasterCard will be completely useless, visa being the most reliable option, also gives back up for if cards are cancelled, not accepted or rejected for whatever reason

MasterCard; think I'm going to go for Fair fx global, though there looks to be little in it between it and the Travelex cash passport .

I'm hesitant in regard to the revolut, due to it likely changing t&c's before my trip is over, I will have the technology to support an app, but not completely confident it will always be charged or in wifi when I may need it.

Visa; HELP the Travelex supercard looks to have been the perfect solution, however now it is over

I had pencilled in the seasons card, however that seems to have dropped in fashion, Kalixia? App related concerns again, any other ideas???

many thanks