Orange Cash Card (Prepaid Mastercard) service shuts down 23.59 September 30th

MrMar

alanq wrote: »

It is now two years since the Optimum Card to replace my Orange Cash card arrived much belatedly.

On 6th August 2017 I received an email "Your OPTIMUM Prepaid Mastercard® will expire soon. We can't believe it's that time already - it's been great having you with us. And because you've been actively using your card, we're sending you out a brand new card - free of charge."

The old card expires on 30th September but there is no sign of a replacement . In my experience most card providers issue replacement cards 2-4 weeks before the old ones expire. Not Optimum. Once again I have taken the precaution of reducing my balance to £0 as I have no confidence that a replacement card will arrive before the old one expires. This time I will not be chasing.

Any sign of your card yet ?
I seem to be another that's still waiting for their Optimum card and I had an e-mail on the 7th of July reminding me that my card would expire end of August and a free replacement would be sent
After inquiring twice (thankfully without penalty),I received an e-mail notifying that it would be delayed upto 4 weeks but also 2 reminders that I have received my card and awaiting activation.
Never had any problems using the card and haven't paid any charges either.....what grates is the small balance still hanging there
Regards

[Deleted User]

alanq wrote: »

The old card expires on 30th September but there is no sign of a replacement.

Exactly the same thing happened with me.

When I rang them, they said there had been a mistake, and ordered me one straight away.

The card arrived about 7 days later.

eDicky

alanq wrote: »

As I have not withdrawn cash, spent only in the UK and topped up by bank transfer I have paid no fees to Optimum. It has served my purposes at no cost.

Well, it can cost nothing if you didn't have to buy or replace the card (£5), if you use it only in the UK for purchases, no ATM withdrawals (2.95%), don't change your PIN (20p), don't need to load cash at PO or PayPoint (£1.50), never call Customer Services (£1) or cancel and redeem your funds (£5)... in that case it's no worse than using the bank account and debit card that you topped it up with (and could use instead). Maybe you can secretly pay for internet gambling (£1.50 fee) but I can't see much advantage over the totally free alternatives...

[Deleted User]

eDicky wrote: »

but I can't see much advantage over the totally free alternatives...

The advantages to me are:-

1. It keeps my online spending isolated from my bank account, so any hackers can only steal/spend what's on the card, not what is in my bank account.

2. I can't spend on a whim.

alanq

No card arrived. I emailed them on 1st October telling them not to bother sending a replacement card. They replied "I’m sorry to hear you have decided to close your account ..." - no explanation or apology for failing to send a replacement as promised.

I wonder if it is anything to do with the problems that Monzo is having with its prepaid card manufacturer.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/banking/2017/10/1000s-of-monzo-applicants-hit-by-unexpected-delays-sending-out-cards

eDicky

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

The advantages to me are:-

1. It keeps my online spending isolated from my bank account, so any hackers can only steal/spend what's on the card, not what is in my bank account.

2. I can't spend on a whim.

They don't seem to be advantages over the fee-free cards I mentioned, with which you can do the same, plus they have decent customer service and ability to redeem your funds without fees if you need to.

Techie

I received my replacement Optimum Card this morning.

MrMar

Also received mine today,about six weeks late and with no apology of any kind,just a generic 'new' customer welcome
...but at least I have it

Techie

Same here. Would have been nice if there had been an apology, especially since my replacement card is already 2 months out of date - expires August 2019.

alanq

alanq wrote: »

No card arrived. I emailed them on 1st October telling them not to bother sending a replacement card. They replied "I’m sorry to hear you have decided to close your account ..."

Despite the above a new card arrived this morning.