Best Prepaid Debit Cards of 2013
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Prepaid cards are becoming more and more popular, as everyone needs "plastic" these days, but not everyone can get one. Similar to a gift card, these cards are essentially just cards you load up with cash and use on the go, when a card is required. Prepaid cards can be a lifesaver for people who can't get a regular credit card, or people without checking account linked debit cards.
While these cards can be very useful, you should beware of built-in fees for everything from opening the account to loading money on the card, to making transactions. But at the same time these cards charge no interest. Also, they don't report to credit bureaus, and as such, they do not help you establish a credit history.
Bad / No Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 0 to 619
You can apply if: you have never had a credit card or haven’t established a credit history yet; your credit has seen bankruptcies or foreclosures.
| Activation Fee | Guaranteed Approval | Instant Response | Credit Check | Build Credit | Reporting Credit Bureaus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | No | No | No | No | No |
- No Activation Fee.15
- $10 for enrolling in direct deposit.15
- Fees as low as $4.95 per month.
- Takes you places cash can´t go.
- Get convenience as if it credit o debit card.
- Buy airline tickets or make hotel reservations.
- Use as cash card/money card.
- Not a credit card.
Bad / No Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 0 to 619
You can apply if: you have never had a credit card or haven’t established a credit history yet; your credit has seen bankruptcies or foreclosures.
| Activation Fee | Guaranteed Approval | Instant Response | Credit Check | Build Credit | Reporting Credit Bureaus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9.95 | No | Yes | No | No | No |
- Enroll in Direct Deposit and get your pay up to two days early. *Certain restrictions apply. See card site for details.
- Choose from multiple fee plan options, and switch for free.
- Earn fee rebates for maintaining balance in RushGoals program.
- Transfer money to another RushCard member for just $0.99.
- Free 24/7 customer service.
- Access to over 23,000 fee-free MoneyPass ATMs from coast-to-coast. Get cash or check your balance - free of charge.
- Convenient schedule of fees.
- Your funds are FDIC-insured.
- No risk of overdraft fees.
- Has account maintenance fees.
Bad / No Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 0 to 619
You can apply if: you have never had a credit card or haven’t established a credit history yet; your credit has seen bankruptcies or foreclosures.
| Activation Fee | Guaranteed Approval | Instant Response | Credit Check | Build Credit | Reporting Credit Bureaus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9.95 | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
- Get Your Premium Benefits:
- Exclusive Rewards Program.
- Free Credit ScoreTracker.47
- Easy Mobile Account Access and Text Alerts.
- Easy Online Bill Payment & Check Writing.
- Free Direct Deposit - paycheck, benefits, tax refunds.
- No Credit Check, no Overdraft Fees or Balance Minimums.
- Reloadable up to $10,000 Max Balance.
- Deposit is fully FDIC insured.
- 100% Guaranteed Approval.
- Free direct deposit.
- Has set up and monthly fees.
Bad / No Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 0 to 619
You can apply if: you have never had a credit card or haven’t established a credit history yet; your credit has seen bankruptcies or foreclosures.
| Activation Fee | Guaranteed Approval | Instant Response | Credit Check | Build Credit | Reporting Credit Bureaus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| see site | No | No | No | No | No |
- $0 activation fee when you signup online!
- Earn $20 with free direct deposit of your employer paychecks on to your PayPower card.
- Earn $30 when you direct deposit your government benefits checks on to your PayPower card.
- Refer a friend and earn $20 when they sign up.
- No Credit Check, Overdraft Fees, Minimum balances or existing bank account required.
- Use everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online and at ATM´s.
- Safe and secure alternative to cash and funds are protected by the Visa Zero Liability policy.
- Free online bill pay, customer service, and card to card transactions.
- Faster tax refund with PayPower.
- No minimum balance required.
- Use everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.
- Charges monthly maintenance fee.
Bad / No Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 0 to 619
You can apply if: you have never had a credit card or haven’t established a credit history yet; your credit has seen bankruptcies or foreclosures.
| Activation Fee | Guaranteed Approval | Instant Response | Credit Check | Build Credit | Reporting Credit Bureaus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | No | No | No | No | No |
- No Monthly, Annual or Purchase Fees.
- Direct Deposit.
- No Overdraft, Inactivity or Foreign Exchange Fees.
- Purchase Protection.37
- Fraud Protection.
- Roadside Assistance.37
- No Credit Check.
- No monthly fees.
- Limits on free ATM withdrawals.
Bad / No Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 0 to 619
You can apply if: you have never had a credit card or haven’t established a credit history yet; your credit has seen bankruptcies or foreclosures.
| Activation Fee | Guaranteed Approval | Instant Response | Credit Check | Build Credit | Reporting Credit Bureaus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $9.95 | No | Yes | No | No | No |
- Enroll in Direct Deposit and get your pay up to two days early. *Certain restrictions apply. See card site for details.
- Safer than carrying cash, use everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.
- Choose from multiple fee plan options, and switch for free.
- Conveniently send money to family and friends with card to card transfers.
- Free 24/7 customer service.
- Access to over 23,000 fee-free MoneyPass ATMs from coast-to-coast. Get cash or check your balance - free of charge.
- No interest charges.
- Low maintenance fee.
- Fast and free direct deposit.
- A prepaid card.
Bad / No Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 0 to 619
You can apply if: you have never had a credit card or haven’t established a credit history yet; your credit has seen bankruptcies or foreclosures.
| Activation Fee | Guaranteed Approval | Instant Response | Credit Check | Build Credit | Reporting Credit Bureaus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | Yes | No | No | No | No |
- Use Direct Deposit - get your paycheck or government benefits check up to 2 days faster.
- Refill a Prepaid Phone using your Control card - Get $1 back each time you add $25 or more.
- Simple fee plan with no cost to order or activate a card and no overdraft fees.
- Qualify for a $10 Purchase Cushion and $5/month fee plan after a Direct Deposit of $500 in one calendar month.
- Earn Cash Back Rewards & Refer A Friend bonuses.
- Free Bill Pay and online budget management tools.
- Transfer money to other cardholders online or with your mobile phone.
- Free Smartphone App - check your transactions, balance and find the closest reload location.
- Free Direct Deposit with automatic upgrade.
- Cash back rewards program.
- Available optional savings account.
- Has a monthly fee.
Bad / No Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 0 to 619
You can apply if: you have never had a credit card or haven’t established a credit history yet; your credit has seen bankruptcies or foreclosures.
| Activation Fee | Guaranteed Approval | Instant Response | Credit Check | Build Credit | Reporting Credit Bureaus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| see site | No | Yes | No | No | No |
- Real-time mobile alerts notify you of transactions and balances.
- Free direct deposit - get your paycheck and government benefits up to 2 days faster.
- Instantly transfer money from your PayPal Account to your PayPal Prepaid MasterCard®!
- No credit check, overdraft fees or interest charges.
- Get cash back rewards.
- Safer than carrying cash - use it to pay for everyday purchases.
- Link the card with your PayPal account and have full access to features available.
- Optional savings account.
- Real-time alerts and notifications.
- All benefits available only if you have PayPal account.
Bad / No Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 0 to 619
You can apply if: you have never had a credit card or haven’t established a credit history yet; your credit has seen bankruptcies or foreclosures.
| Activation Fee | Guaranteed Approval | Instant Response | Credit Check | Build Credit | Reporting Credit Bureaus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4.95 | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
- $0 Monthly Fee.
- No Minimum Balance.
- No Credit Check. No Overdraft Fee.
- Free Direct Deposit and Online Bill Payment.
- Use it everywhere Visa Debit Card accepted.
- Now with Purchase Rewards.
- Perfect for Occasional Usage.
- Easy access to your money.
- Alternative to checking account.
- Has an activation fee.
Bad / No Credit
Required FICO score for this card: 0 to 619
You can apply if: you have never had a credit card or haven’t established a credit history yet; your credit has seen bankruptcies or foreclosures.
| Activation Fee | Guaranteed Approval | Instant Response | Credit Check | Build Credit | Reporting Credit Bureaus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| n/a | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
- Get paid up to 2 days faster when you use direct deposit.
- 100% Approval - No credit check needed (ID verification required).
- Get your paycheck or government benefits up to 2 days faster with free direct deposit.
- Earn cash back with NetSpend Payback Rewards™.
- Real-time activity alerts sent to your mobile phone.
- Prescription Discounts - up to 55% off!
- Funds are FDIC insured up to the current coverage limit (ID verification required).
- You can upgrade your account to get additional benefits.
- Pay bills online in the way that suits you best.
- Access your account anytime and anywhere.
- Charges monthly fees.
Manage Your Money with Prepaid Cards
Prepaid cards require no credit checks, background checks or monthly payments. They are the easiest cards to manage - just load and use. These cards do not accrue interest like credit cards do, but they also will not help you build a credit history. These cards are re-loadable and available for use at any ATM.
A prepaid card can be a lifesaver for those susceptible to overspending and impulse buys. If you're working with a budget you can put the amount you want to spend on your card and be reassured that you won't go over budget.
A prepaid card is a good option for people who want to control payments on auto-renew. If you have automatic billing set up with a prepaid card, you will not have overdraft problems if the card runs out of money. The card will simply decline the automatic bill payment if it doesn't have any money left on it.
A prepaid card can be used as allowance: for children and young adults, this card is perfect for allowances and pocket money given by parents. Not only will your kids stop bugging you for cash, they will also learn independence, good money management skills, and discipline that will benefit them later in life, when they are full-fledged consumers.
Our Experts about Best Prepaid Cards
latest news:
American Express Serves Up a New Way for Students to Get Paid for Books
April 22, 2013
A new partnership between American Express and Chegglets college students sell their used textbooks at the end of the semester and get their money loaded on a Serve prepaid card.Continue reading
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Justin Bieber Enters the Prepaid Card MarketApril 18, 2013
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Warner Bros. Partners with MYPLASH Prepaid CardsApril 15, 2013
related research:
Serve from American Express: A Virtual Prepaid Card with Benefits
January 30, 2013
A new kind of prepaid card can be used virtually, through an app on your phone, or online – even on your Facebook wall. Fees are minimal and benefits are plentiful with this alternative to credit cards and checking accounts. Continue reading
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The Hitchhiker's Guide to Prepaid CardsAugust 30, 2012
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Can I get Cash Back With a Prepaid Card?October 20, 2011
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15 See Card Terms and Conditions.
37 See the American Express card terms and conditions online.
47 See Program Rules.