The content is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change.

A rewards credit card is a wonderful thing to have. But that doesn't mean there aren't uses for other kinds of cards. Prepaid cards are a great option for folks who don't want to have a traditional bank account and are looking for another way to handle their money. Prepaid cards allow you to receive payments via direct deposit, pay for purchases online and in stores or restaurants, pay bills online, and keep track of your finances via smartphone app. However, the cards you mention don’t work like traditional prepaid cards. They are not reloadable and cannot receive direct deposits. They are best given as gifts, or prizes for promotions. If you want to give someone money for a birthday or other occasion, but don’t want to give them cash, you can give them a Vanilla card and they can use it to pay for purchases anywhere that accepts Visa as a method of payment.