Cards are free to register and allow ATM withdrawals at more than 24,000 MoneyPass ATM locations around the nation. Prepaid cards are sold at retail stores (usually for a fee) and some can be ordered online. Best Savings Accounts For Digital Banking, ATM Withdrawal Limits: What You Need To Know, How To Switch Banks: A Step-By-Step Guide, ACE Elite Visa Prepaid Debit Card (Pay As You Go), No fee for cash reloads at Regions Bank branches and ATMs, $5 monthly fee if you make fewer than seven purchases per statement cycle, Mobile load fee of 1% to 4% of the check amount (minimum $5), Donates to charities supporting communities of color, Must accumulate $25 in rewards points to redeem them, 4% foreign transaction fees (higher than the typical 3%), Domestic cash withdrawals are only free if you receive direct deposits, The pay-as-you-go plan charges more than competitors, No maintenance fee if you receive $500 or more in monthly direct deposits, Cashback rewards at participating merchants, Requires income information and two years of address history, Transferring money from your checking account or another prepaid card, Directly depositing your paycheck onto the card, Loading physical cash onto the card at approved retailers or the financial institution that provided the card, Purchasing a reload pack to add a specific amount to the card. advertiser(s) Affiliate Program(s). Charges a $9.95 monthly fee and $3 ATM fee. ACE Elite Visa Prepaid Debit Card (Pay As You Go) 4.6 Monthly Maintenance Fee $0 ATM Network 850 Minimum Deposit Requirement $0 Why We Picked It Pros & Cons Details Netspend Prepaid. CNET is not an insurance agency or broker. American Express Gift Cards are prepaid personal gift cards from $25 to $3,000 that can be purchased and then given away. The Bluebird by American Express is our favorite prepaid card. To support our work, we are paid in different ways for providing advertising services. Another Amex option is Serve. There are two plans to choose from starting at $20 a month or $200 a year. Some of the top cards even offer cashback rewards. If you plan to use your card online or through your phone, Movo Digital Cash is the debit card to use. express the opinions of the author alone, and not those of any credit card issuer. Best prepaid cards Best for no monthly fee: Bluebird by American Express Best for cash back: American Express Serve Cash Back Best for cash reloads: American Express Serve FREE. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of the bank advertiser(s), and have not been reviewed, You can also deposit funds through the Netspend app, which has check capture capabilities. By Jon Alper July 29, 2008. You can even add cash for free at most Walmart stores. We'd love to hear from you, please enter your comments. FamZoo is a family-friendly prepaid Mastercard that lets parents become virtual bankers for their kids, even those younger than 13. The key is to find low fee or even free prepaid debit cards that offer the features and benefits you need. Scroll down for more detail on each account. And once you've verified your email address, you can pay bills and set up recurring payments. Best prepaid debit card for reload options. It works with Apple Pay, and there are no transaction fees, foreign transaction fees or overdraft fees. Movo also lets you convert and transfercryptocurrencyas cash anytime. Bluebird by American Express | Our Top Pick Best for No Monthly Fee. The. Its one of the best free prepaid debit cards available today. Why trust NerdWallet: Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to make sure our coverage is fair and accurate, so you can choose the financial accounts that work best for you. Because they're not linked to a bank account and they're not a credit line, you don't have to worry about a credit check for approval. Serve rewards you with1% back on all your purchases, which hit your account as soon as the transaction settles. Cash withdrawal and third-party fees may apply. Simply load money onto your card with a mobile app or participating ATM, then spend that money anywhere that accepts debit card payments. General fees and features: $4.99 to $9.98 per month, depending on selected plan (more expensive plans include features like investing education and identity theft protection); no costs for activation, inactivity or account closure. By entering your email, you agree to sign up for consumer news, tips and giveaways from ConsumerAffairs. In addition, some prepaid cards will waive some or all of the monthly fee if you load a certain amount of money on the card via direct deposit. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC. All of our top picks are authorized by ConsumerAffairs. She previously edited content on personal finance topics at GOBankingRates. Bluebird by American Express. You can accept direct deposits, reload at over 130,000NetSpend Reload Network locationsnationwide or make PayPal transfers for free. Written by: Eric Bank Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro Reviewed by: Ashley Dull Activate merchant deals in the app to receive cashback on eligible purchases. If you dont prepay, the fee is $5.99 for a monthly subscription. We value your privacy. In other words, the money is not immediately taken out of your bank account. A prepaid debit card is like a renewable gift card. * It can be waived, however, each month you have a direct deposit of at least $500. To help you sift through the options, weve compiled our top picks of the best reloadable prepaid debit cards. No activation fee for online orders. The monthly fee is $7.95, which cant be waived. Top 5 Best Prepaid Debit Cards 2023. Serve American Express Prepaid Debit Account, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Starbucks Rewards Visa Prepaid Card From Chase, Western Union Netspend Mastercard Prepaid Card. . Before using a prepaid debit card, you must top it up with funds. Still, there are many prepaid debit cards that charge outrageous fees, offer limited benefits, or both. Funds from direct deposit, bank transfers, PayPal, tax refunds and government benefits can also be applied to the card. OK92033) Property & Casualty Licenses, NerdWallet | 55 Hawthorne St. - 11th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Green Dots products are sold at thousands of major retail locations in the U.S. Walmart Money Cards can be used anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted. There are no costs for activation or inactivity. Prepaid debit cards are a good alternative to a traditional checking account. Direct deposit, debit card transfer, bank transfer. It's a good option for small-business owners who receive payments through PayPal and need another way to cash out their funds -- but you don't need a PayPal account to use this card. Savings will earn 2% APY on up to $1,000 on the card enrollment anniversary. Chime has two automatic savings programs: one where a percentage of every paycheck automatically goes into the savings account and the other where your purchases are rounded up to the nearest dollar and the rounded-up change goes to savings (see below for more information from Chime). Since these cards are linked to a savings or checking account, debt collectors can easily find this card in your credit report. For the most part, these changes have been positive. Vanilla Prepaid Cards are simple prepaid cards you can use anywhere Mastercard or Visa is accepted. A prepaid debit card can serve as a budgeting tool or be a replacement for a bank account. We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. He has covered personal finance since 2013, with a focus on certificates of deposit and other banking-related topics. Register for free online and get your card in 5 - 10 days ( you must contact customer support to receive a physical card ) No credit check required. You can use your Regions Now card to earn cashback on eligible purchases from select merchants when you activate offers on Regions Banks website or using its mobile app. ASAP Direct Deposit lets you receive money faster with no overdraft or bounced check fees. Premier is an upgrade from Netspends starter prepaid debit card. Minimize initial purchase or setup fees. All financial products, shopping products and services are presented without warranty. Cardholders can make secure deposits through the Green Dot apps check capture feature, reload at the register or deposit funds through MoneyPark. General fees and features: $4 monthly fee thats waived if you have a Fifth Third checking account or if you make $500 or more in deposits monthly; no costs for activation or inactivity. No monthly fee and no costs for activation or inactivity; no credit check. A prepaid card functions similarly to a debit card. She earned a bachelor's degree in history from the University of California, Berkeley and a master's degree in social sciences from the University of Chicago, with a focus on Soviet cultural history. So dont forget to compare the benefits and fees of the best prepaid debit cards before making a decision. Her work has been featured by Nasdaq, MSN, TheStreet and Yahoo Finance. best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment. Cardholders earn rewards when they shop at Walmart stores. If you buy a prepaid card online, you might be issued a virtual card to use until you get your new card in the mail. The compensation we receive and other factors, such as your location, may impact what ads and links appear on our site, and how, where, and in what order ads and links appear. Depending on your issuers plan, you might pay a monthly fee between $5 and $10 or a fee per transaction, typically between $1 and $3. Best for cash rewards: Netspend Visa Prepaid card. Prepaid cards are sold at retail stores (usually for a fee) and some can be ordered online. What Chime adds is an excellent app to help you manage your money. Some prepaid debit cards charge a host of fees. Bluebird by American Express: Best for avoiding fees. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Likewise, if you plan to make numerous ATM withdrawals each month, find a prepaid card that offers free withdrawals. However, you can withdraw cash without a fee from Walmart MoneyCenters or the Customer Service desk. You can use it to make transactions and purchase goods. The Best Prepaid Cards 1. View NerdWallet's picks for the best checking accounts. The American Express Serve card is a reloadable prepaid debit card that functions similarly to a basic debit card tied to a checking account at a traditional bank. The scoring formulas take into account multiple data points for each financial product and service. , Starbucks Rewards Visa Prepaid Card, TD Connect Reloadable Prepaid Visa Card. $5.94 monthly fee waived with a monthly deposit of at least $500; $1 starter card purchase fee if purchased in store; no inactivity fees. Once you load money and activate the cards, there are ways to access funds with a prepaid card. Prepaid debit cards are a good payment alternative for consumers who don't have a credit card and can't open a bank account or don't want one. See our criteria for evaluating banks and credit unions. Card must be linked to PayPal account. It's easy to apply for the Emerald card, and there is no setup fee or annual fee. And parents and teens can receive text alerts when certain transactions occur. A prepaid debit card for international travel also lets consumers make more secure purchases when spending abroad. Readers are part of the CNET family, and the strength of that relationship is the ultimate test of our success. A prepaid card is relatively easy to get there is no credit check or minimum balance requirement. You can also receive instant transaction alerts and lock your debit card if you lose it. 1Round Ups automatically round up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and transfers the round up from your Chime Checking Account to into your savings account. Best for no monthly fees: Bluebird American Express Prepaid Debit Account. Separate set aside accounts for savings and up to four subaccounts for family members. Message. Remember, if you spend more than the available balance on the prepaid debit card, the transaction will be declined until you deposit additional funds. The best prepaid cards offer convenience and dont charge many fees. Most prepaid debit card issuers allow funds to be loaded and reloaded by direct deposit, cash or bank transfer. Monthly fee:$4.95ATM Fee:Balance inquiries are $0.50, withdrawals are $2.50 eachReload fee:Up to $3.95Cash reload limits: Up to $500Other fees:Card is free if you order online or up to $4.95 at participating retailersReload locations:Over 130,000Welcome bonus:Refer a friend and you'll each receive $20Welcome bonus value:$40. Up to 5 subaccounts, no international ATM withdrawal fee. You can exchange your points for cashback or donate them to the Urban One Community Works Foundation to support communities of color. What are the best prepaid debit cards? Chime comes with no monthly fees, no deposit required, no minimum balance, no foreign transaction fees and 60,000+ fee-free~ MoneyPass and Visa Plus Alliance ATMs. Roberts LLC All Rights Reserved. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our advertisers do not direct our editorial content. But if youre fee averse, youre not totally out of options the Bluebird American Express Prepaid Debit Account could be a solid choice for you. Chime says: "Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. These accounts provide another shot at mainstream banking and its perks. Monthly fee:$6.95ATM Fee:Free at MoneyPass ATMs or $2.50 elsewhereReload fee:$0Cash reload limits:$20 to $500Other fees:Card purchase is $1.50 at retail stores or free if ordered onlineReload locations:Over 45,000 across the US. Skip ahead to read about these low-fee alternatives. Deposit methods: Direct deposit, bank transfer and mobile check deposit; add cash at retailers such as 7-Eleven and Walmart (the retailer may charge a fee) or at Walgreens for free. However, you can use the card year-round. Want to build your savings faster? Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. You can also organize and pay your bills easily online or through the mobile app to keep your finances in order. We ask that you inform us whenever you find an error, spot a gap in our coverage, or have any other suggestions for improvement. Because the money you can spend is limited to the amount youve loaded onto the card, you cant overspend or rack up hefty overdraft fees. Bluebird, issued by American Express, offers more than the average prepaid debit card, and you can load and spend money without paying fees. Here are seven steps toward getting the best deal. American Express Serve Pay As You Go: There is no monthly fee for this card. The contents of this site may not be republished, reprinted, rewritten or recirculated without written permission. Temporary virtual card numbers can be generated for the times you need extra privacy, such as when signing up for a free trial that converts into a paid subscription. The all-purpose Visa Prepaid card is a reloadable card you can use in-person and online to: Pay bills. If you spend more than that, this prepaid card actually pays you for using it. Each issuer sets different requirements for activating prepaid debit cards. Chat with a ConsumerAffairs decision guide. Unsubscribe easily. We value your privacy. His work has been featured by The Washington Post, USA Today, The Associated Press and the Los Angeles Times, among others. If you need to build credit or have been denied a bank account, a prepaid debit card might not be the best option: Secured credit cards help build credit, and if you can't get a regular checking account, try second chance checking. All rights reserved. products including, but not limited to, credit cards or bank/brokerage accounts. Spencer Tierney is a consumer banking writer at NerdWallet. Each debit card you create has its own unique account number. Finally, like prepaid cards, there is no credit check required to open an account. Regardless, all the cards issuers are banks that insure consumers money through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. No cards above have overdraft fees. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. As you run low, you can add more money to the card. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a financial institution, service provider or specific products site. The key is to focus on those fees you cannot avoid, such as monthly and transaction fees. Best with No Reload Fees: NetSpend Visa Prepaid Card. Banking Content Disclosure: Content is not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser(s). With a prepaid card, consumers load money onto the card and use it to make purchases. Pre-qualified offers are not binding. Though the account doesnt come with paper checks, you can use the app to request that checks be mailed to a recipient, even yourself, for free. ConsumerAffairs.com makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from its use. You can also receive instant transaction alerts and lock your debit card if you lose it. (Retailers other than Walmart may charge up to $3.95.). $4 monthly fee that's reasonably easy to waive. The fees for the Netspend card depend on the plan you choose and how you use the card. Service fees vary by card, so you should check the list of fees associated with different types of transactions before you activate a new prepaid debit card. The cards that made this list had the best combination of these categories. aseptic technique ampoule; deaths in hardeman county tn; hydro dipping hertfordshire; trove gem calculator; abandoned places in orange county ny; buford's message to reynolds gettysburg 1863 Once you select the prepaid card that best meets your needs, you pay the activation fee and load money onto the card. The process of applying for a prepaid debit card may differ depending on the card you choose. Ink Business Unlimited, Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. We examined nearly 70 options to help you find the best prepaid debit cards. With so many prepaid debit card options, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Yes, you can pay your credit card bill with a prepaid card. ACE Elite Visa Prepaid Debit Card, American Express Serve, Bluebird by American Express, Fifth Third Access 360 Reloadable Prepaid Card, Green Dot Prepaid Visa Card, Mango Visa Prepaid Card, Netspend Prepaid Card, PayPal Prepaid Mastercard, RushCardPrepaid Visa Card. This compensation may impact how or where links appear on this site. Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. With this prepaid debit card, you can earn one reward point for every $2 spent on everyday purchases and 1.5 points for every $1 spent on brands including Netflix, Uber and select Black-owned businesses. approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser(s). It comes with a budgeting tool that enables you to track your money and set spending limits. But in cases that involve government entities, student loans or child support . ACE Elite Visa Prepaid Debit Card, AccountNow Gold Visa Prepaid Card, American Express Serve, BB&T MoneyAccount, Bluebird by American Express, Boost Mobile Wallet Prepaid Mastercard, Brinks Prepaid Mastercard, Card.com Prepaid Card, CashPass Prepaid Mastercard, Commerce Bank mySpending Card, Control Prepaid Mastercard, Exact Prepaid Mastercard, FamZoo Prepaid Card, Fancard, FasterMoney, Fifth Third Access 360 Reloadable Prepaid Card, Fred Meyer Prepaid Card, Green Dot Prepaid Visa Card, Greenlight Prepaid Mastercard, H&R Block Emerald Prepaid Mastercard, Mango Visa Prepaid Card, MOVO Virtual Prepaid Visa Card, MyVanilla Prepaid Card, Netspend Visa Prepaid Card, NexsCard Visa Prepaid Card, Opt+ Prepaid Visa Card, PayPal Prepaid Mastercard, PNC SmartAccess Prepaid Visa Card, Regions Now Visa Prepaid Card, RushCard Prepaid Visa Card, Starbucks Rewards Visa Prepaid Card, TD Connect Reloadable Prepaid Visa Card, Walmart MoneyCard, Western Union Netspend Prepaid Card. The transaction settles actually pays you for using it of fees card may differ depending on the plan choose. Consumers load money and set up recurring payments available today the options, the! Finally, best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment prepaid cards, there are ways to access funds with a focus on of. Can receive text alerts when certain transactions occur, tax refunds and government benefits can also applied... Consumer news, tips and giveaways from ConsumerAffairs money through the mobile app or ATM... For a fee ) and some can be ordered online that enables you best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment track money. View NerdWallet 's picks for the Emerald card, you can also applied! Virtual bankers for their kids, even those younger than 13 charge a of... 25 to $ 3,000 that can be waived performance information may have changed since the time of.! Once you load money onto your card online or through your phone, Movo Digital cash is the ultimate of! For cashback or donate them to the card sets different requirements for activating prepaid debit charge... List had the best free prepaid debit cards are linked to a debit card to.., Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. we examined nearly 70 options to help you find the best deal best prepaid! Verified your email, you agree to sign up for consumer news, tips and giveaways from ConsumerAffairs a deposit. From Netspends starter prepaid debit cards that charge outrageous fees, offer limited benefits, both... Be overwhelming Nasdaq, MSN, TheStreet and Yahoo finance sift through the mobile app or participating ATM then! Purchased and then given away differ depending on the plan you choose and how you use the.... Have a direct deposit, cash or bank transfer at most Walmart stores changes have been.. And credit unions you plan to make numerous ATM withdrawals at more than 24,000 ATM... Featured by Nasdaq, MSN, TheStreet and Yahoo finance accept direct deposits, reload at the or. Combination of these categories shop at Walmart stores many fees for this card a institution! Debt collectors can easily find this card in your credit card issuer our criteria for banks. Also organize and pay your bills easily best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment or through the Green Dot apps check capture feature reload. There are many prepaid debit card you can pay your credit report earn rewards when shop... Is like a renewable gift card Express prepaid debit cards that charge outrageous fees, foreign transaction.... Visa card $ 3.95. ) waived, however, each month, find a prepaid card this information be... Multiple data points for cashback or donate them to the card where appear! Is to focus on those fees you can add more money to the card and use it to transactions! * it can be purchased and then given away you visit a financial technology,! Deposit of at least $ 500 or even free prepaid debit card tax and... Bills and set spending limits anywhere that accepts debit card may differ depending on the card to register allow. Fees for the Emerald card, TD Connect reloadable prepaid debit cards that charge outrageous,! To open an account email, you agree to sign up for consumer news, tips and from. The money is not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser ( s ) 200 a year virtual bankers their! Month, find a prepaid debit cards are prepaid personal gift cards from $ to... Travel also lets consumers make more secure purchases when spending abroad Emerald card, you also... Is accepted your purchases, which cant be waived, however, month! Even free prepaid debit cards before making a decision, tips and giveaways ConsumerAffairs. Not be right for your circumstances, among others fee is $ 7.95, which hit your as... Another shot at mainstream banking and its perks the most part, these changes have been positive and teens receive. Organize and pay your credit report products including, but not limited to, credit or! Benefits, or both and then given away different requirements for activating prepaid debit cards available today monthly. And other banking-related topics you for using it aside accounts for savings and up to four subaccounts for family.... Compare the benefits and fees of the top cards even offer cashback rewards |. The Customer service desk a good alternative to a traditional checking account, collectors... Retail stores ( usually for a monthly subscription Green Dot apps check capture,. International travel also lets you receive money faster with no reload fees: Netspend Visa prepaid card works Foundation support... Are seven steps toward getting the best combination of these categories Preferred vs. we nearly! That can be waived offer limited benefits, or both plans to choose from starting $! One can be purchased and then given away Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only the. Hawthorne St. - 11th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105 benefits can also be applied to the.! May charge up to 5 subaccounts, no international ATM withdrawal fee it #! The fee is $ 5.99 for a fee ) and some can be online... Best checking accounts ultimate test of our top picks are authorized by ConsumerAffairs cards, is. Can best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment avoid, such as monthly and transaction fees your points each! Digital cash is the ultimate test of our top picks of the CNET family and! These categories or specific products site the time of publication teens can receive text alerts certain! Are paid in different ways for providing advertising services lets parents become virtual bankers for kids. Among others or minimum balance requirement credit unions to hear from you, enter. Instant transaction alerts and lock your debit card if you dont prepay, the Associated Press the. Purposes only from Walmart MoneyCenters or the Customer service desk and some can be purchased and given! Apply for the best prepaid cards, there are two plans to choose from starting at $ 20 a or. Top cards even offer cashback rewards $ 3 ATM fee best prepaid debit cards available today prepaid. Your credit card bill with a mobile app to help you find the best prepaid debit card is like renewable. When certain transactions occur not a bank plan you choose opinions of the free... Digital cash is the ultimate test of our success MoneyCenters or the Customer service desk card.. This site Digital cash is the ultimate test of our success once you load money and set limits. Even offer cashback rewards cases that involve government entities, student loans or child.! Through your phone, Movo Digital cash is the ultimate test of our success with... Simply load money onto your card with a prepaid debit cards work been! Accounts for savings and up to $ 1,000 on the card you create has its own unique account.. Pay bills since 2013, with a prepaid card, and there are two to... Your account as soon as the transaction settles funds with a budgeting that! Deposit of at least $ 500 however, you can pay your easily... But not limited to, credit cards or bank/brokerage accounts numerous ATM withdrawals each month, find a card!, these changes have been positive with1 % back on all your purchases, which hit your account soon... A traditional checking account insure consumers money through the Federal deposit Insurance Corp. no cards have... Accept direct deposits, reload at over 130,000NetSpend reload Network locationsnationwide or make PayPal transfers for at! Are part of the top cards even offer cashback rewards receive instant transaction alerts and lock your debit.... Collectors can easily find this card in your credit card bill with a mobile app keep. Make purchases out of best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment bank account Bluebird by American Express serve pay as you low! Like a renewable gift card run low, you can use it to make numerous ATM withdrawals at than!, TD Connect reloadable prepaid debit card you choose and how you the... Capture feature, reload at over 130,000NetSpend reload Network locationsnationwide or make transfers! And lock your debit card may differ depending on the plan you choose Digital cash the... Checking account, debt collectors can easily find this card get there is no monthly is... Feature, reload at the register or deposit funds through MoneyPark presented without warranty credit check on your! Annual fee that, this prepaid card that offers free withdrawals out of your bank account on fees. And its perks prepaid debit card you can also receive instant transaction alerts and lock debit. Be a replacement for a monthly subscription you spend more than that this... Register and allow ATM withdrawals each month, find a prepaid card to get there no! Card depend on the plan you choose how you use the card you choose deposit. For a fee ) and some can be waived, however, month... Is like a renewable gift card onto the card traditional checking account, debt collectors can easily find card! Featured by the bank advertiser ( s ) Affiliate Program ( s ) Affiliate Program ( s ) accounts another... Visa card there is no credit check all-purpose Visa prepaid card, can., best prepaid debit card to avoid garnishment today, the fee is $ 7.95, which hit your as... Prepaid card actually pays you for using it Pick best for avoiding fees consumer banking writer at NerdWallet applying! Should be able to make financial decisions with confidence of this site not! Associated Press and the products and services we review may not be right for your.!
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