Please tell me about prepaid visa cards

[MichelleB]

I know there's an activation fee but otherwise, what else should I know? My son is going on a school trip and has to take a substantial amount of money and I'm apprehensive about sending so much cash. If he runs low on the prepaid visa, can I add more $ to it and does it show right away? If he loses it, do we have any recourse? If he has a few dollars left on the card and the purchase is more than the amount, will they run it for the amount left and then he can pay cash for the rest? Any info is very helpful and appreciated!

 

[ksh1111]

It depends on the card, to be honest. Do you belong to a Credit Union? They will have a low fee one. In order to.add funds, you will need to link the card to your bank account.or.debit card. If he uses it at a sit down restaurant, it will be run for 20% above Bill amount, so will have multiple authorizations on card.

 

[CoP Luv]

I personally am not a fan. We had our card number stolen and when I called the card company about it, they said it was quite common because the card numbers are only a few digits different. If we get one as a gift, I immediately buy a target gc or something else right away. (And nothing could be done about the stolen money).

 

[Mouse3Dad]

Some of the cards show funds added nearly immediately. I have experience with a NetSpend card. While the fees to load money can get lucrative ($4.95) for up to $100.00, it does allow for flexibility of loading online from a Visa/MC Debit card, or going to a location and loading it manually with Cash.

The nice thing about the NetSpend, you can use it as a Visa, or a debit card. So your son could potentially take money out as he needs it from an ATM.

The fee's start getting out of control when you load multiple times, and then get hit at the ATM as well. As you are getting hit, putting the money in and then taking it out too.

 

[sunshinehighway]

American express has a few prepaid option with few fees. Serve and Redbird are two you could look into. Both allow you to add money to a card and manage the account online. It takes about a week-10 days for the card to come in the mail though.

 

[havaneselover]

Have you looked into the Capital One 360 account for kids? This is what my kids have and it comes with a debit card. It's a great way to introduce tweens/teens to managing a bank account.

 

[MichelleB]

Any other suggestions? He's 13 and I hate to have him carrying around a lot of cash. Just not sure what to do.

 

[AnnaS]

Debit card? Can you add him to your credit card as an authorized user - you can cancel it when he gets back - just a thought!

 

[Figmentmommy]

Perhaps send him with 2 cards of smaller denomination so that in case one is lost he will have a back up. We've had luck with the prepaid Visa Vanilla cards. My kids often get these for gifts from family members and we use them when we travel. They are not able to be reloaded but you can select how much you want to put on the card. He should also be able to split a payment if needed.

 

[MichelleB]

He leaves in 2 days so I think we're going to split a prepaid card and cash.

 

[happily single]

I have an American Express Serve card and love it. I add money (for free) at CVS and according to the website you can also do so at 7-11 stores. Since he is leaving in two days you will not have time to order on. It only took about a week for the card to come in. The only downside is I have encountered a few retailers (Savers) that do not accept American Express; otherwise it is great. I add money at CVS and by the time I reach my car it is already loaded on the card and I have received an email from AE letting me know.

 

[redkel]

Bluebird (American Express) cards are available at Wal-Mart and you can add up to $500 at a time there for free ($5 activation fee). You can use the temporary card that you get in the kit right away and add money anytime (online after you get a permanent card or in store anytime).