Pre-paid cards.

[Cone-Of-Shame]

I was hoping that someone could give me some advice on using a pre-paid cards at Disney. I was going to use the Menzo card which doesn't have your name on it so could this be an issue at the desk when trying to pay off a magic band bill? I've never been to Disneyworld before so I have little knowledge of how procedures work regarding paying off the bill.

Also if anyone has any experience with using pre-paid cards I'd love to hear what your experiences were like.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Im from Ireland and I use the POST FX MASTERCARD from my post office. I travel to California every year and have used it in all sorts of places, petrol stations, shops, museum tickets, restaurants etc etc. It does not have my name on it, just the valid to / from details.
Some places do look at it odd, but as its signed on the back like a normal card, Ive never had any issues. I also have a pin number for it. Just make sure to carry ID as some places will check your signature matches. I always carry my passport.

 

[Cone-Of-Shame]

Im from Ireland and I use the POST FX MASTERCARD from my post office. I travel to California every year and have used it in all sorts of places, petrol stations, shops, museum tickets, restaurants etc etc. It does not have my name on it, just the valid to / from details.
Some places do look at it odd, but as its signed on the back like a normal card, Ive never had any issues. I also have a pin number for it. Just make sure to carry ID as some places will check your signature matches. I always carry my passport.

Thanks for the reply. Have you had any experience connecting it to a magic band?

 

[Jon84]

Revolut card is very good, it's a Mastercard, so accepted everywhere. You can buy a second backup card to take with you, and activate it in app when you're overseas without moving balances.

In the App you can

• Cancel the card if you lose it
• Can reset the PIN,
• Top up from your Bank Account
• Order another card
• Convert money between currencies
• Get instant notification in the app when the card has been used.
  
• Unblock card if it sets off a fraud check

Thanks for the reply. Have you had any experience connecting it to a magic band?

I would suggest NOT linking any prepaid card to MDE. This can block off a huge amount of money depending on the resort (they have varying levels), and leave the card unusable.

 

[Ceilidhscot]

I emailed Disney re: Monzo card and it can be linked to magicbands. I did read there was a top limit of £1000 per month so if your final bill was higher than this it could be an issue - no idea if there is a top limit on the revolut card...anyone know?

Another thing I read, there are no fees YET for Monzo but this is something they are considering seemingly. Whether they will be for new holders only or across the board for all, again, I've no idea.

 

[BadPinkTink]

No I have never connected it to a magic band. I agree with @Jon84 about it locking/ blocking money. A friend once used a prepaid card to book a hotel room. The full amount was locked in from the card, even though it was just a reservation.

 

[Ceilidhscot]

Revolut card is very good, it's a Mastercard, so accepted everywhere. You can buy a second backup card to take with you, and activate it in app when you're overseas without moving balances.

In the App you can

• Cancel the card if you lose it
• Can reset the PIN,
• Top up from your Bank Account
• Order another card
• Convert money between currencies
• Get instant notification in the app when the card has been used.
  
• Unblock card if it sets off a fraud check

I would suggest NOT linking any prepaid card to MDE. This can block off a huge amount of money depending on the resort (they have varying levels), and leave the card unusable.

If you don't link, can you still get items sent to your Disneh hotel though? I.e. Pay for item using card and then collect item by showing receipt at the hotel you are staying at?

 

[Cone-Of-Shame]

Thanks everyone for your advice. We think we might just take cash instead and take the Monzo card as a back up because you can top it up from the app from my debit card since with no fees (as of yet).

Just a quick question about the magic band, can you pay off your bill in installments like every two days or does it have to be one payment at the end of the trip?

I would suggest NOT linking any prepaid card to MDE. This can block off a huge amount of money depending on the resort (they have varying levels), and leave the card unusable.

Sorry if I'm being dense but can you explain this more please?

 

[BadPinkTink]

@Cone-Of-Shame

For example, say you had $1000 on your prepaid card. If you use the card to reserve , but not pay for hotel rooms, the value of which is $500 , the hotel takes that money out of the card until you settle your bill. Therefore, even though you might not pay for your hotel until you check out you actually only have $500 on your card to use, not $1000.

It seems thats @Jon84 is saying that Magic Bands work the same way

 

[Cone-Of-Shame]

@Cone-Of-Shame

For example, say you had $1000 on your prepaid card. If you use the card to reserve , but not pay for hotel rooms, the value of which is $500 , the hotel takes that money out of the card until you settle your bill. Therefore, even though you might not pay for your hotel until you check out you actually only have $500 on your card to use, not $1000.

It seems thats @Jon84 is saying that Magic Bands work the same way

Thank you for clearing that up for me. This is my first time at Disneyworld so I wasn't fully sure how the magic bands worked.

 

[Jon84]

If you don't link, can you still get items sent to your Disneh hotel though? I.e. Pay for item using card and then collect item by showing receipt at the hotel you are staying at?

Yes you can, or collect from front of park

@Cone-Of-Shame

For example, say you had $1000 on your prepaid card. If you use the card to reserve , but not pay for hotel rooms, the value of which is $500 , the hotel takes that money out of the card until you settle your bill. Therefore, even though you might not pay for your hotel until you check out you actually only have $500 on your card to use, not $1000.

It seems thats @Jon84 is saying that Magic Bands work the same way

Exactly, it's a 'Pre-Authorization' of your card. The other danger is that you have $500 Dollars on your card, a pre authorization is taken for $500, you only spend $100 using the MB. The Authorisation does not come of instantly meaning you won't have access to the remaining $400, which you might need for another hotel stay, or a cab ride to the airport, etc etc

 

[Ceilidhscot]

Ace! That's what I'll do then. Pay for items with the card and ask that it be delivered to the resort.

Simples!
Thanks