Visa Buxx Card

[FOJMO]

This is one of the best things we ever got for our DD17. It is a loadable credit card-type card, but not really credit. You load money onto it from a credit card or a bank account and we do it online. We originally got it for Carly when she went to Europe on a school trip. We didn't want her carrying around a lot of cash (except what they were required to get in Euros and British pounds). It works everywhere Visa is accepted and even in ATMs. We can view the transaction history, balance, etc. from the website for our account.

We've used it extensively since her trip, too. For instance, today she's stopping at the vet's to get our cat's prescription, cat food, and another medicine. We just load money onto it (small transaction fee is imposed) and she uses that instead of me having to write her a blank check or give her my credit card or call the vet with my card #.

We are very busy at work and play rehearsals at times, so we also put money on it if she wants to stop somewhere and get some takeout for dinner, etc. It will also be good when she goes to college and has it for an emergency. If she needs money for books, etc. that was not anticipated, she can call home and we can load money on it in minutes and she's good to go!

Anyone else use this card or one like it? How do you like it? It's been a Godsend for us.

 

[DonnaS]

We've had one for MIL for about two years. We changed to Bank One when Bank of America began to impose loading fees. Because we have a Bank One credit card, there are no fees.

We load $30 per week on it. You can set it up to automatically do this. It sure beats having to make sure we have cash when she comes over and needs money.

 

[DonnaS]

Oops, that should be USBank that we go through.

 

[SoonerKate]

I had one of these cards the first time I went to Europe alone and it was wonderful. My parents were (understandably!) worried about me being so far away, but at least they could get me money pretty much instantly in case anything happened.

A friend of mine had one on the college program and it was great -- since we made money (but not much), it was really easy for her mom to help her out if she didn't make what she was supposed to but still had to buy gas and groceries.

 

[MaryJ]

Originally posted by DonnaS
We changed to Bank One when Bank of America began to impose loading fees. Because we have a Bank One credit card, there are no fees.

We have a Bank of America credit card. Would we still have loading fees imposed on us?

 

[DonnaS]

I have no idea, but from my experience with Bank of America (where they'll charge you for anything they can ), I'd say yes.

I just looked it up... Here's the link to BofA's Visa Buxx Program . Read down to Service Charges, it looks like the loading fee would be waived but you'd still have to pay a $15 annual fee.

This reminds me... my US Bank account charges a one time fee of $10 to set up the account and not annually like BofA. Those who don't have a US Bank account might want to still sign up with the US Bank Visa Buxx because for those without a US Bank Card the one time fee is $15 (same as BofA's annual fee) and the loading fee is only $2.

Anyways, go to http://www.visabuxx.com and it will show you all of the banking companies that offer them and you can chose which one is best for you.