Where to get pre-paid credit cards in Orlando

[SnapesGirl]

Hi guys! Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, so please feel free to move. We were thinking of using pre-paid credit cards for our Disney trip (things like food, souvenirs, etc) rather than carrying around cash.

I was going to purchase one here in Montreal, but noticed that we get charged extra interest for using it in the US. So I was wondering where I can purchase these in Florida. Are they readily available in Walmart or is it better to order them online? I was thinking of getting the pre-paid Mastercard, but it says I can use it wherever "Debit Mastercard" is accepted, so I wasn't sure if this is something that is accepted at Disney?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[maplevale]

Just a warning - my sister and aunt both got those kinds of cards as gifts (we live in Canada too) and had a hard time finding places that could figure out how to redeem them (ie: only Best Buy did they consistently have success - Walmart had no clue, Old Navy, Rickis etc.).

I would be hesitant to use something like that while on vacation in case they didn't work there, I also am not sure how 'safe' they are if you loose them. I would look into getting a low balance CC just for use when you travel. You could even put the $$ on it before you go so you have a credit.

 

[Malibustyle23]

It has been a few years since I have been to Florida but in Maryland prepaid credit cards are readily available at Wal-Mart, Target, most grocery stores and even alot of gas stores, convenience stores and pharmacy style stores. Most offer Visa, Master Card and American Express in either set denominations or a card where you choose the amount that you would like filled in with a minimum to maximum amount allowed. Sorry I can not remember the amounts off hand.

I would imagine that all of these choices would be the same in Florida.

I am not sure about "debit" Mastercard. In the US when you refer to debit you would need to use a pin to have the transaction go through. All of our prepaid cards are ran as credit without the use of a pin.

 

[k_reile]

Get Disney gift cards for Disney. You can charge to your room and cash out at check out with Disney cards. When were there last November they could not get my MasterCard gc to work at all. Brought it home, DH used it at lowes and it worked fine. I bought a $500 to pay off my trip and get gas points at Kroger. I could not process it online and had to call Disney. They could only process $425 out of $500. I had to go buy $75 worth of Disney Giftcards from what was left on it.

 

[SnapesGirl]

Thank you for all the responses! I think we'll play it safe and just buy a couple of Disney gift cards.

 

[Best Aunt]

There's a service charge on those pre-paid credit MasterCard, Visa and American Express cards. I think it's $4.50 if you buy a $25 or $50 card. You pay it when you purchase the card.

 

[Ali]

I buy them at 7-11 gas stations. I use it for my Kindle, nook, and Ipod so that there is a defined limit on how much can be purchased. You just have to pay for them at the register, and I think I used a debit card to put $50 on a card. I have mastercards.

The only problem I can see for you is that when you get close to using up the card you have to know the exact amount left on them to make a purchase. You can't just run it through the machine and then pay the leftover amount a different way.

 

[SnapesGirl]

The reason we wanted a pre-paid credit card is we're doing a few days at Universal too, but I'm just worried now that we may not be able to use them everywhere. I think we'll just stick with cash and Disney gift cards.

 

[maplevale]

Thank you for all the responses! I think we'll play it safe and just buy a couple of Disney gift cards.

From what I have read you will have to buy those in the states (ones in Canada only work at Canada stores)

 

[SnapesGirl]

From what I have read you will have to buy those in the states (ones in Canada only work at Canada stores)

Yeah I heard that as well, so we'll just pick up a couple of cards when we arrive.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Maybe a disney gift card would be your best option. With any of the prepaid re-loadable credit cards, you need to register it and provide a social security number.