Pre Paid Cards

A pre paid card is a payment card pre-loaded with your own money which can then be used to pay for goods wherever the payment card is accepted.

 The main suppliers of these cards are MasterCard, Maestro, Visa Electron and Amex.  

Pre paid cards are often thought of as being in a similair catergory as "gift cards" however the pre paid cards are more widely accepted and can also be used internationally. They are usually embossed with your own name and some are CHIP and PIN. The main advantage of these cards is the fact that they can be used abroad which means you can keep your currency exchange to a minimum and just use your card to pay for items abroad.

A pre paid card is not a credit facility so credit checks are not required. You are guaranteed acceptance even if you have CCJ's or bad credit. You will still have to provide details to verify your identity and address but lots of providers can now verify your details online and give you instant approval.

As you load your own money onto the card and you cannot spend more than the funds you have put in there, so there are no bank charges, late fees etc. These pre paid cards are becoming increasingly popular with under 18's who perhaps have casual jobs and are paid by cash. With more and more bargains to be had online than shopping in the high street, loading your cash onto one of these cards enables savvy shoppers to buy online without the need for costly credit cards!