View Full Version : Where can I get a prepaid credit/debit card?
Where's the best place to get one of those prepaid credit/debit type cards that I can use for websites that require a credit card to join? I don't know if they would take a debit card or not.
Limegreen
09-16-2009, 10:04 PM
Cvs
Thongsy
09-16-2009, 10:12 PM
Probably any grocey store, Fred Meyer and Safeway sells them here, or places like Walgreens and Walmart have the greendot ones I think.
Interfeci
09-16-2009, 10:24 PM
If you have paypal, you could always generate a one time use card number with them. That way you don't get any recurring fees, if that's what you're trying to avoid.
To use on websites like ECA for membership, I assume it can't be debit. What type of card should I look for? I'll look into that paypal thing.
unopepito06
09-16-2009, 11:40 PM
Walmart. Beware their wicked fees, though.
The card company's fees, that is, not Walmart's. I suggest doing some research before you jump.
http://www.viewpoints.com/Green-Dot-Prepaid-Mastercard-reviews
saturnotaku
09-17-2009, 07:14 AM
If you specifically want to join the ECA, you can buy one of their pre-paid cards from Target.
http://www.target.com/ECA-Membership-Card/dp/B002DN7XS4/sr=1-1/qid=1253182454/ref=sr_1_1/190-1210860-5326303?ie=UTF8&search-alias=tgt-index&frombrowse=0&index=target&rh=k%3AECA&page=1
radar5
09-17-2009, 07:58 AM
as long as your debit card has a credit logo on it like Visa or Mastercard, you should be able to use it. They just treat it like a cc. Otherwise, as has been mentioned, any procery store or drug store should carry them up near the registers as well as Walmart/Target.
Be3fJerky
09-17-2009, 09:53 AM
Walgreens is usually the best place to get em, I get them there all the time, they have a good selection too.
Bmac1775
09-17-2009, 10:21 AM
If you have paypal, you could always generate a one time use card number with them. That way you don't get any recurring fees, if that's what you're trying to avoid.
Im apparently slow on the uptake, can ya tell me where on the paypal site I need to do this. This would be great
dragoon99
09-18-2009, 01:45 AM
If you have paypal, you could always generate a one time use card number with them. That way you don't get any recurring fees, if that's what you're trying to avoid.
It's possible to use your existing paypal balance as a one time use credit card online?! This would be so useful. Could you please let us know the name of the option/where to find it?
I can't seem to find an option for it. All I've found so far is offers to sign up for a paypal credit or debit card.
wonkizzle
09-18-2009, 07:58 PM
I personally have the Wal Mart card, because I hate dealing with banks (horrible experiences). I can safely say I love the thing. The fee is only 4$ a month if you have a ballance <500$.
How much do the cards cost & how much are the fees?
How do you put money on them?
It's possible to use your existing paypal balance as a one time use credit card online?! This would be so useful. Could you please let us know the name of the option/where to find it?
I can't seem to find an option for it. All I've found so far is offers to sign up for a paypal credit or debit card.
Same here.
MrPnut
09-19-2009, 02:05 AM
Don't go greendot. I sell those cards and it's only good if you play to keep using it (why would you want to keep using a prepaid card unless you can't get a checking account?) They are $4.95 for the initial purchase and $5.95 every month for a maintenance fee. If you want to put money on your card you pay $4.95 every time you want to add cash unless you do a bank draft which is free, or direct deposit from your work. Your best bet is to just find a visa gift card at a drug/grocery store or walk into just about any bank branch and ask the teller if you can purchase a prepaid visa gift card. Hope that helps.
edit: Oh and have no fear about using a visa gift card as a "credit" card. ATM/Debit cards will usually have star, plus, or cirrus logos on them specifying that they're used in atms as well (which is why when you swipe a debit card at a grocery store pinpad, it asks for your pin first because it connects to the atm network) Having a card with the actual visa logo on it works like a credit card online.
emg28
09-19-2009, 05:14 AM
Im apparently slow on the uptake, can ya tell me where on the paypal site I need to do this. This would be great
It's possible to use your existing paypal balance as a one time use credit card online?! This would be so useful. Could you please let us know the name of the option/where to find it?
I can't seem to find an option for it. All I've found so far is offers to sign up for a paypal credit or debit card.
How much do the cards cost & how much are the fees?
How do you put money on them?
Same here.
I had the same question as you guys so I googled it.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4472021_generate-card-number-through-paypal.html
I wanted to use one for the ECA membership, too. I didn't know how to generate a one-time use card and the PP site isn't very helpful with that subject. I ended using a CC that I only use for emergencies.
Bmac1775
10-02-2009, 09:53 AM
spam
Hummm, Mango.com and you name is Mango on here.....I bet....naw cant be
guinaevere
10-02-2009, 10:24 AM
Nice catch, Bmac. Now if only you had reported the post instead of replying to it.
Niwen Starfire
10-02-2009, 10:37 AM
For the paypal card thing, I think you use the Paypal Plug-in browser toolbar. Go to the products and services tab, then scroll down to "More products and services" and click on Paypal Plug-in. It has a 'Generate secure card' feature, I think that's what you're looking for? Never used it myself.
Bmac1775
10-02-2009, 11:07 AM
Nice catch, Bmac. Now if only you had reported the post instead of replying to it.
I knew id screw it up
slidecage
10-02-2009, 11:20 AM
i dont think there any REAL prepaid cards that does not charge a monthly fee..
Went to
walmart
meijers
Walgreen
bank
All of those charge between 3 to 8 per month just to hold the card ..
guinaevere
10-02-2009, 12:19 PM
I knew id screw it up
I'm just giving you a hard time, and attempting to make a point to anyone who's reading. When you see something iffy on the boards, report it so we can clear it out. Like i said though, good catch.
American Express no longer charges Monthly fees for their Gift (prepaid) Cards (http://www.americanexpress.com/gift/giftcardslanding.shtml). I've used these in the past online and in B&M stores without any problems. Visa/ MC may do these also, but I've only received Amex prepaid cards, so I don't have any experience with them.
IAmTheCheapestGamer
10-04-2009, 09:57 PM
The Vanilla Visa pre-paid gift/credit/debit cards are decent. They have a fee of like $6 or so(more on the higher denominations)when you first get them. They don't really charge any monthly fees on them until the 7th month or so and then it's $2.50 a month.
Here's the page with more info on them: https://www.vanillavisa.com/cardholderAgreement.html
As long as you use up the balance before that 7th month, then you shouldn't see ANY fees taken off of the card balance.
I'm just giving you a hard time, and attempting to make a point to anyone who's reading. When you see something iffy on the boards, report it so we can clear it out. Like i said though, good catch.
American Express no longer charges Monthly fees for their Gift (prepaid) Cards (http://www.americanexpress.com/gift/giftcardslanding.shtml). I've used these in the past online and in B&M stores without any problems. Visa/ MC may do these also, but I've only received Amex prepaid cards, so I don't have any experience with them.
Amex looks like the best solution. If I used Paypal and ECA did not charge anything, that leaves my one use open and vulnerable. Judging by the way ECA is handling other things, like not even being able to make sure you get the certification email or have a secure credit card login I don't trust them with my money. Here are locations that sell the Amex gift cards:
http://blog.giftcardrescue.com/gift-card-question-where-to-buy-american-express-gift-cards-in-person/
So I picked up one of the Amex ones and was a little upset it had a stupid $4 activation fee. Their claim about no monthly fees is only true for the first 12 months.
sorange22
11-17-2009, 08:38 PM
Futuracards has a pay as you go card that has no monthly fee. But it does cost .95 each time you use it. That is what I use when i buy things online
fastcat34534
01-01-2010, 09:30 PM
you can get visa gift cards for a penny at dfwbid.com. They have been featured on Fox News
Anyone know if you are charged fees if you are unable to use the whole card balance? Not sure how to use the exact balance on the card without going over, even if I get gas I might go over and be charged for that. Ugh.