Prepaid Card Comparison - US

Last Updated: Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Prepaid cards are an excellent alternative for those without a bank account or a credit card due to lower credit rating. This report compares the most popular cards for features and charges. Learn about the many charges that a prepaid card incurs. Choosing the right card may save you hundreds of dollars in charges and fees. Please make sure you research well before choosing a card provider.

Prepaid cards can be used to receive wages. Most cards do not charge direct top ups from salary.

note If you are considering getting one, it helps to understand prepaid cards, as they come with specific features and shortcomings.

AccountNow
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  • AccountNow Prepaid Visa Card:
    Card issue fee $10.00 (Expedited delivery - $40.00)
    Maintenance fee $9.95 per month (Premium Plan)
    Transaction fee US: No Charge, Overseas: 2.95%
    Card loading fee Cash & Direct Deposit: No Charge
    ATM withdrawal fee US: $2.00 (max $300-$500‡/day),
    Overseas: $4.95
    Maximum card balance $10,000
    Card replacement fee $10.00
    Balance enquiries ATM: $1.00, Phone: No Charge‡ (or 50¢)
    Card closure & refund fee $15.95
    Inactivity fee No charge
    Overdraft fee $15.00
    Card-to-card transfer No charge
    Bill pay No charge
    Features 1. Maximum card balance $10,000
    2. No inactivity fee
    3. No Card-to-card transfer fee
    4. No bill pay fee
    ‡ With Direct Deposit

rank 2

Barclays Bank Delaware
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  • Barclays Bank Delaware Juniper Prepaid MasterCard:
    Card issue fee $5.95 (Express shipping: $25.00)
    Maintenance fee $5.00 (waived with direct deposit)
    Transaction fee US: No Charge,
    Overseas: Higher of $5.00 or 3%
    Card loading fee Retail: $3.95-$4.95, Direct Deposit: No charge
    ATM withdrawal fee US: $2.00, Overseas: $5.00
    Maximum card balance $5,000
    Card replacement fee $5.00 (Express delivery $25.00)
    Balance enquiries ATM: 50¢, Overseas ATM: $2.00
    Online: No charge
    Card closure & refund fee
    Inactivity fee No charge
    Overdraft fee
    Card-to-card transfer
    Bill pay
    Features 1. Maximum card balance $5,000
    2. No inactivity fee

rank 3

Bank Freedom
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  • Bank Freedom Prepaid MasterCard:
    Card issue fee No charge (additional card $9.95)
    Maintenance fee $5.95 per month (waived with direct deposit
    of $350 or account total of $700 per month)
    Transaction fee US: No Charge, Overseas: $1.00 + 2.95%
    Card loading fee MoneyPak: $4.95,
    Bank-to-card: No charge†
    ATM withdrawal fee US: $1.95 (Maximum $500.00 per day)
    Store cash back: 95¢, Overseas: $3.95
    Maximum card balance $10,000
    Card replacement fee $9.95
    Balance enquiries ATM: 50¢, Overseas ATM: $2.00
    Online: No charge
    Card closure & refund fee $14.95
    Inactivity fee No charge
    Overdraft fee
    Card-to-card transfer
    Online bill pay 49¢ per payment
    Features 1. Maximum card balance $10,000
    2. No inactivity fee
    † Setup fee may apply

rank 3

Bank Freedom
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  • Bank Freedom Prepaid Visa Card:
    Card issue fee No charge (additional card $9.95)
    Maintenance fee $5.95 per month (waived with direct deposit
    of $350 or account total of $700 per month)
    Transaction fee US: 95¢, Overseas: $1.00 + 2.95%
    Card loading fee MoneyPak: $4.95,
    Bank-to-card: No charge†
    ATM withdrawal fee US: $1.95 (Maximum $500.00 per day)
    Store cash back: 95¢, Overseas: $3.95
    Maximum card balance $10,000
    Card replacement fee $9.95
    Balance enquiries ATM: 50¢, Overseas ATM: $2.00
    Online: No charge
    Card closure & refund fee $14.95
    Inactivity fee
    Overdraft fee
    Card-to-card transfer
    Online bill pay 49¢ per payment
    Features 1. Maximum card balance $10,000
    2. No inactivity fee
    † Setup fee may apply

rank 3

Facecard
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  • Facecard Prepaid MasterCard:
    Card issue fee No charge (additional card $9.95)
    Maintenance fee No charge
    Transaction fee US: 95¢, Overseas: 50¢ + 2.95%
    Card loading fee Bank-to-card: No charge†
    ATM withdrawal fee US: $1.50 (Maximum $100.00 per day)
    Maximum card balance $2,500
    Card replacement fee $9.95
    Balance enquiries ATM, Phone & Online: No charge
    Card closure & refund fee $9.95
    Inactivity fee $4.95 per month‡
    Overdraft fee $9.95
    Card-to-card transfer
    Online bill pay
    Features 1. No card issue fee
    2. No monthly/annual maintenance fee
    3. No ATM balance enquiry fee
    † Setup fee $2.50
    ‡ After 90 days of inactivity

rank 4

H&R Block
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  • HR Block Emerald Prepaid MasterCard:
    Card issue fee No charge (additional card $10.00)
    Maintenance fee No charge
    Transaction fee US: No Charge, Overseas: 2%
    Card loading fee Retail: No charge, Payroll: No charge
    ATM withdrawal fee US: $1.95, Overseas: $2.50
    Maximum card balance NA
    Card replacement fee $10.00 (Express delivery $35.00)
    Balance enquiries ATM: $1.00, Overseas ATM: $1.50
    Online: No charge
    Card closure & refund fee $20.00
    Inactivity fee $2.50 per month‡
    Overdraft fee
    Card-to-card transfer
    Online bill pay
    Features 1. No card issue fee
    2. No monthly/annual maintenance fee
    ‡ After 90 days of inactivity

rank 3

Mio
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  • Mio Money Prepaid MasterCard:
    Card issue fee $9.95
    Maintenance fee $4.95 or $12‡ per month
    Transaction fee US: No Charge‡ (else charged)
    Card loading fee Cash: $4.95, Direct Deposit: No Charge
    ATM withdrawal fee US: $2.00 (max $400/day),
    Overseas: $4.95
    Maximum card balance $10,000
    Card replacement fee $10.00
    Balance enquiries ATM: $1.00, Phone: No Charge‡ (or 50¢)
    Card closure & refund fee $15.95
    Inactivity fee
    Overdraft fee
    Card-to-card transfer
    Online bill pay
    Features 1. Maximum card balance $10,000
    ‡ All inclusive plan

rank 2

NetSpend
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  • All-Access Prepaid MasterCard:
    Card issue fee $7.95
    Maintenance fee No charge
    Transaction fee US: $1.00 (Signature), $2.00 (PIN)
    Card loading fee Bank-to-card: No charge†
    ATM withdrawal fee US: $2.00 (Maximum $100.00 per day), Overseas: $4.95
    Maximum card balance $10,000
    Card replacement fee $9.95
    Balance enquiries ATM & Phone: 50¢, Online: No charge
    Card closure & refund fee $9.95
    Inactivity fee $5.95 per month‡
    Overdraft fee $9.95
    Card-to-card transfer
    Bill pay
    Features 1. Maximum card balance $10,000
    2. No monthly/annual maintenance fee
    3. No ATM balance enquiry fee
    † Setup fee may apply
    ‡ After 90 days of inactivity

rank 3

Palm Desert National Bank
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  • Futura Premier Prepaid MasterCard:
    Card issue fee $9.95
    Maintenance fee $6.95 per month
    Transaction fee US: No charge, Overseas: 2%
    Card loading fee Bank-to-card: No charge†
    ATM withdrawal fee US: $1.95, Overseas: $3.95
    Store cash back: No charge
    Maximum card balance $10,000
    Card replacement fee $4.95
    Balance enquiries ATM: 50¢, Overseas ATM: 95¢,
    Phone & Online: No charge
    Card closure & refund fee $9.95
    Inactivity fee $6.95 per month‡
    Card-to-card transfer No charge
    Bill pay 95¢ per bill
    Features 1. Maximum card balance $10,000
    2. No card-to-card transfer fee
    † Setup fee may apply
    ‡ After 90 days of inactivity

rank 3

Palm Desert National Bank
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  • ReadyCard Prepaid Visa/MasterCard:
    Card issue fee $4.95 (additional card: $4.95)
    Maintenance fee $4.95 per month
    Transaction fee US & Overseas†: 25 ¢
    Card loading fee Direct Deposit: No charge, Wire transfer; $1.00
    ACH: $1.00, Bill pay: $1.00
    ATM withdrawal fee US: $1.95, Overseas: $3.95
    Store cash back: No charge
    Maximum card balance $9,999
    Card replacement fee $4.95 (Express shipping: $20.00)
    Balance enquiries ATM: 95¢ (US & Overseas),
    Phone & Online: No charge
    Card closure & refund fee $9.95
    Inactivity fee $6.95 per month‡
    Overdraft fee $9.95
    Card-to-card transfer $1.00
    Bill pay 25¢ per bill
    Features 1. Maximum card balance $9,999
    2. Free PayPal transfer (reloads)
    † 2% currency conversion charge
    ‡ After 90 days of inactivity

rank 3

Palm Desert National Bank
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  • Pr1macard Prepaid MasterCard:
    Card issue fee $12.95 (additional card: $4.95)
    Maintenance fee $6.95 per month
    Transaction fee US & Overseas†: No charge (signature)
    US & Overseas†: $1.50 (PIN)
    Card loading fee Direct Deposit: No charge, Wire transfer; $1.00
    ACH: $1.00, Bill pay: $1.00
    ATM withdrawal fee US: $1.75, Overseas: $3.50
    Store cash back: $1.75 (US), $2.00 (Overseas)
    Maximum card balance $2,500
    Card replacement fee $8.50
    Balance enquiries ATM: 40¢ (US), 60¢ (Overseas),
    Phone (IVR): 40¢, Online: No charge
    Card closure & refund fee $10.00
    Inactivity fee
    Overdraft fee
    Card-to-card transfer $4.95
    Bill pay $2.95 per bill
    Features † 2% currency conversion charge

rank 2

ReadyCARD Mastercard
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  • ReadyCARD Prepaid Mastercard:
    Card issue fee $4.95 (additional card: $4.95)
    Maintenance fee $4.95 per month
    Transaction fee US & Overseas†: 25¢ (signature & PIN) + 1.5% overseas transaction
    Card loading fee Direct Deposit: No charge, Wire transfer; $1.00
    ACH: $1.00
    ATM withdrawal fee US: $1.95, Overseas: $3.00 + 1%
    Over the counter: $5.95 (US), $5.95 + 1% (Overseas)
    Maximum card balance $2,500
    Card replacement fee $4.95
    Balance enquiries ATM: 95¢ (US), 95¢ (Overseas),
    Online: No charge
    Card closure & refund fee $20.00
    Inactivity fee
    Overdraft fee
    Card-to-card transfer $1.00
    Bill pay 25¢ (electronic), $2.50 (paper check)
    Features † 2% currency conversion charge

rank 2

ReadyCARD Visa
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  • ReadyCARD Prepaid Visa:
    Card issue fee $4.95 (additional card: $4.95)
    Maintenance fee $4.95 per month
    Transaction fee US & Overseas†: 25¢ (signature & PIN) + 1.5% overseas transaction
    Card loading fee Direct Deposit: No charge, Wire transfer; $1.00
    ACH: $1.00
    ATM withdrawal fee US: $1.95, Overseas: $3.00 + 1%
    Over the counter: $5.95 (US), $5.95 + 1% (Overseas)
    Maximum card balance $2,500
    Card replacement fee $4.95
    Balance enquiries ATM: 95¢ (US), 95¢ (Overseas),
    Online: No charge
    Card closure & refund fee $20.00
    Inactivity fee
    Overdraft fee
    Card-to-card transfer $1.00
    Bill pay 25¢ (electronic), $2.50 (paper check)
    Features † 2% currency conversion charge

rank 2

Walmart
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  • Walmart MoneyCard Visa Prepaid Card:
    Card issue fee $3.00 (Standard), $6.00 (Student edition)
    Additional Card: $3.00 (Standard), Mo charge (Student edition)
    Maintenance fee $3.00
    Transaction fee US & Overseas: No Charge†
    Card loading fee Walmart: No charge (check cashing), $3.00 (no check cashing)
    ATM withdrawal fee US & Overseas: $2.00‡
    Maximum card balance $3,000
    Card replacement fee $3.00
    Balance enquiries Phone: No charge, ATM: $1.00
    Online: No charge
    Card closure & refund fee
    Inactivity fee No charge
    Features 1. Maximum card balance $5,000
    2. No transaction fee
    † 2% currency conversion charge
    ‡ Free cash back at stores

rank 3

Western Union
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  • Western Union MoneyWise Visa Prepaid Card:
    Card issue fee No charge
    Maintenance fee No charge
    Transaction fee US: No Charge
    Card loading fee Retail: $4.95,
    Bank-to-card: No charge†
    ATM withdrawal fee US: $1.00 (Maximum $500.00 per day)‡
    Maximum card balance $5,000
    Card replacement fee $5.00
    Balance enquiries Phone: No charge, Overseas ATM: $2.00
    Online: No charge
    Card closure & refund fee
    Inactivity fee $2.50 per month•
    Features 1. Maximum card balance $5,000
    2. No card issue fee
    3. No monthly/annual maintenance fee
    † Setup fee may apply
    ‡ Free cash back at stores
    • After 12 months of inactivity

rank 3

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