Sharon in SC Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 Our older dd will be taking a trip alone this summer and will need access to funding. I need something akin to a prepaid visa card but have heard some horror stories. Can anyone recommend something that does not come with strings attached (like an activated credit card once the initial funds are used)? What have you done to provide your independently traveling teenagers with access to $. TIA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 They each have a debit card linked to their main bank account. We have also used pre-paid Visa/Mastercards that we can 're-load' at Wal-Mart or our local grocery store. If we use a pre-paid card we make sure to unload it as soon as it is no longer needed (trip is over...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 We also have Wal-Mart money cards. You load them for $3 at WM or can buy refills at any place that sells green dot refills (most places). We have had it for a year and it has worked well. The WM one can be hard to find the 2 card version - there is a joint and a student version. You get one card, then they send you the other one (well, 2 - you just get a temporary one). https://www.walmartmoneycard.com/walmart/homepage.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 I know there are stores here that refuse to accept prepaid cc at all. I don't know the rationale behind it at all, but have witnessed folks being turned away with them at the cash register. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 I know there are stores here that refuse to accept prepaid cc at all. I don't know the rationale behind it at all, but have witnessed folks being turned away with them at the cash register. There would be no way that a merchant could know that what we have is pre-paid. I have had issues with GIFT CARDS in the past - but haven't had any issues with the pre-paid (unless funds aren't there). As far as any merchant knows - we have Wal Mart Visa cards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in SC Posted May 28, 2009 Author Share Posted May 28, 2009 We also have Wal-Mart money cards. You load them for $3 at WM or can buy refills at any place that sells green dot refills (most places). We have had it for a year and it has worked well. The WM one can be hard to find the 2 card version - there is a joint and a student version. You get one card, then they send you the other one (well, 2 - you just get a temporary one). https://www.walmartmoneycard.com/walmart/homepage.aspx Is this a card that can only be used at WM? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TraceyS/FL Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 No, it's a Visa Debit card. The WM one is easier to load than the regular greendot version because they load it right at the register if they swipe the card. IT's the same as: https://www.greendotonline.com/contents/login.aspx We even get direct deposit for a job on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 We use these quite often. http://www.simon.com/giftcard/ The only issue I have had was just recently. These can not be used for anything that has recurring payments (like amazon prime, ask how I know:glare:). Otherwise we have used them for hotels, online ordering, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillfarm Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Be sure to read the fine print closely to identify any special situations that would include any type of transaction fee in addition to the purchase price. For example, there may well be an add-on fee to use the card at an ATM to withdraw some of the cash from the card value. Also, what if the card is lost or stolen? Our local bank offers optional protection against liability in those cases, but it costs a few dollars and they don't always remember to let you know it is available. You might try reading up about this on the Clark Howard website (www.clarkhoward.com), as he often presents his research about various financial tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 I have a GreenDot visa and I've reloaded it at WM with no problems. However, the WM GreenDot Visa is less expensive to reload, for some reason. I've used this all over the place, online, at motels and in stores with no problem. The only thing I've seen is that they might not work at gas pumps--GD says to take the card inside and pay the cashier instead of paying at the pump. Beyond that, they've worked fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary in VA Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 Our bank, USAA Federal Savings Bank, has prepaid debit cards we can get for our teens. Our 14yo dd is going to a two week ballet summer intensive away from home and we got her one. We can load more money on it at any time by accessing our account on-line. We did this for our 18yo dd when she was younger. When she went to college she got a credit card with a low limit and a debit card with her own account. HTH, Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 I know the Visa Prepaid cards we sell at wal-mart have theft protection. You register your card with your name and information, and save the info on the card in your records. If your card is lost or stolen, there is a number you can call and they can put a freeze on it and, presumably, replace it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in SC Posted May 29, 2009 Author Share Posted May 29, 2009 Our bank, USAA Federal Savings Bank, has prepaid debit cards we can get for our teens. Our 14yo dd is going to a two week ballet summer intensive away from home and we got her one. We can load more money on it at any time by accessing our account on-line. We did this for our 18yo dd when she was younger. When she went to college she got a credit card with a low limit and a debit card with her own account. HTH, Mary Mary, is your dd by any chance going to Ballet Magnificat? That's where our dd is going and that's why I'm in search of something like this. :001_smile: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary in VA Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 (edited) She is going to Orlando Ballet's SI in Tampa. This is her first SI away from home and she wanted to stick with a 2 week one. Ballet Mag! and Orlando were our top two choices. I'd love to hear how your daughter likes it when she gets back. Or has she been before? Is she going for 2 or 4 weeks? ETA: We saw Ballet Magnificat! perform The Hiding Place two years ago and it was wonderful! Mary Edited May 29, 2009 by Mary in VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeatherLynn Posted May 29, 2009 Share Posted May 29, 2009 We also have Wal-Mart money cards. You load them for $3 at WM or can buy refills at any place that sells green dot refills (most places). We have had it for a year and it has worked well. The WM one can be hard to find the 2 card version - there is a joint and a student version. You get one card, then they send you the other one (well, 2 - you just get a temporary one). https://www.walmartmoneycard.com/walmart/homepage.aspx That is what I use for my everyday purchases. You can get two with any of them, you just have to wait for yours to come in the mail. Takes about 7 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in SC Posted May 29, 2009 Author Share Posted May 29, 2009 That is what I use for my everyday purchases. You can get two with any of them, you just have to wait for yours to come in the mail. Takes about 7 days. It looks like there is a monthly maintenance fee?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sharon in SC Posted May 29, 2009 Author Share Posted May 29, 2009 She is going to Orlando Ballet's SI in Tampa. This is her first SI away from home and she wanted to stick with a 2 week one. Ballet Mag! and Orlando were our top two choices. I'd love to hear how your daughter likes it when she gets back. Or has she been before? Is she going for 2 or 4 weeks? ETA: We saw Ballet Magnificat! perform The Hiding Place two years ago and it was wonderful!Mary This will be my dd's first time going so we opted for 2 weeks. She has friends who have gone before her, though, who all came back saying it was well worth the expense/time commitment. My dd is totally psyched about going. :) Hope yours has a great experience, too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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