11 Best Prepaid Cards to Use Abroad (2024)

The advantages of prepaid cards are obvious: they’re safer than cash, easy to get, universally accepted and convenient to use. Some prepaid cards can even save you on exchange fees if you pre-load them with the local currency before you leave home. Finally, since a prepaid travel card isn’t a credit card, it requires no credit check or top-tier credit score.

There are prepaid cards designed for all types of travelers and destinations. We’ve explored the many offerings available today and compiled our choices for the best prepaid cards to use abroad. So, if you’re traveling abroad in the near future, keep reading for what we believe to be some of the top prepaid cards out there.

While travelers from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East have been using prepaid travel cards for years, they are a relatively new phenomenon for American travelers. As such, there are fewer prepaid card choices available for Americans traveling abroad.

Here are four of the best and most widely available prepaid travel cards available in the U.S., along with their primary features:

1. Discover® Cashback Debit

at the issuer'ssecure website

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★

5.0

Discover® Cashback Debit

5.0/5.0

About this rating

Our in-house experts rate Prepaid Debit Cards based on:

• Monthly and other fees
• Deposit amounts
• Rewards offered
• Ease of approval
• Account features such as mobile deposits and overdraft protection

We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.

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Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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OVERALL RATING

4.6/5.0

Discover® Cashback Debit

4.6/5.0

About this rating

Our in-house experts rate Prepaid Debit Cards based on:

• Monthly and other fees
• Deposit amounts
• Rewards offered
• Ease of approval
• Account features such as mobile deposits and overdraft protection

We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.

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Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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Our Review »

• Cashback – Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month
• No. Fees. Period. That means you won’t be charged an account fee on our Cashback Debit account.
• Early Pay – Get your paycheck up to two days early with no charge
• No Credit Impact - You can apply without affecting your credit score.
• Fraud Protection - You’re never responsible for unauthorized debit card purchases. If you suspect someone else has used your debit card without your permission, let us know.
• Member FDIC
• Fee-free overdraft protection
• No minimum opening deposit and no minimum balance
• Add cash into your account at Walmart stores nationwide
• Cash access at over 60,000 no-fee ATMs nationwide
• 100% US-based customer service available 24/7

• See application, terms and details.

See Rates & Fees

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	N/A	$0	No Credit Needed

2. Brink’s Armored™ Account

at Netspend'ssecure website

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★

4.9

Brink’s Armored™ Account

4.9/5.0

About this rating

Our in-house experts rate Prepaid Debit Cards based on:

• Monthly and other fees
• Deposit amounts
• Rewards offered
• Ease of approval
• Account features such as mobile deposits and overdraft protection

We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.

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Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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OVERALL RATING

4.1/5.0

Brink’s Armored™ Account

4.1/5.0

About this rating

Our in-house experts rate Prepaid Debit Cards based on:

• Monthly and other fees
• Deposit amounts
• Rewards offered
• Ease of approval
• Account features such as mobile deposits and overdraft protection

We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.

See Our Review»

Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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Our Review »

• Brink’s knows Security! 24/7 access to a suite of security benefits to help keep your account armored.
• Get access to over 100,000 Brink’s Money ATMs.
• Get paid faster than a paper check with direct deposit.
• Add funds to your Brink’s Armored Account and use Brinks Armored debit card anywhere Debit Mastercard is accepted.
• Account opening is subject to registration and ID verification. Terms & fees Apply. Deposit Account is established by Pathward®, N.A., Member FDIC.

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	N/A	Variable Monthly Fees	Not applicable

3. Chime® Checking Account

at the issuer'ssecure website

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★

4.9

Chime® Checking Account

4.9/5.0

About this rating

Our in-house experts rate Prepaid Debit Cards based on:

• Monthly and other fees
• Deposit amounts
• Rewards offered
• Ease of approval
• Account features such as mobile deposits and overdraft protection

We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.

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Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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OVERALL RATING

4.1/5.0

Chime® Checking Account

4.1/5.0

About this rating

Our in-house experts rate Prepaid Debit Cards based on:

• Monthly and other fees
• Deposit amounts
• Rewards offered
• Ease of approval
• Account features such as mobile deposits and overdraft protection

We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.

See Our Review»

Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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Our Review »

• Your Chime Checking Account comes with a Chime Visa® Debit Card, and no monthly fees or maintenance fees.
• Avoid out-of-network ATM fees and access to 50,000+ fee-free ATMs¹ — more than the top 3 national banks combined!
• Direct deposits arrive up to 2 days early.²
• Disclosures: Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services and debit card provided by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.
• ¹Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over the counter advance fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM. Bank ranking and number of ATMs according to U.S. News & World Report® 2023.
• ²Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	N/A	$0	Not applicable

4. NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card

at NetSpend'ssecure website

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★

4.8

NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card

4.8/5.0

About this rating

Our in-house experts rate Prepaid Debit Cards based on:

• Monthly and other fees
• Deposit amounts
• Rewards offered
• Ease of approval
• Account features such as mobile deposits and overdraft protection

We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.

See Our Review»

Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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OVERALL RATING

3.5/5.0

NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card

3.5/5.0

About this rating

Our in-house experts rate Prepaid Debit Cards based on:

• Monthly and other fees
• Deposit amounts
• Rewards offered
• Ease of approval
• Account features such as mobile deposits and overdraft protection

We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.

See Our Review»

Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

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Our Review »

• With Direct Deposit, you can get paid faster than a paper check.
• No late fees or interest charges because this is not a credit card.
• Use the Netspend Mobile App to manage your Card Account on the go and enroll to get text messages or email alerts (Message & data rates may apply).
• Card use is subject to activation and ID verification. Terms and Costs apply.
• Card issued by Pathward N.A., Member FDIC. Card may be used everywhere Visa debit card is accepted.
• See additional NetSpend® Prepaid Visa® details.

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	N/A	Variable Monthly Fee	Not applicable

5. GO2bank

at the issuer'ssecure website

EXPERT'S RATING

★★★★★

4.8

GO2bank

4.8/5.0

About this rating

Our in-house experts rate Prepaid Debit Cards based on:

• Monthly and other fees
• Deposit amounts
• Rewards offered
• Ease of approval
• Account features such as mobile deposits and overdraft protection

We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.

See Our Review»

Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

Close

OVERALL RATING

4.1/5.0

GO2bank

4.1/5.0

About this rating

Our in-house experts rate Prepaid Debit Cards based on:

• Monthly and other fees
• Deposit amounts
• Rewards offered
• Ease of approval
• Account features such as mobile deposits and overdraft protection

We also consider other cardholder needs and data points specific to the category. We then compare it to similar card offers and evaluate the terms before assigning a numerical value, in which 5.0 represents the best. Ratings are updated as issuer changes occur, and issuers have no influence on our ratings.

See Our Review»

Ashley Fricker Senior Editor

Close

Our Review »

• Overdraft protection up to $200 with opt-in and eligible direct deposit*
• No monthly fees with eligible direct deposit, otherwise $5 per month
• Earn up to 7% cash back when you buy eGift Cards in the app
• Get your pay up to 2 days early - Get your government benefits up to 4 days early.*
• High-yield savings account, 4.50% APY paid quarterly on savings up to $5,000.*

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)	Intro (Transfers)	Regular APR	Annual Fee	Credit Needed
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	All Credit Types Considered

When considering one of these prepaid travel cards, it’s also important to consider things like maximum ATM withdrawal amounts, maximum load and reload balance amounts and other spending restrictions. There are advantages and disadvantages to each card type, so you should always do your research carefully.

Travelers heading to the U.S. from the United Kingdom have a lot more options available when it comes to prepaid travel cards. In fact, they can purchase prepaid dollar cards from a variety of sources.

Here are some of the best prepaid dollar cards for Brits planning to visit the U.S.:

1. Caxton Currency Card

• Card fee: None
• Transaction fees: None
• ATM fee: None abroad; £1.50 domestic

2. FairFX Multi-Currency Card

• Card fee: None
• Transaction fees: None
• ATM fee: £1.00 domestic and abroad
• Other fees: 2.25% out-of-currency fee for purchases outside of its 20 supported currencies. Also, a £2 per month expired card administration fee on expired cards with leftover balances.

3. Post Office UK Travel Money Card

• Card fee: None
• Transaction fees: None
• ATM fee: $2.50 and a daily withdrawal limit of $500 USD
• Other fees: If you load the card with pounds sterling (GBP), you’ll pay a load fee of 1.5%. Also, a maintenance fee of £2 per month applies if any balance is left after 12 months.

Travelers looking to make purchases in Euros also have a range of prepaid card options to help make purchasing easier, many of which charge the same low fees as offered by cards for U.K. travelers.

Here are some of the best deals on prepaid cards for travel around Europe:

1. FairFX Multi-Currency Card

• Card fee: None (when minimum amount is preloaded onto card)
• Transaction fees: None
• ATM fee: £1.00 domestic and abroad
• Other fees: 1.75% out-of-currency fee for purchases outside of its 15 supported currencies

2. Revolut Standard Account Card

• Card fee: None
• Transaction fees: None
• ATM fee: None at more than 55,000 in-network ATMs and 2% after the first £200/month or five withdrawals abroad
• Other fees: None for the Standard Account. You pay $9.99 per month for Premium and $16.99 per month for Metal

3. EasyFX Travel Money Card

• Card fee: None
• Transaction fees: None
• ATM fee: £1.5 for domestic ATMs, free for international ATMs
• Other fees: A £2 monthly fee is applied for each month the card is inactive after 12 months and you must make a £50 deposit to open the account

Prepaid cards have long been a favorite among budget-minded folks and those who want to gain more control over their finances. Surveys show travelers – especially those who travel abroad – are using prepaid travel cards more frequently during their journeys.

Whether you’re traveling to Europe, the United Kingdom or here in the U.S., consider a prepaid travel card instead of carrying cash. Prepaid travel cards can keep you on budget, get you a better exchange rate and protect you from fraud or theft. That lets you spend more time enjoying your vacation and less time worrying about your money. Bon voyage!

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