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Sunday, August 30, 2026

11 Best Prepaid Cards to Use Abroad (2026)

Discover how prepaid cards can simplify your travels with easy currency loading, enhanced security, and better budget management.

Best Prepaid Cards To Use Abroad
Mike Randall

Writer: Mike Randall

Mike Randall

Mike Randall, Contributing Expert

Mike Randall is a former contributing writer for CardRates.com. He is an expert in credit and personal finance, having written on those topics in national publications for over a decade. During his tenure, Mike has written over 300 articles, covering everything from consolidating debt to reducing impulse spending. Aside from credit cards and scores, Mike enjoys writing about changes in the subprime market and how they directly impact financial decisions.

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Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro

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Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Gwinnett Daily News, Gainesville Sun, and The New York Times, where she covered demographics, consumer issues, and the business and financial sectors. Lillian has a degree in journalism and communications from Georgia State University and brings her fact-checking expertise to ensure Digital Brands content is accurate and engaging.

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Jon McDonald

Reviewer: Jon McDonald

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Jon leverages 15-plus years of journalism expertise to inform financial consumers about emerging trends and companies making an impact in the industry. He is most knowledgeable in the areas of budgeting, credit card rewards, and responsible credit use. Jon has a passion for writing and editing, and his articles have appeared in publications produced by The New York Times.

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Prepaid cards offer some incredible benefits: they’re not only safer than carrying cash, but also very easy to get, widely accepted, and extremely convenient. Some cards even allow you to load up with local currency before your trip, helping you save on exchange fees. Plus, since these aren’t credit cards, you don’t have to worry about a credit check or needing a high credit score to get one.

Prepaid cards are tailored for all kinds of travelers and destinations. We’ve checked out the options available today and picked our favorites for the best prepaid cards to use abroad. If you’re planning a trip soon, keep reading to discover some of the top prepaid cards we recommend.

5 Best Prepaid Cards for American Travelers

While travelers from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East have been using prepaid travel cards for quite some time, these cards are still fairly new to Americans. As a result, there are fewer options available for American travelers heading overseas.

Let’s take a look at four of the top prepaid travel cards you can find in the U.S., along with their key features:

1

GO2bank™

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★ 4.1/5.0
  • Overdraft protection up to $300 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.*
  • *Terms and conditions apply. GO2bank™ cards are issued by Green Dot Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A., Inc. Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association. Overdraft fees may apply. Click Apply Now to learn more.

Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR N/A
Annual Fee N/A
Credit Needed All Credit Types Considered
2

Greenlight – Debit Card For Kids

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★ 4.2/5.0
  • Greenlight is a debit card for kids, managed by parents
  • Parents set flexible controls and receive real-time alerts while kids monitor their balances, set goals, and learn how to manage money
  • Feel secure knowing Greenlight blocks unsafe spending categories
  • Receive Mastercard’s Zero Liability Protection
  • Upload a photo of your choice to create a unique custom card
  • Debit cards are FDIC-insured up to $250,000
  • Easily turn your Greenlight card on or off and receive real-time spending notifications
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR N/A
Annual Fee See Pricing
Credit Needed Not applicable
3

Current Visa Debit

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★ 4.0/5.0
  • Earn points on swipes: Earn up to 7x the points on card swipes at over 14,000 participating merchants, then redeem them for cash back in your account.*
  • Get paid up to 2 days faster with direct deposit*
  • If you qualify, you can access up to $750 before payday with a paycheck advance
  • Qualifying direct deposits receive fee-free overdrafts*
  • No minimum balance fees, no overdraft fees, no bank transfer fees
  • Access to more than 40,000 fee-free ATMs*
  • *View product disclosures here.
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR N/A
Annual Fee N/A
Credit Needed N/A
4

Serve® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★ 3.8/5.0
Serve® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account Review

at the issuer'ssecure website

  • Enjoy FREE withdrawals at over 37,000 MoneyPass® ATM locations nationwide.
  • 24/7 access to world-class American Express Customer Service
  • No monthly fee when you direct deposit $500 or more within a statement period
  • Use Online Bill Pay to help you save time and help you avoid late fees. Terms apply.
  • Check your balance and recent transactions, pay bills on the go, get SMS text alerts, and send money to family or friends who have a Serve Account
  • No credit check, no hidden fees
  • Seamlessly transfer funds between Serve Accounts in no time and without a fee
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR N/A
Annual Fee N/A
Credit Needed Not applicable
5

BusyKid Visa® Prepaid Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★ 4.1/5.0
  • Take your kid’s spending freedom to the next level with a BusyKid VISA® Prepaid Card. Eliminate concerns over having on-hand cash. It's easy to use, secure, and it teaches your kids how to manage money they can't see.
  • Every family subscription comes with up to five cards (one per child).
  • Cards are backed by the Visa® Zero liability policy and can be locked temporarily if misplaced.
  • Given it’s backed by the trusted name of Visa®, the BusyKid Spend Card is widely accepted in stores and online
  • BusyPay™ is an easy way for family or friends to instantly send money to a child’s BusyKid account
  • Choose from a variety of card designs to find which fits your busy kid best
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR N/A
Annual Fee See Pricing
Credit Needed None

When you’re looking into prepaid travel cards, it’s important to focus on factors like ATM withdrawal limits, how you can load and reload funds, and any spending caps. Each card has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, so it’s crucial to do your homework.

3 Best Prepaid Cards for UK Travelers

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

Caxton Currency Card
  • Card fee: None
  • Transaction fees: None
  • ATM fee: None abroad; £1.50 domestic
  • Other fees: Charges a dormancy fee of £2 per month if the card has a balance but hasn’t been used in 12 months.

2. FairFX Multi-Currency Card

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

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.

3 Best Prepaid Cards for Other European Travelers

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

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

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

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

Enjoy Your Travels!

Prepaid cards are perfect for anyone who wants to keep a close eye on their spending. More travelers, especially those going abroad, are choosing these cards to manage their expenses. We’ve noticed that this trend is on the rise.

If you’re gearing up for a trip to Europe, the UK, or traveling within the U.S., think about using a prepaid travel card instead of carrying cash. These cards help you stay on budget, enjoy better exchange rates, and offer protection against fraud or theft. This way, you can relax and soak up your vacation without financial worries. Bon voyage!

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