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.
US Travelers | UK Travelers | Euro Travelers
5 Best Prepaid Cards for American Travelers
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:
- Your Chime Account comes with a Visa debit card, no monthly fees or maintenance fees.
- Avoid out-of-network ATM fees and access to 60,000+ fee-free ATMs¹ — more than the top 3 national banks combined!
- Direct deposits arrive up to 2 days early.²
- 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 fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven, or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.
- 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.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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$0
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Not applicable
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- 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.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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Variable Monthly Fees
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Not applicable
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3. GO2bank
- 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.*
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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All Credit Types Considered
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- 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.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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Variable Monthly Fee
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Not applicable
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- 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
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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|---|---|---|---|---|
N/A
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N/A
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N/A
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See Pricing
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Not applicable
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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.
3 Best Prepaid Cards for U.K. 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. WeSwap
- Card fee: None
- Transaction fees: None
- ATM fee: None for withdrawals up to £200/$200/€200, 2% fee for larger amounts
- Other fees: 2.49% currency conversion fee
2. Caxton Currency Card
- Card fee: None
- Transaction fees: None
- ATM fee: None abroad; £1.50 domestic
3. FairFX Currency Card
- Card fee: None
- 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
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 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. Moneycorp Red Explorer Mastercard®
- Card fee: None
- Transaction fees: None
- ATM fee: None
- Other fees: 4.99% foreign exchange fee
3. Moneycorp White Explorer Masterard®
- Card fee: None
- Transaction fees: None
- ATM fee: GB£1.50, EU€1.75, US$2.30
- Other fees: 4.99% foreign exchange fee
Enjoy Your Travels!
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!
Photo credits: deanza.edu, dvlotterystategov.us, hawaii-all-inclusive.net
Final Notes on “11 Best Prepaid Cards to Use Abroad (Sep. 2023)“
We hope this guide “11 Best Prepaid Cards to Use Abroad (Sep. 2023)” has been a helpful resource for you in learning more about your financial options. In this guide, we’ve covered:
- 5 Best Prepaid Cards for American Travelers
- 3 Best Prepaid Cards for U.K. Travelers
- 3 Best Prepaid Cards for Other European Travelers
- Enjoy Your Travels!
To learn more about options not mentioned here, be sure to check out other popular reviews from our team of experts:
- Air miles credit cards
- Balance transfer credit cards
- Cash back credit cards
- Prepaid debit cards
- Secured credit cards
We also encourage you to check back at this URL regularly, as we update the offers listed in “11 Best Prepaid Cards to Use Abroad (Sep. 2023)” and other guides on a daily basis.
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