Writer: Mike Randall
Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewer: Jon McDonald
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.
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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:
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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
- 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
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
- 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
- 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.
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
- 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
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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