How do prepaid Visa cards work?

A prepaid Visa debit card is a card that is preloaded with a set amount of money. You can use it to pay bills, withdraw cash or make purchases. Prepaid Visa debit cards aren't linked to a checking account like a traditional debit card — you can only spend the balance connected to the card.

How do you pay with a prepaid Visa card?

The Visa Gift Card carries the Visa logo like any other Visa card, so it can be used at the millions of places that accept Visa cards, including online. As with a credit card, when you are ready to pay, simply hand the card to the merchant and sign the purchase receipt.

Is there a fee for prepaid Visa cards?

A prepaid Visa activation fee is a fee that is charged to the buyer of the prepaid card to put value onto the card. It occurs when you first purchase the card. At grocery stores, it is typically a $4.95 fee on top of the amount on the gift cards.

How do you put money on a prepaid card?

Do you need a PIN for a prepaid Visa?

Yes. The card can be used to withdraw funds by ATM or receive cash advances. You will need to enter your pre-selected PIN (login to https://www.consumercardaccess.com/cugift2 or call 866-833-2370 to set a PIN) and follow the ATM instructions.

Understanding How Prepaid Cards Work

How do you use a prepaid card at the store?

You buy a prepaid card, then use it to pay for purchases. You can generally buy prepaid cards at banks or retail locations like grocery stores and drugstores. They come with either a set available balance or an option to load money onto the card. From there, you can use the card until you've depleted the balance.

Why is my Visa gift card being declined when I have money?

The most common reasons are that the card hasn't been activated, the cashier is running the wrong type of transaction, the dollar amount being charged is greater than the card's balance or the credit card processing machine is bumping up the charge amount to either place a hold on the card or to allow for a gratuity.

How long does it take for a Visa card to activate?

Activation is a pretty easy process, usually taking only a minute or two. Keep in mind that it's important to do it as soon as possible. Some issuers may close your account if you don't activate your card within a certain amount of time.

Why can't I buy stuff online with my Visa Gift Card?

There are a number of possible reasons why a purchase could be declined: You don't have enough money left on your card. You haven't activated or registered your card. The address you gave to make an online or phone purchase is different from the address you have on file with your prepaid card provider.

How long does it take for a prepaid card to activate?

Activating a prepaid debit card is easy and takes just a few minutes. You must have your card with you when you activate so you can enter your card number, three-digit security code and expiration date. Some issuers charge an activation fee or other fees to maintain your prepaid debit card.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of prepaid card?

What is the difference between debit card and prepaid card?

Prepaid cards and debit cards are both widely accepted at merchants worldwide, but one is preloaded and the other is not. Debit cards are linked to a checking account, while prepaid cards aren't and instead require you to load money onto the card.

How do I get money off a prepaid card?

Get a PIN to Use at an ATM

Most prepaid debit cards allow you to assign a four-digit PIN to your card when you activate it. You use the PIN to provide security when you withdraw money from an ATM and when you make a PIN purchase at a store keypad. You usually choose the card's PIN during your first transaction.

Can you use a Visa gift card like a debit card?

Yes. Because a Visa Gift Card functions like a credit card, it can be used anywhere that Visa cards are accepted, including online purchases — though it will likely need to be registered online or by phone, prior to use.

Can you use a Visa gift card at an ATM?

A. Yes! The VISA Gift Card is accepted at most ATM/POS terminals that display the Pulse®, Plus®, NYCE®, or Star® logos. See the Gift Card Terms and Conditions for international fees that may apply.

Where is the PIN on a prepaid Visa card?

The PIN, or personal identification number, is typically located on the back of a physical card or in the same email that discloses the electronic gift card number.

Are prepaid Visa cards accepted everywhere?

Most prepaid cards have a network logo (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover) and can be used anywhere that brand is accepted. Some examples include grocery stores, department stores, gas stations, hotels, and for online shopping.

Are prepaid cards safe to use?

Understanding Prepaid Debit Cards

A prepaid debit card is as good as cash—and sometimes better: It is a safe way to carry money around—unlike, say, a wad of paper money. Prepaid cards also come with certain consumer protections, while cash does not.

What is the difference between a Visa gift card and prepaid card?

The biggest difference between the two reflects their permanence: prepaid cards can be reloaded and used indefinitely, while gift cards can generally only be used until the dollar amount on them is exhausted.

What is a downside to prepaid debit cards?

Here are a few of the disadvantages of a prepaid debit card: Card is not linked to a personal banking account, meaning there is no interest earned. Losing money due to inactivity. Prone to being charged for several miscellaneous fees.

What is wrong with prepaid card?

Prepaid cards do not provide as much protection to consumers like credit and debit cards. You don't get the same level of protection of credit and debit cards in case of fraudulent activities.

How much money can a prepaid card hold?

Most Visa prepaid card options will allow you to load up to $15,000 into the card account. If you're accessing a reloadable prepaid card, you can continue to add money to your account when you spend some of your current balance. In either scenario, though, you cannot surpass the $15,000 account balance limit.

Can you use a prepaid card immediately?

If you buy your card at a retail store or at a bank or credit union branch, you may be able to start using it for purchases right away. If you purchase your card online or over the phone, you may be issued a virtual card or you may have to wait to get a physical card in the mail.

How do I know if my prepaid card is activated?

Many Visa Gift cards are activated upon purchase and ready to use. However, if yours requires activation, you'll typically see a sticker with instructions and a toll-free phone number.