Prepaid
A Visa prepaid card is a type of Visa card
that is pre-loaded with a set amount of money, offering cardholders
convenience, security and control. And the prepaid market in Europe
is growing.
Instead of being linked to a bank account (like a Visa debit
card), or providing a line of credit (like a Visa credit card), a
prepaid card is one that can be used to access funds in a prepaid
account or one where monetary value is stored on a chip.
A variety of Visa prepaid cards are now being offered by banks,
websites, and high street retailers. Popular options include:
- Convenience cards – for those who may
not qualify for a traditional credit or debit card.
- Youth cards – allowing young people
(and their parents) to control and monitor spending.
- Gift cards – as an alternative to
cash or vouchers.
- Travel cards – a safer alternative to
currency, ideal for budgeting holiday spending money.
- Virtual cards – for online,
mail-order, and telephone spending.
Depending on the option chosen, a Visa prepaid card can be
either:
- Disposable - rather like an electronic gift voucher, it can be
used until all the funds are spent, then thrown away.
- Re-loadable - like a prepaid mobile phone account, when the
value is running low, it can be topped up and used again.
Find out more about Prepaid for
Government.
Find a Prepaid card provider.
Secure payments with Prepaid
See how secure grant payments are helping a family in
Birmingham.
View the video