What is a prepaid card?

Answered on March 25, 2021
Updated on March 25, 2021
The content is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change.
Amy Miller Amy Miller
A prepaid card is a payment card that you load with money before you can use it for purchases. Prepaid cards may look like credit cards, as they may have numbers, your name and Visa or MasterCard logo. But prepaid cards are different - you are not borrowing money, you are spending money you loaded onto the card in advance. Prepaid cards give you the convenience of electronic payments.
All rates and fees, and other terms and conditions of the products mentioned in this article/post are actual as of the last update date but are subject to change. See the current products' Terms & Conditions on the issuing banks' websites.

User Comments about This Question

BROWSE MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT Prepaid & Debit Cards:

Most prepaid cards do not report to the credit bureaus as these are not about extending credit to you. Prepaid cards are not credit cards, thus they do not help your credit. But these are a good alternative to carrying cash. If you are interested in prepaid cards, browse through the cards here and apply online.
There are prepaid cards you can apply for and which will have your name imprinted on them. However, no one of the card issuers will be able to review your application, approve you, and send you a card overnight. The issuing process takes at least two weeks and if it is a credit card it can take up to one month. If you need money fast, you can apply for a personal loan. Once approved, most lenders will be able to transfer funds within two days, provided you have a bank account that accepts deposits. Use our card match tool to see cards and loans you can apply for.
ReadyCARDs are issued by Metabank and are prepaid cards. It means that you can use anywhere them debit cards are accepted, including ATMs. ReadyCARDs work similar to debit cards, except that they don't carry a credit line, you will not be charged interest, or late fees. You pay as you go by pre-paying the amount you wish to spend, plus additional usage fees. On the other hand, a credit card gives you a credit line meaning that you may purchase now and pay off later up to the amount of your credit limit. You also have to pay the minimum payment each month until the due date or you may be...

Have A Credit Card Question? Ask Our Experts

Help us personalize your results
Your Credit History:
Do you have checking account?
How long have you had a loan or credit card?
Have you ever been declared bankrupt or defaulted on a loan?
Have you been late on any credit card or loan in the last year?
* - marked fields are required to be filled
By submitting your question, you agree to the following:*
Here at BestCreditOffers.com we will answer all questions to the best of our knowledge and understanding, but we are not legally accredited professionals. We assume no liability for actions resulting from our advice and cannot guarantee the accuracy of information in all cases. Please seek appropriate professional or legal advice when needed.
ASK YOUR QUESTION
ASK YOUR QUESTION

LOOKING FOR A CARD?

There is a credit card for any credit and for any purpose. Whether you want to start building your credit from scratch or earn rewards on purchases, save on gas or travel for free, you can find a good credit card offer for that.