Prepaid Debit Cards

  • Compare the best prepaid debit cards to build credit
  • Expert and Independent ratings & consumer reviews for prepaid debit cards
  • Secure and immediate online application process

American Express® Serve

Editor’s:
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Consumer’s:
  • star
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  • Sign Up Offer

    Fees

    No Monthly or Annual Fees

    Access to Benefits

    Purchases Protection and Roadside Assistance
Highlights:
  • Get American Express Serve and you could get $50 when you use Direct Deposit. Must enroll in Direct Deposit by 8/31/13.*
  • No credit check. No minimum balance. No activation fee.
  • Manage your money with the prepaid card, online account, and mobile app.
  • Shop online or off and get access to membership benefits like Purchase Protection.*
  • Enroll in Direct Deposit to get your paycheck in your American Express Serve Account on payday.
  • No need to use a check. Email money to anyone no matter where they have a bank account.
  • The safety and security of American Express.
  • The 24/7 customer service you expect from American Express.
  • *Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. 
Intro APR: Balance Transfer: Regular APR: Annual Fee: Credit Needed:
N/A N/A N/A $0 No Credit
  • Sign Up Offer

    Fees

    No Annual, Purchase or Foreign Exchange Fees

    Protection Services

    Free Fraud & Purchase Protection
Highlights:
  • The benefits of Cardmembership start here!
  • Free Direct Deposit
  • No Monthly, Annual or Purchase Fees
  • No Overdraft, Inactivity or Foreign Exchange Fees
  • Free Fraud Protection*
  • Purchase Protection and Roadside Assistance*
  • No Credit Check
Intro APR: Balance Transfer: Regular APR: Annual Fee: Credit Needed:
N/A N/A N/A $0 No Credit
  • Sign Up Offer

    Instant Approval

    Get Your Account Info Instantly!

    Track Your Credit Score

    Free credit ScoreTracker*
Highlights:
  • Get Your Premium Benefits:
  • Exclusive Rewards Program
  • Free Credit ScoreTracker1
  • Easy Mobile Account Access and Text Alerts
  • Easy Online Bill Payment & Check Writing
  • Free† Direct Deposit - paycheck, benefits, tax refunds
  • No Credit Check, No Overdraft Fees or Balance Minimums
  • Reloadable up to $10,000 Max Balance
  • Deposit is fully FDIC insured
Intro APR: Balance Transfer: Regular APR: Annual Fee: Credit Needed:
N/A N/A N/A None No Credit
  • Sign Up Offer

    Improve Your Credit Score

    Free Credit Bureau Reporting

    Credit Line

    $300 - $2,000 Credit Line
Highlights:
  • Nationwide Program - though not yet available in NY, IA, AR, or WI
  • Credit Line Secured by Your Fully-Refundable Deposit of $300 -- $2,000 Submitted with Application
  • Just Pay Off Your Balance and Get Your Deposit Back at Any Time
  • Monthly Reporting to all 3 Major Credit Bureaus to Establish Credit History
  • Good for Car Rental, Hotels; Anywhere Credit Cards are Accepted!
  • No Credit History or Minimum Credit Score Required for Approval
  • Full-Feature Platinum MasterCard® Secured Credit Card
  • 24/7 Access to Your Account Online
Intro APR: Balance Transfer: Regular APR: Annual Fee: Credit Needed:
N/A N/A 11.99% (Variable) $44 Bad
  • Rewards Rate 1% Cash Back on Gas
  • Bonus Rewards Free Savings Account - 5.95% APY
Highlights:
  • New - Free Roadside Assistance
  • New - Free Savings Account with 5.65% APY
  • 1% Cash Back on Gas Purchases
  • Free Direct Deposit so you can get paid faster
  • Free Bill Pay online or over the phone
  • Free Transactions and Customer Service
  • No Overdraft Fees, No Interest Fees, and No Hidden Fees
  • No Credit Check - 100% Approval
Intro APR: Balance Transfer: Regular APR: Annual Fee: Credit Needed:
N/A N/A N/A None No Credit
  • Sign Up Offer

    Direct Deposit

    Get Your Money Two Days Early

    Card to Card Transfers

    Send Money to Family and Friends
Highlights:
  • Enroll in Direct Deposit and get your pay up to two days early. *Certain restrictions apply. See card site for details.
  • Safer than carrying cash, use everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.
  • Choose from multiple fee plan options, and switch for free.
  • Conveniently send money to family and friends with card to card transfers.
  • Free 24/7 customer service.
  • Members now have access to over 23,000 fee-free MoneyPass ATMs from coast-to-coast. Get cash or check your balance -- free of charge.
Intro APR: Balance Transfer: Regular APR: Annual Fee: Credit Needed:
N/A N/A N/A None No Credit

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Prepaid Debit Cards

 

Prepaid debit cards are similar to both ATM debit cards and regular credit cards in the sense that you can swipe them at any time to pay for products and services. They are especially helpful to those with bad credit who cannot qualify for an unsecured card otherwise. Prepaid cards are also helpful for parents wanting to give their kids a credit card with “training wheels” to teach them how to handle debt. Most prepaid debit cards are available with no fee, even to those who do not have a bank account or credit history. The credit limit extended to you is based on how much money you deposit into the reloadable account ahead of time – or how much you “prepay” on the card.

You can use a prepaid card the same way you would use a debit or credit card, and you can make withdrawals or purchases against the cash balance in the account. If you use up your cash, the card limit runs out. Then you can recharge, or resupply, your reloadable card by making another cash deposit.

Check the details of each card because they all charge various fees and apply different rules. Many also offer helpful cash management and bill paying tools through convenient online account access that can assist with establishing an improved credit history. You will just have to see what options are available for you. Study the FAQ section of the card’s website or look for the terms and conditions page – which companies sometimes sneakily hide or bury where you have to look long and hard to find it. Here's a nice FAQs page for your convenience. 

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*Disclamer: See the online credit card application for details about terms and conditions. This site may be compensated by credit card issuers when a reader applies for a credit card through the links on this site. We make every effort to maintain accurate information. However, all credit card information is presented without warranty. To confirm terms and conditions, click on the "Apply Here" button and review info on the secure credit card terms page.

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