When it comes to traveling abroad, the right prepaid card can be a lifesaver. You don’t have to worry about foreign transaction fees, and there’s no need to exchange money ahead of time. Plus, with some prepaid cards, you can use ATMs at no additional cost (though this may vary by brand). If you’re looking for the best way to pay when you go abroad – whether it’s for business or pleasure – here are five options that will work for just about everyone:
In this guide, we review the Best Prepaid Credit Card For Ukraine, free international prepaid card, best prepaid card for international travel, and where can i get a prepaid visa card for international use.
Best Prepaid Credit Card For Ukraine
Travelsim
While Travelsim’s lack of fees may be its biggest selling point, it does have other benefits. The card is free for anyone to apply for and doesn’t require any minimum balance or monthly maintenance fee. You don’t need to maintain a balance to keep your account active, but if you do choose to use the card regularly and want access to features like online bill pay or customer service via phone or live chat, there is an optional $12/monthly fee that comes with these perks.
Travelsim also has no foreign transaction fees while abroad (up to $3,000), which means you won’t be hit with any extra charges when using your credit card overseas. It also has no annual fee and offers free ATM withdrawals—the only catch here being that they will only reimburse you up to $100 per year in foreign ATM fees incurred outside of Canada.
SpotMe
The SpotMe prepaid Mastercard is a great option for travelers who don’t want to carry cash and prefer the convenience of a card. It has no fees or charges, so you won’t be paying extra for using it abroad. You can use the prepaid Mastercard anywhere in the world where there’s a Mastercard logo, which is over 100 countries!
If you’re worried about carrying large amounts of cash, then this card will be perfect for your travels. You can load up to $2,500 onto your account at once and then spend it wherever you go—in person or online. In addition to being able to make purchases at stores with your SpotMe card, it’s also possible to pay bills online with this travel credit card by creating an online profile that links directly into your bank account so that purchases made through your SpotMe account show up as if they were made directly from that bank account itself! This makes it much easier than having two separate accounts open (one linked specifically towards travel expenses), especially since many banks don’t allow people outside their home country access these types of benefits unless they actually live there full-time instead…
Revolut
You can open a bank account and get a debit card in minutes. You can spend, send and exchange money online and in-store at the interbank exchange rate. The Revolut App is free to download, so you can manage your finances with ease on the go.
The app allows you to order a physical debit card that looks just like any other Visa card from your local bank or credit union (1). This will allow you to use it anywhere Visa is accepted worldwide without needing an internet connection
The Curve Card
The Curve Card is a prepaid Visa card that offers a variety of currency options and can be used anywhere in the world. You can get the card for free, load funds on it, and use it to make payments at any time.
The Curve Card works similarly to other prepaid credit cards by allowing you to load up funds onto your account in advance of traveling abroad. This gives you some financial flexibility when you’re abroad: if you run out of cash, simply pull out your Curve Card instead! The benefit here is that you don’t need any form of identification or bank account—you just need cash (and maybe one other form of payment).
World Currency Card
If you’re looking for a prepaid card that can be used in more than 200 countries around the world, World Currency Card is an excellent option. It can be used to withdraw cash at ATMs in those countries, pay for purchases and send money to other people. The best part? There’s no foreign transaction fee when using it!
The only downside is that this card has a monthly service fee of $6.95 (or $59 annually).
These five cards are the best prepaid cards for traveling abroad, but there are more out there. Research them to find the best one.
As you can see, there are many different prepaid credit cards to choose from. Some might be better than others depending on your needs, so do your research and find out which one is the best for you.
If you’re looking for more information on these five cards or other prepaid cards, check out this article: https://www.thebalance.com/what-are-prepaid-credit-cards-3308675
free international prepaid card
Sometimes, when you’re traveling, you find yourself spending way more than you budgeted for. Prepaid travel cards can be fantastic in helping you to control your spending. Plus, when you are abroad it’s always a smart idea to have more than one way to access your money, just in case.
International prepaid cards have gained so much popularity amongst avid travelers and digital nomads recently. This is because they offer many advantages and various options for users.
In this article, I want to introduce you to prepaid debit cards. What are they? How can you use them to your advantage? And which one offers the best deals? Keep reading this article to find out.
What Is a Prepaid Card?
Essentially a prepaid debit card is similar in function to a debit card. You can use it to make ATM withdrawals, payments in stores, and in some cases online purchases. The difference is, you won’t be bothered with an overdraft. This is because you won‘t be able to spend more than you already have on the card. It is more convenient to carry and safer than carrying a lot of cash on you. So the idea is pretty basic. However, prepaid cards can be life-savers abroad. Especially if you choose a card that is suited for digital nomads or avid travelers.
I’ve personally found prepaid debit cards to be excellent budgeting tools. As you can top it up with how much you think you should spend, and literally can’t go overdrawn. This way you will be more careful and think about your spending. Additionally, there should be no extra fees or surprising costs depending on exchange rate fluctuations. Plus, you won’t waste any time looking for a currency exchange office in a foreign environment, giving you more time to have fun on your trip.
How Does a Prepaid Card Work?
Basically, you will pick up your prepaid card before you leave home, and you can top them in dollars online. Then, you will be able to select the currency you need when you are abroad and easily switch your balance. This means that you will know exactly how much you have in foreign currency.
There are also some cards that don’t exchange your dollars before your trip but do it if and when you use it for spending. These are closer to using a regular debit card. However, you won’t be able to see the exchange rates until after the transaction.
One awesome bonus security feature of a prepaid debit card is that it’s not linked to any of your other accounts. This means that in the case of fraud or theft, whoever stole your card won’t be able to access your normal bank balance. This is a huge relief wherever you are in the world.
How To Get an International Prepaid Debit Card?
Getting a prepaid card is usually pretty simple. You can get it from almost any bank in your country. Though there are some banks that offer cards with better benefits than others, as you’ll see later in this article when we dive deeper into the types of debit cards you can acquire.
Generally, the application is free, easy, and straightforward. All you need to do is fill an application form (some banks offer online applications), provide your personal details and proof of identity. Once the application is processed and your identity is verified, the card will be sent to your house. Then, you can load the currency of your choice and start using it. You will often need an app that you can download to use with the card.
Best Prepaid Debit Cards For International Use
Wise Multi-Currency Debit Card
Card: WiseWhere it can be used: UK, Europe, USA, Australia, NZ, SingaporePlans: Find the best Transferwise plans hereAccount opening fees: FreeATM withdrawal fees: Free up to £200 / 30 days – 2% over £200 / 30 daysCurrency exchange fees: 0.35%-2.2% Spend in currencies in your account: Free Competitive advantage: Wide availability and true multi-currency card with over 50+ options. Top Choice
Revolut
Revolut is one of the best international prepaid debit cards that are excellent for residents of the US, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, the UK, or the EEA (European Economic Area). You can hold and exchange between 28 currencies on your card. Additionally, you can spend in over 150 currencies using your linked card.
Generally, you will only pay the mid-market rate for exchange between currencies. However, there is some markup for specific currencies, like the Thai Baht and Ukrainian Hryvnia. Additionally, you will pay a small markup for exchanges over the weekend or large amounts over the course of a month.
Basically, there’s a 0.5% extra fee if you exchange more than $6,500 a month. There’s also a 0.5%-1% for weekend transactions. Also, you might pay a fee on some ATM withdrawals if you draw more than $300 a month.
As of November 2020, the only Revolut account available to US residents is the basic(free) one. Though there are plans to bring premium packages to the US and they are currently available elsewhere.
Card: RevolutWhere it can be used: UK, Europe, Australia, Singapore, and SwitzerlandAccount opening fees: Free, or Premium €7.99 a month or Metal for €13.99 a monthATM withdrawal fees: Free with Free card for up to £/€200 monthly, £/€400 monthly with Premium and up to £/€600 monthly with Metal. 2% flat rate for the numbers aboveCurrency Exchange fees: Free up to £5,000/€6,000 monthly with the standard card. No monthly limit on Premium and Metal cardsSpend in currencies in your account: Free Competitive advantage: Option to get travel insurance at a cheap cost
N26
N26 is a German online bank and is considered a leader in revolutionizing the banking sector in Europe. Residents of Europe, the UK, or The US can open an account with N26 which offers a smart card option for international spending. N26 is considered to offer one of the best international prepaid debit cards.
What’s cool about N26 is that you won’t necessarily have to exchange your money and hold it in foreign currency. Instead, n26 allows you to spend using the Visa exchange rates without any markups or extra fees. This makes it an excellent option for travelers who prefer not to switch their dollars in advance.
There might be some services to pay such as ATM charges. These fees are not levied by N26 but by other service providers.
Card: N26 Where it can be used: UK, EurozonePlans: Find the best N26 plans hereAccount opening fees: Free, or “You” for €9.90 a month, or, “Metal” for €16.90 a monthATM withdrawal fees: Free cards have a 1.7% fee. “You” and “Metal” options have five free ATM withdrawals a month then a €2 fee appliesCurrency exchange fees: N26 doesn’t charge exchange mark-ups or conversion feesSpend in currencies in your account: FreeCompetitive advantage: Full-service current accounts that can be managed via their mobile app
Ally Bank
Ally is an online bank. It offers accounts and cards that are not exactly the same as the other international prepaid cards on this list. They are, however, used in more or less the same way. You open your account online and top up the amount that you intend to spend while you travel. For convenience, you can use your linked card. This way, you will have the same security as using a prepaid debit card, as the Ally account won’t actually be linked to any of your regular bank accounts.
You will be charged a 1% ATM withdrawal fee online, and there might be other charges imposed by the ATM owners.
Card: Ally BankWhere it can be used: UK, US, Europe Plans: Find the Best Ally Plans hereAccount opening fees: Free ATM withdrawal fees: There is a 1% ATM fee for ATM uses overseas. Additional charges may incur from the ATM operator Currency exchange fees: Ally Bank doesn’t charge exchange mark-ups or conversion feesSpend in currencies in your account: FreeCompetitive advantage: Many options for CD rates, online Savings accounts, and even home loans
NetSpend
Netspend specializes in prepaid debit cards. They offer various cards that offer prepaid spending either at home or abroad. You basically have two options when it comes to cards. You can choose a card with a monthly fee, or a “pay as you go” option. The “pay as you go” option means that you don’t pay a cost fee for services but you pay charges per transaction. This brings you a lot of flexibility when choosing what card you would like, according to your spending habits. However, in the “pay as you go” option, international spending fees can be a bit high, so be sure to study the terms carefully if you choose this card.
The usual foreign transaction surcharge is 4%. This surcharge is added to ATM withdrawals and purchases. What’s great about NetSpend is that there are no specific international ATM fees to cover. Though there might be some charges imposed by the ATM owner.
Card: NetSpendWhere it can be used: USPlans:Find the best NetSpend plans hereAccount opening fees: Pay-As-You-GO is free. A monthly fee of 10$ for the monthly plan but offers free unlimited transactionsATM withdrawal fees: Pay-As-You-GO option has a 4% foreign transaction surcharge on ATM withdrawalsCurrency Exchange fees: Netspend doesn’t have exchange mark-ups or conversion fees Spend in currencies in your account: FreeCompetitive advantage: Pay-As-You-Go account gives you a lot of control over your account
International Prepaid Cards: Country Availability
The ability to convert your dollars to the currency you require prior to departure, thereby locking in the exchange rate, is a useful feature of some prepaid travel cards.
You’ll know exactly how much money you have and should be able to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Here are the cards that provide that option, listed by the destination country.
Tips For Using an International Prepaid Card
I myself have fallen into a lot of the traps that many new travelers fall into. This is why I wanted to create this to help you avoid some of the pitfalls and make the best of your international prepaid Visa or MasterCard.
Exchange Rate Tips
Exchange rates can be a bit tricky, it is best that you study up on your exchange rates before your trip. Look up the mid-market exchange rate between your currency and the currency of the country you’re visiting. The mid-market exchange rate is really the best benchmark to use when comparing rates provided by card providers and financial services.
When you compare the rate on the mid-market with the one you’ve been offered, you will see what extra mark-ups or fees you are paying the provider. Usually, I use TransferWise because they show you the mid-market rate upfront. This way you can top up your card in advance and not be caught by surprise on your trip.
Exchanging your foreign currency in advance is one of the most essential things that you want to do before heading abroad. I have been burned many times by heading over somewhere and then realizing that the exchange rates are not as I’ve expected at all and had to cut my trip short because I ran out of money.
Backup Plan
I’m a big fan of the adage “better safe than sorry”. You really don’t want to find yourself in the middle of Malaysia with no money because of one reason or another. That would pretty much ruin your trip. This is why you should always have some money or another card, preferably hidden in a different location than your other card. This is why, in case something happens, you will be prepared.
Smart ATM Choice
Aren’t all ATMs the same? No, not at all. Some of them charge a higher fee for withdrawals. Though you might be notified before you make the withdrawal, you will sometimes end up paying more than you should if you need to get cash quickly.
best prepaid card for international travel
International prepaid cards can be a great resource when you travel, making spending foreign currencies and withdrawing local cash convenient and secure.
This guide looks at which prepaid cards can be used internationally, where to find prepaid reloadable international debit cards, and all about how to use prepaid debit cards for international travel.
We’ll also touch on how Wise’s prepaid debit card can help you save on currency conversion costs while you spend in 174 countries.
In many ways a prepaid card is similar to your regular debit card. You’ll be able to use a prepaid card to make ATM withdrawals or payments in stores, and you’ll avoid overdraft fees because you can’t spend more than you’ve topped up.
Prepaid cards really come into their own when you travel. When you’re in an unfamiliar place, carrying a card is convenient, and safer than having a lot of cash on you.
Depending on the card you choose, a prepaid international debit card may also get you lower fees and a better exchange rate compared to using your normal bank card.
Your prepaid card isn’t linked to any of your other accounts, so even in the unlikely event that you’re a victim of fraud or lose your card and PIN, the thieves wouldn’t be able to get to your regular bank balance. This gives you extra peace of mind, no matter where you are in the world.
You’ll find prepaid cards you can pick up before you leave home, and top up online in dollars. You then select the currency you need when you’re abroad, and switch your balance, so you know exactly how much you have in the foreign currency.
This can make it easier to budget for a trip, as you know exactly what’s available, and there should be no surprise fees or costs associated with exchange rate fluctuations. It also means you don’t have to spend time searching for a currency exchange office in an unfamiliar place — leaving you free to get on with enjoying your trip.
There are also travel cards which don’t switch your dollars in advance of your trip, but do so as and when you use your card for spending. These are rather more like using a regular debit card, but do mean you won’t be able to see the exchange rates used until after the transaction has been processed.
We’ll look in depth at some of the best US prepaid debit cards for international use in just a moment. The good news is, whichever you pick, it’ll be easy enough to get hold of your card before you travel.
Prepaid cards you can use internationally are often available to order online — in which case they’re delivered right to your mailbox. Or you may be able to pick up a card in a store or bank location, top up and get started right away. Easy.
You’ll have a good range of options available if you’re thinking of getting a prepaid travel card for your next trip. Here are a few to consider.
There’s also a handy table at the end showing which of the cards can be used to convert a balance and lock in the exchange rate before you travel to some of the most popular destinations from the US.
When opening a free Wise account online you can get an international prepaid debit card which allows you to keep over 50 currencies and spend like a local in 174 countries.
Because you’re able to add money to be spent directly in any of the currencies you can hold, the Wise card works similarly to any other prepaid card.
The most important difference, though, is that you might have to go through additional verification steps to make sure your money is secure.
On the upside, you’ll be able to convert currencies as needed, using the mid-market exchange rate and for just a low, transparent fee — or have the card’s auto convert feature switch to the currencies you need instantly, for the lowest possible fee¹⁰.
Get a Revolut card and account to hold and exchange 28 currencies, and spend in over 140 currencies using your linked card.
You’ll be able to exchange currencies using the mid-market rate in most cases.
However, there is a currency markup for Thai baht and Ukrainian hryvnia, and you’ll pay a fee for exchanging large amounts over the course of a month, or at a weekend.
There are a few popular cards from Netspend which offer prepaid spending at home and abroad.
You can either choose a card with a monthly fee, or a pay as you go option which doesn’t cost a fixed service charge but which does involve per transaction charges³.
This brings flexibility but fees for international spending are fairly high, so you will want to make sure you’re clear on the terms if you opt for this card type.
The foreign transaction surcharge can be in the region of 3.5%⁴, which is added to purchases and ATM withdrawals. A fee may also apply to the ATM withdrawal, which may be around 4.95 USD depending on the specific card you have.
You can buy a Western Union Netspend card in the US, and use it to spend where you see the MasterCard symbol.
You’ll be able to send or receive payments to the card using Western Union, although there are fees and an exchange rate markup you’ll want to know about.
Log in to your account online to check the specific costs for your transaction.
You’ll be able to get a prepaid card from PayPal, which can be used overseas as well as at home. You can fund the card with PayPal balance if you have it, or top up at a retail location, or online.
It’s worth noting that this card is convenient but does come with fees. There’s a monthly charge of 4.95⁷ USD, and fees for using your card when you travel. You’ll pay a 4% foreign transaction fee, for example. You may also find the exchange rates offered aren’t the best available.
Ally is an online bank. While the cards and accounts offered from Ally are not strictly speaking the same as the prepaid travel cards featured elsewhere on this list, you could open and use an Ally account in a similar way.
Accounts are opened online, so you could top up only what you intend to spend while you travel, and use your linked card for convenience.
This gives the security of a prepaid card, as your Ally account won’t link to any of your regular bank accounts.
Ally charges a 1% fee for ATM use overseas⁹, and there may be additional charges levied by the ATM operators. Check the full terms and conditions online.
There are many prepaid card options out there from banks and online providers. Because Visa and MasterCard are among the most commonly accepted card networks outside of the US, many travel cards are issued on these networks to increase coverage.
Use this guide to find the right Visa prepaid card for your needs, or ask your bank if they offer this product to account holders.
One handy feature of some prepaid travel cards is that you can convert your dollars to the currency you need before you go on a trip, locking in the exchange rate.
You’re then sure what you have to spend, and should be able to avoid any surprise fees. Here are the cards which give that option, by destination country.
Before you head off on your trip, here are another few top tips to make sure you can make the most of your money.
When you’re using a card abroad in a store or ATM, you may be asked if you’d like to pay in your home currency — dollars — instead of the local currency in your destination.
ATM and payment providers claim this is a service which lets you easily see the cost of your purchase in a familiar currency. However, it’s also a good way to hit unnecessary fees, and inflated exchange rates.
where can i get a prepaid visa card for international use
Nowadays, most prepaid cards are valid for international use. That’s because Visa International, the single largest credit card and debit card issuer of the world has agreements with millions of merchants in most countries around the globe.
If you’re already holding a credit card or debit card from Visa, there’s actually no need to look for a separate one for international use. However, if the credit or debit card that you’re using comes with limitations on worldwide usage, there’re various ways to get a prepaid Visa card for international use.
In fact, having a prepaid Visa card for international use has several benefits. Let me tell you a bit about these advantages.
Advantages of Prepaid Visa Card for International Use
As I say earlier, most Visa cards that are available nowadays are already valid for international use. Often, banks also offer the facility of blocking your card for international use with a simple smartphone app or reactivating the facility within seconds, when necessary.
In such cases, why should you opt for a prepaid Visa card?
Actually, there are five main advantages of getting a prepaid Visa card for international use.
Additionally, there’re different types of prepaid Visa cards for international use that are easily available.
Different Types of Prepaid Visa Cards
Visa has four different prepaid cards for international use that you can select from. These are available from various financial institutions.
Ask your local bank for such Visa cards for international use. And you can also search on Internet to find where you can get any of these three kinds of Visa debit or credit cards.
However, I’ll list a few places where you can easily get a prepaid Visa card for use abroad or online, which is valid worldwide.
7 Places to Get Prepaid Visa Card for International Use
Before applying for a prepaid Visa card for international use, I suggest you do some research. That’s because some of these Visa cards also come with loyalty programs. Meaning, you get points for every Dollar you deposit or spend. You can redeem these points for excellent freebies.
1. Walmart MoneyCard
The easiest way to get a prepaid Visa card for international use is at Walmart. You can collect a Walmart MoneyCard at your nearest Walmart or apply online. This card is issued by Visa and is valid for international use.
Walmart MoneyCard gives you cashback facilities while shopping at Walmart. And you can also avail cash overdraft two days before payday, if you link it with your salary account and meet certain specifications. This prepaid Visa card for international use is available online and offline.
2. Green Dot Visa Cards
Green Dot prepaid Visa debit cards are also available from Walmart. However, they don’t come with any frills. You can collect a Green Dot visa prepaid card in-store from any Walmart and Green Dot outlets. It is valid for international use.
This card also offers a facility known as ASAP Direct Deposit. Meaning, your Green Dot Visa debit card will get automatic top-ups one to two days before payday. There’re certain rules to avail this overdraft facility on Green Dot prepaid Visa card.
3. Target Prepaid Cards
Target chain of supermarkets also offers its own brand of prepaid Visa cards for international use. Currently, Target is offering two distinct prepaid Visa debit cards that are valid around the world. You can select any of these. You can order them online or collect from any Target store in your area.
One of them is the Target Visa Prepaid card, which comes with international use facilities. You can reload this card for $200 to get extra credit of $6. Additionally, Target offers discounts when you shop at their and select partner stores. The other is Target Visa Gift Card. You can buy the gift card for self too. Both these cards offer a few benefits, which can differ according to your area and season.
4. Rakuten Cash Back Visa Credit Card
The Japanese chain of supermarkets, Rakuten, also offers two distinct prepaid Visa credit cards that offer between one and three percent cashback on your purchases. There’re certain rules and regulations to qualify for this prepaid Visa card for international use. These cards are issued by Symphony Financial Co. You get amazing cashback in your bank account, PayPal wallet or prepaid card.
Rakuten Cash Back Visa Credit Card allows you to earn amazing cashback at more than 2,500 stores in the US and elsewhere including Macy’s, Walmart, Target and Amazon. Additionally, you don’t need to carry the physical card: Rakuten also has an e-card that you can use. Application for this prepaid card is simple: create an online account, fill in the necessary details and Symphony Financial Co will mail you one.
5. NetSpend Visa Prepaid Card
You can apply for a prepaid Visa debit card for international use online from NetSpend. Their card is issued by MetaBank. There’re no lower limits on recharging these prepaid Visa cards. You can recharge them using gift cards, debit cards issued by plasma collection centers and others by simply transferring the balance online.
The NetSpend Visa debit card doesn’t come with any frills. It has global acceptance. And you can hold more than one NetSpend Visa debit cards. These are ideal for giving to your children who may be traveling abroad for studies or holidays. You can recharge them instantly through the NetSpend website.
6. Foreign Currency & Travel Cards
Foreign currency and travel cards are very simple to get. A lot of banks and other financial institutions issue them for a small fee. They’re valid for spending in various major currencies of the world such as Euro, Yen, British Pound Sterling, Indian Rupee, Australian Dollar and others.
However, some issuers do not permit local use of these cards. And foreign exchange rates can make their usage very expensive. Therefore, opt for these cards only while traveling abroad. Such cards are best suited for frequent travelers and businesspersons who need to pay in foreign currencies.
More Visa Prepaid Cards for International Use
There’s another excellent option I can suggest. Visit the Visa International website and look for their prepaid cards. You’ll find a lot of information and a list of issuers. Some of these would be in America while others would generally be abroad.
However, it’s also possible to order a prepaid Visa card from foreign issues in some cases. As I mention earlier, look for terms, conditions, fees, other charges as well as benefits before applying for a prepaid Visa card for international use.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re a plasma donor or have been gifted a prepaid Visa card by someone, there may be no need to buy another. Check with the issuer if the card is valid for international use. It can save you some money on buying a new one. Also find charges on international use to ensure you don’t spend more.