Prepaid credit cards help those who wish to establish or reestablish credit. These credit card types are for anyone. College students, adults, and anyone else can enjoy the benefits of a credit card without the hassle of owning a traditional credit card. Whether a person’s credit is good or bad, a prepaid credit card is a wonderful choice.
What is a prepaid credit card?
These are credit cards that carry the logos of traditional credit cards, and these credit cards are accepted all over the world. These credit cards spend just like debit cards and credit cards but without the hassle of fees and other charges. Prepaid cards do not require credit bureau checks for customer approval. Those with less than perfect credit find the prepaid credit card to be a wonderful option. Cardholders do not have application fees, annual fees, interest rates, and hidden fees.
Customers may or may not pay a one-time activation fee to begin using the prepaid credit card but no other charges apply. Cardholders load the card with a specific amount of money, and once that money is depleted, no additional funds are available until the customer reloads the card. The prepaid credit card eliminates late fees, over-the-limit fees, annual fees, and high interest rates. If funds are not available, the cardholder cannot use the prepaid credit card.
Benefits of Using a Prepaid Credit Card
· Doesn’t Require Discipline
Traditional credit cards provide cardholders with a credit limit and allow spending up that limit. Interest can take the balance over the limit, and over-the-limit fees add to the balance. Prepaid cards only allow cardholders to spend to the limit uploaded to the card. There are no over-the-limit fees because the card does not spend unless there are adequate funds available.
· Saves Cardholder’s Money
The only fee that some prepaid cards charge is a one-time activation fee. There are no hidden costs—such as finance charges, processing fees, application fees, or late fees—that cardholders are responsible for each month. Some cards offer free direct deposit to customers. Cardholders have the freedom to pay bills online, pay for travel expenses or anything else.
· Works Like a Checking Account
Merchants that accept credit cards with the logo on the credit card gladly accept prepaid credit cards. Many of the deposits are FDIC insured to the amount of $250,000. Cardholders can even withdraw cash from the prepaid credit card.
· Safe to Use
Many of the prepaid credit cards offer protection in the event that unauthorized charges are made or if the card is stolen or lost. The Zero Liability policy is available with traditional credit cards and some prepaid credit cards. Exceptions and conditions apply so cardholders must verify that the prepaid credit card offers this service beforehand. Using a prepaid credit card is safer than using cash.
· Pin Protected
A secured pin number protects prepaid cards. Cardholders can receive instant cash from ATMs from all over the world. A pin number make the prepaid credit card a safe option for cardholders.
· Report to Credit Agencies
Some prepaid credit card companies report the credit history of cardholders to the three credit bureaus. Reporting payment history helps to increase credit scores and restore creditworthiness of users.
· Everyone Is Approved
Unlike traditional credit cards, everyone can receive a prepaid credit card. The 100% approval rate is why so many people choose prepaid credit cards. All customers need is a valid form of identification to receive a prepaid credit card.
· No Credit Check
Bad credit history does not prevent anyone from receiving a prepaid card because everyone is approved. Even if there were problems with a previous checking account or customers are on ChexSystems, customers are still eligible for prepaid credit cards.
How to Get a Prepaid Credit Card
Prepaid credit cards are everywhere. Customers can find the credit cards in major retailers and online. The process is as easy as picking up the card and loading money onto it. Customers can load the money at retail stores and check cashing locations. Customers can also purchase reload packs that spend similar to the way gift cards do. Some may charge reload fees to add money to the prepaid credit card.
The process is quick and easy for customers who want to have a credit card without the hassle. None of the additional fees that traditional credit cards charge applies to prepaid credit cards. Prepaid credit cards are a wonderful investment.