pre-paid credit card

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Has anyone had a good experience with any of the pre-paid credit cards? Younger dd has a job, but she's not old enough to have a checking account or debit card. She wants to save her money and then get a pre-paid credit card before we go on vacation. The last time I tried to order one (several years ago and don't remember who it was through) I ended up cancelling the entire thing and just giving the person a check. So, I thought if anyone had a good experience I'd try again. TIA

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Luanne,

When my son went to Europe, with his school, I got him a pre-paid credit card. I got it through AAA. Can't remember much more than that. But it worked well for him, no problems.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Luanne,

When my son went to Europe, with his school, I got him a pre-paid credit card. I got it through AAA. Can't remember much more than that. But it worked well for him, no problems.

I assume you have to belong to AAA to get it, right? Won't work since we don't belong.

[Barbeque Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Barbeque]

I think my bank even sells them. I have never used one. But I would make sure I did whatever I needed to do if it was lost or stolen. Travelers Checks have worked for us in the past.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

I like the idea of one that I can re-load. I found some online specifically for teens. I may look further into those.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

I don't think that you need to be a member. Anyway, here is some info on the popular pre-paid credit cards.......

Popular Prepaid Cards Include:

‡PayTru Card • ‡OneDebit • NetSpend Prepaid Visa • *Wired Plastic Visa • **AAA PrePaid

***Green Dot • RushCard • *Only1 Mastercard • NetSpend Visa Gift Card • Gift Cards

*Wired Plastic cards can be loaded wherever Western Union is offered and Only1 can be loaded at MoneyGram which is offered at WalMart. Wired Plastic even allows loading via Paypal.

**American Automobile Association (AAA) Many of us are AAA members. If you're looking for a secure merchant to purchase a Prepaid card from you may want to check out the selection of prepaid cards offered from AAA. There types of cards are available to both members and non-members and AAA members receive a discount. (Read the FAQ's page for specific information on each card.)

***Greendot can be purchased and reloaded at a variety of retail locations including Walgreens CVS, Brooks, Rite Aid and Radioshack. When purchasing inquire about a MoneyPak Universal Reload Package.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Thanks for the info.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Angela, did you find there were a lot of fees involved when you used the pre-paid card?

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Going for a sec, Does it matter if my son has a bank account or a checking account to improve his credit. He a bank book but no checking. He is only 17 now.

[Luanne Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Luanne]

Going for a sec, Does it matter if my son has a bank account or a checking account to improve his credit. He a bank book but no checking. He is only 17 now.

My older dd couldn't get a checking account until she turned 18. She had a savings account only through our credit union until then. At this point I'm not too concerned with her trying to improve her credit.