While in France, I am trying to get around carrying a lot of cash and dealing with parties who do not take credit cards. I have a debit card, but I'm thinking of getting a prepaid card for a back up, as well. Is this recommended and, if so, which company is the most accepted?
Posted by
Houston
3522 posts
Unless you like throwing away your money, don't get a prepaid card.
First, most pre paid cards you can get in the US will only work in the US, you would need to get a pre paid TRAVEL card to have any hope of it working. AAA sells these (as well as other places like the Travelex currency exchange booths at airports) and you pay a fee to get it, a fee to put money on it, a fee every time you use it to pay for something, a fee for foreign exchange, a fee to check your balance, and then a fee if you want to close it out when you get back home so you don't get hit with inactivity fees if you plan on saving it for your next trip.
Second, pre paid cards will not work anyplace your existing credit or debit cards will not ( of course depending if you pre notified your card issuers you would be traveling and they don't have any restrictions on using your card in that country [check with them]). It is a card and to the merchant it is not any different than any other card.
Third, I have been on several tours where people who brought pre paid travel cards were left high and dry because no one would take the cards and that was the only payment option they brought.
So just use your debit card to get cash from bank owned and operated ATMs (to get the best possible rate) declining the offer to charge you in USDollars or whatever your home currency is, and use that as backup for times your cards are not accepted by merchants. Use your credit card only for purchases from merchants, never your debit card.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
Historically, pre-paid debit cards have had total fees that often run in the range of 10 to 12% or more. Some of the fees are not disclosed. Pre-paid cards do not have the same protection if lost or stolen as regular debit and credit cards. Credit card are nearly universally acceptable by merchantsz so that should not be a major concern. Some US cards are not accepted at toll booths, unmanned gas pumps, some train ticket machines but it a person is there, there credit should work. Debit cards are not a problem with bank owned ATMs. Best situation is to have two debit cards tied to two different accounts and two or three credit cards. Short of that then make sure you have pin numbers numbers for your credit cards so that in an emergency you can get cash advances from your credit card at an ATM. That is an expensive way to do but it is an emergency and not primary usage. Using a debit card and some secured method like a money belt should cover you very well.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you for your advice.
Posted by
NYC
490 posts
I joined paypal and it is a MC...but I only use it as a debit by transferring the amount I want from my bank account...so say $1500 for my trip. I have never had a problem using it and there are no fees because it is a debit card. The link to the bank requires a password and takes several days to transfer money onto the Paypal card, so losing your card will not enable thieves to get all the cash in your bank account....I like it.
Some vendors ask for the pin to be input, but I usually hit credit button and it goes through I sign the slip and go!
I withdraw cash on my ATM card soon after arriving and on longer trips take cash out every week or so.