Prepaid debit cards are useful tools for people who do not have a bank account. They let you pay for things without using cash, meaning that you can use them to shop online or make large purchases without having to carry around a lot of physical money.
It’s important that you do not confuse prepaid debit cards with prepaid credit cards. Prepaid debit cards can be purchased at grocery and big box stores, and you can only spend as much as you load to the card. Prepaid credit cards, often known as secured cards, allow you to spend up to a credit limit.
For the most part, you can use a prepaid debit card anywhere you can use a regular debit card. They offer a way for people without bank accounts to access the same services as those who do have one.
Yes, you can use a prepaid card to watch movies on Netflix or RedboxAt Redbox, just swipe your card when it comes time to pay. For Netflix, load your card with enough money to pay for your first month’s subscription, then sign up. Just make sure to load enough money to the card every month before Netflix takes its payment, otherwise, your account will be suspended.
Yes, you can use a prepaid debit card with your PayPal account. If you want, PayPal offers its own prepaid debit card that you can sign up for. It lets you easily access and spend your PayPal balance. You can also use prepaid debit cards to send and receive money through Venmo. While Zelle is largely used through bank apps, you can also download a standalone Zelle app. If you do, you can add your prepaid debit card to make and receive payments.
Services like Uber and Lyft only accept electronic payments, which means you can’t use cash if you want to use the service. Both allow you to sign up using a prepaid card. Just make sure you load enough money to cover your fare.
The Cash App lets you send money to your friends and receive payments in return. Prepaid cards work for both features in the app.
The Xbox Live Network does allow prepaid debit card payments in any region that allows standard debit card payments, including the United States. EA Origin Access does not accept payment by prepaid debit card. Only credit card and PayPal accounts can be used to purchase the service.
Spotify does accept prepaid debit cards issued by the four major card issuers, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover. iTunes also accepts prepaid debit cards when you are trying to make a purchase.
Amazon accepts payment with prepaid debit cards with some restrictions. Mainly, you also cannot be using a prepaid debit card that requires entry of the 3 digit CVV on the back of the card.
Certain prepaid cards work with Apple Pay. Apple does not publish a list of compatible cards. Google Pay does not allow you to add any prepaid debit cards to your Google Pay Account.
You can use a prepaid card to rent a car with most car lenders. Some lenders place a large hold on your card, so ask about the size of the hold and ensure you have enough money on the card beforehand.
Each bitcoin exchange has its own rules surrounding acceptable ways to buy bitcoin, but many do allow prepaid cards. Contact the exchange you want to work with to confirm details.
Yes, you can use a prepaid debit card at any grocery store or gas station that accepts regular debit cards that are on the same network.