- How It Works|
- FAQs|
- Help
- Log In to your account |
- Sign up now for free!
Prepaid Debit Cards
If you want the convenience of a credit card but don't have the credit to qualify for one, a prepaid credit card is a good payment alternative.
Prepaid debit cards let you load a pre-deposited amount of money onto your card. You charge purchases just like a credit card (without the debt or interest) until your money is depleted, and you can reload when you want. It's a good option for consumers looking to control their spending, and for poor or no credit consumers because cards do not require a credit check.
However, you can't build credit with a prepaid debit card because it is not reported to the major credit bureaus. There are also several fees associated with these cards, so always read the fine print on the card's terms and conditions.
Recommmended just for you
NetSpend Visa® Prepaid Card
- 100% Approval - No credit check needed (ID verification required).
- Track your spending at no additional cost, with easy-to-use online budgeting tools.
- Pay rent, utilities and other bills online or over the phone.
- Real-time account activity alerts to your mobile phone.
- Funds are FDIC insured up to the current coverage limit (ID verification required).
- New - Get rewarded with NetSpend Payback Rewards™ options.
Why we recommend it...
The NetSpend Visa Prepaid Card is a great alternative for consumers with poor credit, no credit, or for those who choose not to use credit. It works similarly to a bank-issued debit card and it’s accepted everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.
Since you deposit your own funds into the account, the NetSpend Visa Prepaid Card provides a convenient way to pay with plastic without the commitment or debt that often comes with using a credit card. Online transfers and direct deposit make it easy to access your funds, which are FDIC-insured up to $250,000. And unlike a credit card, you won’t need to worry about hard credit inquiries or the possibility of being denied; NetSpend offers 100% approval, with no credit check required.
To keep your spending in check, cardholders can easily track their purchases with online budgeting tools and mobile phone activity alerts. If your computer access is limited, you can also visit more than 100,000+ partner locations to load cash or checks onto your NetSpend Card, making this prepaid card a great option for a variety of people.
Pros:
- 100% approval and no credit check
- Funds are FDIC insured up to $250,000
Cons:
- Doesn’t build credit
- Monthly service fee
Credit Score Approval Data †
tbd
Average Credit Score Approved for this Card
tbd
Lowest Credit Score Approved for this Card
READYdebit® Visa® Prepaid Card
- 100% Approval Guaranteed! – No Chexsystems or credit checks, bankruptcy okay!
- Better than a checking account – Great online bill pay service with no overdraft, bounced check fees – EVER!
- Pay Nothing Now! – No deposits or prepayments required to get your card.
- FREE Direct Deposit! – stop paying to cash your paycheck.
- FREE phone and online access to your account!
- No declined transaction fees!
- Great Loading Options – FREE direct deposit and bank account transfers, 60,000+ Green Dot and ReadyLink cash load locations.
- Safer than cash - All deposits FDIC insured; purchases covered by Visa Zero Fraud Liability protection.
- Cheaper than credit – no late fees, no over limit fees, no interest charges – EVER!
Why we recommend it...
If you want the convenience of a credit card and something that goes above and beyond traditional checking accounts, READYdebit card is a great choice. It gives 100% approval for anyone who applies, no credit check needed, which makes it ideal for those with poor credit, no credit, or don’t want to use credit cards.
READYdebit is a great choice because it has low fees and convenient features, such as free direct deposit, free bank transfers, online bill pay service, no fees for overdrafts of non-sufficient funds, and ability to load money from over 60,000 ReadyLink and Green Dot cash load locations.
If your credit history is keeping you from getting a credit card, READYdebit is a good alternative that makes spending more secure and easier with the convenience of plastic. As with most prepaid debit cards, READYdebit has a small activation fee and affordable monthly service fee.
Pros:
- 100% approval guaranteed, no credit check needed
Cons:
- Doesn’t build credit
- Monthly service fee
Credit Score Approval Data †
565
Average Credit Score Approved for this Card
493
Lowest Credit Score Approved for this Card
Additional prepaid credit cards
AccountNow® Pay As You Go Visa®
American Express® Prepaid Card
Green Dot® Gold Prepaid Visa®
- $0 Activation Online - with no credit check
- Access over 18,000 MoneyPass® ATM's
- Get a $4.95 credit on your first MoneyPak cash load (see site for restrictions)
- No Monthly fee for any month with at least 30 purchases
- No Transaction fees on US purchases
- No Overdraft fees
- No Minimum balance required
* See the online Provider's credit card application for details about terms and conditions. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. When you click on the "Take Offer" button, you can review the credit card terms and conditions on the provider's website.
† Credit Karma members have received approvals with these TransUnion New Account credit scores. These approval metrics are only guidelines and approval is not guaranteed. You can learn more about credit card approval through our in-depth article.
Featured Credit Card Partners
Our FREE service is made possible in part with the support of our sponsors and partners.
Popular Credit News
The Do’s and Don’ts of Closing Old Accounts
September 25, 2008
500 Comments
Understanding Credit Score Differences
February 27, 2008
405 Comments
Top 5 Credit Misconceptions
September 25, 2008
379 Comments
Copyright© 2007-2012 Credit Karma™, Inc. Credit Karma is a registered trademark of Credit Karma, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Product name, logo, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within Credit Karma are the property of their respective trademark holders. This site may be compensated through third party advertisers.
