Prepaid Visa cards have been around for a while, and here’s what you need to know about them, straight from the horse’s mouth.
Prepaid Visa cards give cardholders a convenient way to access their money. These cards don’t offer any credit, they don’t link to bank accounts, and they still manage to give you easy access to your funds as and when needed. Not everyone is clear about just how these cards work, and to seek clarification on some of the most commonly asked questions, we contacted Judy Shaw from Visa Australia and New Zealand. We thank her kindly for taking the time to interact with us, and here’s what she had to say.
Interview questions and answers
Some of our readers wish to know if they can use prepaid Visa cards with PayPal - would you please clarify.
Yes, prepaid Visa cardholders can use their card details to fund their PayPal accounts.
Is there currently a growth in the Australian prepaid Visa card market?
There has been a considerable growth in the prepaid card market over the last couple of years, which one can attribute to the diversity in the types of prepaid cards on offer. People can now choose from options like general purpose spending reloadable cards, disposable gift cards, and cards for overseas travel. Travel cards that allow loading of multiple currencies and gift cards remain the most sought after. Many large corporate organisations are also turning to using prepaid Visa cards as incentives or loyalty rewards for their customers. Fujitsu General Australia, for instance, ran successful promotions using cashback on Visa prepaid cards. Opportunities also exist for governmental agencies and departments to turn to prepaid cards for emergency relief disbursements and staff per diem. Such cards offer cardholders easy means to access electronic payment options. They tend to find favour with a number of people because not everyone wants, or can get, a credit card or a debit card. Besides, getting a prepaid card does not require a customer to have an existing relationship with a card issuer. An extensive research that Visa carried out in Australia recently showed that customers are quite in favour of the prepaid card concept, especially when it comes to travel. The common perception is that prepaid cards offer increased safety when compared to carrying cash, and cardholders can withdraw local currency from ATMs the world over.
Can I use my prepaid Visa card anywhere?
As of now Coles and Woolworths don’t accept prepaid Visa cards, but Visa is continuing to discuss this matter with them. Other than this, you can use your prepaid card just about anywhere you see the Visa logo, at ATMs and EFTPOS terminals alike. Visa finds acceptance in over 200 countries and territories, at more than 1.9 million ATMs and 30 million merchants.
Is the MySpace Prepaid Visa the first card of its kind in Australia, or even globally?
Yes, as per my knowledge this is the first prepaid card in the world that targets users of social networking sites. Nowadays, it is more common for the youth to download music from internet, as opposed to buying CDs from brick-and-mortar stores. The MySpace Prepaid Visa card gives them a simple way to shop online, and also sets them on the road to financial independence.
Can you please give us information about fees such cards charge?
You can find out about fees that prepaid Visa cards charge and other related information by visiting this page.
How can customers find out more about prepaid Visa cards?
Prepaid Visa cards bring with them the convenience that people typically associate with credit and debit cards, given that they give cardholders easy access to their money the world over. Bear in mind, though, that a number of financial institutions in Australia offer prepaid Visa cards, so it is ideal that you compare a few before getting any one.
I have two Visa gift Cards, with which I have purchased items. How can I find out the balance on each card? The store where I wanted to use them towards a purchase (and pay the balance) told me there is no way that they can do that. I estimate there to be at least $20 on one and I’m not sure about the other one.
Beverley
Hi Beverley,
Thank you for your enquiry.
You can check the balance of your cards by visiting the website of your card issuer or calling their customer service number.
I hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Jason
Hi!
I want a personalised prepaid Visa gift card with a photo upload.
Can only find a Company in USA that offers this service.
Diane
Hi Diane,
Thanks for your comment.
Just to confirm, are you referring to the Visa Prepaid Gift Card issued by Woolworths? If so, I suggest that you contact Woolworths directly on 1300 10 1234 to verify if they can personalise your Visa prepaid gift card.
Cheers,
May
I just tried to add a visa prepaid credit card to my PayPal account and they said that I couldn’t use the visa prepaid, what is going on, please help
Hi Julianne,
Thank you for your question. Just to confirm though that you’ve come through to finder.com.au we are an Australian financial comparison website and general information service, not actually PayPal.
Unfortunately, PayPal only accepts a valid bank account and/or a credit/debit card (but not a prepaid credit card) as your financial details attached to your PayPal account. I suggest that you contact PayPal directly to be sure.
Cheers,
May
Hi
I purchased a Target Visa prepaid card at a Target store fr my partner on the 12/12/2015. She has tried to use this card on the Target online store and it does not work. I have tried and I can’t get it to work either. She has also call customer service at Target however they were useless. Can you please help.
Where is the CVV number located?
Can this be used at a Target Online store?
Hi Steve, thanks for your inquiry!
The Target Visa Gift Card can only be used at Target retail outlets and wherever Prepaid Visa cards are accepted. Since this is a prepaid card you need to select ‘credit’ at the EFTPOS terminal and enter the given PIN. As a result there is no CVV number available for online purchasing.
I hope this has helped.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Hi Steve,
Thank you for your inquiry.
If your Target Visa is a newly applied card, you may wish to double check if it was already activated. You may also would like to check the remaining balance of the card, you can manage it online via Target’s official website.
The CVV may be found at the front of your card which is a 3-digit security code and yes, you can use your card at Target’s online store.
Please also refer to the links I’ve sent in your email for your reference on where to activate and manage your card.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Debbie
Can I use a Visa Gift Card at any Coles Supermarket?
Hi Kay,
Thanks for your question.
You should be able to use your Visa Gift Card anywhere Visa is accepted.
Cheers,
Sally
Where can I get a pre paid credit card in Adelaide on a Sunday night
Hi Vee,
Thank you for your question.
Our business hours are 9am-5pm Mondays to Fridays, so we apologise for not getting in touch sooner.
If you’re still after a prepaid Visa card, there are a number available to you.
You can compare some of your options here.
I hope this has helped.
Thanks,
Sally
Where are prepaid Citibank cards accepted in Queensland?
Hi John, thanks for your inquiry!
Citibank cards can be used at any lender who accepts Visa in Queensland.
Cheers,
Jonathan
Can you take money directly out of an ATM from a citibank pre paid visa card I got from my rewards packages
Hi Nbk, thanks for your inquiry!
As per the terms and conditions “The Card cannot be used at ATMs or to obtain cash.”
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jonathan
How do I activate my free money visa card?
Hi Lawrence. Thanks for your question. You can do this online by visiting the card issuers website. Jacob.