How to put cash on a prepaid card

A prepaid debit card is much like a gift card: It allows you to spend whatever amount of money is stored on the card. Once the balance is used up, you can reload the card online or at an ATM, a participating store, or other physical location. Prepaid debit cards are issued by banks and branded by the major credit card companies, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.

Key Takeaways

• A prepaid debit card can be a useful alternative to cash.
• Prepaid debit cards are an option for people who don't have a credit card or access to a regular debit card connected to a bank account.
• There are many fees associated with prepaid debit cards, so it's important to shop around for the best deal.

Understanding Prepaid Debit Cards

A prepaid debit card is as good as cash—and sometimes better:

• It is a safe way to carry money around—unlike, say, a wad of paper money. Prepaid cards also come with certain consumer protections, while cash does not.
• A prepaid debit card can be used for online purchases.
• It can make a more attractive gift than cash.

Anyone who wants to stick to a strict budget, or who has had trouble managing credit cards, could also consider using a prepaid debit card.

You can use a prepaid debit card for any transaction that you might otherwise use a credit card or regular debit card for. In many instances, the recipient of your payment may even be unaware that the card is prepaid.

Some employers pay their workers with prepaid debit cards called payroll cards (which can be useful if the person doesn't have a bank account or direct deposit). Many government benefits are also available via prepaid debit cards, including Social Security.

Prepaid Debit Cards vs. Regular Debit Cards

With a regular debit card, the amount of money you can spend is tied to how much you have in the checking account it is linked to. So you need to have a bank account to use a regular debit card, while you don't with a prepaid debit card. With a regular debit card, the amount of money you have available to you will also fluctuate from day to day, as money moves in and out of your checking account. With a prepaid debit card, you have a fixed amount of money to spend, which declines as you spend it and rises only if you reload the card.

The Downsides of Prepaid Debit Cards

Prepaid debit cards can come with an assortment of fees that will eat into your cash balance. These may include monthly fees, transaction fees, ATM fees, reloading fees, foreign transaction fees, and more. You may even be charged a fee for checking your balance in the card.

Employees have a legal right to decline being paid through a payroll card because the fees will reduce their take-home pay.

Shopping for a Prepaid Debit Card

If you're shopping for a prepaid debt card, pay particular attention to its fees. Also consider convenience. For example, if the card is free to use at an ATM (as many of the best cards are), how large an ATM network will you have access to, and is there one close to where you live or work?

Important

If your goal is to repair your credit rating, consider a secured credit card instead of a prepaid debit card.

An Alternative to a Prepaid Debit Card

If the reason you want a prepaid debit card is that you have a bad credit history or no credit history and are unable to get a conventional credit card, you might consider a secured credit card instead. Secured cards are easier to qualify for because they require you to put down a refundable security deposit that serves as collateral for the lender.

The advantage of a secured credit card is that your monthly payments can be reported to the three major credit bureaus and help build your credit history. Debit cards, either prepaid or the regular kind, don't report transactions to the credit bureaus and will do nothing to improve your credit.

Adam corresponds with finance experts to publish industry news coverage related to helping consumers achieve greater financial literacy and improved credit. He has more than 12 years of storytelling, editing, and design experience in print and online journalism and is most knowledgeable in the areas of credit scores, financial products and services, and the banking industry.

Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience. She has written and edited for major news organizations, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the New York Times, and she previously served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Florida. Today, she edits all CardRates content for clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement.

Reviewed by: Ashley Dull

Ashley Dull

With more than a decade of experience as a content manager and marketer, Ashley has specialized in finance coverage since 2015. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media campaigns. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among others.

Prepaid cards that you can add money to provide the opportunity to create a budget or conduct your financial dealings without the need for a traditional bank account. With these cards, you can authorize direct deposits of checks, safely store your money, and make purchases or payments online or in person — without the fear of accumulating debt or paying interest charges like you would with a traditional credit card.

And the best reloadable prepaid card options provide mobile applications that allow you to manage your card account, track your spending, and check your balance right on your phone.

List of Prepaid Cards | FAQs

Prepaid Cards That Accept Cash & Electronic Deposits

We’ve followed the prepaid debit card industry for years and have a good grasp of which cards offer the best solutions and customer service for your financial needs. When choosing the right card for you, consider each offer’s monthly fee, direct deposit features, ATM withdrawal abilities, and how easy the issuing bank makes it to conduct cash reloads.

We’ve long admired the Brinks Prepaid Mastercard for its commitment to security and convenience for every cardholder. This card makes it easy to pay bills, withdraw cash, and avoid overdraft fees since it only allows you to spend up to the amount of money you’ve deposited.

You can also earn Payback Points on all eligible purchases — similar to a rewards or cash back structure on a traditional credit card. You can redeem your points for cash back and other rewards through your Brinks card account.

PayPal is an established resource for financial transactions — and the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® is just another tool to help you along without the need for a checking account, savings account, credit card, or debit card.

You can also use your existing PayPal account to shuffle money to and from your reloadable prepaid card instantly. You can also conduct cash reloads at thousands of locations around the U.S.

The NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card provides several ways to add cash to your account. This includes depositing money at one of thousands of locations around the country, performing a mobile check deposit through your phone, or accepting direct deposit of your employment or government benefits checks at no extra charge.

You can also use this prepaid card at any location that accepts Visa. That means you can shop online or in person and pay bills in a matter of seconds.

The NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card pays out Payback Rewards points for signature purchases with select merchants. You can redeem your points for cash back that’s credited directly to your card account. 

Much like a traditional savings account, your Netspend reloadable Visa allows you to safely store your money and deposit more cash whenever you need to increase your spending power. Just be aware that the location that accepts your cash may charge a reload fee for the service.

5. Bluebird® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account

at the issuer’ssecure website

PREPAID RATING

★★★★★

4.6

OVERALL RATING

4.0/5.0

Our Review »

• A reloadable prepaid debit account that can be used anywhere American Express® cards are accepted
• Get your paycheck up to 2 days faster with free direct deposit
• Shop with added confidence and Purchase Protection, which can help protect eligible purchases made with the card against accidental damage and theft for up to 120 days from the date of purchase
• Get free ATM access at over 30,000 MoneyPass® ATM locations. It’s free to add cash at Walmart and free to transfer money to other Bluebird Accountholders.
• With Roadside Assistance, you can call us in case of emergency for coordination and assistance services to help you get on your way
• Pay no monthly fees or foreign transaction fees

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)

Intro (Transfers)

Regular APR

Annual Fee

Credit Needed

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Not applicable

The Bluebird® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account may be the most affordable card on this list because it does not charge a monthly fee. There’s also no ATM withdrawal fee when you use MoneyPass ATMs throughout the U.S.

You also won’t be charged a transaction fee when you make a purchase or account overdraft fees. That’s a big deal — especially for a company with the prestige of American Express.

6. The Mango Prepaid Mastercard®

at the issuer’ssecure website

PREPAID RATING

★★★★★

4.6

OVERALL RATING

3.8/5.0

Our Review »

• Mango is a safe and convenient way to manage and access your money when and where you need it
• The Mango Card is a prepaid card account and there are no hidden fees or interest charges. See your Cardholder Agreement for fees and details.
• You can use your Mango Card everywhere debit Mastercard is accepted
• Manage your account anywhere you are. Securely check your balance, transaction history, and send money to friends and family.
• Once you activate and load your Mango Card, you can open a Savings Account with as little as $25 and get up to 6.00% Annual Percentage Yield with up to 6 transfers out each month

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)

Intro (Transfers)

Regular APR

Annual Fee

Credit Needed

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Not applicable

The Mango Prepaid Mastercard® can connect to an optional savings account that gives you many of the perks you’d expect from a checking account. As a cardholder, you can earn interest on your deposited money and enjoy up to six free transfers from the account each month.

This allows you to pay bills through your debit Mastercard with no transaction fee while earning money along the way.

7. Serve® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account

at the issuer’ssecure website

PREPAID RATING

★★★★★

4.6

OVERALL RATING

3.8/5.0

Our Review »

• Enjoy FREE withdrawals at over 30,000 MoneyPass® ATM locations nationwide.
• Get access to your money up to 2 days faster with early Direct Deposit
• No monthly fee when you direct deposit $500 or more within a statement period
• Use Online Bill Pay to help you save time and help you avoid late fees. Terms apply.
• Check your balance and recent transactions, pay bills on the go, get SMS text alerts, and send money to family or friends who have a Serve Account
• No credit check, no hidden fees

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)

Intro (Transfers)

Regular APR

Annual Fee

Credit Needed

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Not applicable

The Serve® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account makes it easy to avoid the standard monthly fee by depositing a specified amount of funds into your card account each month. You can also avoid other pesky fees, including an ATM withdrawal fee if you use MoneyPass ATMs. 

And the American Express Serve card won’t punish you for having a poor credit score because this card doesn’t require a credit check for approval.

8. Greenlight – Debit Card For Kids

at the issuer’ssecure website

PREPAID RATING

★★★★★

4.6

OVERALL RATING

4.2/5.0

Our Review »

• Greenlight is a debit card for kids, managed by parents
• Parents set flexible controls and receive real-time alerts while kids monitor their balances, set goals, and learn how to manage money
• Feel secure knowing Greenlight blocks unsafe spending categories
• Receive Mastercard’s Zero Liability Protection
• Upload a photo of your choice to create a unique custom card
• Debit cards are FDIC-insured up to $250,000
• Easily turn your Greenlight card on or off and receive real-time spending notifications

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)

Intro (Transfers)

Regular APR

Annual Fee

Credit Needed

N/A

N/A

N/A

See Pricing

Not applicable

The Greenlight – Debit Card For Kids is an excellent tool for parents to teach their kids about saving and budgeting. As a debit Mastercard designed for children, you don’t have to worry about an activation fee, ATM fee, or transaction fee, but it does charge a monthly fee for account maintenance.

Parents have complete control over the account and can add money and control spending through the card’s mobile app. This is an easy way to pay an allowance or send money to your child when they aren’t nearby.

The Walmart MoneyCard® pays you cash back to shop at Walmart. This includes purchases made on its website, at fuel stations, and brick-and-mortar stores. 

When you activate direct deposit on your account, the card will provide overdraft protection that helps you avoid overdraft fees.

10. Serve® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account

at the issuer’ssecure website

PREPAID RATING

★★★★★

4.6

OVERALL RATING

3.8/5.0

Our Review »

• Get rewarded with unlimited 1% Cash Back when you spend money in stores or online. The funds are available to add to your account as soon as the transaction settles with us, so you don’t have to wait to enjoy the rewards.
• Unlike many other reward programs, you can decide when you use your cash back. You can apply it to your Account every day you earn it or keep it aside to save it for later.
• You can withdraw your money without a fee at over 30,000 MoneyPass® ATM locations nationwide.
• Can’t find your Serve card? No need to worry – you can quickly freeze it while you look for it and unfreeze it when you find it. And for extra reassurance, know you won’t be held responsible for fraudulent charges.
• With Emergency Assistance, you can get select access to select emergency coordination and assistance services when you’re traveling more than 100 miles from home.
• Amex Offers provide a range of offers – shopping, dining, and more – from places you love. It’s easy and free.

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)

Intro (Transfers)

Regular APR

Annual Fee

Credit Needed

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Not applicable

While this Serve® American Express® Prepaid Debit Account may share a name with its sibling card listed above, there are a few key differences between the offerings — but also several similarities.

For starters, this card offers cash back rewards for all eligible purchases — similar to a credit card. As with the card above, you can also avoid several fees that other prepaid cards charge.

11. BusyKid Visa® Prepaid Spend Debit Card

at the issuer’ssecure website

PREPAID RATING

★★★★★

4.4

OVERALL RATING

4.1/5.0

Our Review »

• Take your kid’s spending freedom to the next level with a BusyKid Visa® Prepaid Spend Debit Card. Now featuring ATM and Apple/Google Pay, the card eliminates concerns over having on-hand cash. It’s easy to use, secure, and it teaches your kids how to manage money they can’t see.
• Every family subscription comes with up to five cards (one per child).
• Cards are backed by the Visa® Zero liability policy and can be locked temporarily if misplaced.
• Given it’s backed by the trusted name of Visa®, the BusyKid Spend Card is widely accepted in stores and online
• BusyPay™ is an easy way for family or friends to instantly send money to a child’s BusyKid account
• Choose from a variety of card designs to find which fits your busy kid best

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)

Intro (Transfers)

Regular APR

Annual Fee

Credit Needed

N/A

N/A

N/A

See Pricing

None

The BusyKid Visa® Prepaid Spend Debit Card is designed for children but accepts consumers of all ages. This Visa prepaid card helps every cardholder learn good habits by saving and earning money while providing the convenience of debit card payments for online or in-store shopping.

You must pay an annual fee for this Visa prepaid card, which is different from the typical prepaid debit card that charges a monthly maintenance fee.

12. ACE Elite™ Visa® Prepaid Debit Card

at the issuer’ssecure website

PREPAID RATING

★★★★★

4.4

OVERALL RATING

3.2/5.0

Our Review »

• Manage and control your money on one convenient reloadable prepaid card
• Get paid up to 2 days faster with direct deposit
• Make up to $100 per day in cash withdrawals at participating ACE locations when you have regular direct deposit activity.
• When you use your card for everyday purchases, you can earn offers to redeem for cash back rewards at select retailers.
• Choose from 3 card designs
• As a cardholder, you can open a Tiered Optional Savings Account. Balances up to $1,000.00 currently earn up to 5.00% annual percentage yield. No minimum balance required.

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)

Intro (Transfers)

Regular APR

Annual Fee

Credit Needed

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Not applicable

With the ACE Elite™ Visa® Prepaid Debit Card, you can get up to $100 per day in fee-free cash at any ACE Cash Express location. You can also opt to deposit your money into a high-yield savings account that earns interest over time.

The card’s Payback Rewards feature allows every cardholder to earn cash back for purchases at select retailers and restaurants.

13. Travelex Money Card

at the issuer’ssecure website

PREPAID RATING

★★★★★

4.2

OVERALL RATING

3.5/5.0

Our Review »

• Use Mastercard Prepaid Travel Cards wherever Mastercard debit is accepted––at hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, ATMs, and more
• Top up your card with your choice of 10 available currencies: British pounds, US dollars, euros, Australian dollars, New Zealand dollars, Canadian dollars, South African rand, Turkish lira, Swiss franc and UAE dirham
• A great alternative to cash and traveler’s checks, prepaid travel cards let you lock in rates before you travel internationally
• If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, we offer 24/7 global assistance to replace it or provide you with emergency cash
• With your Mastercard Prepaid Travel Card, you can check your balance, account information, and transaction history online or by phone from anywhere in the world

• See application, terms and details.

Intro (Purchases)

Intro (Transfers)

Regular APR

Annual Fee

Credit Needed

N/A

N/A

N/A

See Pricing

Not applicable

​​The Travelex Money Card is designed as an alternative to outdated traveler’s checks and allows you to pay for hotels, restaurants, entertainment, and more while on the road. 

You have full control over your account, whether you’re home or away, and can set spending limits to add an extra layer of security to your card account.

What Is a Prepaid Card and How Does It Work?

A prepaid card is similar to a debit card issued by any bank or credit union. These cards allow you to deposit cash at a reload location or accept the direct deposit of your payroll or government benefits checks.

You can use your card to spend that money online and at any location that accepts credit cards. This keeps you from having to carry cash but still gives you the convenience of a credit card if you’re shopping online or paying bills over the phone.

Every card charges different service fees. Some cards charge a reload fee if you deposit cash to your card account through a retail location. Many cards also charge a monthly maintenance fee that you can sometimes waive by authorizing a regular direct deposit of a certain amount of money into your account.

You don’t have to worry about overdraft fees with a prepaid card because you can’t spend more than what you have deposited into your account. And since this card isn’t attached to a line of credit, you typically don’t have to worry about a credit check or minimum credit score for approval.

How Do I Get a Prepaid Card?

The easiest way to get a prepaid card is to apply online and receive the card through the mail within seven to 10 business days. Whether it’s a Visa card, an American Express, or a Mastercard you’re seeking, you can find card options above that suit your needs.

You can apply for these cards without a credit check by clicking the links above for the card that interests you.

The application typically takes less than five minutes to complete and requires you to fund your account by the time you activate your new card. You can fund the account by adding money at a retail location, setting up direct deposit of employment or government benefits checks, or linking an external checking account to send money directly to your account.

In the case of the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard®, you can use your Paypal account to add and withdraw funds immediately from your card account.

Most cards offer a mobile app that lets you monitor your account, check your balance, and perform other necessary tasks directly from your cellphone.

Can a Prepaid Card Help Build My Credit?

You cannot build your credit score with a prepaid debit card because prepaid card issuers do not report your account activity to the major credit bureaus. 

Credit bureaus calculate your credit score based on how you manage your access to credit. Do you keep your balances low? Do you pay your bills on time? Have you ever defaulted on a loan? These are all major factors that determine your creditworthiness.

Since a prepaid card doesn’t have an associated line of credit, it won’t require a monthly payment or any repayment of debt. This means that the card issuer will not report any of your card activity to a credit bureau, and the prepaid card will not show up on your credit history.

If you’re interested in rebuilding your credit and do not qualify for a traditional credit card, we always suggest a secured credit card. These cards essentially allow you to choose your credit limit based on the amount of your refundable security deposit.

You can use a secured credit card in the same way that you’d use a prepaid card, but since you’ll have access to a revolving line of credit, the card issuer will report your account to the bureaus so you can build a credit history and improve your credit score over time.

What’s the Difference Between a Prepaid Card and a Credit Card?

The main difference between a prepaid card and a credit card is the money you spend with each. A prepaid card requires you to deposit your own money into a secure account.

Every time you use your card to make a purchase or pay a bill, the transaction total is deducted from the money you deposited. In short, you’re spending your own money, much like a debit card is tied to a bank account. 

A credit card is a form of revolving credit. You don’t have to deposit money into a credit card account (unless it’s a secured prepaid credit card). 

Every time you make a purchase using your credit card, the issuing bank pays for the transaction. You eventually pay the bank back through your monthly payment. This means you’re spending the bank’s money at the register.

Because prepaid cards aren’t credit cards, they don’t show up on your credit history. This means they can’t harm or help your credit score. A credit card is a key tool used for building credit because your account balance, payment history, and age of the account will all appear on your credit history.

Since a bank doesn’t loan you money for a prepaid card, you don’t have to worry about interest charges, overdraft fees, or other added costs that credit cards have. You will likely encounter a monthly maintenance fee and may have to pay a fee for a cash withdrawal from an out-of-network ATM.

Compare Prepaid Cards That You Can Add Money To

Prepaid cards are no longer relegated to the gift card display at your local convenience store. Whether a Visa card, Amex card, or a Mastercard, a reloadable prepaid card is a great way to safely store your money and stick to your monthly budget.

Prepaid cards that you can add money to provide the convenience of credit by allowing you to shop online or in person. You can pay bills and share in all of the same financial transactions that you would if you had a traditional credit card.

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About the Author

Adam West

Adam West is the Managing Editor for CardRates.com, where he routinely corresponds with financial experts to produce the latest news and advice on topics related to helping consumers achieve greater financial literacy and improved credit. He has more than 12 years of storytelling, editing, and design experience in print and online journalism and is most knowledgeable in the areas of credit scores, financial products and services, and the banking industry.

Can you load a prepaid debit card with cash?

You can fund the reloadable Visa Prepaid card through a variety of ways, such as through direct deposit or with cash at a participating retail location. It is accepted anywhere that Visa Debit cards are accepted.

How do I put money on a prepaid card?

You may be able to:.

Arrange for a paycheck or other regular payment to be directly deposited onto the card..

Transfer money from a checking account or another prepaid card..

Buy a “reload pack” to add a certain amount to your card..

Add funds at certain retail locations or at the financial institution that provides the card..

Can I load a prepaid card at an ATM?

A prepaid debit card is much like a gift card: It allows you to spend whatever amount of money is stored on the card. Once the balance is used up, you can reload the card online or at an ATM, a participating store, or other physical location.

How do I put money on my Walmart prepaid card?

How Rapid Reload works.

With your Walmart MoneyCard in hand, tell the Associate how much you want to add to your account. You can add $20-$1,000 to your card. ... .

Give the cash you want to deposit to the Associate, including the $3 fee..

Your deposit will be reflected in your account within 10 minutes..