Has anybody here ever used a Mastercard pre-paid?

[piggynose]

Apparently they´re useful to have when booking flights, as you save About 10 quid every time you book.
Its just seems to be hard to find any clear info about getting one.Plus are they a worthwhile investment?

thanx in advance

piggy

[237SJ]

If you only want it to book flights, I have found that my bank visa debit card does the job without extra charges. I`m not sure about all airlines but it tends to be that you pay extra charges when using a credit card rather than debit card.

[piggynose]

hi 237sj,
well i live in spain, and i´ve tried to use my spanish debit card when booking flights, and every time i try i get charged about a tenner on top. but if you click on mastercard pre-paid, its free. my girlfriend asked 2 spanish banks about this card, they just shrugged their shoulders, and said its probably a trick, cuz apparently according to one bank, ryanair are now in court because of trying to charge too much tax!!!

[jno]

I think airlines have to permit purchases by at least one credit card to be surcharge-free, and this one is Ryanair's choice. I don't know about an investment, that's not usually why you get credit cards, but it sounds as if it would save you some money.

[pusskin]

hi piggynose.

just booked a return flight for 2 on ryanair and saved £20 using pre-paid card :)

[hc4361]

Try this - can be used anywhere a mastercard is accepted.
http://www.monarchcar...wmon0001&offer=monstd

[pusskin]

IFrom my understanding, most pre-paid cards have to be purchased (usually about £10).
However, didn't have to pay for my pre-paid card. I used this link and the £9.95 fee was waived:

http://www.fairfx.com/thisismoney

[bizzylizzy]

We bought one of these through the Money Saving Expert site and the fee was waived. MSE also have reviews of the various cards available. Sadly we had to cancel our hols at the last minute, so haven't had the chance to use ours yet. They do get very good reviews though, and are a great back up to cash and credit cards.

[piggynose]

thanx everyone for your replies.
I´m still a bit apprehensive, as its seems a little difficult trying to get info here in Spain about pre-paid mastercards. plus the info you´ve given me only relates to british banks.
it would be helpful if i could a global bank doing the same here as the uk.

thanx again

pn

[dzug2]

Prepaid Mastercards are not generally issued by major banks, so I wouldn't expect such banks to have much knowledge of them.

You need to try places like travel agents (Thos Cook do them in the UK I think)

Somewhere like Western Union might also be worth asking - they do have such a card (but not for Spanish residents) but might know who does.

[piggynose]

thanx dzug2, will try w.union later

pn

[piggynose]

no thomas cook in spain rh

[dzug2]

And Thos Cook is visa anyway

piggynose - it might be worth asking Ryanair (I assume it's them). If they are offering a no-charge option in Spain to prepaid MC holders presumably there must be one available.

[piggynose]

hi dzug2, yes ryanair are offering a discount to mastercard pre-paid holders. but no one seems to know how you get one in spain. as i said b4 i´ll try w.union when i get around to it.
maybe i should email ryanair

[piggynose]

you cant email ryanair, shall have to phone em in morning.

pn