Prepaid gift cards like those offered through PrepaidGiftBalance.com can provide a convenient and flexible way to pay for purchases or give as gifts. This guide covers the basics of how these cards work and the key steps for using them effectively.
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What are Prepaid Gift Balance Cards?
Prepaid gift cards function similarly to debit cards or credit cards, but allow you to preload funds onto the card to then spend down over time. There are a few types:
- PrepaidGiftBalance Visa Card – Spend anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted
- Prepaid Gift Balance Mastercard – Spend anywhere Mastercard debit is accepted
The cards are issued as part of a partnership with your bank. The main benefits are:
- No overdraft fees – Only spend what has been loaded onto the card
- Use online or in stores – Make purchases whether shopping online or in person
- GIFtable – Easy to give as a gift for any occasion
How to Get and Activate a Prepaid Gift Card
Getting started with a prepaid card only takes a few steps:
- Apply through your bank for a PrepaidGiftBalance Visa or Mastercard
- Activate by registering your card on the PrepaidGiftBalance website
- Add funds as needed to start spending from the card
Be sure to have your card number, account details, and other required info handy when activating the card online.
Ways to Add Money to Prepaid Cards
There are a variety of options to add more money (aka reload) onto prepaid gift balance cards:
- Direct deposit of paychecks or benefits payments
- Bank transfer from an existing bank account
- Mobile check reload using the prepaid card app
- Cash reload packs purchased from retailers and loaded to the card
- In-person loads done at participating banks and retailers
Just keep in mind there may be small fees (e.g. $1 to $5) associated with certain reload methods.
Benefits and Use Cases
Using prepaid debit cards for some or all of your spending can have advantages:
- Allowance for a child or budgeting
- Travel and vacations
- Gifts for birthdays, holidays, events
- Shopping without linking to bank account
Prepaid cards give flexibility and security that works well for people across many situations.
Tips for Checking Balances
Be sure to monitor the balance on prepaid cards by:
- Logging into your account on PrepaidGiftBalance.com
- Calling the tollfree number on the back of the card
- Accessing mobile app alerts and notifications
This helps avoid unintended overdrafts from making purchases over the amount loaded on the card.
For additional questions or issues using your PrepaidGiftBalance card, be sure to contact customer support for assistance. Happy spending!