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 Post subject: Prepaid Visa/MC in CR?
PostPosted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 12:52 pm 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2005 10:20 pm
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Can you get one in the US and use it in CR?

Are there any international fees or extra ATM fees?


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PostPosted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 8:03 pm 
Masters Degree in Mongering!
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Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2003 5:41 pm
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Location: central Florida
I get one from my local bank and use it in CR. The one I get you can't reload it and it is a visa card. There are no fees. Once used it at the hotel for credit and it took 30 days to get my money back but the room came off exactly as charged.


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PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 12:34 am 
PHD From Del Rey University!

Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2004 12:00 am
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Location: I don't know where I'm going, but I sure know where I've been.
For whatever reason I got one from my local bank for my last trip to Colombia. I have mixed emotions about using them. First of all, it cost me $9 or so to activate it. Negative. I believe they have a reload fee. Negative. It did NOT come with a PIN number so you can not use it as a debit card or withdraw cash at ATM's. Neutral. Just run everything as a credit transaction. Yes, I did get charged an international use fee. Neutral. Even my regular CC's and bank card charge those. It was accepted everywhere that MC is accepted. Positive. It's anonymous since your name is not located anywhere on the card. Positive, I guess. For those married guys trying to hide activities I guess this could be a dream come true. Maybe take a cash advance from your regular CC and put that cash on the prepaid. Yes, I know, that would come with heavy fees and usually additional interest for the cash advance. It can be a disposable card. Positive IMO. Positive because I have this irrational fear of using debit cards in foreign countries. If someone gets a hold of your CC numbers and 3 digit ID, they could cause havoc on your bank account. Pretty much unrecoverable losses. Therefore, with this card you have a set amount that could be lost in the event of ID theft. You can track the expenses online immediately. Positive. Will I use it again? Yes, I probably will for the fact it is disposable if I want it to be and I can load it with whatever amount I want. I won't have to pay the activation fee again. But, I believe their is a reload fee which is LESS than the activation fee.

dapanz1

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PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 10:05 am 
PHD From Del Rey University!

Joined: Thu Jan 29, 2004 12:00 am
Posts: 2525
Location: I don't know where I'm going, but I sure know where I've been.
Upon further research, this came directly from the TOS regarding my TRAVEL CARD. The card I have is specifically a TRAVEL CARD and not just a regular gift card.

Quote:
Subject to applicable laws, the following fees apply to your Card:
Inactivity Fee
You will be assessed an Inactivity Fee of $2.95 if your Card remains inactive for 12 consecutive months.
Companion Card
When purchased, a Companion Card is available for a fee of $0.00 to $2.95. A Companion Card is available only at the time of the initial purchase.
Reload Fee
You will be assessed a fee ranging from $0.00 to $4.95 each time you reload your Card. Please consult the Financial Institution where you are reloading your Card to determine what you will be charged.
You may also be assessed a Reload Fee depending on the type of method you use to reload your Card. For example, if you use the Green Dot method, you may be charged $0 to $4.95 per reload, or using the Western Union method, you may be charged $0 to $4.95 per reload.
Replacement Card Fee
If your Card is lost or stolen, there will be a fee of $5.00 to replace it.
ATM
The domestic ATM withdrawal fee is $1.50. The international ATM withdrawal fee is $3.00. To get your balance using an ATM you will be assessed a $0.50 fee.
POS/POI/POP PIN
To use your PIN at the point of sale/interaction/purchase, you will be assessed a fee of $0.50.
Over the Counter Cash Withdrawal
To obtain cash over the counter you will be assessed a fee of $5.00.
SMS Text
Standard text message rates apply
International Transaction Fee
If you obtain your funds (or make a purchase) in a currency or country other than the currency or country in which your Card was issued, the amount deducted from your funds will be converted by Visa, MasterCard or Discover who will also establish a currency conversion rate for this convenience using a rate selected by Visa, MasterCard or Discover from the range of rates available in wholesale currency markets for the applicable central processing date which may vary from the rate Visa, MasterCard or Discover receives, or the government mandated
Revised 2.15.10
rate in effect for the applicable central processing date, in each instance, plus or minus any adjustment determined by the Issuer. This percentage amount is independent of any amount taken by the Issuer in accordance with the following section of these Terms & Conditions.
If you obtain your funds in a currency or country other than the currency or country in which your Card was issued, the Issuer may increase the currency conversion rate (described in the immediately preceding section) up to an additional 3% and will retain this amount as compensation for its services. This charge is independent of the currency conversion rate established by Visa, MasterCard or Discover.

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Paradise= Sitting outside the Bodega in Panama City about 1 am. Drinking cool Balboas with cool friends and blazin' hot Colombianas. I want to be there..RIGHT NOW!


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PostPosted: Fri Sep 17, 2010 11:43 am 
PHD From Del Rey University!
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Joined: Sat May 17, 2008 2:26 pm
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Location: North west Wisconsin
got a headache reading all those fee's After the fee's are charged are you going to have any money left? :lol: and how big of balance do you have to let sit thereon the card to cover the fees that keep coming?

I was thinking of trying the Prepaid to make life easier, but now I think I will stay with the airport- straight to the hotel safe with cash/back up CC. Thanks

But if you do use the one shot prepaid cards, after the cards are empty make sure leave them around where possible thief's can find the cards. Test for honesty and also funny watching people run off with a dead Card. :lol: :lol:

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