Unlike standard debit and credit cards issued by banks, prepaid cards are unique. They can be both credit and debit and work on a preloaded amount, which means you decide in advance how much you want to spend. In this post, I will show you the best cash apps that accept prepaid cards for instant transactions.
A prepaid card does not require a bank account. This means you can only spend the amount loaded onto the card, so you never exceed your budget. It lets you manage your expenses, especially if you are wary of traditional banking systems or have no access to one.
For those who love the convenience of virtual spaces, prepaid cards, including loyalty ones, can be digitized. And they work seamlessly while you are shopping online, ordering food online, or making payments over the phone.
So, to introduce you to the convenience of prepaid cards, this post lists 6 cash apps that accept prepaid cards for both Android and iOS).
- Prepaid cards are unique financial tools that allow users to spend only the amount they’ve preloaded, making them great for budgeting and controlling expenses.
- Several cash apps, including Cash App, Venmo, and PayPal, accept prepaid cards, offering users the convenience of digital transactions without the need for traditional bank accounts.
- While these apps provide a seamless experience with prepaid cards, it’s essential to be aware of any associated fees and to ensure the card is registered in the user’s name for smooth transactions.
Cash Apps That Accept Prepaid Cards
1. Cash App
Cash App is one app that supports prepaid cards. It supports prepaid cards from major providers such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Furthermore, a significant number of prepaid cards are compatible with Cash App. However, note that ATM cards, PayPal, and business debit cards are currently not supported on Cash App.
Steps to add a prepaid card to Cash App
- Open Cash App on your mobile device.
- Click on the Balance tab located at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap on the Add Cash option and specify the amount you wish to add to your account.
- Click on the Add button. Here, you’ll need to pick the type of prepaid card you possess.
- Provide the necessary card information, which includes the card number, its expiration date, and the CVV code.
- Finally, tap Add Card button.
With this, you have added your prepaid card as a payment option to Cash App.
2. Venmo
On the Venmo app, go to the “Me” tab and peek into the Wallet section to find all the bank accounts and cards you have linked to your Venmo – according to Venmo.
Venmo is one of the cash apps that accept prepaid cards. They accept prepaid cards from major networks such as American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa, as long as they are registered in your name.
But remember:
- Sometimes, cards can get declined. This could be due to low funds or for safety reasons set by Venmo or the card provider.
- Some cards might ask you to link a ZIP code to your account.
You can find all the details about Venmo prepaid card fees at HERE.
If your payment’s already gone through, you can’t the prepaid card as the payment option. Once you send money on Venmo, it immediately gets set to be taken from your chosen payment method. If you have enough funds in your Venmo balance to cover a payment, Venmo will use that. If not, it will pull from your primary payment method.
3. PayPal
You can’t leave out PayPal when listing cash apps that accept prepaid cards. Of course, PayPal accepts prepaid cards. PayPal lets you use prepaid gift cards just like regular debit or credit cards when shopping where PayPal is accepted. Ensure your card has a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover logo.
So, how do I use my prepaid card on PayPal? During checkout, add your prepaid gift card to your PayPal wallet like you would with a new debit or credit card. Just make sure your card has enough balance for your purchase.
If you don’t have a PayPal account, you can still use a prepaid card on PayPal. Enter your card details during checkout as you would with any card. For the billing address, use your home or shipping address.
Unfortunately, you can’t use prepaid cards for recurring payments or reference transactions. This is to avoid service interruptions due to low card balances.
If your prepaid card payment was declined, below are possible reasons:
- Your card does not have enough funds.
- Your card was not issued in the U.S.
- You are shopping from an international merchant. If your card has enough funds but still gets declined, register your billing address with the card issuer. Check the card’s back for contact details.
Also, sometimes, you need to register your billing address with the card issuer. Check your card’s back for how to do this. Also, cards not issued in the U.S. or used with international merchants might cause errors.
4. World Remit
WorldRemit accepts a variety of cards, including prepaid cards. If the card is issued by Visa or Mastercard, whether it is a debit, credit, or pre-paid, you’re good to go.
However, there are some cards WorldRemit doesn’t accept:
- Amex
- Diner’s Card
- Union Pay
Did your card get declined? Don’t worry. Reach out to your card issuer’s payment or authorization team. They’ll tell you what happened. WorldRemit won’t know why it was declined.
Thinking about fees when paying with a card?
- Generally, using a debit card doesn’t add extra fees. But there might be exceptions.
- If you’re using a card from a different country than your account (like a US card for a UK-based account), you might get a foreign exchange fee. This isn’t from WorldRemit, but your card issuer.
- Some credit cards might charge you because they see the transaction as a cash transfer. Again, this fee isn’t from WorldRemit. Check with your card issuer for specifics.
Here’s what you need to know about prepaid card refunds on World Remit.
- After confirming a cancellation, expect your refund in about 7 working days, according to World Remit.
- If you’re using a pre-paid card, the timeline might change. For the nitty-gritty details, it’s best to talk to your card issuer or peek at their terms and conditions.
5. Green Dot Network
The Green Dot app also accepts prepaid cards. Follow the steps below to unlock the convenience that comes with using a prepaid card on Green Dot.
How to cash to your prepaid card
- Visit any of the 90,000+ participating locations with your cash and either a debit or prepaid card.
- Present your cash to the cashier, and they will process your card.
- Your funds will be added to your card instantly.
- Remember, a reload fee of up to $4.95 might be charged. There are also limits on reloading and card balances. Always keep the receipt as it confirms your cash deposit.
How to cash a check at Walmart and add it to your prepaid card
- Bring your preprinted check, like a payroll or government check, and your debit or prepaid card to Walmart’s MoneyCenter or Customer Service.
- The cashier will process your check and card, allowing you to cash the check and load the funds onto your card.
- You can load up to $1,000 on your card for a fee of $3.74. There might also be a check cashing fee of up to $4.00.
- Keep your receipt as evidence of your transaction. There are certain limits on loading and availability.
For a list of prepaid cards you can reload on Green Dot, check this list.
6. Prepaid2Cash
You can sign up on Prepaid2Cash – this is one of the cash apps that accept prepaid cards currently. To find out your prepaid card balance, look at the back of your card. There’s a toll-free number and a website there. You can either call this number or visit the website to check. Remember, always be aware of your balance before making a transaction.
Prepaid2Cash accepts a wide range of prepaid cards including MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover. However, Prepaid2Cash doesn’t accept prepaid phone cards. This is because their value is in minutes, not cash. But they do accept “open loop” prepaid cards with logos like Visa, American Express, or MasterCard. We also accept “closed loop” gift cards from specific retailers listed in the mobile app.
If your card isn’t scanning, try a well-lit area. Hold your card in front of the scanner, making sure it fits within the green box for about 5 seconds. If it still doesn’t work, you’ll get a prompt to enter the card details manually. For more help, email our support team at support@prepaid2cash.com.
Currently, Prepaid2Cash only supports customers in the United States. International transactions aren’t accepted.
Cost of prepaid card transaction on Prepaid2Cash
Prepaid2Cash offers the best rates for cashing in your prepaid cards. The cost depends on how quickly you want your money:
- Next Business Day: 7.5% processing fee + $1.50 for delivery.
- 4-5 Business Days: 5.0% processing fee + $1.50 for delivery.
Meanwhile, some lazy websites will tell you that Chime accepts prepaid cards but this is incorrect. Chime does not. According to Chime, “Chime does not offer a prepaid debit card.” However, Chime offers you a full-featured deposit account as an alternative to prepaid cards. That means that your account can receive direct deposits because it supports pre-authorized withdrawals and interbank transfers through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) Network.
Also, I did not include Zelle because you cannot send money to prepaid cards using Zelle.
Read also: How to Transfer Walmart Gift Card to Cash App
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