Do you know about international prepaid cards? In this publication, we, from Hapy Tours, will bring you an overview of the main information on the subject for you to be in the know!
When it is time to make an international trip, especially the first one, many doubts may arise about how to take money to the destination country. So, what would be the best option in this case? Taking cash in hand is not the safest alternative, although it is a good option in relation to the cost-benefit ratio due to the taxes. In this case, it is interesting to have some notions of how not to be robbed or be scammed while travelling.
One of the most practical alternatives that dispenses or reduces the need to carry cash in hand is the international prepaid card! With it, it is possible to convert the currency when recharging without paying abusive fees.
How do international prepaid cards work?
This type of card allows you to top-up and use the money available as a balance. It works like a debit card. It allows you to withdraw money from ATMs and make payments inside and outside the country, without paying for exchange rate variations.
This is because as soon as you charge the card, the exchange rate for that day is the one that will be valid, no matter how much it varies in the following days, the amount remains the same as when it was converted, regardless of currency variations. For this and other reasons, the prepaid card is very well used by people who usually plan ahead financially. It guarantees the possibility of escaping the exchange rate variations!
It is entirely possible to acquire such a card without having a current account linked to it. Therefore, it can be and is used even within Brazil. Although it is mostly used abroad, since many people choose not to carry cash in their suitcase.
Nationally the prepaid card is usually used by those who want to better control their spending, since it does not work by a bill paid at the end of the month, but by recharge. Debiting on time and leaving all expenses, times and places recorded.
The 6 most popular prepaid cards for travellers
There are several prepaid card options on the market, and each one has its advantages, disadvantages and particularities. To facilitate the search for the ideal card, we have listed here the 6 most requested cards by travellers, scoring useful information about the rates to direct the choice. Check them out:
1 - Secure payment
- MasterCard flag;
- discounts on MasterCard Surpreenda;
- membership fee of R$12.90;
- purchases and withdrawals in Brazil and abroad.
2 - Mercado Pago
- MasterCard flag;
- unlimited recharge;
- has no annual membership fee;
- all interested parties can apply.
3 - Paypal
- Visa flag;
- top up with PayPal, credit card or boleto bancário;
- without costs due to exchange rate variations or freight;
- no membership or annual fee;
- 6.38% on the amount in Reais (R$) to be paid to load on the card.
4 - Recharge Pay
- MasterCard flag;
- there is no credit analysis for release;
- with it you can control your expenses, taking advantage of the Mastercard flag;
- it is possible to control everything through the application;
- Through it it is possible to make physical purchases and online purchases.
5 - Bradesco DIN
- Visa or Elo flag;
- Bradesco DIN has no annual fee, but you must pay a R$9.90 membership fee;
- can be requested by account holders or non-account holders;
- does not perform credit analysis or ask for proof of income for the issue.
6 - Access Card
- MasterCard flag;
- monthly fee of R$ 5.95, if there is no balance on the card;
- membership fee of R$ 14.90;
- free charge in case of TED/DOC.
How to apply for my Prepaid Card?
The steps to apply for your prepaid card are generally simple. After evaluating the options, as mentioned, you choose a company that offers the service, and apply for the card by filling in your details.
As seen above, there will be companies that charge an issuing fee, a transfer fee, and others that are exempt. If the chosen company has one, you pay, and soon after you are free to make your first recharge. This can be done via a boleto or bank transfer.
If there is no minimum initial top-up amount, you can top up to any amount, and new top-ups can be made at any time. Even, in many cases it is possible to choose values converted into more than one currency, which is ideal for those who have different destinations during their trip!
Usually the institutions responsible for issuing the card provide an online access so that it is possible to follow the movements, and control the expenses via application.
There you go, now you can enjoy the benefits of your prepaid!
Tips from Happy Tours for a trip without any undesirable surprises!
We know that international trips are investments and usually involve a lot of planning and expectation. All thought out so that there are no headaches and negative twists and turns. In this mission, pre-paid cards represent great allies. Thinking about that, we developed a text giving tips on how to prepare a trip abroad with safety and practicality, check the list to prepare yourself!
It is not possible to guarantee that unforeseen events will not occur during a trip. However, it is important to make a good planning in order to avoid them as much as possible. With this in mind, another important tip that we can point out in order for your trip to go well, is to ensure what will be your means of transportation while you are away.
A great alternative to get around without major difficulties and with more freedom in these cases is the car rental for travel! This way you get more autonomy and safety to visit the places you want.
For those who have never done this before, it may seem a complex task, but know that it is possible to make reservations without bureaucracy. You can count on us! Check out our general terms and conditions for hassle free car rental!
Remember that prepaid cards are not accepted for car rentals or security deposits at hotels. This type of card is used exclusively for cash purchases. It works like cash!
See how simple it is? Now you're basically ready to go! Just pack your bags, think of a good itinerary and go!
Did you enjoy the content? For more useful travel and tourism tips, event and venue listings, and lists of what not to miss on your international trip, keep following our posts!
