Topic: Credit card

[Clive]

Has anyone heard of a credit card into which you can pay money upfront?  It's not actually a credit card because you can only spend up to the amount you have paid in.  I quite like the idea of taking such a card abroad on holiday because it wouldn't be so much of a worry should it get stolen. 

[Simon]

I don't know of such a card, but I'm sure there is one.  For some reason,  I'm thinking of Cahoot.  Maybe they used to do something like that? 

In any case, you shouldn't be too concerned about taking your card on holiday, as any losses due to theft or fraud should be covered by the credit card company.  Worth perhaps chatting to them first, though, to check that you're covered abroad. 

[Rik]

There is one, I don't know who does it though.

[Rik]

Moneysupermarket.com does though:

http://www.moneysupermarket.com/prepaidcards/?feature=PrePaid&cardtype=CreditCard&p=0&ef_id=6s5NcOSaH30AAInt:20110304130946:s

[Simon]

[Clive]

That is just the ticket Rik!  I know I'm covered and all that but it's such a hassle to sort things out when you are abroad.  This is a much better idea because I can easily get a family member to put money on it and pay them when I return. 

[Simon]

... or not.   

[Rik]

 

[Clive]

They will send the heavies in!   

[Simon]

 

[Clive]

Another good thing about it is that you can order stuff from websites that you have not previously used and not worry about them taking more money off your card. 

[Simon]

Does it offer the same anti fraud protection as a 'normal' credit card?

[Clive]

I don't think it does Simon.  But you can transfer money by mobile phone and it takes literally 2 minutes to get into the account.  My son uses THIS ONE when he travels abroad.  I think the one Rik found might be better.  The nice thing is that you don't have to leave much money on it but simply "call it over" when you want to make a purchase. 

[Simon]

I guess that makes sense. 

[Rik]

And it's less embarrassing when used at certain Thai establishments.