Visa Gift Card Prepaid Credit Cards

Prepaid Cards Explained

Unlike a credit cards which rely on a revolving credit balance or debit cards which pull from the funds in a checking account, prepaid cards have an available balance which is equal to the amount of money preloaded onto the card by the purchaser. Instead of giving a check or dollar bills as a gift you give a card that looks just like any other Visa card. It features the Visa logo and has an account number and the name of the recipient on the front of the card.

The recipient can use the card to purchase items with local merchants, online merchants, and for purchases made over the phone. There is no credit account associated with Visa gift card prepaid credit cards, so once the balance is exhausted the card is no longer valid.

Gift Card Uses

Prepaid Visa gift cards can be used anywhere Visa debit or credit cards are accepted. Certain merchants – such as gas stations and restaurants – may initially seek to authorize an amount which may exceed the actual amount of your purchase. For example, gas stations may require a $50 authorization even if your purchase is only $20. When making a gasoline purchase with a prepaid card you should always pay inside the gas station instead of attempting to pay at the pump. Trying to pay at the pump with your prepaid card will result in the purchase being declined, even if you have more than enough available funds.

There is no noticeable difference between using a prepaid credit card and a regular credit card when making a purchase at a store. You present the card, the clerk swipes it, and as long as you have the available funds the purchase is approved and you sign the receipt.

Card Protection

Prepaid gift cards featuring the Visa logo should be safeguarded just like any other credit or debit card. This means that you should sign the back of the card and not leave the card in an unsecured place.

Prepaid Visa gift cards feature the same protection against fraudulent use that traditional Visa cards have. This means that if your card is used without your permission you can recoup those funds without penalty. The key is to report the card as missing or stolen as soon as possible to stop access to the card and to begin the process of getting your money back.

Buy Visa Gift Card Prepaid Credit Cards

Prepaid Visa gift cards can be purchased in a variety of ways:

• Over the Internet using an online Visa provider
• Over the phone
• At a local Visa provider

You can find a listing of acceptable online providers by visiting the official Visa website. The same website also lists phone numbers to call if you want to purchase a card over the phone and local providers if you want to buy the card in person.

Various providers feature fees for purchasing prepaid cards as gifts. The most common fee you will encounter is a shipping and handling fee, especially if you choose to have the card sent directly to the gift recipient. Be sure that you understand the schedule of fees prior to buying the card as a gift or you may wind up giving a card so fraught with fees that the recipient isn’t able to fully enjoy the balance you preload onto the card. The best option is to purchase a prepaid Visa from a provider listed on the official Visa website..