The All-Access® Visa® Prepaid Card, issued by MetaBank, is a stored value card designed for those who may have difficulty in obtaining an unsecured credit card.

This card requires the cardholder to make payments in advance, which are then used to offset future purchases made with the card. Advance payments can be funded directly from the cardholder's paycheck and automatically loaded to the card every pay period. The card can also be loaded by account-to-account transfers via the Internet, the toll free number, or a live agent. Cardholders can also load the card through in-person retail transfers.

Cardholders will have the option of choosing between the pay per transaction plan and the FeeAdvantage™ plan. The pay per transaction plan has no monthly fee, but there is a fee charged every time the cardholder makes a purchase. On the other hand, the FeeAdvantage™ plan allows cardholders to make unlimited signature and PIN purchases for a monthly fee. Depending on whether the cardholder makes signature or PIN purchases more, the FeeAdvantage™ plan may be a better option for those who plan to make more than five to ten purchases per month. This card has no account opening fee.

This card offers additional services and benefits, including free wireless alerts for account information, no liability for unauthorized transactions, overdraft protection, and integrated bill payment. Cardholders will also be able to participate in the referral program that rewards them with $5 for each activated card that they refer.

Therefore, those who are looking for a card where they can pay in advance for purchases, would like a card with limited fees, and plan to take advantage of the various benefits and services may find the All-Access® Visa® Prepaid Card to be a beneficial option.

Card Last Review 2008-01-14

The Prepaid Visa® RushCard™, issued by Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company, is a stored value card designed for those who may have difficulty in obtaining a standard unsecured credit card.

The card does offer shopping discounts at participating retailers, which is rare for a stored value card, as this type of card usually does not offer any extraordinary benefits or services to cardholders.

There is no interest applied on the account or other similar charges found with most unsecured cards. Although there is a one-time activation fee of $19.95, there is no monthly participation fee. It is important to note that the card does require payment in advance, which is then used to offset future purchases made with the card.

There is a $1 transaction fee that is charged for each purchase made with the card (capped at $10 per month - additional purchases are free). The issuer charges no reload fees. Direct deposits, pay pal transfers and mailing in a check or money order are free. However, affiliated merchants do charge a flat fee for retail reloads.

One of the most unique features of the Prepaid Visa® RushCard™ is the refer-a-friend program. The card offers cardholders the chance to earn money by referring friends and family to the program. Cardholders will receive $5 on their card for every referred applicant who becomes an active RushCard™ member.

Another unique feature of the Prepaid Visa® RushCard™ is the Cash Back Rewards program. Transaction fees that are incured past the $10 cap per month are deposited back onto the cardholder\'s Prepaid Visa® RushCard™ on the 15th of every month.

Unfortunately, this card does not report cardholder transactions to the credit bureaus, which is not ideal for those who are trying to establish credit.

Therefore, those who are looking for a low cost stored value card, would like to earn cash back rewards, and would like to receive shopping discounts at participating retailers will benefit most from what the Prepaid Visa® RushCard™ has to offer.

Card Last Review 2008-02-26

The Eufora™ Associate Prepaid MasterCard®, issued by BANKFIRST, is a stored value card designed for those who have fair, poor, bad, or no credit history and would like to earn income for referrals.

Very rarely do prepaid cards offer benefits, yet the Eufora™ Associate Prepaid MasterCard® offers a unique income opportunity for cardholders. Each time a cardholder refers a new applicant to any Eufora™ MasterCard® card level, that cardholder will earn $20 per year if the referred applicant is approved and maintains their membership in good standing.

A major drawback is that the cardholder only earns “commissions” for referrals at the Associate level, even if the referral is for a higher level Preferred or Elite card. These two higher earning levels have higher annual fees, but offer more benefits and opportunity for increased income, as the referral fees are considerably greater (see our reviews on the Eufora™ Preferred Prepaid and Elite Prepaid MasterCard®).

In addition to the referral program, for every $100 spent cardholders automatically receive one entry into a monthly drawing for one of thirty featured cars.

The annual fee for the card is $29.95 per year and there are no participation or application fees, which are usually associated with stored value cards.

In order to use the card, cardholders need to first make a deposit in advance for a set amount (ranging between $5 to $5,000 per deposit), which determines the amount that can be spent on the card. For instance, if an individual were to deposit $100, they could only use up to $100 of credit for future purchases (there is a maximum of $5,000 that can be held in the account at any one time). Funds may be loaded onto the card through an existing checking or savings account ($300 maximum), money orders, bank wire transfers, payroll direct deposits, or retail locations. Eufora™ may also load the card directly from earned referrals (subject to their terms and conditions).

So in the first year, a cardholder can expect to pay a total of $29.95 in fees, which is very reasonable for this type of card (this does not include any reload or penalty fees). An additional card can be provided for the account for a fee of $9.95.

Therefore, those who are looking for a stored value card with which they can pay in advance for purchases and would like an opportunity to earn extra income will benefit most from what the Eufora™ Associate Prepaid MasterCard® has to offer. However, applicants may want to consider applying for either the Eufora™ Preferred or Elite MasterCard®, as the potential revenue far outweighs the difference in the annual fee.

Card Last Review 2008-02-08

The Eufora™ Preferred Credit Builder Prepaid MasterCard®, issued by BANKFIRST, is a stored value card designed for those who have fair, poor, bad, or no credit history and would like to rebuild their credit, as well as have the chance to earn income for referrals.

Not often do prepaid cards offer benefits; however, the Eufora™ Preferred Credit Builder Prepaid MasterCard® offers a unique income opportunity for cardholders. Each time a cardholder refers a new applicant to the Eufora™ Preferred or Elite MasterCard®, that cardholder will earn $50 per year if the referred applicant is approved and maintains their membership in good standing. Each time a cardholder refers a new applicant to the Eufora™ Associate MasterCard®, that cardholder will earn $20 per year if the referred applicant is approved and maintains their membership in good standing.

A minor drawback is that the cardholder only earns “commissions” for referrals at the Preferred level, even if the referral is for an Elite card. Elite card members pay a higher annual fee, but have greater earning potential, as the referral fees are considerably larger.

In addition to the unique income program, this card offers several benefits, such as purchase protection, auto rental insurance, and up to $100,000 in travel accident insurance. For every $100 spent, cardholders automatically receive one entry into a monthly drawing for one of thirty featured cars. The annual fee for the card is $59.95 per year and there are no participation or application fees, which are usually associated with stored value cards.

In order to use the card, cardholders need to first make a deposit in advance for a set amount (ranging between $10 to $300 per deposit), which determines the amount that can be spent on the card. For instance, if an individual were to deposit $100, they could only use up to $100 of credit for future purchases (there is a maximum of $5,000 that can be held in the account at any one time). Funds may be loaded onto the card through an existing checking or savings account ($300 maximum), money orders, bank wire transfers, payroll direct deposits, or retail locations. Eufora™ may also load the card directly from earned referrals (subject to their terms and conditions).

So in the first year, a cardholder can expect to pay a total of $59.95 in fees, which is very reasonable for this type of card (this does not include any reload or penalty fees). An additional card can be provided for the account for a fee of $9.95.

For those who wish to establish or rebuild their credit, the card offers a service called “Credit Builder” which reports to a credit bureau. The service is provided for a total of two years and has a $19.95 processing fee, along with a monthly fee of $6.65 for the first year (a total of $79.80). No monthly fee will be charged for the second year of service.

Therefore, those who are looking for a stored value card which enables them to pay in advance for purchases and would like an opportunity to earn extra income will benefit most from what the Eufora™ Preferred Credit Builder Prepaid MasterCard® has to offer. However, applicants may want to consider applying for the Eufora™ Elite MasterCard®, as the potential opportunity to earn revenue far outweighs the difference in the annual fee.

Card Last Review 2008-02-08