Prepaid Card Review Directory

The Cashplus MasterCard

What Prepaid? Summary

Date Reviewed: August 2006

What's Good

The Cashplus prepaid card is the only full branded MasterCard available in the UK. It has Chip and Pin, and is accepted at more than 24 million locations around the globe. You don't need a bank account and are guaranteed to be accepted, regardless of your credit history. You can manage your account online and top-up your account at more than 14,000 Post Office branches.

What's not so good?

If you intend to use the card frequently for ATM cash withdrawals, it can be expensive. There are two products on offer. One for frequent users and one for low use users, however, cash advances fees remain the same for each product.

Key Features

Application Process
5 Stars

Very efficient application process, the fastest we have tested. Apply online and you will receive a confirmation letter the following day. This letter contains a barcode enabling you to make an initial top-up at the Post Office. You then receive your prepaid MasterCard in around 3 days.

Card Design
2 Stars

If card design choice is important to you, you may be disappointed. Only one choice of design is available.

Fees

Two products are available. A pay as you go prepaid product called “flexiplus”, which is good for occasional users, and a product called “activeplus” which is good for frequent users. Activeplus has a monthly fee, but no reload fees, so is still cheap for frequent card users. Cash advances can still be expensive though.

Self Servicing
3 Stars

You can service your account on the cashplus website or via an interactive voice response. You can view your balance, last 60 days transactions and change your personal details. You can also order additional cards for any persons over the age of 13.