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Brinks Prepaid Mastercard review

The Brinks Prepaid Mastercard gives you cash back on select purchases and early access to direct deposits and government benefits. But as with most prepaid cards, you’ll need to watch out for a lengthy list of potential fees.

  • Get this card if… you’re looking to more quickly access your paycheck or want to load your card through NetSpend Reload locations.
  • Pick something else if…you want a card with fewer fees.
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Up to $9.95

Monthly maintenance fee

From $0

Signature transaction fee

From $0

PIN transaction fee

Details

Card typeDebit
Card networkMastercard
Monthly fee$9.95
Monthly fee (pay-as-you-go plan)$0
Monthly fee with a direct deposit$5
Signature transaction fee$0
Signature transaction fee (pay-as-you-go plan)$1.50
PIN transaction fee$0
PIN transaction fee (pay-as-you-go plan)$1.50
Additional Card Fee$9.95
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Review by


Kevin Chen is a personal finance expert and a former writer at Finder. His expertise has been featured in CNN, U.S. News and World Report, Lifehacker and CreditCards.com, among other top media.

Expert review

The Brinks Mastercard is a prepaid card designed for day-to-day purchases. It’s ideal for those who want early access to paychecks or government benefits or the ability to load funds in-person at more than 130,000 Netspend Reload Network locations in the US.

Unfortunately, the card comes with a rather long fee table. If you choose the entry-level Pay-As-You-Go plan, you’ll encounter a fee each time you use your card. If you choose the higher-tier plans, you’ll pay a monthly fee. Regardless, you’ll pay $2.50 each time you withdraw cash from a domestic ATM. Given this card’s many fees, you may be better off with a debit card.

How much does Brinks Prepaid Mastercard cost?

Pay-As-You-GoMonthly FeePreferred Fee
Account opening feeNoneNoneNone
Plan feeNone$9.95 a month$5 a month
Signature purchase transaction fee$1.50Included in planIncluded in plan
PIN purchase transaction fee$1.50Included in planIncluded in plan
Balance inquiry fee$0 by text message or Online Account Center; $0.50 by phone or ATM$0 by text message or Online Account Center; $0.50 by phone or ATM$0 by text message or Online Account Center; $0.50 by phone or ATM
Account inactivity fee$5.95 a month$5.95 a month (replaces plan fee)$5.95 a month (replaces plan fee)
Foreign transaction fee4%4%4%

View a full list of fees in the Brinks Prepaid Mastercard’s terms and conditions.

If you want a prepaid card that had zero to minimal fees, you’ll want to keep looking. As always, compare your options when considering a prepaid card.

How do I open a Brinks Prepaid Mastercard account?

Sign up online using these steps:

  1. Select Apply now.
  2. From the Brinks Prepaid Mastercard website, click Get A Card.
  3. Enter your personal information, including your name and address.
  4. Select your direct deposit methods.
  5. Choose your card design.
  6. Click Get My Card to submit your application.

You’ll typically receive a decision on your application right away. If approved, you’ll receive your card within 10 business days.

Eligibility

This card is open to anyone in the US except for Vermont residents. You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid Social Security to apply.

Required information

  • Full name and email address
  • Home address
  • Date of birth
  • Government-issued ID number

Brinks Prepaid Mastercard benefits

The Brinks Prepaid Mastercard has a free mobile app that lets you check your account balance, transfer funds and find reload locations. It also requires no credit check and offers the following benefits:

  • No account opening fee. You won’t pay any fees to open this account or activate your card, unlike many other prepaid cards.
  • Faster access to deposits. When you deposit your paycheck or government benefits directly to your card, you can access the funds up to two days faster than direct deposit to a bank account.
  • Open a savings account. Open a Brinks savings account to earn up to 5% APY on the first $1,000 in your account and 0.5% on your remaining balance.
  • Rewards. You’ll receive cash back rewards for using your Brinks Prepaid Mastercard at select merchants, and if you refer a new user who funds their card with at least $40, you both receive $20.
  • No international ATM fees. You won’t pay anything to withdraw funds at an ATM overseas, but there’s still a 4% foreign transaction fee.

    What to watch out for

    The Brinks Prepaid Mastercard has these drawbacks:

    • Not open to Vermont residents. If you live in Vermont, you’re not eligible for the Brinks Prepaid Mastercard.
    • Expensive foreign transaction fee. You’ll typically pay around 3% for foreign transactions, but the Brinks Mastercard charges a 4% fee.
    • Not a credit card. This Mastercard is a prepaid card, so it won’t improve your credit and you’ll need to load money onto the card before using it.
    • Loads of fees. Like most prepaid cards, fees add up if you’re not careful. Check the fee table before applying.

    Compare with other prepaid cards

    1 - 5 of 6
    Name Product Annual or monthly fee ATM withdrawal Features
    Brinks Prepaid Mastercard
    Brinks Prepaid Mastercard
    $9.95 per month (or $5 with a $500+ direct deposit, or $0 with pay-as-you-go)
    $2.50
    • Mobile app
    • Direct deposit
    • Payback rewards
    No credit check. No minimum balance. No late fees because this is not a credit card.
    Netspend Prepaid Mastercard, WWE partner
    Netspend Prepaid Mastercard, WWE partner
    $9.95 per month (or $5 with a $500+ direct deposit, or $0 with pay-as-you-go)
    $2.50
    • No activation fee
    • Payback rewards
    • No minimum balance required
    No credit check, mobile check load, and now a WWE partner
    BusyKid
    Finder Rating: 4.6 / 5: ★★★★★
    BusyKid
    $48 per year or $4 per month
    $1.50
    • Low fee
    • Investing
    • Parent-paid interest
    • Donation options
    The BusyKid Visa® Prepaid Spend Card gives your kids the freedom to spend anywhere Visa® is accepted, and parents see every transaction made.
    Netspend All-Access Account
    Netspend All-Access Account
    $5 per month
    $0
    • Earn cash back on everyday purchases
    • Earn up to 6% APY with an optional Savings Account
    • Receive your paycheck up to 2 days earlier with Direct Deposit
    With Netspend All-Access Account there's no credit check and no minimum balance to open an account.
    PayPal Prepaid Mastercard
    PayPal Prepaid Mastercard
    $4.95 per month
    $1.95
    • Manage money on the fly
    • Receive special offers and cash back rewards
    • Get your state and federal tax refund faster than a paper check
    Use the no-cost direct deposit service and have access your funds up to two days faster than what traditional banks offer.
    loading

    Funding options

    There are several ways to add or reload money to your Brinks Prepaid Mastercard. You can add money through a tax refund, mobile check upload, a wire transfer and more:

    Adding money

    Direct deposit feeNone
    Adding money at NetSpend Reload Network locationVaries by location
    Bank transfer feeVaries by bank
    Account-to-account transfer fee (website)None
    Account-to-Account transfer fee (through customer service agent)$4.95

    Withdrawing money

    Over-the-counter cash withdrawal fee (financial institution)$3
    Over-the-counter cash withdrawal fee (NetSpend Reload Network)Varies by location
    ATM cash withdrawal fee (domestic)$2.50
    ATM cash withdrawal fee (international)$0
    ATM transaction decline fee (domestic and international)$1

    I got my Brinks Prepaid Mastercard. Now what?

    Once you get your card in the mail, here’s how to make the most of it:

    • Avoid fees. Reference the fee table to understand the fees you could be charged.
    • Customer service. If you have questions, contact customer support at 877-849-3249.

    Frequently asked questions

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    14 Comments

      Default Gravatar
      Jessica
      March 11, 2020

      How to add money back to my Brinks Card? I call customer service and I am told only through Money Gram, but I go to those locations and they tell me it wont work.. so what do I do to add money back? Anyone else have this problem?

        Default Gravatar
        nikkiangco
        March 12, 2020

        Hi Jessica,

        Thanks for contacting Finder and I hope you are well. Sorry to hear you weren’t able to contact customer service regarding your inquiry.

        If you are using your Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard to pay your bills and you are looking for a refund, please contact the merchant/biller you made a payment to.

        It says on the terms and conditions of the card that: If you are entitled to a refund for any reason for goods or services obtained with your Card or Virtual Account, you agree to accept credits to your Card Account for such refunds and agree to the refund policy of that Merchant. If you have a problem with a purchase that you made with your Card or Virtual Account, or if you have a dispute with the Merchant, you must attempt to handle it directly with the Merchant. There may be a delay of up to five (5) days or more from the date the refund transaction occurs until the date the refund amount is credited to your Card Account.

        Hope this helps and feel free to reach out to us again for further assistance.

        Best,
        Nikki

      Default Gravatar
      Jon
      April 10, 2019

      What are the fees for using a Brinks prepaid master card at a gas pump?

        Avatarfinder Customer Care
        johnbasanes
        April 11, 2019

        Hi Jon,

        Thank you for reaching out to Finder.

        Fee may be assessed by reload location and may vary from location to location. Service not available in all reload locations. Please reach out to the gas pump station you use to check what fees are applicable for them. Hope this helps!

        Cheers,
        Reggie

      Default Gravatar
      James
      October 7, 2018

      Can I add a card for my fiance to use on my account

        Avatarfinder Customer Care
        johnbasanes
        October 8, 2018

        Hi James,

        Thank you for leaving a question.

        If you are referring to the Brinks Prepaid Mastercard® then the answer is yes, you may add a supplementary card for your Brinks Prepaid Mastercard®. You would need to request for this by dialing 1-877-849-3249. An additional card would cost $9.95 each if you wish to add. Hope this helps!

        Cheers,
        Reggie

      Default Gravatar
      Tee
      September 26, 2018

      Can i check the status of a pending direct deposit to my card from my job

        Avatarfinder Customer Care
        johnbasanes
        September 28, 2018

        Hi Tee,

        Thank you for reaching out.

        You have reached finder. We are a comparison website that assists users on their financial choices. If you with to reach Brinks Prepaid Mastercard, you may call them directly at 1-877-849-3249. Lines are open from Monday through Friday: 8AM-10PM (Central Standard Time – CST) Saturday & Sunday: 8AM-8PM (Central Standard Time – CST). Hope this helps!

        Cheers,
        Reggie

      Default Gravatar
      Jesse
      June 28, 2018

      Can I cash a check of up to $9’000 with the Brink’s money card?

        Default Gravatar
        Ash
        June 28, 2018

        Hi Jesse,

        Thank you for contacting finder.

        Yes, you can withdraw $9,000 as long as it is deposited to your Brinks Prepaid Mastercard. You may only withdraw amount that has been loaded to your prepaid debit card. You may take note of the different fees which will be based on the plan that you have.

        I hope this helps.

        Let us know if there is anything else that we may assist you with.

        Cheers,
        Ash

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