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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.
Up to $9.95
Monthly maintenance fee
From $0
Signature transaction fee
From $0
PIN transaction fee
Details
| Card type | Debit |
|---|---|
| Card network | Mastercard |
| 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 |
Review by
Kevin Joey Chen
kevin.chen@findercrew.comKevin Joey Chen was a credit cards, banking and investments writer for Finder. His work and analysis have appeared on CNN, U.S. News & World Report, Business.com, Lifehacker and CreditCards.com.
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-Go | Monthly Fee | Preferred Fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account opening fee | None | None | None |
| Plan fee | None | $9.95 a month | $5 a month |
| Signature purchase transaction fee | $1.50 | Included in plan | Included in plan |
| PIN purchase transaction fee | $1.50 | Included in plan | Included 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 fee | 4% | 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:
- Select Apply now.
- From the Brinks Prepaid Mastercard website, click Get A Card.
- Enter your personal information, including your name and address.
- Select your direct deposit methods.
- Choose your card design.
- 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 9
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 fee | None |
|---|---|
| Adding money at NetSpend Reload Network location | Varies by location |
| Bank transfer fee | Varies 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
Ask an expert
14 Comments
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?
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
April 10, 2019
What are the fees for using a Brinks prepaid master card at a gas pump?
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
October 7, 2018
Can I add a card for my fiance to use on my account
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
September 26, 2018
Can i check the status of a pending direct deposit to my card from my job
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
June 28, 2018
Can I cash a check of up to $9’000 with the Brink’s money card?
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