Review: Netspend® Visa® Prepaid Card

How much does Netspend® Visa® Prepaid Card cost?

Netspend offers you a choice between three different fee plans. To qualify for the Premier FeeAdvantage Plan, you must have at least $500 in monthly direct deposits.

• Other Netspend Prepaid card fees

  Direct deposit fee	No fee
  Cash load fee	Third-party fee varies by location
  Cash transfer fee	Varies — assessed by third parties or the originating bank
  Mobile check load fee	Fees determined by mobile check load service provider
  Account-to-account transfer fee	No fee for online transfers; $4.95 per transfer when initiated through an agent
  Balance inquiry fee	No fee for viewing your balance online or by text, email or phone; $0.50 when through an agent or ATM
  Check request fee	$5.95 per request
  Additional statement mailing fee	$5.95 per statement
  Additional and replacement card fee	$9.95 per card
  Card delivery fee	Free for delivery in seven to 10 business days; $20 for three-day delivery; $25 for one–two day delivery
  Account inactivity fee	$5.95 per month
  Overdraft protection service fee	$15 per overdraft occurrence, capped at three per month
  Bill payment fee	Varies
  Transaction decline fee	$1 each declined transaction
  Stop-payment fee for ACH debit or preauthorized payment transactions	$10 each
  Custom card fee	$4.95 per card
  ATM withdrawal fee	$2 per domestic withdrawal or $0 per international withdrawal, plus any third-party operator fees
  Cash reload fee at retailers	Fee may be assessed by reload location and may vary from location to location

How do I open a Netspend® Visa® Prepaid Card account?

Applying for the Netspend® Visa® Prepaid Card is quick and simple:

1. Select Apply now.
2. From the NetSpend’s website, enter your name, contact information and ID number.
3. Choose your direct deposit method.
4. Choose your card’s color and design.
5. Agree to the terms and conditions.

Once approved, you’ll receive your card in a few weeks. You’ll need to activate your card, but you can begin using it immediately after.

How do I activate my Netspend card?

Activate your Netspend card online at netspend.com/account/activate. Or, call customer service at 866-387-7363.

What is Netspend?

Netspend was founded in 1999 and has served more than 10 million customers. It offers over 130,000 reloading locations, and funds are FDIC-insured. Cards are issued through Pathward.

What are the benefits of the Netspend® Visa® Prepaid Card?

• Get paid faster. Load money onto your card through direct deposit and get your money two days faster.
• Rewards. Earn rewards as you spend money with your card. The more you spend, the more rewards you qualify for.
• Easy loading. Load money onto your card through direct deposit, e-check deposit or convenient reload locations at grocery stores and gas stations. You can even receive money from family or friends.
• Control your finances. Manage your budget online and set up a purchase cushion that covers $10 if you’re ever short on a purchase.
• Card customizations. Choose from four free card designs, including a pink Netspend card. Or, add a family photo or unique image to your card for $4.95.
• Mobile app. See your account balance, transaction information and more from your phone.
• Savings account. Set up a high-yield savings account that earns 6% APY on balances of $2,000 or more. All funds are insured up to your coverage limit.

What to watch out for

• Fees. Watch out for potential fees that can easily accumulate as you use your card.
• Privacy policy. Depending on the product or service you use, Pathward collects and shares information like your Social Security number, account transactions, balances, purchase and payment history — even after you’re no longer a customer.
• Inactivity penalty. If you don’t use the card for at least 90 days, you’ll pay a $5.95 inactivity fee.
• Upfront card cost. If you buy the card at Walmart, CVS or other locations, you’ll pay $4.95. However, you can get it free online.

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

Compare with other prepaid cards

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Finder Score (low-high)Finder Score (high-low)Fee (low-high)Fee (high-low)ATM withdrawal (low-high)ATM withdrawal (high-low)Features (low-high)Features (high-low)

Product	Finder Score	Fee	ATM withdrawal	Features
Finder score Walmart MoneyCard	Finder score	$5.94 per month	$2.50	Earn up to $75 cash back on Walmart purchases each year Earn 2% APY up to $1,000 on your savings Up to 4 family accounts FDIC insured by Green Dot Bank	Go to siteMore info Compare product selection Compare	loading
Finder score Netspend® Visa® Prepaid Card	Finder score	$9.95 per month (or $5 with a $500+ direct deposit, or $0 with pay-as-you-go)	$2	Get paid faster Easy loading Control your finances Card customizations Mobile app Savings account	Go to siteMore info Compare product selection Compare	loading

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What is the Finder Score?

The Finder Score applies to 45+ kids' debit card options. It takes into account the card's fees, features, age requirements, ATM access and more — this gives you a simple score out of 10.

To provide a Score, we compare like-for-like debit cards. So if you're comparing the best kids' cards with no monthly fees, you can see how card stacks up against each other by features, opening deposits and other benefits.

Read the full Finder Score breakdown

Am I eligible for this card?

There’s no credit check required, so you can apply with poor credit. But you must be at least 18 years old and able to prove your identity. The card is available in all states except for Vermont.

What information do I need to apply?

To sign up for the card you’ll need to provide:

• Your full name and contact information, including an email address.
• Your date of birth.
• Your bank information for direct deposit, including your routing and account numbers.
• Government-issued ID, such as your driver’s license or passport.

How to add money to your Netspend prepaid card

There are several ways to add and reload money to your account:

• Direct deposit.
• NetSpend reload network locations.
• Bank transfers.
• PayPal.
• Transfers between NetSpend card accounts.
• Tax refunds.

How do I contact Netspend customer service?

There are a variety of ways to get in touch with Netspend customer service:

• Email customerservice@netspend.com
• Call 866-387-7363 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT or weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT
• Mail your questions to:
  Netspend Corporation
  PO Box 2136
  Austin, TX 78768-2136

Frequently asked questions

• Can I receive my stimulus check through my NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card?

  Yes. Taxpayers can now receive their stimulus check via prepaid cards thanks to a newly relaxed definition of government benefits, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). You can check your payment status and update your direct deposit information on the IRS website.

• What is the maximum total I can have on my card?

  This card comes with a $15,000 maximum.

• How much can I withdraw from my NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card?

  As a cardholder, you can withdraw a total of $940 at ATMs each day. Individual ATM withdrawals cannot exceed $325.

• Do I have to join the NetSpend Payback Rewards Club?

  No. The NetSpend Payback Rewards Club is optional, and you can opt out at any time through your online account.

• Can I customize my NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card?

  Yes, you can customize your card for a $4.95 fee per card when you fill out your application. You can even add a custom image — like a family photo — when designing your card.

• Is the Netspend Prepaid card safe?

  Yes, your funds are protected if someone uses your card fraudulently.

• How much does it cost to start up a NetSpend® Visa® Prepaid Card?

  It’s free to order and activate your card online. If you buy your card at a store, you may have to pay an initial purchase fee.

• Is there a monthly fee with the card?

  It depends on the plan you choose. If you go for the Pay As You Go Plan, there’s no monthly fee. Instead, you’re charged per transaction. If you choose a FeeAdvantage plan, you’ll pay $9.95 or $5 if you have at least $500 in monthly direct deposits.