One particular pre-paid card to avoid is from the Crew Card Network.

I applied for this card as I liked the fact that a secondary card holder can simply be 'text' funds from the primary holder which seemed a nice gimmick for pre-paid card holders.

From the start, I knew there would be issues. Firstly, after waiting 10 days for my card to arrive, I emailed customer services checking the card was on the way. No reply. Then when I did receive the card, I was told to activate it, I couldn't because it already was I as found out later. Tried to call customer services to enquire but when you ring the customer services number off their website I was told my call couldn't be completed as I had insufficient funds in my account. What???

I then called the application line as this was the only other telephone number listed. I assumed this was for new customers to verbally apply for a card but somehow I got through to someone at customer services.???????

I then enquired why I was unable to register my Cashplus mastercard on the website as VISA was the only card tpe accepted, even though they say you can register up to 3 cards of ANY type. ????????

After 4 days I got a call back, from an international number, from the person I did get through to. Apparently there was technical issues on the site and it may get resolved soon.????????

Basically, for a financial services company, their website is 3rd rate, appauling customer services and appearing non-uk based all seems a bit 'dodgy' like some exchange-and-mart offshore company that you can buy for £40 !!!

They specialise in payment cards and you can't even top-up your payment card with a payment card, which is like going into a bank and being told that they don't accept cash.

Also be aware of the loading fees. With minimum charge of £2.50 for transactions, it can work out very expensive just to move money around.

I would personally recommend Cashplus Gold account, not so much the Titanium card they do, as I and other users of this forum have had trouble with that, but the gold account I have as been excellent, especially when I needed medical expenses funds when abroad in Crete, I was able to withdraw local currency within 30 mins of my partner credited my account at a local Money Shop in London. The only cost to me is the initial £10 for the card and £5 admin fee which gives you unlimited free reloads and free website access.

So, to summarise, don't become part of the Crew Card Network and go for gold instead.