MCD:

I've ordered the Urelife card, the fact that it has a two year life, doesn't charge on spends and gives free reloads is good enough for me. I would like the freedom of being able to load cash and speaking to their customer services, it seems this is something just around the corner. So on that basis I think its reasonably good value compared to anything else.

I don't necessarily need the photo ID/proof of age piece (I'm in my 40's) although its a handy piece of additional security, especially if you are abroad and don't want to carry your passport everywhere.

I'm a keen follower of pre-paid cards, and I have had many in the past. Taking everything into account, the Urelife card seems to be the best one currently with regards to no transaction fees unless abroad, or using an ATM machine, which incurs a £0.50p charge... somewhat less than the £1+ that other providers charge. It also allows free loadings for a maximum of 12 per year and £0.30p thereafter - still competitive!

I've read the Terms and Conditions (as I always do), and there are a few areas that need highlighting:

4.6 Some merchants may not accept your Prepaid Card. Always check before making your purchases. We accept no liability in the event that a merchant refuses to accept your Prepaid Card. This could pose a problem, but it's usually only for using the card in connection with car hire, SOME hotels and anything requiring a pre-held deposit, so it's not a major issue; certainly not for me anyway.

4.12 There is no online protection for Internet purchases and no protection for mail or telephone order transactions. Where the Card is used in such situations and there is an unresolvable dispute you are liable for the transaction. This is fairly obvious to me, but may not be to others. Remember this is a pre-paid card only and not a bank account or a Credit Card which comes with protection in it's own right.

4.13 You may not use Your Card for any Transaction at an automated fuel dispenser or for gambling transactions or for any illegal purposes. Which means using it in-store at the petrol station only, and getting money out of a cash machine other than at a Casino. This would pose a problem for me as I can't stand queuing and I can often be found down the Casino... usually half cut going backwards and forwards to the cash machine on a losing streak LOL! The last time I went, I woke up with a hangover and £600 lighter. I suppose, in a way, it's a good thing then!?!

7. Changes to Terms and Conditions - Read them VERY carefully. These sort of companies are a law unto themselves and frequently change the T&C's with amended charges or just cancel! Myfirstprepay are the pits!

10.3 This Card and the e-money associated with the Card is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. You should be aware that no other compensation scheme operates to cover losses of e-money in connection with Your Pre-paid Card - I wouldn't worry too much about this as Alliance & Leicester will probably not become insolvent, but who knows!?

https://www.urelife.com/terms

The only real issue I have is the £3000 upper limit, and I would therefore be required to manually load it and not straight from the employer. That said, it's probably a good thing also! This won't be my main account, but a subsidiary. I'm just trying my damned hardest to get away from Halifax. It's not going to happen no matter how hard I try, Is it? AAAAAAARRRGH lol!!

Well, for me, I suggest that this card is probably the most competitive in terms of pricing in addition to it being innovative and unique. Not only will it give parents the control over their offspring's spending, which will teach them the value of money in the long run, with the 'PhotoID' feature, it will further prevent fraudulent useage.

Others may have different views... let's discuss?

Thanks for the update on the terms and conditions. I suppose I look at the card differently from a bank account, in that I'm not going to use this as my sole payment mechanism (still like cash but don't want to carry it all with me or stash it around the house). It is useful for things like buying on-line and budgeting monthly, so I wouldn't expect to have more than say £600 on the card at any one time..

It sounds amazing but I just can't help remembering Bread........

They suckered everyone in and then.......wham!

Just a thought.

ok its been awhile since i started this post and i am yet to see any one say "i have XXX card and i am happy with it and you should get one"

i am looking to get one next week and if any one can say i recommend XXX as i use it would be helphul

stop posting aboout bad cards

Hi TartanFlyer,

I would recommend the Urelife card in terms of value for money. No other card gets anywhere near it for low cost loading and spending and the security is about the best on the market with your photo on the actual card. www.urelife.com is the website. you can apply on line.

do you have a urelife card

regarding security

its only good if the shop keeper is in control of the card being put in to the reader my local Tesco and Sommerfield i put the card in to the reader

the photo is only good if you need to prove who you are but i never leave home with out my passport

Yes I have the card, had it about three weeks and topped it up already. Its chip and pin unlike most prepay cards and having the photo is in my view a deterrent if I lost the card. I used to carry my passport when I was a mere youngster but having lost it on a drunken night out and having to fork out about £70 I think (it was some years ago!) to replace it, I would be very guarded in taking it out with me.

all cards that i have seen are chip and pin

how long does it take for the topup to go on as sometimes i may need to get money on to it fast

i just recalled why i have not gone for this dd and so only

i need a card that i can top up and use the same day if needed

I've been using Prime and I'm very happy with it. Purchase price = £3.

idt prime is ok but its a its open for abuse

How do you figure?

how easy is it to get the IDT Prime card: very easy just had over the cash and its yours

do you need to provide ID: hell no. this means that it can be used by criminals to hide the cash they steal also terrorists can use this to buy goods for their activates (classic example see film national treasure when Ben Gate buys a copy of the deceleration of independence with his own card and the feds get to his house)

is there an lower age limit (eg 18/13): Nope, this can be used by minors to get access to adult content

there is an item on the net cant recall where but it states most of what i have put here

As the title of this thread implies, you've never had one, have you? So let me answer your points:

"how easy is it to get the IDT Prime card: very easy just had over the cash and its yours" - Indeed this is true and its the biggest selling point, but what are you buying? - A one time disposable card with a maximum value of £150! Which answers your next point:

"do you need to provide ID: hell no. this means that it can be used by criminals to hide the cash they steal also terrorists can use this to buy goods for their activates" - A one time disposable card does not require ID but with a £150 limit I think the terrorists are going to struggle when financing their multimillion dollar activities!

In fact (as you would know if you had a card as opposed to listening to general hearsay) if you want to use the card on a regular basis and top it up and put a few thousand pounds on it, you need to upgrade (£1.95) which involves doing an identity check (sorry terrorists).

And finally:

"is there an lower age limit (eg 18/13): Nope, this can be used by minors to get access to adult content" - Well lets look at their T&C's which is on the website:

"1.8 Only persons over 18 years of age are entitled to purchase the Card. Once purchased, the Card may be given to another person, including a person under 18 years of age. However, Transactions by persons under 18 years of age may not be allowed by some Merchants."

Now lets understand this, its clearly written on the back of the packet that it can only be purchased by over 18's and the shops themselves know this. If a shop sells the card to someone under 18 it is illegal and the same as them selling alcohol or cigarettes to uderage kids.

They allow an adult to give the card to someone under 18, however, once notified the card is switched to teen blocking i.e. it cant be used to purchase or view things only meant for over 18's.

I hope all this info answers your questions. If you have any more things you would like to know, from someone who actually uses the card, then feel free.

I dont know whether these guys do a prepaid credit card. I use them for online shopping/gift vouchers and they are usable everywhere VISA is accepted. Hope this is helpful

Moderator - Link removed, in line with MS terms of service.