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Prepaid US dollar travel cards
Find a reloadable USD currency card today
What is a prepaid dollar travel card?
A prepaid US dollar card is a card that you load with money to spend in the USA or anywhere else that accepts US dollars.
Much like a debit card, you can use it to pay for goods and services. Depending on the card, you may pay no foreign transaction fee when spending in US dollars, but you should still compare exchange rates and other charges.
You can usually top up and manage the card through an app. If it’s lost or stolen, you may be able to freeze it and request a replacement, depending on the provider’s terms.
How do they work?
Prepaid dollar cards are easy to get and easy to use. Here’s how…
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Load the card
Add money through the provider’s app, by bank transfer or with a debit card. Available methods vary by provider.
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Spend abroad
Use your prepaid dollar card just as you would a debit card. And if you run out of money, top up as required
How to choose the best prepaid dollar travel card
Here are five key ways to choose the best US dollar prepaid card:
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Low fees
Look for a card with minimal charges for usage, top-ups, ATM withdrawals, and currency conversion
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Top-up options
Check how easily you can load money onto the card, through bank transfer, debit card, or even cash
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Spending abroad
Choose a card with favourable exchange rates and no or low foreign transaction fees
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Card limits
Review daily spending, withdrawal, and balance limits to make sure they fit your needs
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Security features
Look for app controls such as an instant freeze, spending notifications and balance monitoring. Also check how the provider safeguards your money.
How do I load money onto a dollar prepaid card?
You can usually add money through the provider’s app, by bank transfer or with a debit card. Some providers offer other methods, so check the card’s terms, top-up limits and any fees before you add money.
How do I check my balance?
Most dollar prepaid cards offer balance checks through a mobile app, online portal, text alerts, or by calling the customer service number on the card.
What are the pros and cons of getting a USD currency card?
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Pros
With prepaid travel cards, you can only spend the dollars that you’ve added. Handy if you’re on a budget.
Some cards let you convert money into US dollars before you travel, so you know the exchange rate you’ve received.
You may avoid the foreign transaction fees charged by some debit and credit cards when you spend in US dollars.
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Cons
Some providers charge administration fees. These might include a sign-up fee, monthly charges or top-up fees
Limits sometimes apply on how much foreign currency you can load onto your prepaid Dollar card
Unlike credit cards, you’re not protected by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act if something goes wrong with your purchase
Frequently asked questions
Will it cost me to withdraw from an ATM?
Some prepaid dollar travel cards charge for ATM withdrawals in the USA, and the ATM operator may add its own fee. If you expect to take out cash regularly, compare withdrawal fees and any fee-free allowance.
Cash withdrawals in the UK may also be restricted or charged, depending on the card.
Can I use the card for online purchases in different currencies?
Yes, you can usually use a US dollar prepaid card for online purchases in other currencies. However, currency conversion fees may apply. If you plan to shop internationally or travel often, a multi-currency prepaid card may be a better option – as it lets you load different currencies in advance and avoid extra charges.
Is my money safe with a prepaid dollar card?
Prepaid dollar cards usually include security features such as chip-and-PIN, app controls and transaction monitoring. Money held with an e-money provider is generally safeguarded rather than protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Safeguarding is not the same as FSCS protection, so check the provider’s regulatory status and terms and avoid keeping more money on the card than you need.
What do I do if my card is lost or stolen?
Act quickly. Freeze or block the card in the app if you can, then contact the provider straight away. You can usually request a replacement. Whether you can recover money taken fraudulently depends on the card’s terms, what happened and how quickly you reported it.
Do prepaid dollar cards lock in an exchange rate?
Some prepaid travel cards let you convert pounds into US dollars in advance, locking in the rate when you convert. Others convert your money when you spend.
Locking a rate gives you certainty, but you could lose out if the rate later improves, so compare the provider’s rate and fees as well as the headline exchange rate.
Are there any fees or charges with a prepaid dollar travel card?
Here are some common fees and charges you might encounter with a prepaid dollar travel card:
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Issuance fee
A one-time fee for setting up the card
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Top-up fee
Charges for adding money to the card, often depending on the method
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ATM withdrawal fee
A fee when taking cash out abroad
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Foreign exchange fee
May be charged if you spend in a currency other than US dollars. In the USA, choose US dollars if a card terminal or ATM offers to convert the transaction into pounds, as that conversion can include an extra mark-up.
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Inactivity fee
Applied if the card isn’t used for a certain period
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Replacement fee
For lost, stolen or damaged cards
What are the alternatives to a prepaid dollar travel card?
Here are some alternatives to a prepaid dollar travel card:
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Credit cards
Often accepted worldwide and can offer better exchange rates, but may come with foreign transaction fees
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Debit cards
Use your regular bank card abroad, though fees and exchange rates vary by provider
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Multi-currency cards
Let you hold and spend in multiple currencies, locking in exchange rates before travel
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Cash
Useful for emergencies or places that don’t accept cards – just be cautious about carrying large amounts
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Traveller’s cheques
An older option, less common today, but still accepted in some destinations
Our expert says…
Prepaid dollar travel cards can be a smart way to manage your spending abroad – they help you lock in exchange rates in advance and avoid surprise fees from your bank. Just watch out for hidden charges, like ATM withdrawals or inactivity fees, and always check if the card supports your destination.
Tim Heming Personal Finance Expert
Compare prepaid dollar travel cards with MoneySupermarket
Comparing prepaid dollar travel cards is simple. Here’s how…
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View our best cards
Our comparison tables show you our best prepaid cards in one place. So you can make an informed decision
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Compare features
We’ll flag all our prepaid dollar cards’ key features and selling points, as well as fees and incentives
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Click to apply
Found a card that suits you? Good news. Just click through to apply online. It takes just minutes
Are prepaid cards contactless?
Many prepaid cards support contactless payments, but check the card’s features before you apply. You may need to enter your PIN the first time you use it and occasionally afterwards for security checks.
What is the difference between getting travel money and using a prepaid card?
A prepaid card is similar to having travel money. Once you’ve loaded your card with cash, you can use it to buy goods and services in just the same way.
But the crucial difference is that a prepaid card is safer than carrying around a lot of foreign currency in cash or leaving it in your hotel room.
In the event that your prepaid card is stolen, it’s easy to cancel. And if your card goes astray, you can usually get a new one quickly.
If your provider can’t issue a replacement card until you return home, they may even give you cash to see you through your trip.
The other key selling point of a prepaid dollar card is that you can load your card and lock in a good rate before you set off, allowing you to make the most of your money.
Can I use my prepaid dollar card outside the USA?
If your prepaid dollar card uses the Mastercard or Visa network, you can usually use it wherever that network is accepted, subject to the card’s and merchant’s restrictions.
If you spend in a currency other than US dollars, you may be charged a conversion fee unless the card supports that currency.
Can I use a prepaid card for hotel deposits or car hire?
Sometimes. Some hotels and car hire companies don’t accept prepaid cards for deposits or pre-authorisation holds. Where they do, the held amount may be unavailable to spend for several days.
Check with the hotel or car hire company before booking and make sure you have another suitable card if needed.
Do prepaid dollar cards have an expiry date?
Yes. Like most payment cards, prepaid travel cards expire after a few years. You can usually transfer your balance to a new card before expiry or request a replacement if still in use.
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