Prepaid Credit Cards-Advantages And Disadvantages


by Pierre Smith - Date: 2007-01-29 - Word Count: 515 Share This!

Credit cards are fast replacing cash in these modern times. Through the aid of one piece of plastic, you can make as many purchases as you wish, all while keeping within your credit limit, and without having to carry large amounts of cash. Not only should this allow you to save money, it should also keep you safe, and free from the clutches of robbers who could drain your bulging wallet.

These promises, however, are not easily kept when you finally have a credit card. Credit cards can give the illusion that no cash is being spent, until the credit card bill arrives at the end of the billing period, when maximum restraint on splurging will already have been too late. Credit card thieves, moreover, are finding more and more ways to bypass strict bank security measures, and can use a credit card in many a poor victim's name.

It is due to these that credit card companies are now stricter when receiving credit card applications. Poor credit on previous cards is now automatically taken as reasons for rejection of an application. This is difficult for people who represent companies, which need credit cards to make hotel reservations, rent cars, and book tickets for both national and international flights at the last minute. Credit cards are also required to make orders online, or through the phone.

Prepaid credit cards provide an alternative to all those people that needs a credit card. They work much like debit cards; that is, an account is set up by a monetary deposit, and this deposited money can be used up through the prepaid credit card issued. The greatest advantage of prepaid credit cards is that you are entitled to spend only as much as you have in your account - thus, you will not be in debt, and you will have no bills to pay.

One disadvantage of prepaid credit cards, however, is that most prepaid credit card companies require a set up fee to both open and maintain the prepaid credit card account. You will be required to pay taxes on your cash deposits, and you may be required to pay an annual membership fee, much in the same way as you would an ordinary credit card.

Another major disadvantage is that most online merchants do not accept prepaid credit cards as payment. This is because they have no guarantees that the account can completely cover payment for an online purchase. This can be difficult for prepaid credit card holders to pay for monthly subscriptions to Internet service providers, or to purchase items that are sold at zero percent interest, with a certain amount deducted from the credit card at fixed time periods.

If you are interested in purchasing and using a prepaid credit card, take note of these advantages and disadvantages. Although you have the convenience of not carrying cash, you may not be able to purchase as many items as you wish, or from as many merchants as you please. Although you may have to pay additional fees for your account, you can control your overall spending and keep yourself out of debt.


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For more information on prepaid credit cards try visiting http://www.bestcreditcardtips.info, a website provides tips and information on how the choose the best credit card and get the lowest interest rates.

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