Prepaid Cards

Hi

Now anyone who knows me will confirm that I am not a financial expert, so I am hoping there is one out there who can help me.

I want to get one of these prepaid credit cards to avoid Ryanair fees, but every one I´ve found on the internet say I have to be a UK resident. Is there an organisation that accepts Spanish residents? If there are choices, what´s the best?

Thanks folks

Irene

Hi Irene

I haven't yet seen this typye of card being offered by any Spanish providors although the Halifax now Lloyds did issue visa electron cards with their accounts, these could be used to book flights without charges on Ryanair, this may have changed now though.

I think any UK institution will insist that you are a UK resident to apply for the card, they will certainly want a Uk address, I have a Caxton pre paid euro card that I got a couple of years back and I have just kept it going, I wouldn't be without it, it's a great product.

See here for your Ryanair info from Caxton

http://www.caxtonfxcard.com/ryanair.asp?dist=CAXTGENL

s

Ryanair have stopped allowing the use of Electron cards for free. I´ve actually followed the Moneybookers link on EOS and signed up. I just hope they are legit and my money´s safe! (Justin take note!!!)

Irene

Hi Irene & Alan

I have used Moneybookers for years and never had a problem they are very fast to transfer money into your bank account i have no complaintsThey will even transfer into Paypal

Irene and Alan...

The answer to your question is actually running as a sidebar advert on this forum thread...

Moneybookers do a prepaid Mastercard which would appear to meet your needs ie no UK address...

Here is a link in case the advert disappears...

fb

Is your money protected if the card company goes bust?

Moneybookers are registered with the FSA in UK

I surpose it is good if all you want it for is to save when booking with Ryanair, but the annual fee of 10 euros and  more importantly the 1-80 charge every time you go to a ATM means it's a no go for me.

s

IATA rules say all airlines must offer at least one payment method that is free of charge.  Ryanair have been charging for Visa Electron since the beginning of the year.  Prepaid Mastercard is now their freebie.  Visa Electron remains the freebie for Easyjet.

You are ahead with the Moneybookers card first time you book a round trip with Ryanair.  No brainer if you fly more than once with Ryanair.

I´m only going to use the card for airline tickets, and I have two holidays to book x 6 people each time, therefore that would have cost an extra 60€, so the membership fee will be recouped six fold.

Irene

 Try neteller.com. I opened the card last year and there are no charges if you use the card every year or so. I've only used it to avoid Ryanair fees and not had a problem. Not sure about the address but I think it is an american card. Good luck Kevin

 The Net+ Prepaid MasterCard® by NETELLER is a convenient and free way to book flights on Ryanair and because it is recognized by Ryanair as a "MasterCard Prepaid", the 5 EUR administration fee will be waived.

As an added bonus, you will be entered into a draw to win 50 EUR each time you purchase a flight on Ryanair with your Net+ Prepaid MasterCard between now and January 31.

 I have just ordered a pre-paid mastercard from Fair FX. (www.fairfx.com) It was free, although there is a small charge each time I use it. (cant remember if it is 1.5% or £1.50), but with my average pair of flights costing around £100, it's probably much of a muchness

I will only use it to book ryanair flights, and my plan is to

• choose the flights in the usual way on the ryanair site and find out the total cost (without the booking fee)
• load up the pre-paid mastercard online with the amount required plus say £2..which I am told is immediate
• complete the ryanair booking using the pre-paid card

that way I don't have any unused cash laying around on the pre-paid MC (my account gets debited at around the same time as it would had I used my Debit card to pay ryanair directly), and instead of £20  ryanair booking fees I pay £1.50 to fair fx. Which given that I want to book another 8 sets of flights for this year, is a considerable saving. (8 X £18.50 = £148)

This is all theoretical at the moment, when the card turns up I'll give it a whirl and let you know

I chose Moneybookers in the end. Got the card and used it. Saved 60€ because I was booking for six peoople!!!!! I don´t suppose it will be long before Ryanair plug this hole as well though.

Irene