Prepaid Debit Cards or Gift Cards in Canada

[DeadPoolX 9]

I'm at the end of my rope here. Seriously. I feel like I'm about ready to do some major damage, but because that'd probably end badly, with the police (and possibly the national guard) getting called out, I've decided to come here and ask for assistance.

Here's my problem: I'd like to get my fiancee either a prepaid debit card or a gift card. Seems easy enough, right? Oh, how I wish that were true. I've been going absolutely crazy trying to figure out someplace in Canada where I could make this happen. Neither seem to exist. Google is worthless! All I'm able to find are prepaid debit/gift cards that are useful in the United States.

I realize that, theoretically, any prepaid debit card from the U.S. should work in Canada. I've used one before and it worked just fine. However, my father gave my fiancee and me two prepaid American debit cards and while mine works just fine for me, my fiancee's card will only function properly for on-line purchases. She cannot buy anything in stores with it (funds are loaded onto it) and she has tried it numerous times in different places. So I'd rather not get her a prepaid debit card from the U.S., since none of the websites offering them seem to mention whether or not their card will work correctly outside of the country.

As far as gift cards go, it only makes sense to get one for a store that's available to her. I'm sure you're all well aware that there are plenty of stores that only exist in one country or the other. Unfortunately, it seems that 99.9% of gift cards are made available solely for American stores , and the stores in Canada that do have gift cards want the purchaser to pick the card up in-person from the store. That doesn't really work for me.

For the record, I am looking at brick-and-mortar stores; not Internet vendors, such as Amazon.ca or whatever. I realize I could get a gift certificate from there sent to her e-mail address, but Amazon.ca is fairly limited. Besides, according to her, what she really needs is more clothing, so Amazon.ca probably isn't the best choice (neither is Future Shop or Chapters, since she's not in the market for anything either of those stores are offering) because she'd need to try the clothing on before buying it.

I really don't think I'm asking that much. I'd just like to be able to get a prepaid debit card (I'd prefer this option, since it'd allow for greater purchasing flexibility) or gift card for my fiancee by ordering it on-line and having it sent to her apartment. This should be a simple and painless procedure! Instead, it's rapidly turning into a nightmare!

As I wrote earlier in this thread, I am really stuck. I'd appreciate any and all help. Thanks ahead of time.

[samaci 0]

I googled it, and found a site through www.visa.ca, which then it took me to this page:

http://www.visa.ca/en/personal/prepaid/giftcards_issuers.cfm

Looks like there are only 2 banks up here that will issue them, and the maximum is $500. you can load on them. From what I read, they are accepted anywhere visa is accepted. The Vancity one, says you can call a 1-800 to purchase it. Doesn't say anything about having to go in person to get it.

Hope this helps. Great idea!!

Edited October 7, 2007 by samaci

[DeadPoolX 9]

Thanks!

I also found something on the Mastercard website as well.

It seems there aren't a whole lot of options in Canada. Maybe it's due to the population size being decidely smaller.

[misa 2]

I think there's not a lot of options for pre-paid debit cards in Canada because anyone can open up a bank account (savings or chequing) regardless of credit rating.

[trailmix 77]

I think there's not a lot of options for pre-paid debit cards in Canada because anyone can open up a bank account (savings or chequing) regardless of credit rating.

[DeadPoolX 9]

I think there's not a lot of options for pre-paid debit cards in Canada because anyone can open up a bank account (savings or chequing) regardless of credit rating.

Looking at the options for credit cards, I didn't find that to be true. It seems if you've never held a Canadian bank account or Canadian credit card, they want to stick you with something ludicrous, such as a "secured" credit card. Why would I want to go with a card that has a ridiculously low limit and an annual fee?

A few other things I've noticed that seem to bother me:

1. From what I've been told, tt looks like you can only get credit cards from the bank you hold a savings or checking account with at the time. That's nuts. In the U.S., you can get a credit card from any bank at any time from anywhere. It doesn't matter if you hold a savings or checking account with them. For instance, my savings and checking accounts are with Washington Mutual. Do I have a WAMU card? No. I have cards from Capital One, CitiBank, and Bank of America.

That's the way to do it! Freedom of choice!

2. I've been looking around at Canadian credit cards and it seems that just about every single one has an annual fee. What's up with that? It's extremely rare to find an American credit card with an annual fee. None of mine have one and I don't know anyone who does own a card with an annual fee. Most people stay away from those cards like the plague.

As far as I can tell, I might as well just keep using my American credit cards. Better choices and options with much higher credit limits.

[Cassie 8]

I've had a Canadian Tire Mastercard for years, no annual fee. And I used it everywhere.

[trailmix 77]

1. From what I've been told, tt looks like you can only get credit cards from the bank you hold a savings or checking account with at the time. That's nuts. In the U.S., you can get a credit card from any bank at any time from anywhere. It doesn't matter if you hold a savings or checking account with them. For instance, my savings and checking accounts are with Washington Mutual. Do I have a WAMU card? No. I have cards from Capital One, CitiBank, and Bank of America.

That's the way to do it! Freedom of choice!

Not true - I have my Visa card with a bank I have no accounts with and an American Express card independent of any bank.

2. I've been looking around at Canadian credit cards and it seems that just about every single one has an annual fee. What's up with that? It's extremely rare to find an American credit card with an annual fee. None of mine have one and I don't know anyone who does own a card with an annual fee. Most people stay away from those cards like the plague.

As far as I can tell, I might as well just keep using my American credit cards. Better choices and options with much higher credit limits.

Your credit limit here depends on your credit rating, employment etc.. The 'regular' annual fee cards (not the platinum or gold) are ones that generally offer a lower interest rate. So if you are someone who carries a balance you might want an interest rate that is like 6 pts lower than a 'no fee' card - this will save you money. The no fee cards suit people who pay off their balance every month.

Edited October 8, 2007 by trailmix

[Sameh and Keri 0]

I'm at the end of my rope here. Seriously. I feel like I'm about ready to do some major damage, but because that'd probably end badly, with the police (and possibly the national guard) getting called out, I've decided to come here and ask for assistance.

Here's my problem: I'd like to get my fiancee either a prepaid debit card or a gift card. Seems easy enough, right? Oh, how I wish that were true. I've been going absolutely crazy trying to figure out someplace in Canada where I could make this happen. Neither seem to exist. Google is worthless! All I'm able to find are prepaid debit/gift cards that are useful in the United States.

I realize that, theoretically, any prepaid debit card from the U.S. should work in Canada. I've used one before and it worked just fine. However, my father gave my fiancee and me two prepaid American debit cards and while mine works just fine for me, my fiancee's card will only function properly for on-line purchases. She cannot buy anything in stores with it (funds are loaded onto it) and she has tried it numerous times in different places. So I'd rather not get her a prepaid debit card from the U.S., since none of the websites offering them seem to mention whether or not their card will work correctly outside of the country.

As far as gift cards go, it only makes sense to get one for a store that's available to her. I'm sure you're all well aware that there are plenty of stores that only exist in one country or the other. Unfortunately, it seems that 99.9% of gift cards are made available solely for American stores , and the stores in Canada that do have gift cards want the purchaser to pick the card up in-person from the store. That doesn't really work for me.

For the record, I am looking at brick-and-mortar stores; not Internet vendors, such as Amazon.ca or whatever. I realize I could get a gift certificate from there sent to her e-mail address, but Amazon.ca is fairly limited. Besides, according to her, what she really needs is more clothing, so Amazon.ca probably isn't the best choice (neither is Future Shop or Chapters, since she's not in the market for anything either of those stores are offering) because she'd need to try the clothing on before buying it.

I really don't think I'm asking that much. I'd just like to be able to get a prepaid debit card (I'd prefer this option, since it'd allow for greater purchasing flexibility) or gift card for my fiancee by ordering it on-line and having it sent to her apartment. This should be a simple and painless procedure! Instead, it's rapidly turning into a nightmare!

As I wrote earlier in this thread, I am really stuck. I'd appreciate any and all help. Thanks ahead of time.

YES! and its the best thing I ever done!

Dont need a bank account

You can get money direct deposited to your card

Safer than cash

FREE customer service

https://www.greendotprepaidcards.com/card-benefits.aspx

~Keri

[Marilyn. 340]

I think there's not a lot of options for pre-paid debit cards in Canada because anyone can open up a bank account (savings or chequing) regardless of credit rating.

Looking at the options for credit cards, I didn't find that to be true. It seems if you've never held a Canadian bank account or Canadian credit card, they want to stick you with something ludicrous, such as a "secured" credit card. Why would I want to go with a card that has a ridiculously low limit and an annual fee?

A few other things I've noticed that seem to bother me:

1. From what I've been told, tt looks like you can only get credit cards from the bank you hold a savings or checking account with at the time. That's nuts. In the U.S., you can get a credit card from any bank at any time from anywhere. It doesn't matter if you hold a savings or checking account with them. For instance, my savings and checking accounts are with Washington Mutual. Do I have a WAMU card? No. I have cards from Capital One, CitiBank, and Bank of America.

That's the way to do it! Freedom of choice!

2. I've been looking around at Canadian credit cards and it seems that just about every single one has an annual fee. What's up with that? It's extremely rare to find an American credit card with an annual fee. None of mine have one and I don't know anyone who does own a card with an annual fee. Most people stay away from those cards like the plague.

As far as I can tell, I might as well just keep using my American credit cards. Better choices and options with much higher credit limits.

a few if not all our credit cards have an annual fee we had a couple (which I have since got my hubby to cancel) that had an annual fee plus a monthly fee

Edited October 8, 2007 by MarilynP

[Sameh and Keri 0]

I'm at the end of my rope here. Seriously. I feel like I'm about ready to do some major damage, but because that'd probably end badly, with the police (and possibly the national guard) getting called out, I've decided to come here and ask for assistance.

Here's my problem: I'd like to get my fiancee either a prepaid debit card or a gift card. Seems easy enough, right? Oh, how I wish that were true. I've been going absolutely crazy trying to figure out someplace in Canada where I could make this happen. Neither seem to exist. Google is worthless! All I'm able to find are prepaid debit/gift cards that are useful in the United States.

I realize that, theoretically, any prepaid debit card from the U.S. should work in Canada. I've used one before and it worked just fine. However, my father gave my fiancee and me two prepaid American debit cards and while mine works just fine for me, my fiancee's card will only function properly for on-line purchases. She cannot buy anything in stores with it (funds are loaded onto it) and she has tried it numerous times in different places. So I'd rather not get her a prepaid debit card from the U.S., since none of the websites offering them seem to mention whether or not their card will work correctly outside of the country.

As far as gift cards go, it only makes sense to get one for a store that's available to her. I'm sure you're all well aware that there are plenty of stores that only exist in one country or the other. Unfortunately, it seems that 99.9% of gift cards are made available solely for American stores , and the stores in Canada that do have gift cards want the purchaser to pick the card up in-person from the store. That doesn't really work for me.

For the record, I am looking at brick-and-mortar stores; not Internet vendors, such as Amazon.ca or whatever. I realize I could get a gift certificate from there sent to her e-mail address, but Amazon.ca is fairly limited. Besides, according to her, what she really needs is more clothing, so Amazon.ca probably isn't the best choice (neither is Future Shop or Chapters, since she's not in the market for anything either of those stores are offering) because she'd need to try the clothing on before buying it.

I really don't think I'm asking that much. I'd just like to be able to get a prepaid debit card (I'd prefer this option, since it'd allow for greater purchasing flexibility) or gift card for my fiancee by ordering it on-line and having it sent to her apartment. This should be a simple and painless procedure! Instead, it's rapidly turning into a nightmare!

As I wrote earlier in this thread, I am really stuck. I'd appreciate any and all help. Thanks ahead of time.

I tried editing my note and it would not let me... but this is what I wanted to emphisise and I encourage you to go get one...

YES! and its the best thing I ever done!

♥Dont need a bank account

♥NO CREDIT CHECK!

♥You can get money direct deposited to your card

♥Safer than cash

♥FREE customer service

♥It's safer than carrying cash

♥No overdraft fees

♥No more check cashing fees

♥Buy gas, shopping online, pay bills without waiting in line

♥Reload at CVS, RiteAid, Walgreens and more

♥Use it everywhere debit MasterCard and Visa debit cards are accepted

♥Get cash at ATMs

LOCATIONS TO GET ONE...

http://www.getmygreen.com/Pages/ReloadCard.aspx

INFO on Green Dot pre-paid cards...

https://www.greendotprepaidcards.com/card-benefits.aspx

~Keri

[misa 2]

Looking at the options for credit cards, I didn't find that to be true. It seems if you've never held a Canadian bank account or Canadian credit card, they want to stick you with something ludicrous, such as a "secured" credit card. Why would I want to go with a card that has a ridiculously low limit and an annual fee?

Oh, I was talking about banks not checking credit to open up a bank account (so you can get a debit card), not credit cards, which is why I doubt there's a huge market in Canada for pre-paid debit cards. Also, the U.S. seems waaaay more driven by "credit rating" so I assume that there are more options for pre-paid debit and credit cards because of that.

The whole secured credit card thing isn't specific to Canada... it's difficult for newcomers to the U.S. to get a credit card with no U.S. banking or credit history. I don't think I'm even going to bother getting a U.S. credit card. I don't need one and hopefully it stays that way.

1. From what I've been told, tt looks like you can only get credit cards from the bank you hold a savings or checking account with at the time. That's nuts. In the U.S., you can get a credit card from any bank at any time from anywhere. It doesn't matter if you hold a savings or checking account with them. For instance, my savings and checking accounts are with Washington Mutual. Do I have a WAMU card? No. I have cards from Capital One, CitiBank, and Bank of America.

As others have said, that's not true. You can apply for a credit card from a bank who you do no banking with. I still hold 2 Canadian credit cards -- one of which I never had an account with.

2. I've been looking around at Canadian credit cards and it seems that just about every single one has an annual fee. What's up with that? It's extremely rare to find an American credit card with an annual fee. None of mine have one and I don't know anyone who does own a card with an annual fee. Most people stay away from those cards like the plague.

Mine never had an annual fee. Some do but lots don't.

[DeadPoolX 9]

Okay, well... it seems I was incorrect!

Good. I don't usually like being proven wrong, but in this case, I'll make an exception. It's good to know that things aren't like the way I originally thought they were.

[trailmix 77]

Okay, well... it seems I was incorrect!

Good. I don't usually like being proven wrong, but in this case, I'll make an exception. It's good to know that things aren't like the way I originally thought they were.

I hope it didn't come across as harsh - someone told me something I had said today 'wasn't true' (it was an absolute fact - but I digress )

Which got me thinking about the post I made here saying - Not True. Didn't mean to sound harsh anyway, hope it didn't sound that way to you.

[Carlawarla 1]

Just a thought...but what about a debit card from YOUR bank in the US? Would that not work in Canada? I mean...if you were visiting Canada you would use it wouldn't you? Could you get one for her?

Carla