What are prepaid credit cards and why would I want one
Prepaid credit cards are simply reloadable debit cards. You can load funds onto the card and use them just about anywhere Visa or MasterCard are accepted, both online and in person. There is no chance of going into debt or incurring expensive overdraft fees because you can only spend the money you’ve loaded to it. No credit check is performed, making this an option for those who have been turned down for a bank account owing to a lack of identification or a poor credit history.
This article discussed the best and most popular credit cards available in Dubai/UAE.
Best prepaid credit cards available in Dubai/UAE
There are several popular prepaid credit cards available in Dubai/UAE, including MasterCard, Mashreq, and HSBC
Mastercard Prepaid Card
Many people in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates use the MasterCard Prepaid Card as their prepaid card of choice.
Features
• The MasterCard Prepaid Card is recognized by millions of businesses throughout the world and throughout the Internet.
• Protection from fraudulent activity and unlawful purchases is provided, highlighting its emphasis on security.
• The card can be pre-loaded with money from a bank account or a retailer’s location.
• Prepaid cards are useful for those who wish to control their spending because they can only be used once a specific amount of money has been placed into the card.
• Because the prepaid card is not a credit card, there is no need to submit to a credit check when applying for the card.
Requirements
• Your official ID or passport from the Emirates
• Employment or income verification
• You have to be at least 18 years old.
• An obligatory minimal balance (this may vary)
Mashreq Neo Prepaid Card
The Mashreq Neo Prepaid Card is another popular prepaid card option available in Dubai/UAE.
Features
• Contactless payments
• Discounts and offers
• Cashback rewards
• Online and in-store use
Requirements
• A valid Emirates ID or passport
• 18 years old minimum age requirement
• A minimum balance requirement
• Proof of income or employment
HSBC Cashback Credit Card
The HSBC Cashback Credit Card is one of the most well-liked credit cards provided by HSBC Bank in Dubai and the United Arab Emirates.
Features
• Compensation in the form of cash. The cash-back percentage varies with each sort of purchase, but it can reach 10% on select categories like eating out and going to the movies.
• There is no Annual Subscription
• Simple Repayment Structures
• Customers using an HSBC Cashback Credit Card are covered against unauthorized charges.
Requirements
• A passport or Emirates ID that is currently valid
• Income or employment verification
• 21 years old minimum age requirement
• A minimum income requirement
To get cash back on purchases without having to pay an annual fee, the HSBC Cashback Credit Card might be a valuable tool. Yet people who frequently use their credit cards to make purchases may want to think twice about this alternative because of the high interest rate they may incur. It’s also vital to think about your spending habits before applying for the card because the cash-back benefits may only apply to purchases made in specific categories.
CashU Prepaid Majd Card
CashU was founded in 2002 to provide a safe and secure platform for online payments in the MENA region. About 2.3% of all of its clients have used its online payment service. More than 7300 online merchants around the world accept CashU. In doing so, they help make e-commerce more accessible, safe, and quick for everyone involved.
Features
• Unable to renew a lapsed card
• A one-time fee of USD 1 is charged to activate the Majd Card.
• It costs $5 to cancel a Majd card before its expiration date.
• It costs $1 to fund the card.
•Either $1 or 2% of the transaction value is charged for card transactions.
• It is good for six months.
Requirements
• A valid Emirates ID or passport
• You must be at least 18 years old
• A minimum balance requirement
Emirates Islamic Prepaid Card
The prepaid card option provided by Emirates Islamic Bank is a handy and safe means of keeping track of one’s finances. The Emirates Islamic Prepaid Card can be used at millions of locations online and in stores throughout the world. If you want to keep track of your spending without running the risk of going into debt, this card is for you.
Features
• Simple to use; simply visit any Emirates Islamic location to load or replenish your Prepaid Card.
• Use it anywhere in the world at any of the millions of establishments that accept Visa.
• Convenient, instant, and safe mobile payments are yours for the using when you load your Prepaid Card with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, or Google Pay.
• You may shop online with confidence knowing that the Emirates Islamic Prepaid Card’s 3D Secure function, which requires an extra layer of authentication for all online payments, is at your disposal.
Requirements
To qualify for an Emirates Islamic Prepaid Card, you must satisfy the following criteria:
• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You must be a citizen or permanent resident of the UAE.
• You must produce a valid Emirates ID or passport.
• At the moment of activation, you must load a minimum balance onto the card.
Pros and Cons of Prepaid Card in UAE
Pros of Prepaid Cards
• Worldwide acceptability driven by VISA or MasterCard
• No credit checks
• It is not a loan, so no debt concerns exist.
• Instant issuance
• Possibilities of collecting reward points or receiving a cash refund
Cons of Prepaid Cards
• Not tied to your account, therefore only the amount loaded may be used to make purchases.
• The issuing institution may charge fees for certain services.
• No interest is accrued on the card’s account balance.
• If a transaction exceeds the available balance on a card, it will be refused immediately.