You can buy prepaid cards at most major retailers, banks, and online

Prepaid cards are sold in physical locations and online. The most common places are grocery stores, drugstores, and big-box retailers like Walmart and Target — you'll find them near the checkout or in the financial services section. Banks and credit unions often issue their own prepaid cards directly. Online retailers including Amazon and the card issuers' own websites sell them too. The card itself costs nothing to buy; you pay a purchase fee (usually $3 to $10) at the point of sale, then load money onto it before you use it.

Where you buy matters because different retailers stock different card brands, and each brand has its own fee structure. A card that costs $5 at Walmart might not be available at your local pharmacy. Checking what's in stock before you go saves a trip.

Key Takeaways

  • Prepaid cards are sold at grocery stores, drugstores, Walmart, Target, and most banks, with purchase fees ranging from $3 to $10.
  • Each card brand has different monthly fees, ATM fees, and transaction limits, so comparing before you buy prevents surprises later.
  • You load money onto the card yourself — there's no credit check, no approval process, and no debt.
  • Online options include Amazon, card issuer websites, and financial service sites, useful if you don't want to visit a store.
  • Some prepaid cards charge fees for checking your balance, making purchases, or withdrawing cash, so read the fee schedule before buying.

Major retailers where you can find prepaid cards in store

Walmart and Target stock the widest selection. Both carry multiple brands including NetSpend, Green Dot, and Vanilla Visa. You'll find them in the financial services or checkout area. Grocery chains including Kroger, Safeway, and Whole Foods also carry prepaid cards, usually near the customer service desk or checkout lanes.

Drugstores like CVS and Walgreens stock prepaid cards, though selection is smaller than at big-box retailers. If you're already shopping there, it's convenient, but you may have fewer brands to choose from. Dollar stores and convenience stores sometimes carry basic prepaid options, but availability varies by location.

The advantage of buying in store is that you walk out with the card when ready and can load money onto it right away using cash or a debit card. You don't wait for shipping.

Banks and credit unions that issue prepaid cards

Most major banks offer prepaid cards directly. Chase offers the Liquid card, Bank of America offers the BankAmericard, and Wells Fargo offers the Go Far card. Credit unions often issue prepaid cards to members, sometimes with lower fees than retail brands. Call your bank or credit union to ask whether they offer prepaid cards and what the fees are.

Buying from your own bank has one real advantage: the card links to your existing account, so transfers are when ready and often free. If you already have a relationship with the bank, you may also get a discount on the purchase fee or waived monthly fees.

You typically order these cards online or by phone, and they arrive by mail within 5 to 10 business days. Some banks let you pick up the card in branch instead.

Online retailers and card issuer websites

Amazon sells prepaid cards from multiple issuers and ships them to your address. You pay the purchase fee plus shipping. This is useful if you don't have a store nearby or prefer not to go out, but you'll wait several days for delivery.

Card issuer websites — NetSpend.com, Green Dot's website, and Vanilla's site — let you order directly. You typically receive the physical card by mail, though some issuers offer digital cards that work when ready in your phone's digital wallet while you wait for the physical card to arrive.

PayPal and Square Cash also offer prepaid card options through their websites. These are worth checking if you already use those services, because the cards may integrate with your existing account.

What to compare before you buy

Purchase fee is what you pay at the register, usually $3 to $10. This is a one-time cost. Monthly maintenance fees range from $0 to $10 and are charged whether you use the card or not — some cards waive this if you load a certain amount each month.

ATM withdrawal fees vary widely. Some cards charge $2 to $3 per out-of-network withdrawal; others charge nothing at in-network ATMs but $3 to $5 elsewhere. If you withdraw cash often, this adds up. Balance inquiry fees ($0.50 to $1 per check) are less common now but still exist on some older cards. Transaction fees for purchases are rare on modern prepaid cards, but some charge for bill pay or transfers.

Load fees matter if you plan to add money frequently. Most cards let you load at the register for free, but loading online or by transfer may cost $1 to $3. Inactivity fees ($2 to $5 per month) kick in if you don't use the card for 90 days or longer on some cards, so check the terms if you plan to let it sit.

How to load money onto a prepaid card

At the point of sale, you can load money onto most retail prepaid cards when ready. Tell the cashier how much you want to load, and they'll add it to the card before you leave. This is free on nearly all cards.

Online, you can load money through the card issuer's website or app using a bank account or debit card. This usually takes 1 to 3 business days and may have a small fee ($1 to $3). Direct deposit is free on most cards — you can have your paycheck deposited directly to the prepaid card, which is useful if you don't have a bank account.

At ATMs, some prepaid cards let you load cash, though this is less common. Check your card's terms to see whether this option is available.

Prepaid cards versus other options

A prepaid card is not a credit card — you can't borrow money or build credit history with it. If you need to build credit, a secured credit card (which requires a cash deposit but reports to credit bureaus) is better. If you need a bank account, a basic checking account at a bank or credit union is usually cheaper than a prepaid card over time because monthly fees are lower or nonexistent.

Prepaid cards are useful if you want to control spending without a credit check, if you don't have a bank account and need a way to pay online, or if you want to give money to someone without handing them cash. They're also useful for travel because they work internationally and you can't overspend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Social Security number to buy a prepaid card?

No. Prepaid cards don't require a credit check or Social Security number. You may need to provide an ID to verify your age, but that's it. This is one reason they're popular for people without bank accounts or credit history.

Can I use a prepaid card to pay bills online?

Yes, most prepaid cards work anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted, including online bill pay. Some cards charge a fee for bill payments ($1 to $3), so check your card's fee schedule first. The card works like a debit card for online purchases.

What happens if I lose my prepaid card?

Call the card issuer when ready to report it lost. Most cards let you freeze the account right away through their app or website, which stops anyone from using it. You can usually order a replacement card, though there may be a $5 to $10 fee. Money on the card is protected as long as you report the loss promptly.

Can I reload the same prepaid card multiple times?

Yes. Most prepaid cards are reloadable — you can add money to them as many times as you want. This is different from single-use gift cards. Each time you reload, you may pay a fee depending on how you load it (free at the register, $1 to $3 online).

Is there a limit to how much money I can put on a prepaid card?

Yes, but it varies by card. Most prepaid cards have a maximum balance of $10,000 to $25,000. If you need to hold more money, you'd need multiple cards or a bank account. Check your specific card's terms for the limit.