Global card acceptance: Where can you use your prepaid card?

Contents:

• Where are prepaid cards accepted worldwide?

• Where do restrictions on card acceptance apply?

• Why are prepaid cards sometimes declined?

• What should you check before you travel?

• Frequently asked questions about global card acceptance

• Conclusion: Discover the world with a prepaid card

Where are prepaid cards accepted worldwide?

Whether in a small café, a shopping centre or when shopping online – prepaid cards can now be used in many places around the world. The key factor is which card network they belong to. Swiss Bankers’ prepaid cards, for example, use the international Mastercard network and can generally be used anywhere that Mastercard Prepaid is accepted.

Swiss Bankers offers a range of prepaid cards: the Travel Card for travelling, the Life Card for everyday use and the purely digital Life Digital for making payments via smartphone.

An overview of the main ways you can use them:

• Shops and restaurants: Pay conveniently with your card in numerous countries – from supermarkets to restaurants.

• Online shopping: Use your prepaid card for purchases and bookings on international websites.

• Cash withdrawals: Withdraw cash at compatible ATMs worldwide using a suitable prepaid card. Both the ATM and your card model need to support cash withdrawals.

• Contactless payments: Pay with your card or using supported mobile payment services such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Good to know: The Mastercard logo alone does not guarantee that every prepaid card will be accepted. There may be restrictions, particularly at hotels, car hire companies and for certain bookings.

Where do restrictions on card acceptance apply?

Although prepaid cards can be used at millions of locations that accept cards worldwide, there are a few exceptions. Restrictions may apply, particularly where a deposit or security is required.

• Hotels: Many hotels accept prepaid cards for payment of accommodation. However, additional security may be required at check-in. To this end, an amount is often put on hold on the card and is temporarily unavailable.

• Car hire: Many car hire companies require a standard credit card with a credit limit for the security deposit and do not accept prepaid cards for this purpose. Even if you have already paid for the car hire with your prepaid card, you may be refused the vehicle if you do not have an accepted credit card. You should therefore check the provider’s payment terms before booking.

• Petrol stations: At self-service pumps, a higher amount is sometimes reserved than the actual cost of the fuel. If the available card balance is insufficient to cover this, the payment may be declined. The unused amount is subsequently released.

Tip: Make sure you check in advance – particularly with hotels and car hire companies – which payment methods are accepted. This will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises when checking in or collecting your car.

Why is a prepaid card sometimes declined?

You’re at the till or trying to pay online – but suddenly your card is declined. This doesn’t automatically mean that the retailer doesn’t accept prepaid cards. Often, the reason lies in a setting or the available balance.

The most common reasons include:

• Insufficient balance: The available balance is not enough to cover the payment or a temporary hold.

• Card or region blocked: Your card may be blocked, or the country in question may be restricted by so-called geoblocking. This security feature allows card payments to be specifically blocked in certain countries or regions to prevent fraud.

• Online payments disabled: Some cards allow you to block online purchases for security reasons. A lack of confirmation via Mastercard Identity Check can also prevent the payment from going through.

• Limited card acceptance: Some retailers and service providers do not accept prepaid cards or exclude certain payment methods.

Tip: If your Swiss Bankers card is declined, first check your balance and the security settings in the Swiss Bankers app. There, you can reactivate your card and, if necessary, unblock restricted regions and online payments.

What should you check before you travel?

To ensure your prepaid card works as smoothly as possible whilst abroad, it’s worth carrying out a quick check before you set off. These tips will help you be well prepared:

• Check your card settings: Use the Swiss Bankers app to check whether your destination country is blocked by geoblocking and that the necessary payment functions are activated.

• Check your balance and PIN: Make sure you have sufficient credit and that you know your card PIN.

• Clarify payment methods in advance: Check with hotels and car hire companies whether prepaid cards are accepted for bookings and deposits.

• Take an alternative payment method with you: A second card or some cash can be useful in the rare event that your prepaid card is not accepted.

Tip: Enable push notifications in the Swiss Bankers app. This way, you’ll be notified of your card transactions and can keep track of your spending even whilst on holiday.

Frequently asked questions about global card acceptance

• Do I need to activate my Swiss Bankers card before travelling abroad? No general activation is required for the Travel Card. However, before you set off, please check in the Swiss Bankers app whether your destination country is blocked by geoblocking.
• Does the Life Digital card also work abroad? Yes, with Life Digital you can make online payments worldwide and pay anywhere that supported mobile payment services such as Apple Pay or Google Pay are accepted.

• Can I also use my prepaid card to pay in other currencies? Yes, in principle you can use your prepaid card in countries with a different currency. Depending on the card type, currency conversion or international transaction fees may apply. Tip: When making payments or withdrawing cash abroad, always select the local currency rather than Swiss francs. This way, you’ll avoid the often more expensive dynamic currency conversion (DCC) applied by the retailer or ATM operator. You can find the applicable fees in the Swiss Bankers’ fee overview.

• Can I pay anywhere the Mastercard logo is displayed? Not necessarily. Some merchants may exclude prepaid cards or certain payment methods. If you are unsure, check in advance which payment methods are accepted.

Conclusion: Discover the world with a prepaid card

Whether you’re shopping, dining out or travelling – a prepaid card opens up a wide range of payment options worldwide. If you’re aware of any potential restrictions, check your card settings and carry an alternative payment method with you, you’ll be well prepared for your next trip.

Ready for your next adventure? Explore the various prepaid cards from Swiss Bankers in our card comparison and find the perfect travel companion for you.