Using a prepaid debit card is an exceptional option for people and small business owners who may not be able to open a bank account. It allows cardholders to easily accept payments from cash, checks, debit and credit cards, as well as direct deposit. In the case of the Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard, cardholders can utilize their card accounts much like a bank account.
This opens up the possibility to better manage their finances without having to endure the obstacle of not having a bank account for collecting payments and separating personal and business expenses.
The Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard offers many wonderful benefits for cardholders, but it’s not always a beneficial option if you want to achieve more financial flexibility.
These Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard reviews will ultimately help you make an informed decision on whether or not this option is right for you.
Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard: Overview
When many people think of Brink’s, they imagine armoured trucks designed to transfer money to different places. This company is the issuer for this prepaid Mastercard.
Founded in 1859, Brink’s is an industry leader in financial security for banks and various other financial institutions. In order to provide this spending option for cardholders, Brink’s partnered with Netspend, another industry leader in the financial sector.
As such, this prepaid Mastercard is entirely simple to apply for and use. Therefore, if you’ve decided to use a prepaid card but not enough to warrant a high monthly fee, this option may be great for you.
This prepaid debit card is strangely familiar to the Netspend Visa prepaid debit card, especially considering the benefits, features, and rewards. However, many Mastercard prepaid cards don’t provide the same benefits as Visa cards.
This includes an additional savings account attached to the card account that Visa cards offer. While this prepaid card is a solid option, you can take advantage of better features when applying for debit and credit cards.
Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard Review: Quick Facts
The Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard interestingly offers rewards unlike other options. Though, it has varying monthly fee amounts, depending on how you use this card.
Before applying, it’s important to take a look at these quick facts to see how the Brink’s Money card stacks up against other options:
- Rewards: Cardholders can earn 1x rewards points for all eligible purchases. This includes additional points on limited-time offers.
- Monthly Fee: $0 – $9.95. Your amount will depend on your plan option and how you ultimately use your card.
- Card Purchase Fee: $0
- Purchase Transaction Fee: $0 – $1.50. This includes PIN and signature transactions.
- ATM Fees: $2.50 for deposit and withdrawals. $0.50 cents for balance inquiries.
- Card Reload Fee: Cardholders can expect to pay fees up to $3.95.
- Direct Deposit: Early payment is possible, up to 2 days before payday.
This prepaid Mastercard also offers an attached savings account to help cardholders separate different expenses. Ultimately, the Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard is ideal for maintaining flexibility with an easy-to-use card account.
Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard: Specifications
This convenient prepaid Mastercard has a few major specifications to be aware of. If you’re considering applying for this option, you should familiarize yourself with these specifications first:
- You can receive the peace of mind you deserve, with Brink’s being at the pinnacle of the financial security industry for more than a century.
- You can get paid much faster than a paper check with Brink’s fast direct deposit feature.
- There aren’t any late fees or interest rate charges because this isn’t a credit card.
- You can use the Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard app to sign up for mobile and email alerts to notify you anytime you make a purchase or transaction.
- All cardholders are required to verify their identity. Thus, a Social Security number is necessary to apply.
- You can receive your tax return directly to your card account. This means no more waiting in long lines to cash in a paper check.
- You can pay your bills online and handle all other necessary expenses.
- There is a handy feature called a purchase cushion. This means that Brink’s will cover any purchases if you’re $10 short. However, this isn’t a lot of money, so it’s important to keep track of your spending.
Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard Review: Who is This Card For?
If you don’t have a bank account or have trouble opening one, then this prepaid Mastercard is an excellent option. It provides all the benefits of having a bank account, such as versatility in accepting payments, online bill pay functions, and convenient money transfers.
Realistically, not everyone has or wants a bank account. It all depends on their situation and how they collect and spend their money. If you find yourself in this situation, then this card is just for you.
However, if you are able to open a bank account and are willing to consider other options down the road, you are better off with either a debit or credit card. There are many secured credit cards that won’t require you to have a bank account.
In fact, most of these credit cards won’t even perform a credit check on you. Therefore, if you can afford to browse other options, you should. This is a basic prepaid credit card that was designed explicitly for people who can’t open a bank account.
If you can indeed open a bank account, there are much better options for managing your money.
Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard: Main Benefits
Fortunately, this prepaid Mastercard offers a wide variety of benefits for anyone that can’t open a bank account. Below is some in-depth information of all the top benefits of applying for this card:
Affordable Option:
Using a prepaid debit card is one of the most affordable routes you can take to manage your spending and financial decisions. The good news is that this card isn’t an exception.
Of course, you will be required to pay a monthly service fee. However, if you set up direct deposit, you can reduce this monthly fee. The only caveat is that the issuer will deduct the fee from the amount you receive in direct deposit.
Attached Savings Account:
Do you also want to save money in addition to managing your finances? If so, then you’re in luck. This prepaid card offers a high-yield savings account with this very feature.
This combination is ideal for people who don’t want to commit to paying a high deposit when opening a separate savings account.
Referral Program:
Brink’s will reward anyone who refers their family members and friends to this prepaid card. If you make a successful referral, you can earn a few extra bucks in the process.
Rewards Program:
Make no mistake – this isn’t a cash back card. However, there is a great chance you can earn rewards when making eligible purchases.
Easy to Use:
The Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard is very simple to use. If you’re wondering “how do I put money on my Brink’s card”, you can rest easy knowing you can load money on this card at eligible supermarkets, online, and other vendors.
Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard: Main Drawbacks
Not every prepaid Mastercard is perfect, and this card isn’t an exception. Before you consider applying, you should take a look at these concerning disadvantages:
Pesky Fees:
The greatest disadvantage for this card is the nagging fees. You will have to pay a $9.95 monthly fee, which is a bit pricey considering it’s just a service fee. You can also end up paying $30 every month if you make daily purchases.
This can be uncomfortable, especially since there are other affordable options available.
Noticeable Inconvenience:
When you apply for this prepaid card, you are automatically enrolled in a program called Pay-As-You-Go plan. This means that you’ll essentially pay for every transaction you’ll make.
Limited Cash Flow:
When you choose to use a prepaid debit card, you’re using your own money and resources. If you ever need to get out of a tight spot, then using a prepaid debit card is not a good option.
Credit cards provide much more flexible cash flow in times where immediate access to money is necessary. This is especially true since many secured credit cards don’t require having a bank account or undergoing a hard credit check.
No Room for Growth:
Using a prepaid debit card won’t improve your credit score. It won’t even improve your financial situation. When you choose to use this card, you are simply only able to keep up with your transactions.
For people starting a family or a business, having a higher access to cash flow and emergency funds is certainly more ideal than applying for a prepaid card.
Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard: The Final Verdict
Ultimately, the Brink’s Prepaid Mastercard is an excellent option for people that can’t open a bank account for whatever reason. It offers much of the benefits you can expect when opening a traditional checking and savings account.
