NetSpend Cards can be used internationally. NetSpend Cards is available abroad; it work internationally. If an establishment takes VISA and Master cards, it’s a good bet that your Card will work. However, international usage aren’t free, as cash withdrawals at international non-network ATMs charge $4.95 per withdrawal, along with the Foreign Transaction Surcharge of 3.5%.
Want to use your Netspend card for foreign transactions? Why not? Netspend allows you to use its reloadable prepaid debit cards across the world!
Netspend is a company that serves over 10 million consumers in the country. It issues Visa and Mastercard prepaid debit cards and also prepaid corporate cards.
These cards are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) through the card’s issuing bank to provide financial safety and security to Netspend’s users.
Read: Does the Cash App Card Work Internationally?
What is a NetSpend Card?
A Netspend prepaid card is a great tool for performing transactions almost anywhere. You can load the card with money and use it to shop online and in person at stores, withdraw cash from ATMs, pay monthly bills, do account-to-account transfers, and so on. Moreover, you can use it not only across the US but also internationally.
Other factors that make Netspend an attractive financial solution is it doesn’t do credit checks nor does it require activation fees. It also doesn’t ask you to maintain a minimum account balance. Its reloadable prepaid card can also be used all over the world, making it a handy tool for international transactions when traveling.
Let’s learn more about this convenient feature.
Can Netspend Cards Be Used Internationally?
Yes, NetSpend Cards can be used internationally. One great benefit of using a Netspend reloadable prepaid debit card is you can use it anywhere for all kinds of transactions, even outside the United States. Since it’s affiliated with Visa and Mastercard, it can be used at any point-of-sale that accepts these 2 cards.
You can use your Netspend card to pay for foreign transactions whether online, over the phone, or at international stores. You can also use it to withdraw cash at ATMs across the world and transfer money to people and businesses outside the US through direct deposits, bank transfers, PayPal, Western Union, MoneyGram, and the Cash App.
How to Report Lost NetSpend Card if Lost while travelling internationally?
Using a Netspend card while traveling abroad is also safer than carrying around cash. If you happen to lose your card or it gets stolen or compromised, you can immediately call Netspend’s Customer Service team at the company’s toll-free number, 1-86-NETSPEND (1-866-387-7363), and request them to block the card.
Another way to report a lost or stolen card is online.
- Go to Netspend’s website
- Log in to the Online Account Center.
- Select “My Account” from the main menu,
- Choose “My Prepaid Cards.”
- Finally, click on “Report Card Lost/Stolen.”
- You can later order a replacement card online for a fee.
While Netspend does not have any cash reload facilities outside the US, you can ask family and friends to transfer funds to your Netspend card account. They can do this via PayPal, direct deposit, bank transfer, Western Union, MoneyGram, the Cash App, and with their own Netspend card accounts.
All these features and benefits make Netspend cards a valuable asset to have while traveling abroad.
Netspend Fees for International Transactions
If you use your Netspend prepaid card for foreign transactions such as purchases or cash withdrawals, Netspend will charge a foreign transaction surcharge of 3.5 percent per transaction. This surcharge will be in addition to any purchase transaction fees or over-the-counter (OTC) withdrawal fees.
If you’re using Netspend’s Pay As You Go Plan, the purchase transaction fee is normally $1 for signature purchases and $2 for every PIN purchase. If you’re under the Monthly Plan or Reduced Monthly Plan, there will be no purchase transaction fee.
The OTC withdrawal fee at financial institutions is $2.5 per withdrawal. OTC withdrawals from Netspend Reload Network Locations are charged up to 2.75 percent of the amount or $4, whichever is greater.
You’ll need to add the Foreign Transaction Surcharge of 3.5 percent to the above amounts while calculating your fees for international purchases and withdrawals.
Fees for cash withdrawals at international non-network ATMs are $4.95 per withdrawal, along with the Foreign Transaction Surcharge. The ATM operator may also charge you an additional fee.
Balance inquiries at foreign ATMs are also charged at $0.50. This is besides the fee levied by the ATM operator. If your transaction is declined at an ATM outside the US, it will be charged $1, along with the ATM operator’s fees.
If you have a Netspend All-Access Bank Account and use it for transactions outside the US, a Foreign Transaction Fee of 3 percent is charged for every transaction.
Alternatives to Netspend for International Use
If you need an alternative to your Netspend reloadable prepaid card for foreign transactions, there are other prepaid cards that give Netspend tough competition in the foreign transaction space.
Here are the 3 top prepaid cards that you can use internationally:
1. Wise Multi-currency Card
Getting a Wise multi-currency account lets you transact in 200 countries and convert and hold 54 currencies in your account. It also allows you to get local bank details for 10 major currencies such as dollars, pounds, and euros. This allows you to receive deposits without fees or charges from the countries transacting in those major currencies.
2. PayPal Prepaid Mastercard
The PayPal Prepaid Mastercard is a prepaid debit card that allows you to transact anywhere Mastercard debit cards are accepted. You can use it all over the world for shopping, withdrawing cash, and other purposes. Like Netspend, it also charges certain fees for global transactions so go through the fees carefully before transacting.
3. Revolut
If you live in the US, Canada, the UK, Switzerland, Australia, Singapore, or the European Economic Area (EEA), you can apply for a Revolut card. This prepaid card lets you make transactions without any fees using the interbank exchange rate in over 150 currencies. It also allows you to hold and exchange 28 currencies.
Conclusion
Can Netspend cards be used internationally? Of course, they can! You can use your Netspend prepaid card for international purchases, OTC and ATM cash withdrawals, money transfers, and ATM balance inquiries.
Also, a Netspend card is a safer way to transact when abroad. Even if you lose it or it gets stolen, you can immediately block it and protect your account and money.
However, keep in mind that there are various fees and charges involved while making foreign transactions with Netspend. Consider them carefully before proceeding.
If the associated fees are too hefty for you, you can also always choose one of the alternatives we listed above based on your needs.
