Alternatives to 3v

Danger781

Hey I'm just wondering what are the alternatives to a 3V card? Although it is a handy system, I don't like getting a new visa number every time. I don't understand why you can't just top up the physical card and use that...

So far I have found:
-Payzone http://www.payzonemoney.ie/ - This has the advantage of getting a physical card, but there is far too many annoying charges..

-Wirecard http://www.mywirecard.com/en/Home.html - I'm not sure about this one.. Haven't heard much about it. Also gives a physical card.

-Ryanair http://www.ryanairprepay.com - Costs €85, no thanks.

mehmeh12

Correct me if im wrong but dont all of the above charge you ridiculous rates for things like buying credit and also when you use the card to buy things?

Why not just get a real credit card instead?

Danger781

mehmeh12 wrote: »

Correct me if im wrong but dont all of the above charge you ridiculous rates for things like buying credit and also when you use the card to buy things?

Why not just get a real credit card instead?

Because I don't trust myself with a real credit card.. and no 3V doesn't charge much really. Just costs money to buy the voucher. It's free to purchase a €20 voucher. €2.50 for €30-€100. €5 for vouchers up to €350.

I Drink It Up!

Hi

@ OP, can you please give me an example of the ridiculous fees that need to be paid using the prepaid VISA from payzone?

Thanks.

The Lovely Muffin

What about a Visa Debit Card? According to the leaflet for it, it has the same level of protection as a Visa Credit Card.

I know you can get them in Ulster Bank (it's where I got mine), but I don't know about other banks in R.O.I that have them, sorry.

Danger781

Regarding payzone,

Loading your card
Loading Amount --> Fee
€10 - €350 = €3.50
€351 - €500 = €5.95

Shopping with your card
Transaction Type + Fee
Online = 2.95% of purchase value
Instore = 2.95% of purchase value
Phone = 2.95% of purchase value

Others
-ATM withdrawal charge: €1.50
-If your account is inactive for over 3 months you will be charged a fee of €3.50 for every month it is inactive. (This will not apply to your account if there are no funds available.)

Purple_Bobbin wrote: »

What about a Visa Debit Card? According to the leaflet for it, it has the same level of protection as a Visa Credit Card.

I know you can get them in Ulster Bank (it's where I got mine), but I don't know about other banks in R.O.I that have them, sorry.

Visa debit card? Is that pretty much a laser card? Can you use it online?

The Lovely Muffin

Danger781 wrote: »

Visa debit card? Is that pretty much a laser card? Can you use it online?

It is like a laser card, except a Visa Debit Card is accepted everywhere a Visa Credit Card is accepted.Yes, you can use it online.

Danger781

Purple_Bobbin wrote: »

It is like a laser card, except a Visa Debit Card is accepted everywhere a Visa Credit Card is accepted.Yes, you can use it online.

I wish my bank had those..

wanrek

I have been using 3v for nearly 5 years now. Compared to the other available options it is far better in terms of chargers. I would recommend to anybody that is interested in buying items online.

havetoquit

Sorry I can't suggest an alternative, but I guess most of us who use 3V feel the system is safer, as the numbers are pretty useless to anyone who might hack in, as basically there are no bank details and therefore nothing they can steal. Also I tend only to buy exactly the amount of credit required for the item and this alone is a good way of keeping control of spending.

Miaireland

Permanent TSB are introducing Visa Debit cards in the next few months. It might be worth opening an account there.

Danger781

Miaireland wrote: »

Permanent TSB are introducing Visa Debit cards in the next few months. It might be worth opening an account there.

I'm currently with BOI simply for convenience. They have a branch just up the road from me so it is handy for withdrawing money etc.

But yeah I might take a look at those visa debit cards! They sound very useful. What would the interest be on one of those? Similar to credit cards?

The Lovely Muffin

Danger781 wrote: »

I'm currently with BOI simply for convenience. They have a branch just up the road from me so it is handy for withdrawing money etc.

But yeah I might take a look at those visa debit cards! They sound very useful. What would the interest be on one of those? Similar to credit cards?

AFAIK, there is no interest on debit cards (Visa or otherwise).

With a debit card, the money comes straight from your bank account rather than you getting a bill each month from visa/bank saying you owe XXX amount. With a credit card, anything you spend you have to pay back and if you miss/make a late payment, then you have to pay interest, I have no idea how much interest though, I guess it would depend on the card you have and the bank your with.

logic

My halifax card is up now mid june so I'm gonna be looking at a Visa debit card as a replacement. Seems like the best option for a credit card replacement with out getting the "loan" part. I think though Ulster Bank are the only ones who do these at the moment.

sp1ky

I use moneybooker's mastercard. You can upload to moneybookers using your laser card then pay with their card. To get fully setup and qualified you have to mail them your passport and proof of address though.

https://www.moneybookers.com/

With the Moneybookers MasterCard® prepaid card, you have instant access to the funds on your Moneybookers account - anytime, anywhere. You can choose between 4 currencies (EUR, USD, GBP and PLN) and with the card you can:

* Withdraw cash at over 1.5 million ATM's worldwide
* Shop online and pay at over 28.5 million stores or restaurants
* Use your card everywhere MasterCard is accepted


On top of this you benefit from:

* No credit checks, tie-ins or monthly fees
* No overdraft or late payment fees
* No debt - spend only what you can afford

MB MasterCard


The card is directly linked to the funds on your Moneybookers account, just like a debit card is linked to your bank account. Our card is ideal if you don't want a credit card, or can't get one because you don't have a bank account or your credit rating isn't strong enough.

Furthermore, it gives you instant access to the money you receive in your Moneybookers account, eliminating the step of having to transfer money from your Moneybookers account to your bank account - so no more waiting for bank withdrawals!

Steve30x

I am also looking for an alternative for 3V. I have a 3V card with four years but I am stuck now because there isnt one shop in this town that will top up the card for me anymore. I am stuck with a useless piece of plastic that I can not use anymore.

I wanted to buy a wall bracket for my TV off ebay last week and every place that is listed on the 3V website dont do the card anymore and every place I knew that done the card before dont do 3V cards so I need an alternative.

fez22

Do you need the physical moneybookers card to book ryanair flights? if so, how long does it take for the card to come and be activated?