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AccountNow® Vantage Prepaid MasterCard® Review
Issued by MetaBank
  
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Overall Rating:
Benefit Rating:
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The AccountNow® Vantage Prepaid MasterCard®, issued by MetaBank, is a stored value card designed for those who may have difficulty in obtaining a standard unsecured credit card.
Although the card does not require a banking account to be opened, it does require payments in advance, which are then used to offset future purchases made with the card.
Advance payments can be funded directly from the cardholder's paycheck and automatically loaded to the card every pay period. The card can also be loaded by wiring money from an established bank account or through MoneyGram® ExpressPayment®.
It is important to note that there are some fees associated with this card that include an account set up fee of $9.95 (waived with direct deposit loads) and a monthly participation fee of $9.95, which amounts to $119.40 annually. There is no additional charge for U.S. purchases. So, in the first year alone, a cardholder can expect to pay a minimum total of $129.35 in fees.
It is common for stored value cards to lack benefits; however, this card does offer a free bill pay service (for the first seven transactions each month) and access to a free credit builder service, which reports bill payment information to a national credit reporting agency.
Therefore, those who are looking for a stored value card with flexibility to pay in advance for purchases, do not mind paying upfront fees, and would like the opportunity to participate in the credit builder service will find the AccountNow® Vantage Prepaid MasterCard® to be a beneficial option.
This card offers cardholders their choice of two unique plans, which differ in terms of the fees and the services that are offered, so cardholders should review the terms and conditions before applying to see which plan will fit their needs the most (the current card review reflects the premium plan).
Although the card does not require a banking account to be opened, it does require payments in advance, which are then used to offset future purchases made with the card.
Advance payments can be funded directly from the cardholder's paycheck and automatically loaded to the card every pay period. The card can also be loaded by wiring money from an established bank account or through MoneyGram® ExpressPayment®.
It is important to note that there are some fees associated with this card that include an account set up fee of $9.95 (waived with direct deposit loads) and a monthly participation fee of $9.95, which amounts to $119.40 annually. There is no additional charge for U.S. purchases. So, in the first year alone, a cardholder can expect to pay a minimum total of $129.35 in fees.
It is common for stored value cards to lack benefits; however, this card does offer a free bill pay service (for the first seven transactions each month) and access to a free credit builder service, which reports bill payment information to a national credit reporting agency.
Therefore, those who are looking for a stored value card with flexibility to pay in advance for purchases, do not mind paying upfront fees, and would like the opportunity to participate in the credit builder service will find the AccountNow® Vantage Prepaid MasterCard® to be a beneficial option.
This card offers cardholders their choice of two unique plans, which differ in terms of the fees and the services that are offered, so cardholders should review the terms and conditions before applying to see which plan will fit their needs the most (the current card review reflects the premium plan).
Review Date: September 02, 2008
Note: The review on this card was updated on September 02, 2008. The review is believed to be accurate during the update, however, information posted may have changed since the update. We strongly suggest that you carefully read the Terms and Conditions statement that accompanies the credit card application.
| Credit Card Rate Details | |
Intro Rate (Intro APR):
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No Introductory Rate Available |
| Credit Card Fee Details | |
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Annual Fee:
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$0 |
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Annual Fee Details:
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**No additional cardholders allowed on this card. |
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Over the Limit Fee:
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$29 |
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Cash Advance Fee:
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$2 U.S. ATM transaction fee (1 free cash withdrawal per month); $4.95 bank teller cash advance and international ATM transaction fee |
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Application Fee:
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$9.95** |
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Participation Fee:
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$119.40 ($9.95 monthly) |
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Reload Fee:
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$0 (except for bank wires) |
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InActive Fee:
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$0 |
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Total First Year Fees:
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$129.35 |
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Maximum Credit Limit:
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$10,000 |
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Minimum Deposit:
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$10 |
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Maximum Deposit:
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$6,950 |
| Features | |
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Most Attractive Feature(s):
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| Access to free credit builder program. | |
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Least Attractive Feature(s):
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| Application fee; monthly maintenance fee; transaction fee. | |
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Additional Features:
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| Access to free credit builder program. Free bill pay service for the first seven transactions per month. No liability for unauthorized transactions. See website for additional benefits. |
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Important Notations
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| This card offers cardholders their choice of two unique plans, which differ in terms of the fees and the services that are offered, so cardholders should review the terms and conditions before applying to see which plan will fit their needs the most (the current card review reflects the premium plan). **The account set up fee of $9.95 is waived with direct deposit loads. The direct deposit limit plus the cash deposit limit is the maximum deposit. There is no transaction fee for U.S. purchases. $1 fee for ATM balance inquiries. $1 fee for international purchases. No credit checks or turn downs. No employment verifications. Must be at least 18 and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. See website for complete terms and conditions of card usage and application disclosure. | |
