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Splash Plastic Prepaid Maestro Card Review
Date Reviewed: 26th September, 2008
Product Snapshot
Wherever you see Maestro you know that you can use your Splash Plastic card. That’s pretty much everywhere on the High Street – from shops and restaurants to cinemas, pubs and supermarkets because Maestro® is accepted at over 7 million locations worldwide. This means you can use your Splash Plastic card in the UK and across the world.
With your unique PIN number, you know your money is safe too. As online shopping grows faster than ever, Splash Plastic lets you enjoy the best on-line deals without having to leave home!
Perhaps best of all, Splash Plastic means you can’t get into debt; Now thats one way to beat the credit crunch!
The Good When the guys at Splash Plastic say it is easy to get a Splash Plastic card, they mean it. There are none of the cumbersome procedures involved like some of the other prepaid card providers. So if you have just stepped into the country, don't have a bank or credit history, or have CCJ's or basically have no account history of any kind, Splash Plastic will still be there for you. The free text alerts and friendly customer service are great too. Being part of the 360money network, it is hard to beat Splash Plastic for convenience and ease of application, top-up and usage.
The Not so Good Splash Plastic is a Maestro Card as opposed to a MasterCard so you have fewer ATM's and merchants where you can use the card especially in the developing world. There are other cards which have lower transaction fees.
Key Features
Maestro Acceptance
34,000+ top-up locations
Chip & PIN Security
Application Process Unfortunately, we only have 5 stars to allocate but the application process for Splash Plastic is the best in the market. The Splash Plastic application process is excellent and you can make an application online or by purchasing a starter pack.
Apply online - if you have the right to reside in the UK. You can apply online. All Splash Plastic need are a few personal details and your address and you are good to go. Your card will arrive within 2 weeks.
Buy a Starter Pack - You can purchase a Splash Plastic Starter Pack at various high street outlets such as WH Smiths, Clintons, Shell garages amongst various other.
You can pay for your Splash Plastic application via text message, using a PayPoint e-voucher, with a credit or debit card or using the 8 digit code provided in your starter pack. Choices aplenty.
Card Features
Ease of application: No credit check, just need a valid UK address
One of the cheapest PAYG cards available
Text alerts available to let you know when you are running low on funds
Card Design At this stage, Splash Plastic is only available in one card design available in two colours. There is a funky pink card available for the ladies (or the boys if they fancy one) and an elegant black card which sits nicely in the wallet.
Reload Fee - Free via Bank Transfer, 3% via Post Office and PayPoint
Online Account Management and Self Servicing You can service your Splash Plastic account on the 360money Splash Plastic prepaid Card website or via an interactive voice response facility. You can also use your mobile phone to manage your prepaid card account. Splash Plastic will send you free SMS alerts whenever your balance is below a minimum balance set by you. You can view your balance, recent transactions and change your personal details.
Using Abroad The 360money Splash Plastic prepaid card is Maestro branded. Hence, it means you can use it at around 7 million merchants worldwide and also withdraw cash at over 1 million ATM's worldwide. However, only a GBP Splash Plastic card is available which means that there is a transaction fee chargeable. So you will pay a 2.5% surcharge on top of the merchant fee when using abroad and a further 1% on ATM withdrawals. Splash Plastic has the functionality and convenience but using abroad can be expensive.
Reload Options Funds can be loaded on to your 360money Splash Plastic Prepaid Card in a number of ways:
Using Cash at any PayPoint outlet - 3% of load amount
Using Cash at any Post Office outlet - 3% of load amount
Bank account transfer - Free
Wage Transfer - Free
Internet Debit/Credit Card Top-up - 2.5% of load amount
Cheque - Free
Other 360money Network locations - fees vary
Use a Top-up pack* - £0.99
*Top-up packs for your Splash Plastic Prepaid Card are available from various high street outlets such as Debenhams, WH Smiths, Clintons, Shell garages amongst various other.
Quite a vast array of options exist. Just find the one that works best for you.
Customer Service There are a number of ways you can get in touch with the 360money Splash Plastic prepaid card Customer Services team.
By Post - 360money, PO BOX 3371, Swindon, SN5 7WJ
By Email: customerservices@360money.com
Lost and Stolen Cards: +44 (0)845 4700145
*Calls to the Splash Plastic team are charged at standard network rates whilst email is free
Complaints Procedure Complaints regarding any element of the service provided by the 360money prepaid card programme should be sent in writing or by email to Customer Services.
Any complaints you have will be dealt with quickly and fairly. You may be able to take unresolved complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service at South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR. Telephone: 0845 080 1800 or +44 (0)20 7964 1000 (for calls from outside the UK) and e-mail:enquiries@financial-ombudsman.org.uk
Awards Splash Plastic is an established market leading product and we expect to have various awards to talk about shortly.
Overall Card rating
Excellent for convenience, usage and value - the original prepaid card!
