Eclipse Prepaid MasterCard with Credit Repair Review

Product Snapshot
The eclipse prepaid MasterCard® is a Chip and PIN secured, payment card that operates similar to a pay as you go phone – load the amount of money that you need and its then ready for use. It‘s not linked to your bank account and neither does it offer credit. You can never get into debt with your eclipse prepaid MasterCard so no risk of overdraft charges or interest payments, simply load and spend. The ideal budgeting tool.

You can use your eclipse prepaid MasterCard anywhere that accepts MasterCard cards. That's at over 28 million retail outlets and over 1 million ATMs worldwide! You can use it to shop securely on the Internet, over the phone, by mail order, or to withdraw cash at ATMs, at home in the UK and abroad. Anywhere that displays the MasterCard Acceptance Mark.

The eclipse card team provide a high quality of service and so all clients are treated with the utmost importance. Eclipse card provide customers prepaid card accounts with access to a nationwide network of over 34,000 high street top up locations; online account management and comprehensive customer service with the promise of experience and expertise.

The eclipse prepaid MasterCard is a product offered by CrewCard Network Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hertford International Group Plc.

The Good
So much good but the best features would be the ease of application, ease of usage and the ability to switch tariff's (once every 4 months). A smashing iconic design that sits comfortably in all pockets. Essentially, a prepaid card that is fantastic in so many different ways but the soon to be unveiled Credit Repair feature is sure to be the icing on the cake.

The Not so Good
For a GBP card, the 1.5% FX surcharge rate is pretty competitive but the eclipse team are working on adding more features and functionality for usage abroad and we wouldn't be surprised to see EURO and USD cards being added to the eclipse card portfolio in the future.

Application Process
The application process couldn't be simpler. You can order an eclipse prepaid card from the eclipse prepaid MasterCard website using a simple 4 step application process.

• Apply online - if you have the right to reside in the UK, you can apply online. Simply go to the eclipse prepaid card website, add in your personal details such as name and age, select whether you want a pay monthly or pay as you go card, agree to the T&C's and make your card payment. Various payment options make the process even more convenient.

That's it - no if's or but's and your eclipse prepaid MasterCard is on its way to you and should be with you in the next 7-10 days. There isn't a simpler application process online.

Features

• FREE load & Spend options.
• Guaranteed acceptance.
• Low Fees and different tariff options - Pay Monthly (PM) and Pay As You Go (PAYG).
  

Fees
There are two pricing plans to choose from - Pay As You Go (PAYG) and Pay Monthly (PM).

eclipse Pay Monthly:

• Card Issue Fee - £8.95 inclusive of activation fee.
• Monthly Fee - £4.45.
• Transaction Fee UK - Free.
• ATM Withdrawal Fee UK - £1.50.
• Reload Fee - £0.75 by debit card and Free at Post Office or via bank transfer.

eclipse Pay As You Go:

• Card Issue Fee - £8.95 inclusive of activation fee.
• Monthly Fee - Free.
• Transaction Fee UK - £0.75.
• ATM Withdrawal Fee UK - £1.50.
• Reload Fee - £0.75 by debit card and Free at Post Office or via bank transfer.

Choose the price plan that is right for you. For a complete fee structure listing, review the terms and conditions on the eclipse prepaid MasterCard Website

Online Account Management and Self Servicing
Customer has access to both personal online account & IVR facility.

Online account management tool includes the ability to

• Top up Account.
• Review Statement (Cleared & Pending transactions).
• Edit Personal Details.
• Add additional cardholder (upto 4 additional cardholders @£4.95 each).
• Register Lost or Stolen Information.
• Review Terms & Conditions.
• Switch Card Tariff's between PAYG and PM.

IVR options include:

• Balance enquiry.
• Card Activation & PIN Reveal.
• Lost & Stolen.
• PIN Reminder.
• Customer Services.
  
  

Using Abroad
The eclipse prepaid card is MasterCard branded which means that you can use it at over 28 million merchants worldwide as well as to withdraw cash at over 1 million ATM's worldwide.

However, only a GBP card is available which means that there is a transaction fee chargeable for usage abroad. This is currently a 1.5% surcharge on top of whatever fee would be payable for domestic transactions which is extremely competitive for GBP cards but there are EURO/USD cards which may work better for usage abroad. So using your eclipse GBP card in non-GBP territories has to be managed carefully and wisely.

Reload Options
Funds can be loaded on to your eclipse Prepaid MasterCard in a number of ways:

• Using Cash at any Post Office outlet - Free.
• Using Cash at any PayPoint outlet - 2.95% of load amount.
• Bank account transfer - Free.
• Wage Transfer - Free.
• Debit Card Online - £0.75.
• Credit Card Online - £0.49 + 2.5% of load amount.
• Use a 360money Top-up pack* - Fees vary be retailer.

*Top-up packs are available from various high street outlets such as Debenhams, WH Smiths, Clintons, Shell garages amongst various other.

Simply find the reload option that suits your wallet best.

Customer Service
If you need assistance, you can contact the eclipse prepaid MasterCard Customer Services by telephoning UK 0845 520 0025 between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm on Monday to Friday, or by writing to Customer Services at Eclipse Card, PO BOX 3371, SWINDON, SN5 7WJ.

• By Email:customerservices@eclipsecard.co.uk.
• By Telephone : 0907 147 0800 - £1.00 per minute (avoid if possible).
• IVR: +44 (0)845 520 0025 - FREE local rate.
• Lost and Stolen: +44 (0)845 520 0025 - FREE local rate.

Complaints Procedure
All complaints should be sent via email to: customerservices@eclipsecard.co.uk. The eclipse prepaid card team aim to to resolve all complaints within 48 hours depending on scope.

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
A card to watch out for in 2009 and beyond