Optimum Prepaid Card Review

2 different tariffs and part of the 360money network providing ease of purchase, loading and use

Pay Monthly

^£9.95

Issue Fee

Monthly Fee £4.95

UK POS £0.00

UK ATM £1.50

FX FEE 2.95%

INTL POS£0.00

INTL ATM £1.50

LOAD Free via Post Office and Bank Transfer, 3% via PayPoint

Pay As You Go

^£9.95

Issue Fee

Monthly Fee £0.00

UK POS 2.95%

UK ATM £1.50

FX FEE 3.95%

INTL POS 2.95%

INTL ATM £1.50

LOAD Free via Post Office and Bank Transfer, 3% via PayPoint

Note: You can pay for the Optimum Prepaid Card via SMS but will incur an additional £2.50 for SMS payments.

360money Network

The Optimum Prepaid Card is part of the 360money network and users benefit from free text alerts, friendly customer service and the convenience and ease of application, top-up and usage.

Visit the Optimum Website to find out more.

Product Snapshot
The Good
The Not so Good
Rating

Bought to you by 360money, the Optimum prepaid card provides safety online, and a smart option as your bank details are not linked to the card, making it useless to fraudsters. The Optimum card is flexible with two tariff structures you can switch between to suit you (pay monthly or pay as you go). Optimum is stylish as well as your Optimum prepaid card says it all so you don’t have to. Optimum is versatile and you can use it at home or abroad, online or offline, with complete security and peace of mind.

Best of all the Optimum prepaid card is all encompassing; you can control your account online and take advantage of the new SMS services to ensure you always know what’s going on with your money – anywhere, anytime. Optimum provides true accessibility: It is available online or on the shelves at some of Britain’s best known retailers.

Ease of application, spanking new design and two excellent pricing plans to choose from; the Optimum prepaid card is truly excellent. The free text alerts and friendly customer service are great too. Being part of the 360money network, it is hard to beat Optimum for convenience and ease of application, top-up and usage.

With two excellent price plans, it is difficult to identify the not so good with this card. However, the card is available in GBP only and hence is not the friendliest card for travel abroad but we are being picky here and the Optimum prepaid card is pretty close to being one of the best general spend prepaid cards in the UK market currently.

Optimum Prepaid Card
Reviewed by Prepaid365 on 1st September, 2009.
Flexible and versatile general spend prepaid card!
2 different tariffs and part of the 360money network providing ease of purchase, loading and use.
Rating: 4

Application Process

Part of the 360money network, applying for your optimum prepaid card is super easy and by far the best application options in the market. The Optimum 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 the Optimum prepaid card team 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 an Optimum Prepaid Card Starter Pack at various high street outlets such as WH Smiths, Clintons, Shell garages amongst various other.

You can pay for your Optimum prepaid card 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 from the 360money network. The text message option costs an additional £2.50.

Card Features

Ease of application: No credit check, just need a valid UK address
Two excellent pricing plans to choose from – Pay As You Go or Pay Monthly
Great card design – sits well in your pocket.

Card Design

At this stage, there is only one card design available but it is an excellent one indeed which sits nicely in the wallet.

Card Fees

There are two pricing plans to choose from and the fee structure varies accordingly.

Optimum Pay Monthly

Card Issue Fee – £9.95
Monthly Fee – £4.95
Transaction Fee UK – Free
ATM Withdrawal Fee UK – £1.50
Reload Fee – Free via Post Office and Bank Transfer, 3% via PayPoint

Optimum Pay As You Go

Card Issue Fee – £9.95
Monthly Fee – Free
Transaction Fee UK – 2.95%
ATM Withdrawal Fee UK – £1.50
Reload Fee – Free via Post Office and Bank Transfer, 3% via PayPoint

Choose the price plan that is right for you. For a complete listing of the fee structures and the advantages of using one price plan over the other, see the Optimum prepaid card “terms and conditions” on the Optimum Prepaid Card Website.

Account Management

You can service your account on the 360money Optimum prepaid Card website or via an interactive voice response facility. You can also use your mobile phone to manage your prepaid card account. The Optimum prepaid card team 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 Optimum prepaid card is Mastercard branded. Hence, it means you can use it at around 26.7 million merchants worldwide and also 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. So you will pay a surcharge (which varies between 2.95%-3.95% depending on your price plan) on top of the merchant fee when using abroad and a further 1% on ATM withdrawals. Essentially, the Optimum prepaid card has the functionality and convenience but can end up being expensive for usage abroad.

Reload Options

Funds can be loaded on to your 360money Optimum Prepaid Mastercard 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 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 Services

There are a number of ways you can get in touch with the 360money Optimum 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 are charged at standard network rates whilst email is free.

Complaints Procedure

Complaints regarding any element of the service provided by the 360money Optimum 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

An excellent general spend prepaid card – watch this space!

Overall Rating

Flexible and versatile general spend prepaid card! Beautifully designed too!

Get the Optimum Prepaid Card now

Optimum Prepaid Card Review was last modified: December 24th, 2014 by Prepaid365

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What Optimum Cardholders say...

“
I congratulate you for the excellent service that you have provided me.
Nicola S., Italy
“
Many thanks for that. Excellent customer service!
Sean B., UK
“
It was really super. We used them in taxis, hotels, shops, airports. Really convenient.
Malachy O., Ireland
“
I found out about ukash through the money saving expert websitevand it is truly great for when travelling in Europe. I got the euro pre-paid travel mastercard, which you get for free and no charge for delivery. It says on the website 5-7 days for delivery and I got mine in 5 days exactly. So simple to register the card and you get the PIN immediately via text, so you can use straight away. You use it just like you would your own card but no charges for using abroad and was by far the best rate I could find when I was topping it up with euros. Easy to top up and view your balance using an online account and secure as anytime an important transaction was made you get an email. Couldn't recommend this any more!!
Emma
“
I decided to get a Ukash card as my son was off to the USA on a school trip and I didn't want him taking money or travellers' cheques. It tuned out to be a great decision as he lost cash but fortunately not the card so he still had a good time.
Richard
“
Having read the positive reviews about the Ukash Travel Money Card, I decided to give it a go and I am now very happy I did. The exchange rates are fantastic and good value for money. The website was very simple to use and I got my card within 5 days. I will tell all my family and friends about Ukash.
Joy
“
Not usually one to leave reviews, however this product was really useful. Used it to exchange some Euros for a short trip and was cheaper than the airport. Also didnt incur any charges while out there.
Ben Gough
“
Trouble free, decent telephone support. Have used the card without problems.
James Cummins
“
Been using them for some time now and I've been pretty happy with the transaction process thus far. Some ecommerce store only accept them instead of Paypal especially stores from the Asia region. Verification can take some time but since it's for our own protection, I guess it's acceptable.
James Darronte
“
Have been using for a month to pay online stores that do not accept paypal. Fairly good security/verification processes leave me feeling confident my finances are secure.
Mark Hewetson
“
So far it was the best and easiest way for me to make online transactions and payments. I ditched paypal and alertpay, cause there were too much hustle and online policies, which ruined online shopping, at least for me.
Bosica
“
I've used the T24 BlackCard for about two years now, and I recommend it to friends and clients whenever I can. It's easy to use and they've got extremely forthcoming and personal service. My firm has chosen to implement the card as part of our partner packages as the obvious way of managing our payrolls and travel expenses.
Michael Philips
“
My experience using T24 BlackCard could not be better. It is secure, worldwide accepted and high available. But what is exceptional is the support provided by the T24 Black Card Team. I feel myself a premium customer. I recommend it.
Christoph Schulz
“
I chose Pockit because it is easy and safe to use both online and in-store, since you can only spend what is available on the card you can really manage your money. The cashback offers are an additional benefit!
Maurice, Kilmarnock
“
We use the Pockit Prepaid Card for all our household expenses as it is easy to keep track of what is being spent. We try and use it at participating retailers as much as possible so we save on a weekly basis
Vaneesha, London
“
The card works great, I’ve mainly been using it for the cashback deals, I buy as much as I can from M&S instead of other places. I have found it so easy to setup and use. I remind myself of where I can save by looking on the website every so often
Meheen, London
“
Just wanted to say what a fab idea this is, I can now have the convenience of using a card when I have funds – it’s brilliant. Thank you.
Janice, Worcester
“
I really like my Pockit card, it rewards me for doing my shopping at places like M&S and Halfords
Sue, Chichester
“
Great features, looks and feels great to use compared to most banking apps
Brian Crook
“
Easy to use. Easy to transfer funds from my bank to the card. Notifications are good. All round good app. Thanks.
Adrian Stainton
“
Really quick to use - I can load my card in the queue for train tickets!! It makes keeping track of my spending dead simple.
Anon
“
Downloaded the app, added a card and loaded money all in one breath... no hassle. Even logged in online to make sure everything was ok... and it was! As a frequent Orange Cash user this app is PERFECT.
Marie Davis
“
Being an Orange card heavy user this app is a god send! Very simple and easy to use...immediate money upload too. Just what this excellent card needed to compliment it.
Peter Butterworth
“
So far so good! Easy to access my account on line, or check the balance at the ATM ecept the nearest local one which is visa and link only! Able to add standing orders to companies at my convienience, make transferrs or use the card as a debit card. Follow up has also been good with a couple of calls to make sure I'm happy with the service and am able to gain access without problems. Much more helpful than my previous TSB bank who I'd been with from childhood....I'm now 55. I've never done internet Banking til I started with Clearcash... They made the transition so easy.
Anon
“
I have had troubles in getting a bank in the high street, and going through troubles with my debt i was left in disarray with my finances! i found that no high street would touch me with my awful credit rating.. yet when i stumbled upon Clearcash i found it was the thing i was waiting sooo long for! they gave me instant approval and no credit checks, i now have my very little salary paid in (lol) and have child benefits etc put in.. very happy with all at clearcash! best thing is they have an account called Pay monthly, this is helping my credit rating get boosted :) yaaay! 10/10
Joethedon1958
“
I have had a ClearCash card for a few years now and recently received an email saying they are changing the service. They are now utilising Cashplus who are quite a large outfit but the card is still ClearCash. Simple process to transfer and ClearCash call centre there to help. Cashplus customer service wasnt as good - but answered my queries. Got lots of confidence with ClearCash, unlike others, they listen to your feedback! Now got my own account number and sort code which is really helpful too!
Gregor123
“
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