Anyone use those 'PAYG' Mastercards? The ones...

[Golden fleece]

...where you can top the card up, as and when you need to use it. What sort of fees do they charge and are they as widely accepted by retailers as normal credit cards?

Which are the best ones out there? I don't have a credit card, but now need one to book overseas car hire, so thought that this may be a good option.

Thanks in advance for all advice!

[nomisesor]

I doubt that they would accept those for car hire - they often won't take debit cards. A credit card allows them to load it up afterwards for damage, late returns, too little fuel etc. A PAYG card would probably be empty by then.

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[Scottydon]

I use a pre-pay card when I'm away for work..... I guess they don't trust me with a real credit card

Hertz in the states allowed me to book a car with the pre pay card, but wouldn't accept it when I got there. Good job I had my own credit card to use or I would have been stuck in Dulles airport for a week.

Other than that, I've never had a problem with them anywhere else, hotels, bars, restaurants and the like, either in this country, the States or Europe.

[Golden fleece]

Thanks for the input guys. Much appreciated!

[strudel]

Assuming it's a fully open card ( Like so ) it will be taken anywhere Mastercard/Visa/Amex/whatever will. Sometimes they carry a few more restrictions (Massage Parlours, Casinos) for fraud reasons. Also they can be picky with automated fuel dispensers (it's the way the transactions work in them).

[whitevanman88]

I use one from a certain utility company whom I also have my, well, utilities with. There's a charge to top up (can't remember off the top of my head), but it isn't proportional to the amount. I tend to pop a large amount on every couple of months then use it until it runs out.

If I also shop at certain stores I earn money off my utility bill - usually takes £15-£20 off a month. So worth it for me.