Pre-loaded credit cards?

[emilygrace]

I don't know if you all know what I'm talking about.....it's a credit card with a set amount of $$$ pre-loaded onto it and you use it until it's all spent. Sort of like a store gift card, but this is Visa, MC or Amex, etc. ANYWAY.....my stepdaughter has one that her mother gave her to use on the cruise and she was going to use it for her seapass account. Now I read in the weekend travel section of the paper that the Amex one cannot be used for onboard spending accounts on a cruise. It didn't say anything about the other ones (Visa, MC, etc.) but I'm just wondering if anyone here knows.

 

I thought of calling RCCL but I know I could get 5 different answers with 5 differents CSRs (hey, they didn't even know what the US Direct program was when my TA called them) so I thought I'd come to the experts first.

 

Has anyone had any experience with this?

 

Thanks!

[mercedesmom2002]

I certainly hope they still accept these type of credit cards. This is the only kind that we have. That way we don't have to worry about possible late fees, etc. We just load on the amount we plan to spend and then spend it until it's gone and then reload. It's great! Wish we would have had it a long time ago.

 

However, we did have this credit card (Mastercard by Access by Payday) when we sailed on the Enchantment in August of 2003. We had no problems with them accepting this card. We just had them bill against it at the end of the cruise just like any other and it was fine. Hopefully they haven't changed their policy since then as it's the only card we have or ever will have.

 

We had identity theft happen to us last year and we don't want to have any other type of card. That way we can really monitor what is loaded and spent.

 

Let me know if this kind of card will no longer work, anyone, please.....

[emilygrace]

Thanks for your response! Maybe it's only the Amex one that can't be used for onboard accounts.

 

If anyone has any other experience with these cards, please let us know!

[CruiseMark]

You CAN NOT use the American Express Travel Funds cards for your onboard account on a cruise.

 

Here it is straight from the Terms & Conditions of the card on the American Express Web site:

 

TravelFunds Cards are prepaid cards. They are not intended for use in certain industries. You are NOT permitted to use the TravelFunds Cards:

 

To reserve a rental car, or when picking up a rental car. However, at the end of a car rental, you can use your Card to pay for the rental.

 

To reserve a hotel/motel room, or when checking into a hotel/motel or other lodging establishment. However, at the end of your stay, you can use your Card to pay for your stay.

 

To pay for gasoline/petrol “at the pump” through automated terminals. However, you can use your Card to pay for gasoline by presenting the card in the station or to a service station attendant.

 

To pay for “person-to-person” internet payment products such as “Paypal”, “YahooDirect” and “C2it”.

 

To pay for telecom charges (including cellular, airplane telephones, payphones, home phone service, etc.).

 

To pay for recurring charges, such as health club memberships or subscriptions.

 

To make installment payments in the future for goods/services received in the present.

 

To pay for bail bondsmen.

 

To pay for detective agencies.

 

To pay for home repair services such as plumber, electrician, painter/decorator, etc.

 

To pay for internet electronic services including electronic mail, internet service provider, internet telecom, etc.

 

To pay for personal services such as escort agencies, introduction services, massage parlors.

 

To pay for wholesale goods.

 

To pay for on-board cruise charges.

 

To pay for gambling.

 

So , bottom line is that you CAN'T use them for your cruise. You can read the official terms and the above wording here: https://www68.americanexpress.com/bol/common/Terms&Conditions2.html

[nurseone]

why would you even want the Amex card - I'd want to be able to use it when I travel and it sure make it difficult.

[emilygrace]

Thanks for all your help. At this point I don't know what kind her mother got for her, but I'm almost positive it's NOT Amex. Thank goodness! I was just wondering if the other cards of this type were like that also, but apparently not.

[showergirl5311b]

Thanks for all your help. At this point I don't know what kind her mother got for her, but I'm almost positive it's NOT Amex. Thank goodness! I was just wondering if the other cards of this type were like that also, but apparently not.

 

 

If anyone has used any of these cards recently I would love to hear about it, this is one of the things we were also planning on doing. Any help would be great:rolleyes:

[Littleclover]

I recently called RCI and sent some funds for pre ship board credit. I used a MC that was issued by my bank which was a gift card and a $10 AMEx card that was also a gift card. They process it on the phone right then and there and confirm they are charging that amount. I then called the toll free numbers the next day on the cards and their balances are zero. Unless there is some snafu, I will have $130 of ship board credit when I start my FABULOUS vacation!

[PhoenixCruiser]

I haven't had any luck using those cards, however those are all that the malls are offering right now (at least in Arizona). My experience is that if your purchase is bigger than the amount on the card it won't work unless the organization is willing to work with you and will do a multiple charge. One for the amount on your "pre-paid" card and the remainder on your other card.

 

Of course that has only been "my" experience, I hope other's have had positive results since this seems to be the new thing!

 

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