NetSpend cards are prepaid debit cards that allow cardholders to make purchases as they would using traditional debit or credit cards. NetSpend cards can be used internationally, and they are accepted at any location that accepts a debit Visa or MasterCard.
Using Your NetSpend Debit Card Internationally
NetSpend debit cards can be used at millions of locations worldwide. Prepaid debit cards are often a wise decision for international travel. If a prepaid debit card is stolen or comprised, the account owner can call customer service immediately to deactivate the card.
However, NetSpend debit cards do not include the newer technology being added to most credit cards, such as the chip-and-signature feature. Most European credit card terminals have been converting to this technology to reduce theft and fraud. Also, there are no NetSpend reload locations outside the United States.
NetSpend accounts offer several fee plans, with the most common being the pay-as-you-go plan. This charges the account holder $1 on every credit charge, $2 on every debit charge and $2.50 for domestic ATM withdrawals. NetSpend also offers a flat monthly fee option in lieu of the individual transaction fees.
There are several additional fees involved with using the card internationally. When buying standard items or services overseas, the foreign transaction fee is 3.5% of the U.S. dollar amount of the purchase transaction. When withdrawing from an international ATM, there is a charge of $4.95 per withdrawal, in addition to the ATM’s own transaction fee.