Green Dot is a prepaid debit card that you can purchase online or in retail stores. We rated it well for its flexibility with fees and other charges but found it lacking in some features. This card is available in both VISA and Mastercard and can be used wherever those cards are accepted. This is a prepaid card, and not one of the best credit cards.
Green Dot debit cards: What you need to know
As with most of the reloadable prepaid debit cards we reviewed, Green Dot charges you a monthly fee to use the card. It waives the fee if you add a certain amount to your account or make a certain number of transactions each month.
ATM fees are common with prepaid debit cards. Green Dot has a large ATM network, with over 22,000 participating ATMs that are free to use for Green Dot cardholders. There is still a fee for out of network ATMs, and you are charged for using an ATM to look up your balance and to convert foreign purchases.
Green Dot debit cards: Membership features
When you sign up for your Green Dot card, you can elect to sign up for a VIP Membership. This will require another monthly fee in addition to the standard fee. Benefits of VIP Membership include free access to out-of-network ATMs, priority customer service and expedited delivery of replacement cards.
Green Dot doesn’t require a credit check to sign up. This card has no impact on your credit. You can monitor you transactions and receive updates through text alerts, the Green Dot website or a smartphone app. You can also use your Green Dot account to pay your bills online.
This card has many options for adding funds to your account. In addition to direct deposit and bank transfers, you can also add money at the register of participating retailers. You can also reload by check at Walmart.
There are different maximum balances on your card depending on if you add funds by cash or by direct deposit. There is also a maximum daily ATM withdrawal limit that is on the lower side of all the cards we reviewed.
Should you get a Green Dot debit card?
Green Dot is a prepaid debit card that ranks strongly for the fees and charges it offers. It has a large network of ATMs that you can use for free. The monthly fee is also waived if you meet certain deposit or transaction thresholds. This card however, doesn't have a savings account or other features that stronger cards have.
