An Post PostFX™ prepaid MasterCard® currency card

Yggr of Asgard

RED PASSION wrote: »

paddyp wrote: »

Looks good just don't make any other currency transactions.

"Merchant transactions and ATM withdrawals in a currency other than the currency of the Card will be exchanged to the currency on the Card at an exchange rate determined by MasterCard® on the day the transaction is processed, increased by 5.75%."[/QUOTE]

What does this mean, is it if I have sterling on a card and buy something in Ireland for euros.

Yes

RED PASSION

What is the £10 sterling shortfall fee and the non-emergency cash out fee through card services £6 on this PostFX card

GavMan

Just wondering about the fact that its not personalised.

Has anybody that has used it in the States (specifically Boston, MA) had any issues in shops because their name is not on the card??

Gav

RayCarley

Haven't used this in person yet, but I tried using it online and despite me using my Irish address (which I registered the card to) as the billing address, it says that the address doesn't match the one my bank has.

Anyone have any success using the card online?

Yggr of Asgard

RayCarley wrote: »

Haven't used this in person yet, but I tried using it online and despite me using my Irish address (which I registered the card to) as the billing address, it says that the address doesn't match the one my bank has.

Anyone have any success using the card online?

I have used both £ and $ cards online both with my Irish address and a NI/US address set as temporary address respectively.

In fact the $ card is my US iTunes store card and the £ card was used for example for the Tassimo deal but also for other PM shopping.

Now I noticed that the AnPost person entered my Irish address strangely so I corrected it when I registered, so you might want to check if the address they have used is matching what you enter at the merchant exactly.

RayCarley

dublin-texas wrote: »

I have used both £ and $ cards online both with my Irish address and a NI/US address set as temporary address respectively.

In fact the $ card is my US iTunes store card and the £ card was used for example for the Tassimo deal but also for other PM shopping.

Now I noticed that the AnPost person entered my Irish address strangely so I corrected it when I registered, so you might want to check if the address they have used is matching what you enter at the merchant exactly.

Good call. I was actually trying to find out what address they had on file, when I finally noticed the little "My Profile" button on the top right when you log in. They had my address formatted very strangely, so I changed that. I tried using it again online straight away, but it didn't work because I reckon it will take like 24 hours or something for that to make it though the system.
Fingers crossed it works tomorrow now.

Marylouise10

Make sure and ask for the second card at the time you recieve the first one. It only came to my attention after I received my card that you can only get it at the same time as the original one. There is no getting it after the fact. Annoying.

3_BOoYA_X

Marylouise10 wrote: »

Make sure and ask for the second card at the time you recieve the first one. It only came to my attention after I received my card that you can only get it at the same time as the original one. There is no getting it after the fact. Annoying.

Almost same problem here. Partner stated on the form he required two, when he got home the envelope only had one. After being sent from Billy to Jack and ten employees later..... AnPost refusing to correct their clerical mistake unless we top up at least $130.. Disaster we should of never bothered. Now were stuck with one card for going away or else refund our money and get a good chunk less back.. :mad:

dani049

GavMan wrote: »

Just wondering about the fact that its not personalised.

Has anybody that has used it in the States (specifically Boston, MA) had any issues in shops because their name is not on the card??

Gav

wondering the same thing

Marylouise10

GavMan wrote: »

Just wondering about the fact that its not personalised.

Has anybody that has used it in the States (specifically Boston, MA) had any issues in shops because their name is not on the card??

Gav

I'd like to find out the answer to this also because I'm going to be travelling to Boston in two weeks and head over quite frequently. This will be the first time I use the card. It's all a bit sketchy when you think about it I hope ALL shops accept it because ill be putting most of my finds on it!

Yggr of Asgard

Marylouise10 wrote: »

I'd like to find out the answer to this also because I'm going to be travelling to Boston in two weeks and head over quite frequently. This will be the first time I use the card. It's all a bit sketchy when you think about it I hope ALL shops accept it because ill be putting most of my finds on it!

Prepaid No Name Cards are very common in the US, in fact you can buy them in most shops without even needing to show ID (unless you go over I believe 1000$) so they are used to it.

You should not have a problem unless the stores policy is to require ID for certain purchase (like Alcohol or High Value Good) which matches the credit card.

ncmc

Marylouise10 wrote: »

I'd like to find out the answer to this also because I'm going to be travelling to Boston in two weeks and head over quite frequently. This will be the first time I use the card. It's all a bit sketchy when you think about it I hope ALL shops accept it because ill be putting most of my finds on it!

Worse case scenario, you can still use it as an ATM card, so while it would be annoying, it wouldn't be the end of the world if a couple of shops didn't accept it.

I am also heading to the States in a couple of weeks. I normally take about a quarter of my money in cash and leave the rest in my bank account and take it out of an ATM as and when I need it. However, BOI are now charging 3.75% of the amount withdrawn from an ATM and 1.75% of the value of the transaction in shops and restaurants. Seems a no brainer really to get one of these cards?

I was thinking of taking a couple of hundred cash and then putting the rest on one of these cards. If I have money left over, I am reading it that you can withdraw it for free when you get home?

Also, if I get two cards, I presume they are independant of each other, in that I can use away at one and my husband could use away at another?

ncmc

Oh, I've another question, when you go in to pick up the card, do you bring your cash in your paw with you? And can you top it up using a Visa Debit card?

Yggr of Asgard

ncmc wrote: »

Also, if I get two cards, I presume they are independant of each other, in that I can use away at one and my husband could use away at another?

The second card you get free is not for usage while the first card is active. The purpose of the card is that in case you loose the first one (or it gets stolen or compromised) you have a second card handy that can access the funds you had left on the primary card.

ncmc wrote: »

Oh, I've another question, when you go in to pick up the card, do you bring your cash in your paw with you? And can you top it up using a Visa Debit card?

I used my Visa Debit Card to load mine recently, I understand both cash and debit cards (but not credit cards) are allowed by AnPost.

RED PASSION

dublin-texas wrote: »

The second card you get free is not for usage while the first card is active. The purpose of the card is that in case you loose the first one (or it gets stolen or compromised) you have a second card handy that can access the funds you had left on the primary card.

So if one card is stolen must you ring the hotline number to deactivate the first card and activate the second or what must you do.

Also when you first get the card from the Post office must you register online or is it ready to go.

Yggr of Asgard

RED PASSION wrote: »

So if one card is stolen must you ring the hotline number to deactivate the first card and activate the second or what must you do.

Also when you first get the card from the Post office must you register online or is it ready to go.

Well my understanding is that the additional card is a backup in the event that the card is lost, damaged or stolen. In the T&C this is also called out.

When you register the primary card for online management you will notice that in the management interface both card numbers are shown to you and that both cards share the same balance.

You than have the ability to suspend or report lost/stolen each card individually, so in case of emergency you report card 1 lost and have card 2 to access the funds.

Now could you in theory use both cards at the same time if both are marked as active? I guess you could, the question is if R. Raphael bank is going to notice it and block the card because it's not used in line with the T&C or they suspect fraud is something I don't know.

As to can you use the card before it's registered, sorry don't know that as I registered my cards immediately before use.

GavMan

Folks,

Did anyone have any issues registering their card online..?

Basically I got as far as a security question asking me what kind of ID I used to buy the card. I've no idea what the cashier put down but neither drivers license nor utility bill works (which is what I used to buy).

Eventually locked myself out, it tells u to call card services but when u do, there is no option relating to account management.

Any thoughts???

McP2011

GavMan wrote: »

Folks,

Did anyone have any issues registering their card online..?

Basically I got as far as a security question asking me what kind of ID I used to buy the card. I've no idea what the cashier put down but neither drivers license nor utility bill works (which is what I used to buy).

Eventually locked myself out, it tells u to call card services but when u do, there is no option relating to account management.

Any thoughts???

I locked mine out as, of the security questions answer is driving license then they said that sometimes causes issues when registering.

If you ring the number on the back of the card, when you get put through to the menu where you pick what you need, press 7, 8 or 9, and that will get you put through to a service agent, you might be on hold for a while though.

GavMan

McP2011 wrote: »

I locked mine out as, of the security questions answer is driving license then they said that sometimes causes issues when registering.

If you ring the number on the back of the card, when you get put through to the menu where you pick what you need, press 7, 8 or 9, and that will get you put through to a service agent, you might be on hold for a while though.

Thanks man.

Got it sorted by basically doing what you did and taking a punt on the options. Seems a stupid system.

How do you know what the person behind the counter puts down as ID? What they exactly put in like...

Anyway, its sorted

whisper6

paddyp wrote: »

"Merchant transactions and ATM withdrawals in a currency other than the currency of the Card will be exchanged to the currency on the Card at an exchange rate determined by MasterCard® on the day the transaction is processed, increased by 5.75%."

Has anyone used the An Post US dollar card outside of the US? Travelling to South East Asia soon (Vietnam/ Cambodia) and we need US dollars to pay for a lot of our hotels/ tours, etc.

Don't want to carry large amounts of US $ in cash, so these cards would be a great solution. Would love to hear from anyone who knows whether they will work in Vietnam or Cambodia? If so, if the price is in US $, then I presume you don't have to pay the extra 5.75% fee referred to above?

sasta le

Not sure does this help but my o2 money card wasn't accepeted in few places because of no name on it in the states

substanceg

Hi folks,

thinking of getting one of these. A

Am I correct in saying that you have to put 130 euro minimum on it for the first transaction?

Thanks

dingding

I used this in a shop in the states and is asked for the pin number. Just make sure that you have the pin number with you, it is in the envelope.

I was never asked for a pin with my visa and mastercard ever in the states and I did not think that I would ever need a pin in the states.

Yggr of Asgard

dingding wrote: »

I used this in a shop in the states and is asked for the pin number. Just make sure that you have the pin number with you, it is in the envelope.

I was never asked for a pin with my visa and mastercard ever in the states and I did not think that I would ever need a pin in the states.

Did the retailer have a CHIP machine and used your CHIP or did it come up as PIN when they swiped the magnetic strip?

Some retailers have started with CHIP/PIN machines, if it's with the magnetic strip than they read the card as a Debit Card for which they require a PIN. Sometimes you could see a display saying "debit/credit" where for credit its with signature and for debit it's PIN. It depends how the machine is configured.

substanceg wrote: »

Am I correct in saying that you have to put 130 euro minimum on it for the first transaction?

The minimum at first load is $130 or £85.

Marylouise10

davidlynchis wrote: »

First time poster to this forum so hope this is right!

Traveling to the states in a few weeks (thanks to a flight deal I saw on bargain alerts!) and as you probably know the Post office seem to give the best overall value in dollars. But they are offering a new service which gives you a Dollar or Sterling prepaid mastercard. No fees to use it at point of sale and a $2.50/£1.50 charge for withdrawing from ATM. No comission!!!The card is free, free to reload and any money left over you can get back in Euro at a pretty favourable rate! You can also get a second card linked to the same "account" for free as a back up in case you are robbed.

Seems to me to be the best deal to bring dollars/euro's over on holidays but feel free to let me know if I am missing something, seems a bit too good!?

Do NOT get this card it is a complete scam! If anything at all goes wrong there is nobody to contact. Fake email and fake number with nobody to talk to on the other line. They blocked my card and I've no way in contacting them. Do not get this card!

irishgeo

Marylouise10 wrote: »

Do NOT get this card it is a complete scam! If anything at all goes wrong there is nobody to contact. Fake email and fake number with nobody to talk to on the other line. They blocked my card and I've no way in contacting them. Do not get this card!

you ringing this number?

Country Phone number
Ireland 1800 535 564
USA 011 44 207 649 9404
UK 0207 649 9404

Yggr of Asgard

If you are in the US than dial 1 877 465 0085 (which is toll free) and they will help you, it's the Global Assistance Number for cashpassport.

Marylouise10

dublin-texas wrote: »

If you are in the US than dial 1 877 465 0085 (which is toll free) and they will help you, it's the Global Assistance Number for cashpassport.

Yes I phoned that number and they have you on the phone for 10 minutes while they talk complete garbage and they don't give an option for discussing how to unblock the card. It's like an advice line. No humans on the end of the phone, just a long string of pre recorded voices that waste your time and money.

Yggr of Asgard

Call them on +441733318982 and log a form complaint.

Marylouise10

dublin-texas wrote: »

Call them on +441733318982 and log a form complaint.

Thanks, I will do that. Is that number on the website??

Yggr of Asgard

Marylouise10 wrote: »

Thanks, I will do that. Is that number on the website??

Its buried in the complaints procedure which you can download as pdf here .

RayCarley

I remember I had to call them to get access to my online account for my card. My password wasn't working or something like that.

Anyway, the trick to get a person, instead of a recorded message, was to select the option that you've lost your card. It seemed to be the only way to actually get onto a human.

enaeknala1

Does anyone know if you can change the pin on you're card??

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

McP2011

Anyone know of any other cards similar to this? The an post sterling rate has got very high.

brian_gall85

Sterling's value has increased by about 20% over the last few months from where it was at the turn of the year.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Paddypowered

Just got one of these cards as I'm heading to the states later on in the year. Is it possible to top it up online or through the bank of ireland app as it's not easy for me to get to a post office.

irishgeo

Paddypowered wrote: »

Just got one of these cards as I'm heading to the states later on in the year. Is it possible to top it up online or through the bank of ireland app as it's not easy for me to get to a post office.

No as you need to show ID to top it up.

Yggr of Asgard

Also when topping it up at the Post Office you need the PIN of the card you are presenting next to ID.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

Golfer50

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

As someone suggested here, I took out a card in my name for my son iin the US. I kept the original and topped up for him. You must present photo ID, license or passport. I may have supplied both of these at the start so that either would be valid when topping. They are always very strict on the id, taking note of the number etc each time - even in a PO where I'm known. So in short, no, mummy can't do it unless she is the cardholder and no, you cannot top up online.

irishgeo

Revenue money laundering laws

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

CuppaCocoa

I want to get a pre-paid sterling card for a friend in the north as a present. Can I do this with the An Post card? If I give my I.d. when topping up can they use it as a different person? If not, what's the best option? It has to be a credit card as I don't want to give cash.

dingding

You can check the balance on the card at ATM's in the states. Just select balance enquiry and checking / current account.

peckerhead

lilybarlean wrote: »

I want to get a pre-paid sterling card for a friend in the north as a present. Can I do this with the An Post card? If I give my I.d. when topping up can they use it as a different person? If not, what's the best option? It has to be a credit card as I don't want to give cash.

Yep. In fact this is nearly exactly what I got two sets of cards for (1 sterling, 1 USD). The card doesn't have a name embossed on it so just leave the signature field blank and tell your friend the PIN. Retailers won't give a toss about the signature because once the purchase goes through they're paid. But they should of course use your name if they're using it to pay for something online, as it's issued to you.

Last week my 15yo used my Sterling one while visiting her sister in London and right now my 18yo is in New Jersey burning her way through the dollar balance on the other one. In both cases I hold onto the secondary card and I can check purchases/balances online and top up in the local post office if/when necessary. Safer and cheaper than giving them cash, and any of us can use it in the future. I'd say the banks here are hoping it doesn't catch on; it'd be the end of a very lucrative little business line for them... :-*

Peig Sayers

I got one of these yesterday. Put £200 onto the card and it cost me €257 :mad:. The exchange rate they were using was 0.77. There's no charge for the card and no commission (built into the exchange rate :rolleyes:) so where did the extra charge come from? Should it not have been €246? Didn't query it at the time because I though there was an extra charge somewhere but on looking at the receipt there's nothing .

Anyone any ideas?

brian_gall85

The current exchange rate is £1 = €1.256 on the markets. That would mean that £200 = €251.20, don't know where you got the €246 from.

Those rates are the market rate at present and the only way you would get close to that is by using a credit card to purchase an item in the UK. The rate you got was €1.28, which is the very least the banks would give you and you would then have to pay them commission. As you say, there is no commission with the An Post card, but like all 0% commission exchange services you get a slightly poorer rate in that case.

Peig Sayers

brian_gall85 wrote: »

The current exchange rate is £1 = €1.256 on the markets. That would mean that £200 = €251.20, don't know where you got the €246 from.

Those rates are the market rate at present and the only way you would get close to that is by using a credit card to purchase an item in the UK. The rate you got was €1.28, which is the very least the banks would give you and you would then have to pay them commission. As you say, there is no commission with the An Post card, but like all 0% commission exchange services you get a slightly poorer rate in that case.

The exchange rate quoted on the receipt was 77p. Perhaps my maths is bad but would that not make £200 = €246?