Advantages of Using a WU Prepaid Card

Money By Christine Wardlaw November 10, 2016

 7 reasons to use Western Union’s Prepaid Visa® Card

With the Western Union Prepaid Visa Card, you can shop anywhere Visa is accepted1, pay bills, and receive Western Union money transfers. Western Union has been connecting people and businesses worldwide by providing swift, reliable, and convenient ways to move money for more than 170 years.

Want to learn more? Let’s explore the top seven reasons to use this Western Union card.

1. There are no late fees*, minimum balances, or interest payments to worry about

The Western Union prepaid card isn’t a credit card, so you’ll never have to worry about paying interest or late fees. Plus, you don’t need to maintain a minimum balance to keep your account open.

You can also track your spending online. This makes it easy to create a budget and take control of your cash flow.

2. Reloading is easy

There are several flexible ways to reload your prepaid card, including:

  1. Setting up direct deposit of your paycheck, government benefits (such as Social Security, SSI, or SSDI), or other regular payments
  2. Receiving Western Union money transfers
  3. Transferring money from your bank
  4. Visiting a Western Union location

Keep reading to see more reloadable debit card features.

 3. Get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit

Your Western Union card can help you access your money quickly. Enroll in direct deposit for your paychecks or government payments (including federal tax refunds), and your funds can arrive up to two days faster2.

Then, if needed, you can transfer money from your prepaid card to your bank account. The process is easy, and you can move your money in a few quick steps.

4. No credit checks necessary

Since the Western Union Prepaid Visa Card isn’t a credit card, you don’t need a credit check to open an account. Getting started is simple and easy. You can set up your card in just a few minutes.

5. A Western Union prepaid card can be added to Apple Pay and Google Wallet for enhanced security and simplified payments

You can use your phone to pay by adding your Western Union prepaid card to your Apple Pay or Google Wallet. Here’s how to add your prepaid card to a mobile wallet:

  1. Open your mobile wallet app.
  2. Click the button to add a new card.
  3. Follow the on-screen prompts.

Once you’ve completed the process, you can shop online or in stores that accept contactless payments.

 6. You can use your card to pay bills and get money from ATMs

Your Western Union prepaid card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted1. You can use it to:

  • Pay bills (such as rent, utilities, and insurance premiums)
  • Buy gas
  • Buy groceries
  • Shop in-store or online
  • Withdraw money at an ATM

When shopping in person, you can swipe, insert, or tap your card to pay.

7. Sending and receiving international money transfers is seamless

Is it your birthday? Are you in a financial pinch? Your card can receive a Western Union money transfer from friends and family around the globe in minutes.

You can also send money to over 200 countries and territories without having to stand in line at a nearby Western Union location. With your Western Union prepaid card, you can transfer funds to family and friends directly from the Western Union® app.

Take control and manage your money

The Western Union prepaid card can help you manage your money. Tracking your spending and available funds is easy via the Western Union® mobile app or online account center.

Additional card perks include, but aren’t limited to:

  • 24/7 customer care
  • Fast and easy card activation
  • Low and transparent fees

Ready to get started?

Order your Western Union Prepaid Visa Card

Frequently asked questions about Western Union’s prepaid cards

You can sign up for a Western Union prepaid card at an agent location or order one online.

You can reload funds onto your Western Union Prepaid Visa Card by visiting an agent location, and giving the agent your card, amount you’d like to load, and any applicable fees. You can also manage your account and add funds online.

Since the Western Union prepaid card isn’t a credit card, you don’t need to undergo a credit check to get one.

Yes, you can use your Western Union card to receive money transfers. You can also receive direct deposits from your employer or other payer.

* While this feature is available at no additional charge, certain other transaction fees and costs, terms, and conditions are associated with the use of this Card. See the Cardholder Agreement for more details.

1 Once registered, the card can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Prior to registration, card valid to use only in the U.S.

2 Faster funding claim is based on a comparison of our policy of making funds available upon receipt of payment instruction versus the typical banking practice of posting funds at settlement. Fraud prevention restrictions may delay availability of funds with or without notice. Early availability of funds requires payor’s support of direct deposit and is subject to the timing of payor’s payment instruction.

The Western Union Prepaid Visa® Card is a prepaid card issued by Pathward®, N.A. Member FDIC, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. Once registered, the card can be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted. Prior to registration, card valid to use only in the U.S.