Maximizing RushCard and RushCard Live Prepaid Debit Cards
TPG contributor Jason Steele takes us on a tour of the benefits and limitations of two more prepaid debit card products today - the RushCard and RushCard Live - and how you can use them to maximize your points earning using them in combination with Green Dot MoneyPaks.
Green Dot MoneyPaks appear to be the most widely available funding source for checking and debit card alternatives these days. MoneyPaks can be purchased at thousands of retail locations, and used to fund about 200 different prepaid cards. (Note: Green Dot has their own prepaid cards, but MoneyPaks are an entirely separate product). In the past, we have introduced this topic, and covered Green Dot MoneyPaks vs. Vanilla Reloads, The Best Green Dot Compatible Reloadable Prepaid Cards, and Strategies For Maximizing Green Dot MoneyPaks.
For those who are lucky enough to find a retailer who will sell you MoneyPaks with a credit card (Thank you, Rite-Aid!), your first priority is to find a compatible prepaid card that offers bill payment services, few fees, and doesn’t shut you down. The idea is that you cash out your MoneyPaks by paying your credit card bill, or any other you choose. Until recently, Account Now met those qualifications, but then they just shut down the accounts of many customers who were doing so. In addition, the 247 Card recently announced that they will stop accepting MoneyPaks after September 3, 2013. These developments are of little concern when there are nearly 200 other cards to choose from, and the H & R Block card is one nice alternative, although there are also now some other choices.
Enter the RushCards
Another good way to pay bills using MoneyPaks appears to be the RushCard and RushCard Live products. You might recognize these cards since they’re endorsed by hip-hop business magnate Russell Simmons, and according to their terms and conditions, these products are perfect for this particular use. Nevertheless, my experiences with these cards were decidedly mixed.
First, I tried the standard Rushcard. This card can be ordered online, with the most basic version incurring a one-time fee of $3.95. Choose the “Pay As You Go Plan”, and there are no monthly fees. The card’s bill pay feature is free, and there is a $1,000 load limit per 24-hour period. So if you load two $500 MoneyPaks at noon, you will have to wait until after noon the next day to load two more.
Unlike some other prepaid cards within the MoneyPak network, loads to this product take about five minutes to appear on your account, and you will get an email confirming the load. There does not appear to be any limit to how much money can be issued when paying a bill. ATMs can be accessed in-network for free, or out of network for a $2.50 fee. That said, there is little reason to use an ATM when you can use the bill pay system to issue a check to any person or business.
Since the cardholder agreement makes no mention of any weekly or monthly load limits, you would be forgiven for thinking that there are none. However, I have learned through trial and error that there is a $3,500 weekly load limit, although there do not appear to be corresponding monthly limit or total limits.
The bill pay interface is easy to use, and I have paid my credit card account and even had checks issued to individuals at their home address. I have been using this card only for bill pay for several months, with no problems whatsoever. Finally, cardholders can receive a referral bonus of $5 when new cardholders use their referral code. If you would like to use my referral code, it is JASONSTEELE6.
RushCard Live
Russell Simmons has also lent his endorsement to a similar product called RushCard Live. While the standard RushCard is issued by Bankcorp Bank, RushCard Live is offered by Green Dot Bank.
At first, things looked good. Like the H & R Block card, cardholders can receive a temporary card immediately at a retail location. I purchased my RushCard Live at Rite-Aid, but these are also available at CVS and 7/11 stores. In addition, purchasers can load up to $500 on their temporary card at the register, and add another $2,000 worth of MoneyPaks that day, in accordance to its stated $2,500 daily load limit. I was able to quickly set up bill pay and issue payment to my credit card issuer.
The next day, I was unable to load my card using MoneyPaks. Then, my permanent card arrived in the mail a few days later, but it could not be activated online. When I called to activate my card, I was connected straight to a supervisor who informed me that my account had been closed to due to my “pattern of activity.” I lost no money since I had immediately used my initial deposits to pay bills, but it was clear that this company did not want any of my business.
Like Green Dot Prepaid cards (an entirely separate product than MoneyPaks), the RushCard Live issued by Green Dot Bank is nearly a total waste of time. I say nearly because I was still able to quickly load and unload $2,500 worth of spending, and I didn’t have to waste any time dealing with the problem of getting back any frozen funds. In contrast, when Account Now closed accounts, it still accepted funding through MoneyPaks, and then cardholders had to request a check for the balance and wait for it to arrive. According to this thread on FlyerTalk, many are still waiting. So if you do decide to try to use RushCard Live, use up your entire balance immediately using their bill pay service just in case you do get shut down.
So if you are interested in maximizing the MoneyPaks using one of the RushCard products, get the standard RushCard version and skip the RushCard Live. If you are looking for a quick way to load and unload a few MoneyPaks, your RushCard Live account is unlikely to remain open for long.
[card card-name='Ink Plus® Business Credit Card' card-id='22129636' type='javascript' bullet-id='1']
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.