As a student you don't have a fixed income and are generally financially dependent on your parents. This means you are not eligible for a credit card, because to be able to defer payment for your purchases, you need a financial buffer. And even if you have a job that pays you pocket money, you will still usually be refused a credit card as a student . Fortunately, there is an alternative: the prepaid card. Just as convenient, safe and secure as a classic credit card.
What is a prepaid card?
With a credit card you defer payment for your purchases, whereas a prepaid card works in reverse. This is because you have to top it up with a certain amount in advance, just as you would using a top-up mobile phone card. A prepaid card is an easy way to keep your spending under control, because when it's gone, it's gone.
With a credit card you defer payment for your purchases, whereas a prepaid card works in reverse. This is because you have to top it up with a certain amount in advance, just as you would using a top-up mobile phone card. A prepaid card is an easy way to keep your spending under control , because when it's gone, it's gone.
Convenient...
As a student you no doubt enjoy getting away from it all occasionally. A city break over a long weekend, or a well-earned breather holiday on the Spanish coast after the gruelling exam period: just as at home, you may enjoy spending money on nice things when you're abroad: nice meals out, souvenirs for your family, sightseeing, the nightlife, etc. A prepaid card is particularly convenient, as it means you don't have to walk around with cash in your pocket the whole time. Top it up before you depart with the amount you've saved carefully, and you can pay anywhere, hassle-free, without the constant need to find an ATM. The advantage: you can't spend more than the amount on your card.
Even for those who are studying abroad for a while, the prepaid card is the best alternative to a credit card.
... safe and secure
Have you purchased concert tickets, books, shoes, or music? There's a fair chance you did that online, because the range is simply far wider than your local high street. A prepaid card is also a good choice for making internet payments, because just like a credit card, it is a secure online means of payment.
If you've used up the amount on your prepaid card and you can't top it up yourself, don't worry, because someone else can top it up for you. For example, your parents can bail you out in case of financial emergencies.
How does the top-up work? The process is quick and easy. Simply use the top-up button in KBC Touch and KBC Mobile. You can also do it via transfer: the account number and the structured message are written on the back of your prepaid card.
The perfect pocket money card
If, as a student, you are earning some extra money at the weekend or you have wages from your holiday job in a separate account and you want to control exactly how much of your hard-earned cash you are spending, you can load the amount you wish to spend on individual purchases onto your prepaid card. That way, you will know exactly how much you are spending in your free time and you can hit the brakes if need be.
