Vanilla cards are a great way to increase your credit card rewards. They are available as Visa or Mastercard cards and can be used for a variety of purposes, including shopping online at places like Amazon. However, there are some drawbacks to using Vanilla cards, such as a 24-hour wait after purchase to use the card and a stiff activation fee. Additionally, there have been complaints of card balances disappearing, which is likely due to hackers. Vanilla cards also cannot be reloaded, which means that if you want to use it for multiple purchases, you will need to buy a new one each time. Unfortunately, I was unable to find information specific to Afghanistan regarding reloading Vanilla cards. However, based on the information above, it seems that Vanilla cards cannot be reloaded in any location.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Can a Vanilla card be reloaded? | Yes, but only the "My Vanilla" version is reloadable. |
Where can you buy a Vanilla card? | In-store or online. |
Can you buy a Vanilla card with a credit card? | No, not directly. |
Can you use a Vanilla card at an ATM? | Yes, but only to withdraw cash. |
What You'll Learn
Vanilla cards are available in two distinct types
The physical Vanilla Visa gift card is a prepaid card with a specific monetary value that can be used as a means of payment in any store that accepts Visa cards. It is commonly used in the US and Canada and has distinct features such as the first four digits on the card. For example, physical Vanilla gift cards in the USA usually start with the numbers 4097, 4118, 4847, and 5253, while those in Canada typically start with 4263, 5203, 4850, and 5336.
On the other hand, the Vanilla electronic gift card is the digital version of the Vanilla Visa card. It comes in the form of codes used for transactions, mainly online. After purchasing a Vanilla eGift card, you will receive it via email, and it will be stored in your email box. This type of card is often preferred by shoppers as it offers instant email delivery and eliminates the risk of losing the card.
Both types of Vanilla cards have the same monetary value, typically ranging from $10 to $500, and can be used for store purchases wherever Visa is accepted. However, they differ in their physical features and use cases. While the physical card is more commonly used in stores, the electronic card is mainly used for online transactions.
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Vanilla cards are also available in multiple kinds
Vanilla cards are available in multiple kinds, each with its own pros and cons. Here is a list of some of the most common types of Vanilla cards:
Vanilla Reload Cards
Vanilla Reload cards are a great tool for increasing your credit card rewards. You can purchase a Vanilla Reload card with a rewards credit card to earn rewards, and then load the value of the card onto a prepaid card. This can be particularly useful for expenses that usually do not allow credit cards, such as bill payments, ATM cash withdrawals, and debit payments. Vanilla Reload cards are available in two distinct types:
- The most common type allows you to purchase the card at a store and transfer its value to a prepaid card at home.
- The other type must be brought to the counter in-store and used to reload your prepaid card. This type can only be used with true debit card prepaid cards.
Vanilla Prepaid Cards
Vanilla Prepaid Cards are available from both Mastercard and Visa. They can be used for in-store and online shopping, although some retailers may not accept them. These cards do not impact your credit rating and cannot be used to withdraw money from ATMs. Additionally, they do not offer cashback bonuses or benefits. The pros and cons of Vanilla Prepaid Cards are:
Pros
- Good for online shopping if you don't want to provide your real credit card details.
- Makes a convenient gift for children under 18.
Cons
- Extremely high activation fees.
- Non-reloadable.
- Cannot be used at gas stations or for recurring bills.
- Does not offer cashback or other benefits.
- Low maximum balances.
My Vanilla Cards
My Vanilla Cards are reloadable and can be registered with your name and address. They can be purchased in-store or ordered online for free. However, people have reported issues with their accounts being shut down after running large amounts of money through these cards.
One Vanilla Cards
One Vanilla Cards are disposable, non-reloadable Visa cards that can be used for purchases with an initial value of up to $500. They can be purchased with a credit card and their PIN is set as the first PIN used with the card. These cards are reliably used to pay for money orders.
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Vanilla cards can be used to increase credit card rewards
- Purchase a Vanilla Reload Card with a rewards credit card: Vanilla Reload cards can be bought with a rewards credit card, allowing you to earn rewards on the purchase. This is the first step in a multi-step process to increase your credit card rewards.
- Load the value onto a prepaid card: After purchasing the Vanilla Reload card, transfer its value to a prepaid card. This step is necessary because Vanilla Reload cards cannot be used directly for expenses like bill payments or ATM withdrawals.
- Use the prepaid card for expenses that don't usually accept credit cards: By loading the Vanilla Reload card value onto a prepaid card, you can then use the prepaid card for expenses that typically don't accept credit cards. This includes bill payments, ATM cash withdrawals, and debit payments. This strategy helps you maximize your credit card rewards by earning rewards on purchases that wouldn't typically be made with a credit card.
- Take advantage of specific prepaid cards: Certain prepaid cards offer additional benefits that can further increase your credit card rewards. For example, the American Express Bluebird card allows for free bill payments and provides the option to write paper checks. The American Express Serve card offers free loads via credit or debit card. These features provide more opportunities to earn rewards and increase the flexibility of your spending.
- Explore other reload card options: Vanilla Reload cards are not the only type of reload cards available. There are also MoneyPaks, REloadit cards, and PayPal load money cards. Experimenting with different reload cards can help you find the most effective ways to increase your credit card rewards.
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Vanilla cards are reloadable
The Vanilla Reload card is another reloadable option. This card can be purchased at a store, taken home, and its value transferred to a prepaid card. Alternatively, it can be brought to the counter in-store and used to reload a prepaid card. However, this second option is only available with true debit card prepaid cards.
The American Express Bluebird card is another reloadable option that can be loaded with Vanilla Reload cards. This card is advertised as a checking account alternative, allowing for free bill payments and paper cheques.
Other reloadable cards that can be loaded with Vanilla Reload cards include the American Express Serve, the American Express Prepaid, the JH Preferred card, the Momentum card, the MyVanilla card, the NetSpend card, and the PayPal card.
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Vanilla cards are available in-store and online
Vanilla cards are a safe, secure, and reliable payment method. They are preloaded with a fixed amount of money, making them a convenient alternative to carrying cash. They can be used for various transactions, including in-store, mail, and phone transactions. They are also a perfect gift for special occasions and an acceptable gift of appreciation for clients, employees, and business partners.
When purchasing a Vanilla card, it is important to learn how to activate it. Activation can be done online or by phone. For plastic Vanilla cards, locate the activation sticker on the front of the card, which will provide a phone number and/or website address. Follow the prompts to enter the required card details and confirm activation. For e-cards, the activation link will be sent to your email, and you can access your card details within a few minutes.
Once activated, you can start using your Vanilla card for online or in-store purchases. When making an online transaction, select "Credit" or "Debit" as the payment method and enter the card details as you would with a regular credit or debit card. Fill in your name and address, and complete the purchase.
For in-store purchases, using your Vanilla card is as simple as swiping any other debit or credit card. Check your Vanilla card balance before making a purchase to ensure sufficient funds, as some transaction types can hold up to 20% more than the purchase amount. Choose the credit option and swipe, or select the debit option and enter your PIN.
Vanilla cards offer flexibility and convenience for your shopping needs, whether you prefer to shop online or in-store.
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Frequently asked questions
Vanilla cards cannot be reloaded, they are one-time load cards.
There are two types of Vanilla Reload cards: the first can be purchased in-store and then taken home to transfer its value to a prepaid card; the second must be used in-store to reload your prepaid card and can only be used with true debit card prepaid cards.
Yes, Vanilla cards can be used for online purchases.
Yes, you can use your Vanilla card at an ATM to withdraw cash.
No, Vanilla cards cannot be used for recurring payments.