How To Get Free Debit Cards With Money On Them

how to get free debit cards with money on them

In recent days, the use of physical cash for transactions is gradually being replaced by cashless transactions. Thanks to the creation of online banks, debit and credit cards, prepaid cards, mobile wallets, peer-to-peer(P2P) payments, direct debits and standing orders, which make cashless transactions possible.

Cashless transactions are any monetary transactions completed electronically without the exchange of physical cash. These transactions are becoming increasingly popular around the world, driven by technological advancements and the convenience they offer.

Also, the convenience, rewards, security and other benefits that cashless transactions offers makes it to continue growing globally.

A debit card is a payment tool that lets you make purchases and access your checking account funds electronically (cashless transaction). It's a convenient and secure alternative to carrying cash or writing checks.

A debit card is linked to your checking account to enable direct withdraw from bank account. Check out this article to see if it is possible to get free debit cards with money on them.

In this article, we will be guiding you on how to get free debit cards with money on them.

What Is A Debit Card?

A debit card, also known as a check card or bank card, is a payment tool that lets you make purchases and access your checking account funds electronically. It's a convenient and secure alternative to carrying cash or writing checks.

It is a plastic card linked to your checking account, allowing you to make purchases at stores and online. It also enables you to withdraw cash from ATMs and provides a safer and more convenient way to carry and spend money.

  • When you use your debit card, the funds are deducted directly from your checking account.
  • You can use your PIN (Personal Identification Number) or a signature to verify your identity.
  • You can also use contactless payment technology like tap-to-pay with your card or mobile wallet.

What Are The Benefits Of Using a Debit Card

Debit cards offer the following benefits to their users:

  1. It is a convenient electronic money without the need to carry cash or checks.
  2. It is safer than carrying physical cash and reduces the risk of loss or theft (security).
  3. Easy to track spending as transactions are automatically recorded.
  4. Some debit cards offer cashback or other rewards programs to users.
  5. They are widely accepted by merchants and ATMs globally.

Before chosen a debit card, consider the following factors:

  • Fees: Some financial institutions levy monthly maintenance fees or ATM withdrawal fees.
  • Overdraft protection: To avoid overdrawing your account, ensure overdraft protection.
  • Security: Be wary of frauds and safeguard your PIN.
  • Limits: Depending on your bank and account type, spending limits may apply.

Types Of Debit Cards

There are many different types of debit cards available, each with its own unique features and benefits.

Some of the most common types of debit cards include:

1. Standard debit cards:

These are the most common type of debit card. They are linked to your checking account and allow you to make purchases and withdraw cash. Standard debit cards typically have a daily spending limit and may also have a limit on how much cash you can withdraw per day.

2. ATM-only debit cards:

They can only be used to withdraw cash from ATMs. They cannot be used to make purchases in stores or online. Good option for people who want to avoid the temptation of overspending.

3. Prepaid debit cards:

Prepaid debit cards are a good option for people who want to control their spending or who do not have a bank account.

4. Reloadable prepaid debit cards:

Reloadable prepaid debit cards are a good option for people who want the flexibility of a debit card without having to link it to a bank account.

5. Virtual debit cards:

These cards are not physical cards, but rather numbers that you can use to make online purchases. Virtual debit cards are a good option for people who want to shop online without giving out their credit card information.

6. Contactless debit cards:

These cards are equipped with near field communication (NFC) technology that allows you to make purchases by simply tapping your card on a contactless reader. Contactless debit cards are a convenient and fast way to make payments.

7. Rewards debit cards:

These cards offer rewards, such as cash back or points, for every purchase you make. Rewards debit cards are a good option for people who want to earn rewards for their everyday spending.

8. Debit cards with overdraft protection:

These cards allow you to overdraw your account balance up to a certain limit. This can be helpful if you accidentally overspend or if you need to make a purchase that exceeds your current balance. However, it is important to note that overdraft protection can be expensive, so it is important to use it sparingly.

9. Business debit cards:

These cards are designed for businesses and offer features such as expense tracking and employee spending controls. Business debit cards can help businesses to track their spending and to control how their employees use company funds.

The best type of debit card for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

How To Get Free Debit Cards With Money On Them

A debit card is an effective way to withdraw money from your bank account (online banks or traditional banks). Debit cards are linked to bank accounts to permit withdrawals. With the money in your debit card, you can make online purchases, pay bills in stores and withdraw at ATM.

Note that, there is still no legitimate way to get a free debit card with money already loaded on it. These types of offers are often scams designed to steal your personal information or money.

However, there are several legitimate ways to get a debit card that might be considered "free" in some sense:

1. Use Debit cards with no monthly fees:

Many banks and online financial institutions offer debit cards with no monthly maintenance fees, making them essentially free to use as long as you meet the minimum balance requirements or make a certain number of transactions per month.

Here are some examples:

  • Chime Visa® Debit Card
  • Capital One 360 Checking
  • Discover Bank Cashback Debit
  • Bluebird Prepaid Debit Card
  • Green Dot Visa Debit Card
  • Serve Prepaid Debit Card
  • GO2bank Visa Debit Card
  • Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Checking Account
  • Ally Bank Spending Account

2. Prepaid debit cards:

While not technically free, prepaid debit cards require no credit check and can be loaded with funds from your bank account or other sources. You can often find reloadable prepaid cards at convenience stores, grocery stores, and online retailers.

Prepaid debit cards are reloadable cards that you can use to make purchases anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted.

Some popular prepaid debit cards include:

  • Netspend
  • Greenlight
  • FamZoo
  • Point

Click here for more details about Prepaid reloadable cards.

3. Employer-issued debit cards:

Some employers offer debit cards to their employees for receiving their paychecks. These cards may be free to use and may even offer additional benefits, such as cashback rewards or discounts at certain merchants.

Employers typically partner with a payroll service provider to issue these cards. The payroll service provider loads the card with the employee's wages each pay period. Employees can then use the card to make purchases, withdraw cash from ATMs, and pay bills, just like they would with a regular debit card.

4. Sign-up bonuses:

Some banks and financial institutions offer sign-up bonuses for opening new checking accounts that include debit cards. These bonuses can be in the form of cash, points, discount, extended trial period, or other rewards.

Sign-up bonuses can be a valuable way to save money or get free rewards. However, it is important to carefully review the terms and conditions of any offer before you sign up. Make sure you understand any eligibility requirements, how to claim the bonus, and any restrictions on how the bonus can be used.

Here are some examples of banks with sign-up bonuses:

  • Chase Total Checking: Get a $200 bonus when you open a new Chase Total Checking account and deposit $250 or more within 30 days of account opening.
  • Discover Online Savings Account: Earn a $200 bonus when you open a new Discover Online Savings account and deposit $15,000 or more within 30 days of account opening.
  • Acorns: Get a $5 bonus when you sign up for Acorns and invest $5 or more.
  • InboxDollars: Get a $5 bonus when you sign up for InboxDollars and complete your first survey.

For more details about how to get free bonuses, please this article: How To Get Money On Cash App For Free

Keep in mind that, even with free debit cards, there may be fees associated with ATM withdrawals, foreign transactions, and other services. 

Be aware of scams and offers that seem too good to be true. Always read the terms and conditions of any debit card offer before you sign up.

Free Debit Cards Online

These are just a few of the many free debit cards available online. When choosing a debit card, it is important to compare different options and consider factors such as the fees, features, and benefits that each card offers.

Here are some free debit cards you can apply for online:

1. Chime Visa® Debit Card

  • No monthly fees or maintenance fees
  • Over 60,000 fee-free ATMs
  • Real-time transaction alerts
  • Early access to your paycheck up to 2 days early
  • Mobile app with features like budgeting tools and savings goals
  • SpotMe: overdraft protection of up to $200 (with qualifying direct deposits)

Find out if Chime debit card work with Zelle.

2. Capital One 360® Checking Account

  • No monthly fees
  • No minimum balance requirement
  • Free ATM withdrawals at over 38,000 Allpoint ATMs
  • Unlimited check writing
  • Mobile app with features like mobile check deposit and bill pay
  • High-yield interest rate on your checking account balance

3. ALLY Bank Spending Account

  • No monthly fees
  • No minimum balance requirement
  • Free ATM withdrawals at over 43,000 MoneyPass ATMs
  • Unlimited check writing
  • Mobile app with features like mobile check deposit and bill pay
  • Competitive interest rate on your checking account balance

4. Discover Cashback Debit Account

  • No monthly fees
  • No minimum balance requirement
  • Up to 1% cash back on all purchases
  • Free ATM withdrawals at over 60,000 Allpoint ATMs
  • Mobile app with features like mobile check deposit and bill pay

5. Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Checking Account

  • No monthly fees
  • No minimum balance requirement
  • Up to 2.50% APY on your checking account balance (with qualifying requirements)
  • Free ATM withdrawals at over 85,000 ATMs worldwide
  • Mobile app with features like mobile check deposit and bill pay

6. GO2bank Visa Debit Card

  • No monthly fees after the first month (with qualifying direct deposits)
  • Free ATM withdrawals at over 30,000 MoneyPass ATMs
  • Mobile app with features like mobile check deposit and bill pay
  • Early access to your paycheck up to 2 days early (with qualifying direct deposits)

7. Green Dot Visa Debit Card

  • No monthly fees after the first month (with qualifying direct deposits)
  • Free ATM withdrawals at over 55,000 ATMs
  • Mobile app with features like mobile check deposit and bill pay
  • Easy to reload your card with cash or check

8. Serve Prepaid Debit Card

  • No monthly fees
  • No minimum balance requirement
  • Free ATM withdrawals at over 30,000 MoneyPass ATMs
  • Mobile app with features like mobile check deposit and bill pay
  • Easy to reload your card with cash or check
  • FDIC insured up to $250,000

9. Bluebird Prepaid Debit Card

  • No monthly fees
  • No minimum balance requirement
  • Free ATM withdrawals at over 37,000 MoneyPass ATMs
  • Mobile app with features like mobile check deposit and bill pay
  • Easy to reload your card with cash or check
  • FDIC insured up to $250,000

10. Wise Virtual Debit Card

  • No monthly fee
  • Free to all customers with personal or business Wise accounts (not Wise Business USD accounts)
  • FDIC insured – no need to ever visit a bank branch
  • Deposit your stimulus or paycheck directly onto your card

Conclusion on Free Debit Cards

Cashless transactions are any monetary transactions completed electronically without the exchange of physical cash.

A debit card is a payment tool that lets you make purchases and access your checking account funds electronically (cashless transaction).

Getting  free debit card with money is not legitimate, as it is usually linked to a bank account. However you can still get free money on a debit card by signing up for bonuses, using prepaid cards or debit cards with no monthly fees.

Some examples of free debit cards online include: Wise virtual cards, Bluebird prepaid debit card, and Chime Visa® Debit Card.

While truly "free" debit cards with money on them don't exist, there are still option to enjoy free cash on your debit card.

There are several options available that offer similar benefits and can save you money compared to traditional debit cards with monthly fees.

References

  1. https://wise.com/gb/virtual-card/
  2. https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/personal/find-a-card/general-prepaid-mastercard.html
  3. https://www.chime.com/debit-card/