I've also wondered if these prepaid "credit cards" could be used to rent a car or book a room, too. Considering the increasing popularity of pay-as-you-go cell phone service, maybe we'll see more interest in these cards in the near future, too. Especially if the terms on their regular CC's get more and more punitive.
All you want to know about Prepaid Visa:
http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/prepaid/reloadable_prepaid_card_faq.html#anchor_5Where can I use my Visa Reloadable Prepaid card?
You can use your card online, over the phone and at the millions of places that accept Visa debit cards—including supermarkets, pharmacies, clothing stores, drug stores, and more. There are some guidelines for special transactions that you should be aware of before you shop - refer to the next two questions for more information.
Are there any special types of transactions I should know about before I shop?
There are special types of transactions that you should know about.
Gas Stations - Paying at the pump may cause a hold of up to $50; consider paying inside with the attendant for the exact amount and signing the receipt instead.
Restaurants - Restaurants may verify you have enough money on your card for the dining bill. Make sure you have enough funds to cover any added tip.
Hotels - Hotels may put a "hold" on the amount of your estimated bill, making that amount unavailable for other purchases. When you check out, that hold may take a few days to be removed.
Auto Rentals - You may use your card for final payment for a rental car bill, but a credit card may be necessary to reserve a rental car.
Returning purchases - Store return policies may vary. You may receive a credit to your card, a cash refund or even a store credit, depending on the particular store. A credit to your account may take up to one week to process before it's available for use.
Paying Bills – Pay just about any one-time or recurring bill.Oh well. That's basically 80% of what I use the cards for. Forget it.
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