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Escape Travel Money FAQs
What is the Escape Travel Money Prepaid MasterCard?®
What are the top features?
If it’s a MasterCard, is it a credit card?
Where can I buy one?
What is a companion card?
What do I need to get a card?
Do I need to pass a credit check?
What if I fail?
Can I still get a companion card on my account if I fail?
Do I need a bank account?
Can I apply if I have bad credit?
Do I need to be 18?
How do I activate my card?
Where can I use it?
How do I transfer money between cards?
Where can I use my card?
Can I withdraw cash from an ATM?
Can I use my card on PayPal?
Can I add another cardholder?
Can I use my to book hotels and car hire?
When using abroad should I select local currency or Sterling?
Can I pay for petrol at the pump?
Can I pay road tolls?
Where can I top up my card?
How do I check my balance?
Who can top up my card?
Can I call customer services to top up?
How long will it take for my top up to be applied to my account?
How do I earn cashback?
How do I redeem cashback?
How secure is my card?
How do I report my card lost or stolen?
How long does it take to replace a lost or stolen card?
What should I do if I suspect fraudulent activity?
How do I change my PIN?
How do I contact customer services?
When are customer services open?
What are the fees?
What is the Escape Travel Money Prepaid MasterCard®?
The Escape Travel Money Card offers the same features of a credit card, but you can only spend the money that you have loaded onto it. This makes it a convenient alternative to carrying cash abroad.
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What are the top features?
There are many features of the Escape Travel Money Card; you can manage your account online, there are no fees for purchasing in store or online, you can earn up to 20% cashback on your online purchases and the card is accepted in over 32 million locations worldwide and in over 1.5 million ATMs worldwide without paying a fee.
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If it’s a MasterCard, is it a credit card?
The Escape Travel Money Card is accepted anywhere you see the MasterCard Acceptance Mark, but is not a credit card. You can only spend what you load onto the card.
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Where can I buy one?
You can purchase Escape Travel Money cards online at www.escapetravelmoneycard.co.uk
What is a companion card?
A companion card is a second card linked to the same account. This gives you the option to share money between cards; you can even have the cards in different currencies if you’re a regular traveller.
A companion card costs £4.99 and you can purchase it through ‘My Account’ or by calling our Customer Services team on 0844 871 5444 (Calls will be charged at 10p per minute from BT landlines. Calls from other networks or from outside the UK may cost more).
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What do I need to get a card?
To get an Escape Travel Money Card, you need to be over 18 years old and a UK resident. You may also need to provide two types of ID (one proof of identity and one proof of address) if we cannot confirm your identity electronically.
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Do I need to pass a credit check?
We do not perform any kind of credit check. We are however required to complete an identity check to match your name to your address. There will be no imprint left on your credit score as a result of applying for an Escape Travel card.
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What if I fail?
If you fail the identity checks, you can still get an Escape Travel Money Card, but you will be subject to a lower balance limit of £650, and subject to some usage restrictions. Please see our fees table (link to credit limit section) for more details.
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Can I still get a companion card on my account if I fail?
If you fail the KYC check, you can still get a companion card added to your account, but it will be subject to the lower balance limit of £650.
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Do I need a bank account??
You don’t need a bank account. You can top up via BACS if you wish, but if you have no access to a bank account the cards can be topped up with cash for free at Phones 4u, or in various Post Office (99p fee applies) and PayPoint (3% fee applies) outlets.
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Can I apply if I have bad credit?
Yes, many people who have poor credit make use of the Escape Travel Money card as a convenient way of taking money abroad as there is no credit check.
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Do I need to be 18?
To apply for an Escape Travel Money Prepaid MasterCard, you need to be 18 or over.
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How do I activate my card?
Before you can use your card you will need to retrieve your PIN. You can do this by calling 0844 871 5444 (Calls will be charged at 10p per minute from BT landlines. Calls from other networks or from outside the UK may cost more) and selecting option 2. You will need to input your account number (found in the bottom left hand corner of your card) and the four digit security number chosen at the time of purchase. Your PIN number will then be read out to you. Once you have retrieved your PIN, your card will be active and ready to use.
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Where can I use it?
You can use your card anywhere you see the MasterCard Acceptance Mark, currently over 32 million locations worldwide. This includes in-store and online purchases both at home and abroad.
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How do I transfer money between cards?
If you have a companion card, simply text MOVE “Amount” FROM XXXX TO YYYY to 80246 (Texts charged at standard network rate). “Amount” represents the amount you want to transfer in pounds sterling. “XXXX” represents the last four digits of the card you want to transfer from, and “YYYY” represents the last four digits of the card you want to transfer to.
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Where can I use my card?
You can use you card wherever you see the MasterCard Acceptance Mark, currently over 32 million locations worldwide including 1.5 million ATMs.
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Can I withdraw cash from an ATM?
It’s possible to withdraw cash at over 1.5 million ATMs worldwide.
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Can I use my card on PayPal?
You can use your card to make purchases on PayPal. Please note it’s not possible to have funds paid from your Paypal account onto your card.
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Can I add another cardholder?
Escape Travel Money Card holders can add an additional card holder by purchasing a companion card for a one off payment of £4.99 through their online account.
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Can I use my card to book hotels and car hire?
It is possible, but may create a “shadow balance” on your card until the bill is settled (and for up to 4 days afterwards). This is because hotels and car hire companies take a pre-authorisation for more than the value of the price of the car hire or hotel room. This is to cover damages etc. Whilst this shadow balance is on the card, you won’t be able to access the funds. For example, if the car hire is £300, the car hire company may block off £500. Once you have settled the £300 bill, you won’t be able to use the £200 remaining until the shadow balance has been removed from the card, this is usually within 24 hours but sometimes can take up to 4 days. This is the same for all prepaid cards.
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When using abroad, should I select local currency or sterling?
Always select local currency if given the option. On the Escape Travel Money card, you have already exchanged your currency. If you select sterling, it will convert the money on to your card back into sterling, at a much worse rate that you had when you loaded the card.
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Can I pay for petrol at the pump?
Prepaid cards are not accepted at “Pay at Pump” petrol stations. This is because the terminals are “offline” and cannot check the balance of the card in real time. This is the same for all prepaid cards.
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Can I pay road tolls?
Prepaid cards are not accepted at road toll terminals. This is because the terminals are “offline” and cannot check the balance of the card in real time. This is the same for all prepaid cards.
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Where can I top up my card?
You can top up for free with cash at any Phones 4u store. You can also top up at over 19,500 PayPoint locations (3% fee applies) and 14,500 Post Office locations (99p fee applies). You can also top up the card by registering a debit card (99p fee applies) or credit card (4% fee applies) to your account page online or by BACS transfer.
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How do I check my balance?
To check you balance you can log into your account online. You can also call 0844 871 5444 (Calls will be charged at 10p per minute from BT landlines. Calls from other networks or from outside the UK may cost more) and select option 1 or text BAL followed by the last four digits of your card number to 80246 (Texts charged at standard network rate).
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Who can top up my card?
Anyone can load cash into your account provided they have the correct account details. To load via text (standard network rate message cost applies), credit card (4% fee applies) or debit card (99p applies); the card must first be linked to the account. This can be easily done through the “Top-up” tab in your online account; and by then following the on screen instructions.
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Can I call customer services to top up?
It’s not possible to top up your card via customer services. You can top at various locations within the UK, including any Phones 4u store, over 19,500 PayPoint locations (3% fee applies), over 14,500 Post Offices (99p fee applies) or for free in your bank. If you need to top up whilst abroad, you can top up via BACS transfer from your online banking.
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How long will it take for my top up to be applied to my account?
| Cash at Phones 4u | Available Instantly |
| Post Office | Within 4 working days |
| PayPoint | Available Instantly |
| BACS Transfer | Within 4 working days |
| Debit/Credit Cards | Within 3 working days (Instant if pre-registered) |
How do I earn cashback?
When spending online you can earn up to 20% cashback. There are 1000’s of well known brands available. To earn cashback, visit www.escapecashback.com After click through the relevant retailer from the site, the advertised cashback will be added to your account.
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How do I redeem cashback?
Once the value of your cashback has reached a minimum of £10, the money will automatically be transferred to your card.
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How secure is my card?
All Escape Travel Money Card offline transactions are secured by Chip and PIN and all online transactions use MasterCard Secure.
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How do I report my card lost or stolen?
Escape Travel Money Cards offer the convenience of reporting cards lost or stolen by text, simply text “LOST” or “STOLEN” and the last 4 digits of your card number to 80246* for the cost of a standard text message. Alternately, you can call our dedicated customer service team on 0844 871 5444 (Calls will be charged at 10p per minute from BT landlines. Calls from other networks or from outside the UK may cost more).
If you have misplaced your card, you can lock the card using your mobile phone by texting “LOCK” and the last four digits of your card number to 80246 for the cost of a standard text message. This enables you to unlock the card again if you find it without having to report the card lost or stolen. Simply text “UNLOCK” and the last four digits of your card to 80246 and you can continue to use the card as normal.
*Replacement cards are charged at £9.99.
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How long does it take to replace a lost or stolen card?
The replacement card will be posted to your home address within 5 working days.
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What should I do if I suspect fraudulent activity?
You can lock your card quickly and easily using your mobile phone by texting “LOCK” and the last 4 digits of your card to 80246 (Texts charged at standard network rate). Or alternately call customer services on 0844 871 5444 (Calls will be charged at 10p per minute from BT landlines. Calls from other networks or from outside the UK may cost more). Your card will be locked from spending instantly until you unlock it. Any money spent fraudulently on your card will be refunded without delay.
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How do I change my PIN?
You can change your PIN at any ATM that offers the option.
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How do I contact Customer Services?
The Customer Services team can be contacted on 0844 871 5444 (Calls will be charged at 10p per minute from BT landlines. Calls from other networks or from outside the UK may cost more).
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When are Customer Services open?
The Customer Care centre is open between 9am and 6pm 7 Days a week.
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What are the fees?
Click here for a full list of our fees.