When you start looking through the terms and conditions associated with your Emerald prepaid MasterCard, you’ll naturally have a feeling that you’ve made the wrong choice. The fees for withdrawing from an ATM are probably enough to scare anyone looking for a cheap card away.
If you’ve used similar cards in the past, you’ll note that most of them have ridiculous ATM fees, especially for out-of-network ATMs. However, the average American is already used to that, but what machines are within Emerald Credit Union’s network?
In this article, I’ll review Emerald prepaid debit cards and what they can do. From the ATM withdrawal limits to the fees associated with using the card, here’s your ultimate guide to using the Emerald card. Without further ado, let’s jump in.
While you don’t have to pay any activation or monthly maintenance fees on your Emerald Card ATM, you’ll have to pay a $4.95 maintenance fee if you do not use the card for any transactions for 60 days consecutively.
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Emerald Card ATM No Fee? Possible Way
When the Emerald Prepaid MasterCard is referred to as a no-fee card, the reference isn’t the fees that you incur by using the card at ATM outlets. Instead, it’s because the card has no monthly maintenance fees that you may have to pay on similar cards.
In case you didn’t know, the Emerald card doesn’t require you to pay any activation fee or monthly maintenance fees. However, when you factor in the numerous fees that apply, other than the regular ones listed, you’d understand why other card issuers charge the activation and maintenance fees.
As an Emerald Prepaid MasterCard cardholder, you should also know that there’s an inactivity fee on your card. While you don’t have to pay any activation or monthly maintenance fees, you’ll have to pay a $4.95 maintenance fee if you do not use the card for any transactions for 60 days consecutively.
Easy Ways to Get the Emerald Card
To use the Emerald ATM card, you need to get it first. Today, most banks, credit unions, and payment apps will let you order a debit card online, and it seems like H&R Block is also in for that service. Here’s how to order the Emerald Prepaid MasterCard today.
- Get the requisite documents
Since the card isn’t your run-of-the-mill debit card, you should expect to submit quite a few documents before being allowed to get the card. Some of what may be required for you to get the debit card include your personal information as required, your tax refunds of the previous year, and your citizen service number.
Of course, you should be willing to provide even more information, as required by H&R Block.
- Head over to the H&R Block online portal
To request the Emerald card, you’ll need to open the bank’s online portal and sign in for an account. If you have all the documents I mentioned earlier handy, the process should be quick and easy. You can visit the website by clicking here.
Enter all the details required and submit all the necessary documents. With everything done right, H&R Block should review your application, approve it without delay, and ship your card within 10 business days. You must be 18 or older to register for an account on the platform.
Can You Withdraw at ATMs for Free Using the Emerald Card?
One of the biggest pains of holding an Emerald Prepaid MasterCard is the numerous fees associated with the service. Since there are no official Emerald ATMs, all the ATM withdrawals you make will be charged, and the charge isn’t tiny.
Whenever you try to withdraw from any ATM using your Emerald Prepaid MasterCard debit card, you’ll have to pay a $3 charge. Note that this is separate from the charge you’ll incur by using an out-of-network ATM, which is usually an additional $2.50. In short, you’ll be paying around $5.50 to make an ATM withdrawal using your Emerald card.
If you’re only making a balance inquiry at an ATM, you’ll still have to pay a $1.50 fee, which doesn’t include what the ATM operator may charge you. With all of these charges, it’s already clear that the Emerald card wasn’t made for ATM withdrawals.
However, you may be thinking: why is it called a no-fee card when you have to pay these outrageous charges only for regular ATM transactions? The following section will explain why that is the case in detail.
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Conclusion
The Emerald card is a good option for individuals who want a prepaid card to use for their tax returns. With the absence of any maintenance or activation fees, you can set it up and get going in minutes, without having to worry about any charges.
However, if you’re planning to use the card for regular ATM withdrawals like a regular debit card, you may want to rethink that plan. H&R Block charges so many outrageous ATM fees that you’ll end up paying more than you intend to withdraw in bank charges, which isn’t what you want.