The Optimum MasterCard

A multi-purpose prepay MasterCard

Overall:

The Optimum prepay card is another standard multipurpose prepay MasterCard^®. You can purchase them both online or from certain retailers.

Good bits:

> Paper statements.

They will provide you with one free paper statement per month (if you want more they will charge you).  Only getting paper statements upon request is often one of the positives of other companies, but sometimes you need a paper statement as proof of address, so this makes it simple.

> First additional card free.

As described, your first additional card is free, but subsequent ones are charged for.

> Change PIN at ATM.

You can change your PIN number at an ATM for free, but only up to 3 times a year.

Bad bits:

> Upgrade charge.

Optimum charges an upgrade fee (like some others including Virgin). As we’ve said elsewhere we can understand why they charge (due to some paperwork), but it is in their interest for you to do it (as you’ll use your card more), so we don’t think it’s a good idea.

> Not for gamblers

If you want to use your card for any online gambling, which many people do as you can control your spend easily, this is not the card for you. They charge a 3% surcharge on all gambling transactions.

> Paper statements

Although we have stated this as a positive, it could be seen as a negative if you want to preserve your privacy and not have statements sent to your home.  Most other companies only do statements upon request, you simply check online for a review of your transactions.

Standard bits:

> Everything is pretty standard

The Optimum prepay card could be seen as another standard prepay card offering. There is nothing particularly brilliant or unusual about it, and they offer everything a standard prepay card should do.

> Everything is available online.

As with everyone else all your usual services are online.

Best card for you if:

• You want paper statements.

Sign up for Optimum here