Prepaid Cards With Zelle – How it Works

 

Many users wonder if they can use their Prepaid cards with Zelle because not all of them are compatible with the platform. For this reason, we need to know what Prepaid cards work with Zelle and what is related to credit and debit cards.

 

It is convenient for both new and existing Zelle users to know which cards work with the platform. It is due to restrictions on some types of cards that will not work with the platform.

Does Zelle accept prepaid cards?

The answer to this question is no, as the platform will not accept the vast majority of prepaid cards. The only cards the platform can accept are those issued by banks in the Zelle network, which may be the Chase Liquid Card or the PNC Smart Access Card.

For this reason, most users will not be able to use their Prepaid cards with ZELLE to send or receive money. When adding a prepaid debit card, we will receive an error message indicating that the card used is not eligible.

Green Dot cards are also prepaid debit cards, so the application will not accept these. Thus, we will always get an error when trying to add it to the application.

Is it possible to use Zelle without a debit card?

If we do not have a debit card, we can use the platform as long as we have a bank account. The platform works with over a thousand banks, but if our bank is not on the list of banks accepted by Zelle, we will have no choice but to use a debit card.

 

When we do not have a bank account or a debit card, we will be able to create an account on Transferwise, which will give us an online account. When we sign up with Zelle, we will be able to use our MasterCard debit card, which is acceptable for using the Zelle application.

 

Does Zelle accept credit cards?

Credit cards cannot be used with Zelle because the application is intended to transfer money between bank accounts. Therefore, we can only use a debit card associated with a bank or a bank account directly to send and receive money with Zelle.

Please note that Zelle will accept only Visa and MasterCard debit cards, which have to be linked to a bank account in the U.S. Any other card will not work, and we will always receive an error message informing us that it will not be eligible for use.

What types of cards will we not be able to use?

There are different types of cards that Zelle will not accept due to their conditions, among which are:

• Commercial debit.
• Credit cards.
• Cards linked to international accounts.
• Gift cards or prepaid cards that are outside the Zelle network.

If we try to link any of these cards to our account, we will not be able to complete the process because it will always be rejected.

What errors can we have when adding our card?

If our card complies with Zelle’s conditions for use, some errors may still occur when we try to add it. The most common ones can be:

 

Entering the wrong credentials

It is a common reason we will not be able to link our debit card to Zelle because we are entering the wrong card details. For this reason, we always need to enter the details correctly.

Ensure we correctly enter details such as cardholder name, zip code, expiration date, and CVV number. Any inconsistencies in the information may cause errors when trying to add our bank account.

Our card does not allow fast fund transfers

Some debit cards will not be able to receive money or funds within minutes, so these cards will not be enabled for rapid funds transfers. It causes them to not work properly with the Zelle application.

When we use this type of card, we will have to make sure that we have the fast funds transfer enabled, or else we will have inconveniences.

The card is associated with accounts in U.S. territory

The associated account mustn’t be in U.S. territory for a card to work correctly with the platform. It means that accounts in American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands cannot be added to the Zelle account.

If our card is linked to any of these territories, it simply will not work with the app. For the card to work, it must be issued by a bank located within the United States.

Technical issues

Some technical issues arising when adding our debit card with Zelle may be technical glitches. Some of the main reasons that may arise in these cases will be:

• The internet connection is not working.
• Our version of the application is out of date.
• The platform servers are down.

 

In either case, we can try again later, or we can even try uninstalling and reinstalling the application.

It may solve most of the problems, but if they persist and our card meets all the required conditions, the best thing to do is to contact technical support directly for assistance.

 

What Prepaid Cards work with Zelle

Does Zelle accept prepaid cards

Yes, Zelle only accepts prepaid cards issued by ‘Zelle Network banks’, Chase Liquid Card and PNC Smart Access Card.

So, this means most users will not be able to use their prepaid card on Zelle to send or receive money. As the list of prepaid cards that work with Zelle is limited.

If you try to add your prepaid debit card apart from those mentioned above with Zelle, you will receive an error saying that the card you are trying to use is ineligible.

 

Can I use Zelle without a debit card

Yes, you can use Zelle without a debit card. If you don’t have a debit card, it is not a problem, but you must have a bank account to use Zelle.

Zelle works with over a thousand banks. But, still, if your bank is not available in the Zelle network, you will require a debit card that you will add to the Zelle app to receive or send money.

Now, if you don’t even have a bank account, then you can try Transferwise borderless account. It gives you an online account, but you can put any old currency into it (except cryptocurrency).

When you sign up for Zelle via its app, you can add Transferwise debit card. It’s powered by MasterCard, and acceptable for use with the Zelle app.

 

Can I use a credit card on Zelle

No, you cannot use a credit card on Zelle.

Zelle was designed to transfer money between bank accounts. So, you can only use your debit card associated with your bank or just your bank account to send or receive money using Zelle.

 

What prepaid cards work with Zelle

Only prepaid cards are issued by Zelle Network banks, such as Chase Liquid Card and PNC Smart Access Card. Prepaid cards other than these mentioned above, do not work on Zelle. 

 

Does Zelle work with Green Dot

No, Zelle doesn’t work with Green Dot. As Green Dot card is a prepaid debit card and Zelle doesn’t accept any debit cards at the moment.

 

What debit cards work with Zelle

Almost all Visa and Mastercard-powered debit cards work with Zelle. You can simply link the bank associated or any other participating debit card to the official Zelle app. The payments can be made directly from the debit card to recepient’s bank account.

 

Zelle not accepting debit card: Here is why

1. Make sure you are using a Visa or Mastercard debit card

Zelle only accepts Visa and Mastercard debit cards tied to a bank account in the U.S. If you are using any other card on Zelle, it will not work and you will receive an error the card is ineligible to use.

 

2. You are using a Prepaid card

Also, Zelle does not accept business debit cards, credit cards, cards linked to international accounts, gift cards, or prepaid cards from financial institutions outside the Zelle Network.

Some prepaid cards that fall under the Zelle network are Chase Liquid Card and PNC Smart Access Card. So, if you are using a prepaid card other than these mentioned, they won’t work.

 

3. You are entering the incorrect card credentials

Another reason you cannot link your debit card with Zelle is that you are entering the wrong details of your card.

So, make sure you are entering the details such as debit cardholder name, Zip code, expiry date, CVV number, and other information correct, which are also linked to your bank account.

 

4. Your card is not enabled for fast fund transfers

Some debit cards are incapable of receiving money or funds in minutes. So, these types of cards that are not enabled for ‘fast funds transfer’ cannot be used with Zelle.

If your card is not working with Zelle, make sure that it has fast transfer enabled.

 

5. Your Debit card is linked to accounts based in a U.S. Territory

Zelle does not work with the debit card linked to the account-based in U.S. Territory.

U.S. Territories include American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

So, if your account is based in any of these territories, it will not work with Zelle.

 

6. Zelle’s servers are down or technical issues

Well, the points listed above were the main reasons why your card is not working with Zelle. But there can be several other reasons why you are not able to link your card with Zelle such as:

• Your internet is not working
• You are using an Outdated Zelle App
• Servers of Zelle are down

 

Final Words: Prepaid Cards With Zelle

Zelle is the simplest way to send money to someone in the US. To transfer money to someone using Zelle, you don’t even require their bank account details. Money can be sent using just the phone number or email.

The best part of using Zelle is you don’t even require to install the Zelle App separately, as most of the bank’s apps house all Zelle features inside their apps.

Zelle is really one of the easiest, fastest, and safest money transfer services, but sometimes you might face issues while linking your debit card, as discussed in the post.

So, we hope you got all your answers related to issues with Prepaid cards with Zelle.