Pre-paid mastercards

The missus is looking for a voucher to go shopping for her Xmas present. Normally I'd just go get a gift card one at the Pavillions and just use that it it were for me.

But she gets nervous using it in Blanchardstown because it's not branded by them. Now I've read the terms and conditions on all these websites and it just says that its accepted where ever mastercard is.

Is that the case? Or can they refuse to accept it somewhere "because its a Pavillions gift card"? I should probably add a few years ago I was in M & S and had to have a stand up row with someone at the till because they said it was a Pavillions card and they could only accept their own. In the end I got my way but it was a pain.

I've obviously look at Swirl but they apply a monthly charge of 3.50 or something after 60 days of inactivity. My missus is due a baby in January so she may not get shopping very quickly so I dont like the idea of that one.

thoughts anyone?

The ECB do a very attractive voucher, its available in shades of blue, red, brown and I have heard in some other colours. Its accepted everywhere in Ireland and in many countries abroad, not in the North or England unfortunately.

peteb said:

thoughts anyone?

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Put cash in a xmas card, that's accepted everywhere.

Cash is too easily squandered on things that it is nt for.

It is my opinion that gift cards are a pain in the neck, you sometimes have to spend the exact amount, you forget to bring it with you, you leave it in the envelope and forget about it altogether. You can't tell how much is on the card etc etc. (I bought one for Debenhams to give to someone as a gift but left Ireland with it and forgot about it)

Hey hey hey peoples. Whilst we all agree cash is king, i want a gift card!! :mad: Can the shopping centres correctly say i cant use my Pavilions mastercard in Blanch?

Peteb why don't you phone them !

MasterCard scheme rules most likely require anyone stating that they accept MasterCard payments to accept all MasterCards irrespective of who issued it....

Revolut...but if you dont have one already then too late for xmas...

Bronte said:

Peteb why don't you phone them !

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Because Bronte, they are usually trained to tell you whatever the store says. You want to see how difficult they were going to make for me cancelling one the day after i bought it.

peteb said:

Hey hey hey peoples. Whilst we all agree cash is king, i want a gift card!! :mad: Can the shopping centres correctly say i cant use my Pavilions mastercard in Blanch?

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Yes in theory, if the card is a "Limited Network / Restricted Loop Card". Than despite it having a Mastercard logo the card usage is restricted or locked down to specified merchants, for example those in a specific shopping center.

As to your Pavilions card, it's a perfect centre card, according to their T&C you should be able to use it anywhere in Ireland and they issue both the Pavilions and Blanchardstown card. But with all of these programs, especially where the card involves at least 4 companies (shopping centre, perfectcard, psipay, wirecard) to issue/maintain it, I would suggest to leave your fingers from them. Too much risk of failure.