Hey guys,

so I am finally planing to get a credit card for the occasional online flight bookings. I don't really like buying things with credit. The card is gonna to be used just for some online flight booking with Easyjet, Ryanair, Aerlingus, ebookers etc where no other payment option possible but with a credit card.

So for a non-credit lover like me, what is the better option between prepaid or normal credit card? I am aware that prepaid would be normally recommended, but I am not sure about the charges everytime I need to upload. For Migros it is like 3 CHF once but I heard for SBB prepaid it is more? Any comment regarding the friendliness of checking balance? And the year fees?

The main concern of mine regarding prepaid Migros credit card is however, whether it would be accepted for bookings at sites like ebookers, singaporeairlines etc, as it is not a 'real' credit card? (I read a sentence about that on Singaporeairlines website) But I do read about Ryanair charging fees for every card except Prepaid Master Card...

If I were to get a real credit card, I reckon the choices are either SBB half fare-credit card for 125 CHF per year or Migros for 100 CHF per year. Any better option? Will I receive a bill every end of the month that telling me what amount to pay? If I never use frequently (as I said I book only flights 2-3 times a year), then I will get a bill staing 0CHF?

As I said I am not planing to buy things with credit, nor to withdraw money abroad and I just need to use it to book flights online. If it is prepaid then I will need to be able to upload cheaply; if it is a normal credit card, the interest rates for credit card etc is not important as I will clear the amount every month. Just I need to find the most trouble-free way of paying.

If only the Postfinance direct banking as accepted by SBB website can be done everywhere...

Thanks for your input!

HI Everyone ...I also have somewhat similiar question.....I received my SBB Prepaid Credit card and want to know how do I check the balance on my card?

I chose SBB card as it solves dual purpose of Half fare card as well at a convienent price.

I have a normal SBB credit card. I never had one but since i need to book some dtuff via the net i had to get it. So far no problems. But i make sure to pay off the whole amount each month. If you dont think you can do that then go for the prepaid. I used it in France as well with no problems.

Just dont withdraw money with it its just plain suicide!

Hey jt

There is no obligation to use the credit function. Most people here let the CC company collect the money through direct debit at the end of the month.

The pre paid card will be accepted as a normal credit card. I had a quick look on the sbb site to find out about the fees. Charging the prepaid card is at least 2 Francs or 1% of the fee.

The Migros card is free but I believe the transaction fees are higher. So I would recommend the SBB one, which I also have, if you would have the half tax anyway. Recently it was also picked by comparis as the best credit card for seldom users and regular users. On comparis.ch you can compare all the cards.

Personally I have also bad experiences applying for the Migros card as well.

Before I got the SBB one I applied for the migros one. Around a month later I got a letter telling me I got turned down and for more info I’d need to phone up. I was then told it was cause I was still in the first 3 months at my new company. After the 3 months I should send them a copy of the 3 pay slips and then it should be no problem. I did this, and still got turned down. After a month. I then saw that the SBB have a free card and had it 3 weeks after applying.

If you never use the normal cc then yes the bill will be 0 CHF.

Seeing you want the most trouble-free way to pay I’d recommend a normal credit card. The transaction fees are on both are identical but you save the 2 CHF upwards and you don’t have to transfer the money on to the card before using it.

Theoretically you run the risk of overdrawing but if you can use basic maths, look at your bank balance and plane cost and then calculate if you can afford it, it shouldn’t be a problem J

Thanks for the nice replies, especially the long one from yjt.

I did some research about payment options of Easyjet and Ryanair (well, they are basically those I think I would use the credit card for...) For Easyjet, the charge is free with Visa Electron while for Ryanair it is Prepaid Mastercard. As Ryanair doesn't fly from Switzerland anymore, I am more into getting a Visa Electron then.

Is the SBB Visa Prepaid the Visa Electron? Or has anyone made booking on Easyjet using SBB (Prepaid) Credit Card without having to pay extra? I read somewhere Visa Electron could be debit or credit card (it's kinda confusing sometimes really...)

On the other side I am tempted to just apply one from Migros, as it won't cost anything right? Too bad they only have Mastercard. And the long waiting time just puts me off...or maybe I should just get a Migros Prepaid?

As you can see....I am still very undecided...Don't really need a halbtax now if not SBB would be the obvious choice...sigh...more suggestions are appreciated!

With Ryanair stopping free payment with an Electron Card I am forced to get a Prepay Master Card.

I have been looking at comparison sites in the UK

http://www.what-prepaid-card.co.uk/f...s-prepaid.html

I found this that I thought was quite interesting for foreign currency and you can pay Ryanair in Euros.

https://www.fairfx.com/ (click NO)

Has anyone got a Visa Electron here in Switzerland actually? It seems to be the card for booking with Easyjet and Aerlingus (is it also ok for ebookers?) without extra charge. Or what is you guys experience booking easyjet flight with let's say Migros (Prepaid)Mastercard?

Generally I have another question regarding prepaid credit card. It says you need to upload the money first then only you can spend. Does it mean that you have to upload, for example, 300 CHF into the account, just in case you suddenly decide to book a flight middle of the night? Is it possible to use the card first and transfer the money immediately the next day? Else is there a way to get the money on the prepaid card return??

I had a look once and I couldn't find the electron card anyway in Switzerland.

By the looks of things it won't be offered much longer as well: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8384034.stm

In Germany theres now a ruling stating airlines must offer an established free way to pay: http://www.vzbv.de//start/index.php?...it&mit_id=1166

I think it's being appealed but I'm sure it will upheld. According to my german boss Easyjet already offer bank transfer as a payment method. But only in Germany.

It looks like some one will need to bring an airline to court here in CH to make our lives easier as well.

I haven't found the Debit card offered here anywhere either.

The point of the pre paid card is not to overdraw so I really doubt you can add money after paying for something. Although I asume you can add money online

Hey Guys,
I have an SBB prepaid Card and was wondering if Any of you Know how i can check my Balance without having to weit for my Statements???

Any help Would Be awesome,
Thank you
K