Netspend And United Airlines Roll Out MileagePlus Go Visa Prepaid Card

Netspend, the prepaid card provider owned by TSYS Company, recently announced the launch of the United MileagePlus GO Visa Prepaid Card in conjunction with United Airlines.

In a press release, the companies said the card is now available online at www.MileagePlusGO.com. With the new card, customers will be able to earn one United MileagePlus award mile for every $1 spent on qualifying signature purchases. Award miles can be redeemed through United’s MileagePlus loyalty program, which has consistently been voted the world’s best frequent flyer program by Global Traveler magazine, according to the news release.

Customers who hold the card can earn up to 2,500 miles per month. Miles earned automatically and deposited into the cardholder’s United MileagePlus account.

There is no credit check requirement, and no late fees or interest payments are associated with the prepaid card. The card can be reloaded and used anywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.

Along with the card, the partnership also released a mobile app that makes it easy for cardholders to track spending and miles earned, load checks and find the nearest reload locations, according to the news release. An annual fee of $85 is applied and deducted after the first load to the cardholder’s account.

The move for Netspend to launch the new card comes just a few weeks after it agreed to issue refunds to customers who could not access the money in their Netspend accounts. The Federal Trade Commission announced the settlement in mid-June saying Netspend is sending notices by email and mail to customers eligible for a refund.

Netspend, which serves those without a bank, specializes in providing prepaid Visa debit cards. On November 10, 2016, the FTC alleged that Netspend deceived its customers regarding access to money transferred onto its prepaid debit cards. Specifically, the FTC’s complaint called some of Netspend’s marketing messages into question.