FAQ

Yes, but you will need to activate it first (just see the question below). Once your Sterling pre-paid MasterCard® card is activated and loaded with money you can use it to pay for whatever you want, wherever you see the MasterCard® acceptance mark.

Simply go to the Members' Area and activate your card. Alternatively you can call the Customer Services team on 0871 277 5590**

**Calls made to 0871 numbers are charged at 10pence per minute from a BT landline. Calls from other networks may vary.

Yes. You can use your Sterling pre-paid MasterCard® at over 28 million retail outlets worldwide wherever the MasterCard® acceptance mark is displayed. You can use your Sterling Card to pay for almost anything, as long as you have sufficient funds in your account. You can use your card online, by phone and in store, for everyday purchases such as: groceries, petrol, paying bills, booking travel and even topping up your mobile phone.

Yes, if you have been fully verified. You can get cash from any cash machine that displays the MasterCard® acceptance mark, up to the amount that's in your account or up to a limit of £500 per day*. Please see below for more information about the cash limit you can withdraw from your account. There is a withdrawal fee of £1.50 per UK ATM withdrawal (selected ATM owners may charge additional fees) and £3.00 per non-UK ATM withdrawal.

Locate your nearest MasterCard® ATM.

*ATM/bank cash withdrawals, additional card facilities, top-ups by way of standing order or wages payment are not available unless you have been fully identified and your card has been upgraded.

Yes, if you have been fully verified. If there are sufficient funds in your account, you can use your Sterling card to get cash over the counter at a bank*, subject to a fee of £3.50 per transaction. Most high street banks will perform this service for you. A daily withdrawal limit applies - please see below.

*ATM/bank cash withdrawals, additional card facilities, top-ups by way of standing order or wages payment are not available unless you have been fully identified and your card has been upgraded.

Yes. The maximum combined amount you may withdraw per day at an ATM* and at bank counters is £500. This limit includes the purchase of travellers cheques, foreign currency and similar items. If you reach this daily limit you can still purchase goods and services from retailers provided you have sufficient funds in your account.

*ATM/bank cash withdrawals, additional card facilities, top-ups by way of standing order or wages payment are not available unless you have been fully identified and your card has been upgraded.

Yes, full details of these limits are show in the Account Limits and Usage box below.

***higher limits may be made available at card issuer's sole discretion

Yes. Your Sterling Card is welcome wherever the MasterCard® acceptance mark is displayed, at more than 28 million retail outlets globally. So long as you have been fully verified you can also use your card to get cash at MasterCard® cash machines* all over the world. There is a 2.99% foreign exchange fee for both retail purchases and ATM withdrawals and a £3.00 withdrawal fee per ATM transaction. Please note: selected ATM owners may charge additional fees. See Terms and Conditions for full details.

Find a MasterCard® ATM abroad.

*ATM/bank cash withdrawals, additional card facilities, top-ups by way of standing order or wages payment are not available unless you have been fully identified and your card has been upgraded.

No, Sterling is a pre-paid card, meaning you can only spend the amount you have topped up. You must not spend more money than you have on your account. Any attempt to do so may result in criminal and/or civil action being taken against you.

In some instances you may need more funds in your account than the amount of money you are spending. See some examples below. This is in line with standard card processing procedures. If you require further information, please check with the merchant or service provider before your transaction is processed.

1) Tips and service charges
At certain outlets the authorisation amount may be increased before the transaction is approved. This is to protect both you and ourselves. At such locations, an additional percentage (usually 10%-20%) will be added to the bill total to cover service charges, tips or other similar costs. The merchant will check for the value of the bill plus the additional percentage, and may decline your card if there are not sufficient funds available. For example: at restaurants your account balance should be 20% more than the bill total for your Sterling Card to be accepted. This is to accommodate for any service charge or tip.

2) Minimum account balance
In some circumstances, you may need a minimum balance in your Sterling account for your card to be accepted. For example, at fuel stations you will need a minimum of £50 in your account for "pay at pump" usage. To avoid this, please go directly to the attendant to authorise the exact amount you wish to purchase.

No. There is no interest to pay and no late payment fees on your Sterling pre-paid MasterCard®.