FAQs

	Card Features FAQs
	Using your card FAQs
	Keeping your card safe FAQs
	Account Management FAQs
	Getting your card FAQs
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	Where in the world can I find a MasterCard ATM?
	Application Tracker

Managing your Gap Year cashplus prepaid MasterCard® account

Just about everything you need to know about how to use our member's area, telephone and text messaging service, so you can check your balance, transactions as well as other account management functions.

How can I check my balance and transactions?

Go to the member's area: You can check your balance and review and print your statements and transactions. You can also activate your card, add additional cards and amend your personal details.

Call our Customer Services team on 0871 277 5599*.

You can use our automated service to:

Report your card as Lost or Stolen
Activate your card
Check your account balance
Check your last transactions and payment information
Check when a payment has been made into your account
Hear more information about our services, including:
   - Getting and using your card
   - Topping up and different payment plans
   - How to use your card for getting money to friends and family
Change your pricing plan
Get further help with specific account queries by speaking to one of the Gap Year cashplus Customer Services team

Call us Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm. Calls will be charged at 10p per minute from BT landlines. Calls from other networks or from outside the UK may cost more. Lost and Stolen calls will be taken 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can also text us! To have your latest card information sent to your mobile phone just text the following requests to 07797 800 601. Each text costs your usual network tariff plus 25p which will be charged to your mobile phone. Simply text:

BALANCE - to get your latest balance details
LASTTRANS - to get up to your latest 5 transactions
STATUS - to check up on the status of your application

Please note that if you have more than one card account with the same mobile phone number, you will have to contact customer services.

Can I get my wages paid directly into my Gap Year cashplus prepaid MasterCard account?

Yes. This service is FREE. Simply click here to print out our wages payment form. Read the instructions carefully, then simply complete the form and hand it to your employer to process.

How are transactions authorised?

Your prepaid card is like a debit or credit cards when it comes to purchasing goods and services. When you want to buy something, we are asked if you have enough funds in your account to cover the value of the purchase price of what you want to buy.

This means when your card is put in the Chip and PIN terminal, it will connect to us online. We will then say that you have enough money in your account to pay for what you want to buy and hold the funds until the purchase is fully processed. Nobody will be able to see your account balance.

Do I need a minimum account balance when I use my card?

In some circumstances, you may need a minimum balance in your Gap Year cashplus card account for your card to be accepted. For example, when you 'Pay at Pump' you need a minimum balance of Ł50 on your card. This does not affect you if you purchase your fuel at the till inside the petrol station.

Why might a transaction be declined?
On rare occasions, when a merchant cannot go online and check with us how much money you have on your card, your transaction may be declined.

What is a pending transaction?
Like debit and credit cards, a transaction is pending when a merchant or retailer requests confirmation that you have funds available for the transaction. We have confirmed that you had the funds available and we are holding them for the merchant or retailer to process the transaction. We hold them up to 15 days for the merchant to confirm the transaction.

If the transaction is not confirmed by the merchant within this timeframe the funds will be released back to your available account balance. It will appear as “pending” when you view your statements online, or will have a “P” next to it if you request a text of your last five transactions. If you want to cancel a pending transaction or have any questions about the transaction please contact the merchant directly as they will have to cancel it.

Will I have to pay any interest?
No. There is no interest to pay and no late payment fees on your Gap Year cashplus card. It is not a credit card so you can not exceed the funds you have on your account. All fees and charges applying to your account are set out in the Terms and Conditions.

How do I get additional Gap Year cashplus cards for my family or friends?
It's easy. You can request additional cards on your existing account for use by additional cardholders aged 13 years and over for just Ł9.95 per additional card. No additional monthly fees will be charged for additional cards. Just log onto the member's area and apply, call our Customer Services team on 0871 277 5599* or write to us at PO Box 466, Salford, M50 2XU. See Terms and Conditions for full details.

What happens when my Gap Year cashplus prepaid MasterCard expires?
If your account is still open and in good standing, we will automatically send you a replacement card one month prior to the expiry date of your current card. If you do not receive the replacement card, please contact our Customer Services team on 0871 277 5599* to request a replacement. You will not lose any funds in your account if you do not receive a replacement card before your card expires. Please see the Terms and Conditions for more information.

How do I close my account?
The best way to close your account is by using the funds in your account until your balance reaches zero and you have no funds left in your account. Once your account balance is zero simply write to our Customer Services at PO Box 466, Salford, M50 2XU.

We reserve the right to contact you where appropriate, and charge you for all transactions and applicable fees. See Terms and Conditions for full details.

*Telephone calls may be recorded. Calls will be charged at 10p per minute from BT landlines. Other operator's charges may apply. See Terms and Conditions.