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Cash Passport™ user guide

Access Prepaid (part of Mastercard®) wanted to rework the user guide for their Cash Passport™ to make it as friendly, clear and accessible as possible.

Our rewrite cut the text’s reading age from 16 to 10.

Client

Access Prepaid

Media

Printed user guide

Key Aim

Explain the benefits and features of the Cash Passport™ to new users

What we wrote

Welcome to Cash Passport™

Your Cash Passport™ is the safe, convenient way to manage your holiday spending when you’re overseas.

With your Cash Passport™, you can get money from cash machines and pay in shops and restaurants wherever you see the MasterCard® sign.

Because your Cash Passport™ is not tied to your bank or credit card account, it’s more secure than taking your normal cards with you. All your personal financial details are completely safe. It’s also a lot easier and safer than carrying lots of cash.

Once your Cash Passport™ is activated, all you have to do is load it up with cash and you’re ready to go. It’s a bit like a prepay mobile. You can load up regularly to save up holiday spending money, or make payments when exchange rates are favourable.

To get the most from your card, set up an account at [URL]. You can put money on to your card, check your balance and view your transactions online.

Your Cash Passport™ isn’t just for one trip. You can use it again and again, so take it with you every time you travel. It’s your best friend when you’re abroad.

If anything goes wrong, we’ve got everything covered. Just call our helpline and we’ll get you a new card or some emergency cash. All you have to do is relax and enjoy your holiday!

How do I get money out of a cash machine?

Your Cash Passport™ works just like a normal bank card.

You can use it in any cash machine that has the MasterCard® Acceptance Mark on it.

Put your card in the cash machine, enter your PIN and choose how much you want to take out.

You might want to keep the receipt so you can keep track of how much you have left on your card.

How do I pay in shops and restaurants?

Your Cash Passport™ works just like a normal credit or debit card.

You can use it anywhere with the MasterCard® Acceptance Mark. Look for the Mark on the till or somewhere nearby.

Simply enter your PIN into the payment machine or sign the receipt.

Do I still need to take my other credit and debit cards?

Yes. You might still need a credit or debit card in an emergency, or for an impulse buy.

If you need to give a guarantee of payment for a hotel or car rental, it’s best to use a credit or debit card. If you use your Cash Passport™, it can tie up some of your money so you can’t spend it.

When you have a Cash Passport™, you can leave your other cards in a secure place, such as a safe in a hotel room, rather than carrying them around with you.

Do I still need cash?

Yes. Although your Cash Passport™ is accepted in lots of places, you probably still need cash for smaller purchases, vending machines, leaving tips and so on.

Can I buy things online?

Yes. You can use your Cash Passport™ at any website that accepts MasterCard®.

You will probably be asked to enter the security code, which is printed on the signature strip on the back of your card.

What if my card hasn’t got enough money for what I want to buy?

You can pay some with your Cash Passport™ and the rest with cash or a different card. Tell the cashier how much to take from your Cash Passport™ and how you want to pay the rest.

It’s important to keep track of how much you have left on your card, so you know what you can afford. If you try to pay and there isn’t enough on your card, your card won’t work.

Can I use my card to guarantee payment?

You can, but we don’t recommend it, because it can tie up your money.

When businesses like hotels and car-hire firms use your card as a guarantee, they sometimes estimate the final bill and reserve enough money on your card to cover it. This is called ‘pre-authorisation’. You can’t spend the amount that has been pre-authorised until it’s released at the time you pay your bill.

Pre-authorisation is different from using your Cash Passport™ to settle your final bill, which is a normal payment like any other.

What if my card doesn’t work?

If your Cash Passport™ is declined, it usually means you don’t have enough money on it for what you want to buy.

You can still use whatever money you have to part-pay, and pay the rest with cash or another card.

In some countries, cash machines have limits on how much you can take out each day, or each week. These limits may be lower than the limits we set for your Cash Passport™. For more information, visit [url].

What if my card gets lost or stolen?

Don’t panic! We’re here to help.

Just call us and we’ll send you a free replacement, wherever you are – usually within two days. We’ll even sort out a free emergency money transfer if you need one (up to the amount you had on your card).

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