Newbridge Advantage

 

F.A.Q. - Personal Prepaid Card

Application and fees for the Newbridge Advantage MasterCard Card.

1.  How do I apply for the prepaid Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® card?

You will need to submit an application with your personal information and present at least 2 pieces of ID including one piece of government issued photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport. You may be asked for additional information if needed for further identification purposes.

2.  Is the card available in every province?

No, the card is available in every province except Quebec.

3.  How long does it take to get my personalized card in the mail?

Your new personalized Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® will arrive in the mail by Canada Post approximately within 2-3 weeks from the date of approval. If you do not receive your card within this timeframe please contact our customer support centre at 1-855-879-4010. Note, cards may take longer in remote areas.

4.   Do you perform Credit Checks?

No. Credit checks are not required to become a Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® cardholder.

5.   Can I still get a Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® if I have bad credit?

Yes. Virtually everyone qualifies for a Newbridge Advantage Prepaid MasterCard® as long as you are a Canadian resident.

6. Will the Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® help me to build credit?

No. Your Newbridge Advantage Prepaid MasterCard® does not currently help to build or restore your credit. Your transaction history will not be reported to the credit bureaus.

7.   Can I still get a Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® if I already have another MasterCard® card?

Yes. Newbridge Advantage is a completely separate MasterCard® card program.

8.   Is the Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® anonymous?

All  Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® are personalized with the applicant's name..

9.   Can I have more than one card?

You can only have one  personalized Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® card in your name and one Newbridge Advantage Business prepaid card under your own name.

10. Is the Newbridge Advantage Prepaid MasterCard® a credit card?

No, you must pre-load funds onto your card before you can start using the card. When you use your card, the amount of each transaction, including any applicable service fees, will be deducted from your account balance.

11. What fees apply to the Newbridge Advantage MasterCard®?

There is a onetime application fee plus a monthly fee for the usage of the card program. Regular usage transaction fees also applies.  Fee Schedule

 

Activating the Card

1.  How do I activate my personalized Newbridge Advantage MasterCard®?

Once you receive your new personalized card in the mail, you should sign the back then activate it immediately online at www.NewbridgeAdvantage.com.

2.  When can I start to use my Newbridge Advantage card?

You can start using your new card immediately after you receive, activate and load your card.

3. How do I select a PIN for my Card to use at ATM machine?

You will be required to select your PIN when you register or activate your Newbridge Advantage Prepaid MasterCard® online. You should not write or keep your PIN with your Card. If you change your or reset 1your PIN, you will be charged a $1.00 fee which will be deducted from your card balance. To change your PIN login to your online account at www.NewbridgeAdvantage.com.

 

Loading funds to the card

 

1.  How do I load funds to my Newbridge Advantage MasterCard®?

You may load your card by logging in online at www.newbridgeadvantage.com using your user name and password ID.

2.  What options do I have to load my card?

You may use Newbridge's Interac online service if you have access to online banking service through your personal bank account which will take up to 48 hours for the funds to be posted to your card after your request.

If you do not have access to online banking, you may use Newbridge's pre-authorized debit service (EFT) which may take up to 5 business days for the funds to be posted to your card after your request. 

3.  Is there a minimum or maximum load amount that applies to the Newbridge Advantage
      MasterCard®?

There is a minimum load of $10 and a maximum load of $2,500. The maximum balance on the Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® cannot exceed $5,000 at any time. All limits are subject to change.

4.  Can I add funds to my Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® at an ATM?

No. You can only add funds to your Card by logging in our website at www.newbridgeadvantage.com.

 

Using the card

1.  Where can I use my Newbridge Advantage Card?

The Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® is accepted at over 28.5 million locations worldwide and online. You can also withdraw cash at over 1 million ATM’s worldwide.

2.  Can I use my Newbridge Advantage Card to make online purchases?

Yes, you can use your card to make purchases from online stores including dating and travel booking sites. At checkout be sure to use the same address that you registered your Newbridge Advantage card with.

3.  How do I check my card balance?

You can check your card balance 24/7 by accessing your online account at www.NewbridgeAdvantage.com or  by calling 1-855-879-4010. Certain fees may apply  for live customer service call.

4. What if I spend more money than I have on my card?

If your purchase is greater than your Card’s available balance the transaction will be declined and a decline fee of .75 cents may be charged.

5.  Can I use my Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® to withdraw cash from ATMs?

Yes, as long as you have your personalized PIN, you can obtain cash from any ATM that has the MasterCard®, Maestro®, Cirrus® or STAR® logo. A fee of $2.50 applies to each ATM transaction, in addition to any fees the ATM owner may charge. 

6.  How much cash can I withdraw from the ATM each day?

You can withdraw cash from an ATM as many times a day as you would like, however, you may not withdraw more than $1,000 total per day.

7.  What if I need to return merchandise that I purchased using my Newbridge Advantage
      MasterCard®?

The merchant will handle the return in accordance with MasterCard® guidelines. Store return policies may vary. The merchant may credit your Card, provide a cash refund, or issue a store credit. If the merchant reverses or cancels the transaction on your card, it may take up to 10 days for those funds to become available on your card.

8.  What is a pre-authorization?

A pre-authorizations means that a temporary hold is placed on a portion of your funds over and above the actual purchase amount until the merchant settles the transaction - usually within 3 days. During this time these funds will not be available to you to make additional purchases or ATM cash withdraws. As an example pay-at-the-pump gas stations will pre-authorize $75 and restaurants will pre-authorize 20% over the bill amount. Other merchants such as hotels and car rental companies may have higher pre-authorization amounts or other requirements. We recommend that you contact the merchant in advance to ensure that you will have sufficient funds to cover the purchase and any pre-authorization amount.

9.  Can I use my Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® to pay-at-the-pump for gas?

Yes, but a pay-at-the-pump transaction involves a pre-authorization of $75. If you do not have $75 available on your Card, the transaction will be declined. By paying for your gasoline inside, only the actual purchase amount will be withdrawn from your Card balance. 

10. Can I use my Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® to rent a car?

Yes, however some car rental companies may elect not to accept your card as a form of payment. Please keep in mind that car rental companies will process a pre-authorization for much more than the actual cost of the rental until which time you return the vehicle and settle for extra charges such as fuel, damage, road tolls, extra days, etc. These preauthorized funds may not become available on your card for up to 60 days. To avoid any issues, we advise you to first contact the rental car company and ask them what is their company  policy.

11. Can I use my Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® to book a hotel?

Yes, however keep in mind that hotels will process a pre-authorization for more than the actual cost of the room until you checkout and settle for extra charges such as room service, telephone charges, damage, etc. These preauthorized funds may not become available on your card for up to 10 days. To avoid any issues, we advise you to first contact the hotel and ask them what is their company policy .

12. Can I use my Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® at a restaurant?

Yes, however keep in mind that restaurants process a pre-authorization for approximately 20% more than the actual bill in anticipation of a tip that may be added. These preauthorized funds may not become available on your card for up to 4 days. To avoid any issues we advise that prior to dining, you make sure your balance is sufficient enough to cover the bill plus a pre-authorization amount.

13. Why was my card declined?

Your card may have been declined because the purchase amount was greater than the available balance on your card. Some retailers will allow you to do a split transaction where they allow you to use two separate payment methods. Merchants are unable to obtain the balance on your card so it’s important to always know your balance before making a purchase.

 

14. Can I use my Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® for preauthorized payments or bill payments?

Yes. Just check with the company that is accepting the payment to see if they accept MasterCard® cards and follow their payment instructions. Preauthorized or recurring payments are charged automatically to your card. It is important to remember to have sufficient funds on your card to cover these transactions as the company may suspend or cancel your service if the transaction gets declined.

 

General and customer support

1.  What if my Newbridge Advantage Prepaid MasterCard® is lost or stolen?

You must contact us immediately if your card has been lost or stolen. You can call our 24x7 customer support centre at 1-855-879-4010 or visit www.NewbridgeAdvantage.com and click “contact us”. You will need to provide us with your card number and other information. A replacement card can be provided at a cost of $25.00 and the remaining balance from your lost or stolen card will be transferred to your new card. Your funds are protected if your card is ever lost or stolen with MasterCard®’s Zero Liability Protection.  Click here to review the Newbridge Advantage Cardholder Agreement for details on MasterCard®’s Zero Liability Protection.

2.  How can I remove funds from my Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® to close the account?

There are three ways to do this: 1. Use your Card at any participating merchant to purchase goods and services. 2. You can simply withdraw the funds at an ATM machine. Any ATM transaction fees and surcharges will still apply. 3. For a $10.00 service fee, you can remove funds by calling customer service at 1-855-879-4010. Please allow up to 30 days from the time of your request to receive a check in the mail.

3.  When will my Newbridge Advantage MasterCard® expire?

Your card will expire within approximately 24 to 36 months from the date you activate it. The valid thru date is printed on the front of your card.

4.  Will I receive a monthly statement?

No. You can however view your transaction history 24/7 by login into your online account at www.NewbridgeAdvantage.com.

5.  What is the difference between current and available balance?

The current balance does not include pre-authorizations. The available balance reflects the amount of funds you have available at the time you check your balance.

6.  What if I forget my login or password to access my online account?

If you forget your password, simply click on the “forgot my password” link and follow instructions to recover your password or call 1 855 879 4010.

7.  What if I don’t recognize a transaction on my card?

If you do not recognize a transaction when reviewing your account online, try to match up the transaction amount with your receipts. Sometimes merchant names will show up different than the actual name of the store. If you still believe that the transaction is incorrect you may choose to file a dispute and an investigation emailing us at dispute@newbridgeadvantage.com.

8.  How do I dispute a charge on my Newbridge Advantage MasterCard®?

To dispute a transaction please email us at dispute@www.NewbridgeAdvantage.com or send a letter via mail. We are unable to accept telephone calls for transaction disputes. All disputes will be responded to within 15 days of receipt of your email or letter. Please be sure to describe the transaction in detail and why you believe it is incorrect. You will need to include your full name, card number, address and phone number along with copies of any relevant correspondence such as a transaction receipt. Our mailing address is 3000 Steeles Ave East, suite 300 Markham Ontario L3R 4T9.

10. Is my personal information kept private?

Yes. Your privacy is important to us. Please refer to the Newbridge Advantage Card Privacy Policy including in your Cardholder Agreement.

 

 

For Lost and Stolen Card contact: Tel: 1-888-410-2166
For more information call 416-410-2188