I use them, especially when I travel. I buy mine at my bank - I think it is $5.00 to purchase, but now you can reload them for $3.00. I also like to use them when I shop online because no one will have access to my checking account info or my credit card info. If someone gets access to this card info, they are very limited to they amount they can steal. They used to have a monthly fee after the 1st six months, but that has changed. As long as you use the card for some purchase in a certain time frame (and I can't remember what that is), there is no monthly fee. When I travel I use them for gas, food, & purchases. I only use my credit card for hotel rooms. My daughter, who is in college, always keeps one on hand. It is so nice because I can reload it for her if she is running low on funds. I would check with your bank & see what their policies are, but I highly recommend them.