Digital repaid payments offer a modern solution to manage finances with ease and security.
We make prepaid easy
Discover why we believe Prepaid is the best way to pay and why we have focused our mission on making it easy.
The history of
prepaid payments
1930
Gift Certificates
Prepaid payments first came on the scene in the 1930s in the form of Gift Certificates from large US-based retailers such as Macy’s. This marked the early phase of prepaid retail solutions.
1976
The Golden Arches
McDonald’s launches its gift certificates, popularising the concept in the fast-food industry.
1981
Prepaid Phone Cards
Introduction of prepaid phone cards by telecom companies, such as British Telecom, initiating the concept of prepaid telecommunication services.
1991
Open-loop cards land
Barclays Bank in the UK in partnership with Visa made the first steps in launching an early open-loop prepaid card, the Barclays Connect Card.
1994
AMEX open loop enters the market
Following the success of Barclays in the UK across the pond US-based American Express launched its own open-loop gift card, the AMEX Gift Card
1995
Blockbuster’s Entertainment Passport
Blockbuster released its gift card, replacing paper gift certificates, increasing the security of its prepaid product, and revolutionizing the way customers access entertainment rentals.
2001
Starbucks’ Coffee Currency
Starbucks introduced a reloadable gift card, innovating the concept of loyalty and convenience in the coffee retail market, whilst bringing the use of prepaid further into people’s daily lives, with 4 million activations in 8 months.
2010
Prepaid Goes Digital
In the 2010’s prepaid morphed again this time it was all about the way people accessed prepaid payments through the use of wallets or online prepaid marketplaces such as Recharge.com, making purchasing and reloading prepaid super easy without the need to visit physical stores.
Why prepaid is the go-to way to pay
Prepaid payments are the smart choice in a digital world
Enjoy the freedom of controlled spending, enhanced security, and unmatched convenience.
Easy global gifting
Budget control
Privacy & security
Join our company and ignite your career!
At Recharge, our team has one guiding mission: to make prepaid payments easy – now and in the future.
Want to be part of this mission and help revolutionize an industry?