Reloadable prepaid · United States

Vanilla Reload / VanillaDirect Load review: fees, limits and how it works

Adding cash to an eligible reloadable prepaid account

By the CreditCardCompare editorial team · Updated · Fees checked against the provider's published fee schedule

Quick answer: Vanilla Reload, now VanillaDirect Load, is a cash-load service from InComm, not a card. You hand cash to a cashier at a participating store and it goes onto an eligible prepaid or bank account. There's no monthly fee, but the retailer may charge a convenience fee shown at the register. It suits people adding cash.

ProviderInComm (VanillaDirect)
NetworkVaries (a cash-load service, not a card)
Monthly feeNone. This is a load service, not an acc…

Best for: Adding cash to an eligible reloadable prepaid account

Pros

  • Cash access at many stores

Cons

  • Retailer fees
  • A frequent tool in scams. Never buy a reload pack to 'pay' someone.
Person holding credit card swipe machine — using the Vanilla Reload / VanillaDirect Load
Photo: Blake Wisz / Unsplash

Who it suits

Good fit if

  • Adding cash to an eligible reloadable prepaid account
  • People without a bank branch nearby
  • Loading cash at a store register

Skip it if

  • Someone asked you to pay them with a reload, a common scam
  • Your account accepts free direct deposit or transfers
  • You want to know the exact fee before you go to the store

Fees

Monthly feeNone. This is a load service, not an account.
OtherParticipating retailers may charge a convenience fee set by VanillaDirect at the time of the transaction

How to get and load it

Available at participating retailers. See VanillaDirect's store locator.

  • Cash at participating retail registers

Activation

Cash is loaded onto an eligible prepaid or bank account at the register.

Deposit protection and credit building

Protection: Depends on the account you're loading.

Credit building: No

Vanilla Reload / VanillaDirect Load FAQs

Does the Vanilla Reload / VanillaDirect Load have a monthly fee?

Monthly fee: None. This is a load service, not an account.. Other charges to check: Participating retailers may charge a convenience fee set by VanillaDirect at the time of the transaction.

How do I activate the Vanilla Reload / VanillaDirect Load?

Cash is loaded onto an eligible prepaid or bank account at the register.

Is money on the Vanilla Reload / VanillaDirect Load insured?

Depends on the account you're loading.

Does the Vanilla Reload / VanillaDirect Load build credit?

No

How do I add money to the Vanilla Reload / VanillaDirect Load?

You can load it by cash at participating retail registers.

Official InComm (VanillaDirect) site

Sources: www.vanillareload.com · vanilladirect.com · pay.vanilladirect.com. Fees change; confirm on the official fee schedule.