What are the benefits to me?
firstthere is easy to use and provides many benefits
- The firstthere card is issued to you free of charge
- Immediate decision on issue of card, no credit checks or bank account needed.
- Cheaper than a bank account and no hidden charges
- No cheque cashing hassle or cost
- Easy way to pay for optional services like transport to work
- Secure management of your money from your mobile, no need to access your account on the internet, no need to visit a bank
- Your wages are paid directly to your card and you have 24/7 access to your funds.
- You can use the card to buy things or withdraw cash from ATMs - it's a MasterCard® card and you can use it anywhere that MasterCard® cards are accepted including purchases online and over the phone.
- You can apply for a secondary card and manage your finances by cheaply sending money home to friends and family. Once you have applied for a secondary card all of this can be done from your mobile phone.
- You get virtually free mobile messaging. The only charges that apply are GPRS charges made by your telephone provider, costs vary depending on the network.
- You can opt in to firstthere's readymade, optional, low-cost (£2.50 a week) shopping discounts with inclusive insurance scheme.
- You may pay your employer for optional services they provide to you (e.g. transport to work) directly from your card. You must provide your employer with your authority before they can debit your card. This leaves you in charge of your money.
- If you leave your employer, the firstthere card remains yours and you will continue to enjoy its benefits as long as you choose. If you’re going home and intend to come back and work here but don’t want the firstthere card active for up to twelve months, just call us on 0845 508 7707 and tell us to suspend it. No more charges will be made until you reactivate it by calling us again and there will be no arrears.
- You receive one free ATM or retail transaction each time you are paid by your employer, i.e.
- You can use an ATM (cash machine) free of charge to withdraw up to £250 once each time you are paid, FREE.
- OR you can spend up to the full balance of your card within any merchant or retailer that accepts MasterCard® once each time you are paid, FREE.
- OR you can transfer you money by BACS to an existing bank account if you wish, FREE.
- A small charge applies for subsequent ATM or retail transactions.
