Prepaid debit cards are great ways for those with bad credit to have some buying power when it comes to merchants who only take plastic. Whether renting a car or securing a hotel room, plastic seems to be the new king.

If you have an Emerald card, you might have some questions about how they work. Should you be wondering if these cards have a routing number, we can help. We researched the Emerald card in depth so you'll know for sure.

The Emerald card does not have a routing number. It is a form of a debit card, which does not have these identifiers.

Now that we know that the Emerald card does not have a routing number, we'll look at how an Emerald account is identified. You might also want to know what the Emerald card can be used for, or if you can deposit a check into your Emerald account. For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what our research has discovered.

How do you identify an Emerald card account?

As we pointed out earlier in this post, the Emerald card does not have a routing number. A routing number is meant to be tied to a specific bank branch. This nine-digit number is unique to each bank and does not exist on most prepaid debit accounts.

An Emerald account is identified by its account number. This number is unique to your card and can be retrieved by going to your My Block account and logging in. If you do not have your login information, you can phone the card issuer at 866-353-1266. 

These cards are issued by tax giants H&R Block and are meant for the direct deposits of an individual's or family's income tax return. But these cards can be used for a lot more than just a vessel for receiving your refund check.

What can you use an Emerald card for?

The Emerald card is a prepaid debit card. So long as there are funds available, you can use them for almost anything you need. Airline tickets, rental cars, hotel rooms, trips to the grocery store, and more can be had with this handy little card.

Consumers should know that the Emerald card is endorsed by Mastercard. So anywhere that Mastercard is accepted, so will your Emerald card. This applies not only to merchants but to ATMs as well.

If doing a cash withdrawal or transfer with the Emerald card, be aware that there can be some hefty fees for doing so. These can add up quickly and drain your card of its balance before you know it.

Can I deposit a check into my Emerald account?

The Emerald card can be loaded with more than just your tax return that was prepared by H&R Block. This card can be set up to deposit checks and even receive direct deposits of paychecks, social security checks, and more. This makes the Emerald card quite versatile and a great thing to hang on to if you have bad credit and need plastic for certain transactions.

Enabling direct deposit onto your Emerald account will save you costly check cashing fees. It's also a great way to save time, as you won't need to be traveling to a bank or a check-cashing location. Just set up the direct deposit and your check will be in your account on the scheduled pay date.

What benefits are there with an Emerald card?

The Emerald card has a lot more benefits than just being a reloadable prepaid card. While the following list is not all inclusive, it should give you a pretty good idea of what benefits this card offers consumers.

An expansive reload network for the Emerald card is available

We mentioned earlier that there are a lot more ways to get money on your Emerald card than just a tax return direct deposit. You'll find that this card can have money loaded onto it simply by taking it into a participating merchant. 

Most Dollar General stores are in the network of merchants that will let you put more money onto your Emerald card. This is fast and easy and can be done for a minimal fee. There are thousands of Dollar General locations throughout the United States, so you'll almost always be able to find one.

Walmart also participates in this program. It seems like you can't throw a rock without hitting a Walmart, so you know there's always going to be a place for you to get more money onto your Emerald card.

And if you need to find more locations other than these two national retailers, you can search for the nearest participating location on your Emerald mobile app.

The Emerald card can be linked to your checking account

You can also transfer funds from an existing checking account onto your Emerald card. The app will let you link your personal checking account to the card. Doing this makes it a snap for you to put money onto the card yourself and avoid any transaction fees charged by the merchants. 

Detailed transactions are available on its mobile app or the website

Just like a bank, you'll be able to see all of the details of your Emerald card transactions on the app. Simply log in and go to account activity, and you'll get a history of every transaction.

From debits to deposits, all of the information will be there. This will help you keep track of your spending, and also serve as a safeguard against potential unauthorized use of your Emerald card. Regularly checking this is a great way to keep track of your spending and your budget, too.

Bill pay is available with the Emerald card

In the digital age, many of us do not sit at a table and write out checks every month to pay our bills. Online bill pay takes the time and monotony out of staying current with utilities, car payments, rent, and other recurring expenses. Fortunately, an Emerald card can be set up to do that as well.

Bill pay is a great feature of the Emerald card, and it's totally free. Sign up online or by using the mobile app. Just make sure you keep the proper balance loaded onto the card every month so that the transactions will go through!

There is also a cashback and rewards feature

Unlike many other prepaid cards, the Emerald card will offer certain cashback and rewards benefits. This can accumulate well over time. Just use your card anywhere that Mastercard is accepted, and you'll be eligible for rewards!

This card can be treated like a savings account

Many Emerald card holders have other bank accounts, checking accounts, and actual credit cards. What makes Emerald so attractive to them is the way that it can be a vessel for savings.

Planning a vacation for the future? Set aside some money on your Emerald card. Want to put back funds for the holidays ahead of time? Load money onto your Emerald card every week or set up a recurring transfer from your checking account.

The versatility of how the Emerald card can be used makes it more attractive to people who want more than just a prepaid debit card. These are a great way for H&R Block customers to have a card that carries with it a ton of options and possibilities.

If you have this card, explore all of the benefits and see how the Emerald card might be able to ease your financial burdens.

Final thoughts

The Emerald card is a prepaid debit card, so it will not have a routing number associated with it. The Emerald card can be used anywhere that accepts a Mastercard, including airlines and hotels. This card carries with it many benefits that make it worth considering keeping long after your tax return has been deposited into it.

We hope this post on the Emerald card answered all of your questions. For additional helpful information, we suggest reading the following posts:

Can You Transfer Money From Emerald Card To Bank Account?

Can You Cash A Check At An ATM Without A Bank Account?

What Stores Accept OTC Card?