"Is the STACK Prepaid Mastercard a credit card?"

"**No — STACK is NOT a credit card.** It is a prepaid Mastercard — you load funds from a bank account and spend only what you've loaded. There is no credit extension, no credit check required to open a STACK account, and spending on STACK does NOT build your Canadian credit history. STACK is a digital spending account with a prepaid Mastercard. This is similar to KOHO Prepaid Visa/Mastercard and the EQ Bank Card — all are prepaid spending tools, not credit cards. For a credit card with no foreign transaction fee, consider the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite ($150/year), Home Trust Preferred Visa ($0/year), or Brim World Elite Mastercard."

"Does STACK charge foreign transaction fees?"

"STACK has historically marketed itself as a no-foreign-transaction-fee prepaid card — one of its primary selling points for travelers. No FX fee means you pay the Mastercard exchange rate without an additional 2.5% surcharge, which is the standard fee on most Canadian credit cards. This can save meaningful money on international travel spending. However, STACK's fee structure has evolved over time — verify the current fee schedule at stack.ca before relying on the no-FX feature. Note: ATM withdrawals abroad may still incur fees."

"Does STACK earn rewards or cash back?"

"STACK has offered merchant-specific cash back or rewards at participating partner merchants — verify the current rewards programme at stack.ca. STACK's partner cash back model is similar to Neo Financial and KOHO: elevated cash back at specific Canadian retailers and restaurants, with limited or no rewards outside the partner network. Unlike major bank credit cards, STACK does not earn Aeroplan miles, Scene+ Points, or other national loyalty programme currencies. Verify current rewards at stack.ca."

"How does STACK compare to KOHO?"

"Both STACK and KOHO are Canadian fintech prepaid cards — not credit cards. Comparison: STACK focuses on no-FX fees and travel spending; KOHO focuses on cash back on everyday spending with various subscription tiers. Both require no credit check. Key differences: KOHO has a more developed product ecosystem (KOHO Premium, KOHO Metal, credit-building secured card add-on); STACK's core proposition is international spending without FX fees. Both are legitimate spending tools but neither builds credit history. For credit building, use a secured credit card (Home Trust Secured Visa, Capital One Guaranteed Mastercard, or KOHO's credit-building add-on product). Verify current features at stack.ca and koho.ca."

STACK Prepaid Mastercard Review 2026: Is It Worth It in Canada?

Important: The STACK Prepaid Mastercard is NOT a credit card. It is a prepaid spending card — no credit check, no credit building, no credit extension. Load funds from your bank and spend what you have. For a no-FX credit card, see the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite or Home Trust Preferred Visa.

The STACK Prepaid Mastercard is a Canadian fintech spending card marketed primarily for its no-foreign-transaction-fee proposition — useful for international travelers who want to avoid the standard 2.5% FX surcharge that most Canadian credit cards charge on foreign currency purchases. With no annual fee and no credit check required, it provides a low-barrier international spending tool.

Quick Verdict

Best for: International travelers who want a no-FX-fee spending card without applying for a credit card — accessible with no credit check, no annual fee, and Mastercard acceptance at millions of international merchants.
Not ideal for: Those who want to build credit history (prepaid does not build credit); those who want travel insurance, Aeroplan miles, or premium rewards — a travel credit card is required for those benefits.

Key Card Details

Feature	Detail
Type	PREPAID Mastercard — NOT a credit card
Annual fee	$0
Network	Mastercard
Foreign transaction fee	$0 (verify at stack.ca — subject to change)
Credit check	Not required
Credit building	No
Rewards	Merchant-specific — verify at stack.ca

Card terms, fees, and features are subject to change. Verify all current details at stack.ca before relying on any feature.

No-FX Fee Cards: Credit Cards vs. STACK

Card	Type	Annual Fee	FX Fee	Credit Building
STACK Prepaid MC	Prepaid	$0	$0	No
Home Trust Preferred Visa	Credit	$0	$0	Yes
Brim World Elite MC	Credit	$99	$0	Yes
Scotiabank Passport VI	Credit	$150	$0	Yes
Rogers Red WE MC	Credit	$0	$0*	Yes
KOHO Prepaid	Prepaid	$0–$9/mo	$0 tiers	No

Rogers calculates as 1.5% cash back on all purchases — effective no-FX benefit. FX fee is charged then offset by cash back.

FX Fee Savings Example

Annual International Spend	Standard FX Fee (2.5%)	STACK Saving
$1,000 CAD equivalent	$25	~$25
$3,000 CAD equivalent	$75	~$75
$5,000 CAD equivalent	$125	~$125

Verify the current fee structure at stack.ca — STACK’s fee model may have changed.

Prepaid Spending Card Comparison

Card	FX Fee	Rewards	Highlights
STACK	$0	Merchant-specific	No FX fee, travel
KOHO Prepaid	$0 tiers	Cash back	Partner cash back
EQ Bank Card	$0	0.5% cash back	CDIC insured
Wealthsimple Cash	$0	1% on select	Investing integration

Who Is STACK Best For?

Ideal users:

Travelers who want a no-FX-fee Mastercard for overseas spending without a credit application
Budget travelers and students who don’t qualify for credit cards and are planning international trips
Those who want a prepaid backup card for international travel alongside a primary credit card

Not suitable if:

You want to build Canadian credit history — prepaid cards don’t build credit
You want travel insurance — a Visa Infinite or World Elite credit card is required
You want Aeroplan miles or national loyalty points — use a TD, CIBC, or Amex Aeroplan card

Bottom Line

STACK is a useful fintech prepaid card for Canadians who want a no-FX-fee Mastercard for international spending without a credit check. For travelers who don’t have (or don’t want) a no-FX credit card, STACK provides a budget-friendly alternative. However, it is not a credit card — it does not build credit, does not provide travel insurance, and does not earn major loyalty programme points. Those planning significant international travel should also consider the Home Trust Preferred Visa ($0 fee, no FX, a real credit card) or the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite ($150/year, no FX, comprehensive travel insurance).

STACK is a prepaid product, not a credit card. Card terms, fees, and features are subject to change. Verify all current details at stack.ca.