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Red Funnel Frequent Prepay Fares - Is It Worth It? Is It Better Than Multilink?
Red Funnel's Frequent Prepay deal will cost you £750 upfront
Red Funnel now offers something called Frequent Prepay, which is one of the cheapest ways to get to and from the Isle of Wight on a semi-regular basis. I was first alerted to it by a chap called Jason, who had spotted it and took the time to let me know about it (thanks Jason).
The Frequent Prepay is quite similar to Wightlink's Multilink deal, but both schemes have their pros and cons.
This guide is going to spell out how the Frequent Prepay scheme works in blow-by-blow detail, as well as comparing it to the Wightlink Multilink scheme so you can pick which one is right for you.
It's a bit complicated, so sit up straight please and pay attention.
The Frequent Prepay is quite similar to Wightlink's Multilink deal, but both schemes have their pros and cons.
This guide is going to spell out how the Frequent Prepay scheme works in blow-by-blow detail, as well as comparing it to the Wightlink Multilink scheme so you can pick which one is right for you.
It's a bit complicated, so sit up straight please and pay attention.
How Does Red Funnel's Frequent Prepay Work?
Red Funnel's Frequent Prepay requires you to pay an initial fee of £750, which lasts for two years.
You have to fill out an application form and then Red Funnel will get in touch to take your payment.
This £750 of credit is then stuck into your Red Funnel online account and can be spent on cut-price ferry tickets over the next 24 months. Once you're in the Frequent Prepay club you'll pay:
(Prices correct, as of 2026).
Once the two years is up, any remaining credit expires and it's gone forever.
If you spend all of your £750, you can also top up by smaller amounts of £250 or £500, whilst still staying in the Frequent Prepay club.
You can join the Frequent Prepay club if you are an Islander or a mainlander (whereas Multilink has more restrictions). You can cancel or amend the bookings as long as you give 24 hours notice. If it's any nearer than that then you lose some of the credit.
Red Funnel's Frequent Prepay can be used on pretty much any crossing, with the exception of about a dozen of the busiest days each year, which can be found in the terms and conditions.
You have to fill out an application form and then Red Funnel will get in touch to take your payment.
This £750 of credit is then stuck into your Red Funnel online account and can be spent on cut-price ferry tickets over the next 24 months. Once you're in the Frequent Prepay club you'll pay:
- £66.40 for a car and passengers day return
- £89 for a car and passengers period return
- £28 for a Red Jet foot passenger return (day trip or overnight)
- £13.50 for a foot passenger return on the car ferry
(Prices correct, as of 2026).
Once the two years is up, any remaining credit expires and it's gone forever.
If you spend all of your £750, you can also top up by smaller amounts of £250 or £500, whilst still staying in the Frequent Prepay club.
You can join the Frequent Prepay club if you are an Islander or a mainlander (whereas Multilink has more restrictions). You can cancel or amend the bookings as long as you give 24 hours notice. If it's any nearer than that then you lose some of the credit.
Red Funnel's Frequent Prepay can be used on pretty much any crossing, with the exception of about a dozen of the busiest days each year, which can be found in the terms and conditions.
Frequent Prepay-ers also get a discount as a foot passenger on the car ferry
How much money will I save with Red Funnel Frequent Prepay? Is it worth signing up?
The Red Funnel website says that the Frequent Prepay deal is ideal for people who travel 'at least 8 times across the course of a year'. However, they run a flexible pricing system so this is a maths conundrum that would give Rachel Riley a headache.
Whether it's worth it for you will come down to how often you travel, whether you travel on-peak and whether you can afford the initial £750.
My rough guide is that it will probably save you money if you do four or five overnight return journeys over two years (based on an average return fare of about £150 - £200).
Here are two examples at the extreme ends of the spectrum to show that it's a complicated calculation and will depend on your own circumstances:
There are other factors to consider.
If Barry and Gertrude are paying for accommodation then they can probably get a good discount through their accommodation provider (see our guide to ferry deals including accommodation).
You also need to consider that Red Funnel will have your £750 in their bank account for two years. If you stuck that in a 4% savings account then you'd earn about £60 over two years. There's also a modest risk when you give any company money upfront, that they might cease trading. I tend to pay for most things on credit card because it gives you some extra protection.
Whether it's worth it for you will come down to how often you travel, whether you travel on-peak and whether you can afford the initial £750.
My rough guide is that it will probably save you money if you do four or five overnight return journeys over two years (based on an average return fare of about £150 - £200).
Here are two examples at the extreme ends of the spectrum to show that it's a complicated calculation and will depend on your own circumstances:
- Barry and Gertrude live on the mainland but love the Isle of Wight and come across for holidays twice a year. They generally pay about £250 for their Red Funnel return journey, as they travel at peak times. Over two years, their total bill would be £1000 with standard tickets, or £750 with the Frequent Prepay tickets. They would end up wasting about half of their credit but overall they would be quids in by signing up for Frequent Prepay.
- Edith lives on the Isle of Wight and pops across to Southampton in her Fiat 500 every month to see the grandchildren. However, she only does day trips (because her daughter-in-law is a total nightmare) and she uses the vouchers in the Red Funnel Big Book of Savings. These tend to get Edith a return journey for £50 - £60. There's no real point in her signing up for the Frequent Prepay option, even though she's a regular traveller as she won't save any money.
There are other factors to consider.
If Barry and Gertrude are paying for accommodation then they can probably get a good discount through their accommodation provider (see our guide to ferry deals including accommodation).
You also need to consider that Red Funnel will have your £750 in their bank account for two years. If you stuck that in a 4% savings account then you'd earn about £60 over two years. There's also a modest risk when you give any company money upfront, that they might cease trading. I tend to pay for most things on credit card because it gives you some extra protection.
What about Wightlink's Multilink? How does it compare?
Wightlink has its own deal for regular travel - but how does it compare to the Red Funnel Frequent Prepay deal?
This is where it gets interesting, or perhaps just more confusing depending on your point of view.
Wightlink also run a scheme for regular travellers called Multilink (see our full Multilink guide). At first glance, the two schemes look quite similar but there are some key differences. Red Funnel's Frequent Prepay wins on some areas whilst Wightlink's Multilink wins on others. Harry Hill would suggest a fight between them, but I'll attempt a head to head comparison table.
Wightlink also run a scheme for regular travellers called Multilink (see our full Multilink guide). At first glance, the two schemes look quite similar but there are some key differences. Red Funnel's Frequent Prepay wins on some areas whilst Wightlink's Multilink wins on others. Harry Hill would suggest a fight between them, but I'll attempt a head to head comparison table.
Factor |
Red Funnel Frequent Prepay |
Wightlink Multilink Vehicle Pass |
Winner (in my opinion) |
Upfront cost |
£750 every 24 months, with the option to top up £250 or £500 if you use up your credit. |
£420 every 12 months, or higher amounts for bigger books of tickets. |
Wightlink (although Red Funnel works out cheaper over two years) |
Cost per return car journey |
£66 - £89 depending on whether it's day returns or period returns |
£67 - £84 depending on how many journeys you book |
Red Funnel if you mostly do day returns, Wightlink if you mostly do period returns |
Date restrictions |
Valid on any crossing with space, with the exception of about a dozen peak days per year (mostly August weekends and Bank Holidays) |
Minimum of 15% of the ferry is available to Multilink users, so booking long in advance is wise for peak times. On average, 30% of capacity is available, according to Wightlink. |
Red Funnel |
Available to |
Anyone, including mainland visitors |
Anyone with an Isle of Wight residence. This includes second home owners and permanent residents. |
Red Funnel |
Amendments and cancellations |
Free, as long as you give 24 hours notice |
Free, as long as you give 24 hours notice |
It's a tie! |
Booking restrictions |
Just for the person who bought the prepay credit |
Pass can be shared between three named people who live together. One person must be in the car on each crossing, as a passenger or driver |
Wightlink |
What happens if you don't travel enough |
After 24 months, you lose the credit |
You can top up to extend the ticket expiry date each year, or fill out a form for a 75% refund |
Wightlink |
Other perks |
Credit can be also be used on Signature Lounge upgrade and Priority Loading |
Occasional discount codes for friends and family to use when you top up. Discount if you have a Blue Badge. |
Not much in it, but probably Wightlink for me |
Standard vehicle size |
5.5m long x 2m tall |
5m long x 2.24m tall |
Red Funnel if you have a tow bar bike rack, Wightlink if you have a roofbox! |
Signup process |
Fill out an online form |
Upload ID to an online form to show proof of residence |
Red Funnel |
Foot passenger discount |
Yes, £13 - £28 fares depending on which ferry you use |
No, but there's a separate foot passenger Multilink deal that can save you about 50% |
Red Funnel |
In summary, the main advantages of the Red Funnel Frequent Prepay are:
The main advantages of the Wightlink Multilink are:
- no restrictions on when you travel (apart from a dozen peak dates)
- no restrictions on where you live
- slightly cheaper day returns than Wightlink
- better for slightly longer vehicles (my towbar bike racks takes my car beyond the Wightlink standard length)
The main advantages of the Wightlink Multilink are:
- a pass can be shared between three people, and only one of them needs to be in the car on each journey
- lower upfront cost for the cheapest book of tickets
- slightly cheaper period returns than Red Funnel
- better for taller vehicles, which usually means those with a roofbox
- option of a partial refund if you don't use all the credit
The-Isle-of-Wight-Guru-Don't-Blame-Us-Disclaimer™ All the information on this website is correct, as far as we know, but please do check details directly - and please contact us if you find anything inaccurate. Here's our full disclaimer.
Related guides from Isle of Wight Guru:
Isle of Wight Ferry DiscountsMoney off vouchers, loopholes and other tricks to save money on ferry travel with Red Funnel, Wightlink and Hovertravel
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Isle of Wight Ferry Beginners' GuideEssential advice for your first journey on a ferry to the Isle of Wight
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Wightlink's Multilink DealOur detailed look at Wightlink's Multilink deals for regular vehicle travel and foot passenger travel
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