William Lipovsky
Octapharma Plasma pays varying rates based on how often you donate and how much you’re able to donate.
Donors receive payment on a prepaid debit card and earn additional perks and prizes by joining the rewards program, OPI Rewards+.
Below, we answer your questions about the Octapharma Plasma rewards program, donor compensation card, and donation process.
Octapharma Plasma Donor Compensation
Octapharma Plasma pays donors on a prepaid debit card; you’ll receive the card after your first donation, and the center will reload it after each donation.[1]
Donors should expect some fees with Octapharma’s prepaid debit card — namely, ATM withdrawal and transaction fees that may be up to a few dollars.
North Lane Technologies and Comdata, the companies that issue Octapharma’s prepaid debit cards, don’t publicly disclose these fees;[2][3] you can contact your issuer or check your prepaid card agreement for details.
How to Check Your Card Balance
You can check your balance online regardless of whether you have a North Lane or Comdata prepaid debit card from Octapharma. (See North Lane’s prepaid card services site and Comdata’s cardholder services site.)
If you don’t yet have an online login, you can register with your card number and security code.[4][5]
How Much You’ll Earn
How much you can earn as a donor at Octapharma Plasma will vary depending on how often you donate, your weight, and the current pay rates at the particular donation center you visit.[6]
Your weight is a factor because it dictates how much plasma you can donate at one time.
New donors usually earn $50 per donation for the first five donations,[6] while regular donors will make around $15 to $25 per donation.[7]
See our research on how to find plasma donation centers nearby to compare your options; other centers in your area may pay more than Octapharma Plasma.
We also have dedicated research on what Biotest pays donors, how much BioLife pays for plasma, and what CSL Plasma pays.
Donor Promotions
Octapharma also offers regular donor promotions that provide you with the chance to win prizes or make more money per month through bonuses.
Note that promotions vary by location and change throughout the year.
Octapharma Rewards Program
Octapharma Plasma offers a donor rewards program, OPI Rewards+, which allows donors to earn points for rewards like gift cards and sweepstakes prizes.[8]
After your second donation, wait at least 48 hours and then register for OPI Rewards+ to participate.
Ways to Earn Rewards Points
You’ll earn one point per plasma donation at Octapharma Plasma.[6]
Aside from making regular donations, you can earn OPI Rewards+ points by participating in special promotions, referring new donors, and completing surveys.
Point Expiration
OPI Rewards+ points accrue annually, meaning you’ll earn points from January 1 to December 31 of a given year.[9]
Points do not roll over; they expire at the end of the year. You can keep track of your points in the OPI Rewards+ online portal.
Note that if you join the OPI Rewards+ program in the middle of the year but have donated to Octapharma before joining, you’ll earn points for all of your donations since the previous January, as well as any future donations you make within the calendar year.
If points for earlier donations are missing from your account after joining, you can contact OPI Rewards+ at support@OPIrewards.zendesk.com for assistance.
Donation Process
For first-time donors, it’s helpful to have an idea of the donation process before visiting.
Donating plasma takes up to about two hours. You’ll need to present a valid photo ID (such as your driver’s license), as well as proof of your Social Security number and address.
Donors must meet the following requirements:[10]
- Be in good health on the day of the donation
- Be between 18 and 67 years old
- Weigh at least 110 pounds
- Have no recent ear or body piercings, tattoos, or permanent makeup (within the past four months)
Donation center staff will conduct a health screening and medical questionnaire, including taking blood samples to be sure you’re eligible to donate.
You’ll then complete your donation, relaxing in a chair while your blood is drawn. The staff will check on you during the donation process, and you’ll be paid once the donation is complete.[10]
If you have any specific questions about whether a medical condition affects your eligibility to donate, it’s best to contact the nearest Octapharma donation center.
Qualified individuals may donate up to a maximum of twice a week, with at least 48 hours between plasma donations.[10]
I’ve been donating since January, but didn’t know about the rewards program. If I sign up now will I get points going back to January, or from when I sign up?
Great question, Linda! You will receive points for every donation you’ve made in 2019. If the points for your previous donations do not automatically appear in your OPI Rewards+ account after joining, contact the support team at support@OPIrewards.zendesk.com; Octapharma will add them to your account. We have updated our article to include this information.
Can i pay any bills online with my octapharma card?
Hi Johnathan,
The card works like a regular prepaid debit card, so if the online platform you use to pay accepts debit, you should be able to pay with your Octapharma card.
I leave money on my card but they take it off
Hi Anthony,
While Citibank doesn’t disclose the fees to those without the card, I’d guess they might be charging a monthly maintenance fee. Monthly maintenance fees are common for pre-paid cards that are re-loadable and not associated with a bank account. The card also has fees each time you make a purchase (after the first transaction, which is fee-free) and whenever you use an ATM. If you want to get around these fees, I recommend getting cash back on your first transaction after getting paid. We have several articles about getting cash back that can help if you need ideas about what store to get cash back at. If you’re interested, these are probably a good place to start: What Stores Give the Most Cash Back on Debit Cards or the List of Gas Stations that Do Cash Back.