I got a Travelex cash passport in AMS. It was 10 euros for the card, and refilling the card from euro cash is 5 euro, minimum 100 euro refill. No per-transaction charges from their end. In the Netherlands and Belgium, at least, it "looks" like a MasterCard, so for train tix you'll have to choose credit card (with the extra 50 cent fee). I believe you have to refill it in the same country you originally got it. Automated gas stations will take it, but may put a substantial (like 100 euro) hold on card funds for a day or so which can be a pain.

I'd consider a chip and pin card essential in Benelux if you're driving (parking machines and gas stations), and useful for train stations (if you're at the larger stations during the day they'll be a human around, otherwise don't rely on it). Until the US gets with the program and starts rolling out C&P cards in a serious way, this is pretty much the way to go.