Spending money in South Africa

Mamad_2

Hi,
My daughter is going on a school trip to South Africa. The school have told her that the best way to spend money there is on her debit card, but she is with Santander who are listed on the "debit cards from hell list".
She is too young for a credit card as she is only 17. What other way can she spend money there? Is there a better debit card for her to use? Any advice appreciated.

dzug1

A Metrobank cash account is available to 17yos and has no charges. You'd need to check it can be used overseas - can't see anything obvious on their site to say it can't be.

The 'cards from hell' list does list other cards that are only on the fringes of hell.........

Shrimping_Shelly

Hi
My son is nearly 16 and going on a scout trip to sweden. I got him a prepaid masrtercard on fairfx.com. I already had one and paid £6 to get a friends and family card. Works the same as any other debit/credit card. They supply you with a PIN no too. Also should your daughter need to top it up for any reason it can be done over the internet within 1 - 2 hours.

CountryGoose

Travelex Cash Passport Globe

Free on the above link.

Only 1.49% loading on Mastercard rate.

No ATM Fees (other than those on the machine itself).

Load one up and give it to the kids.

You can top-up as necessary.

pigeonpie

Top ups online should be simple enough if she's going to a hotel or to an urban area. SA is very expensive though, not a lot cheaper for many things than the UK. If you go with an ordinary UK debit card, best to tell them beforehand that she will be using it in SA, as I've known cards to be blocked when used there without warning the banks, due to the high crime stats in SA.