Travel money for 14yr old going to states with Sports Team

docrow

My 14 y.old son is off to Florida with his basketball team. What is the best way for him to carry his money? He will need around $400. Can he get a cash card? Most I've seen need you to be older. Could he use travellers cheques?
Anyone with similar experience or solutions?

Doc

Bob_the_Saver

docrow wrote: »

My 14 y.old son is off to Florida with his basketball team. What is the best way for him to carry his money? He will need around $400. Can he get a cash card? Most I've seen need you to be older. Could he use travellers cheques?
Anyone with similar experience or solutions?

Doc

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=53669939&postcount=2

docrow

Thanks for the instant reply!!!:beer:

Curious to know why you suggest the" Anywhere card" and not the dollar card? Seem like more fees on the "Anywhere card".

Also how does my son physically use the card in a shop? Is it a pin and Chip or signature?

Bob_the_Saver

docrow wrote: »

Thanks for the instant reply!!!:beer:

Curious to know why you suggest the" Anywhere card" and not the dollar card? Seem like more fees on the "Anywhere card".

Also how does my son physically use the card in a shop? Is it a pin and Chip or signature?

Sorry the reply was lifted from a previous answer, the dollar card may be better in this case work through the fees to check.

Chip & Pin,

May be better sticking to using it at ATM's to withdraw cash, a 14 year old waving what looks like a credit card might be a bit unusual in some locations, I have no 14 year olds so no direct experience about that. Drawing out lots of small amounts could work out expensive though.

docrow

I guess by using an "anywhere card" I can use it over the next couple of yrs when travelling too.

He just got into the Scotland squad so he may also have a few more foreign trips to make.:j

Bob_the_Saver

docrow wrote: »

I guess by using an "anywhere card" I can use it over the next couple of yrs when travelling too.

He just got into the Scotland squad so he may also have a few more foreign trips to make.:j

Should have said the card is chip and pin but in some places (US often) a signature is more common but clearly it's not an issue at an ATM.

mcfisco

Also how does my son physically use the card in a shop? Is it a pin and Chip or signature?

I didn't think the US did Chip 'n' Pin yet
Always just a signature when I've used a card there but as BtS says, it may cause problems because of his age but I'm sure I read something about some US parents adding their teenage kids as authorised users on credit cards :eek:

docrow

no way is he going on my credit card:D

Westin

I didn't think the US did Chip 'n' Pin yet

Seems that have finally caught up with the rest of us. I was in a Walmart two weeks ago in Florida and all the tills used Chip and Pin.

Then went to Target and the same there.

TakeThis

The Anywhere card has a cash withdrawal fee. My choice would be for the Cash Passport Globe. You also get a free extra card on application.

The cards have no name on them, so really it doesn't matter who uses them, as long as you have the PIN.

Check that your bank does not charge to top up.

WelshSun

The Cash Passport Globe will be cheaper than the Dollar card.

The dollar card has a massive hidden fee of the exchange rate between £-$ on the dollar card will be far far worse than the £-$ rate on the Globe card.