need cc for years travel

chelly1972

hi guys,

my son is needing a credit card to take on his travels he is going to new zealand on a working visa for a year, and needs a credit card just in case he gets stuck, now which one ??? and how would he go about paying it, if he used it say in month 2, and stayed for the full year?? hopefully he won't use it! will i need to pay it this end ?? very confused

CLAPTON

internet access makes paying CC off easy
a direct debits for the full amount makes paying a CC off easy too
parents are useful too

chelly1972

so it doesn't matter which credit card then?? can anybody recommend one? i'm getting bit confused, at least i know that if he does spend on it, it can be paid,

CLAPTON

if it's only for emergencies then the particular card is probably not that important

however makes sense to go for one without foreign exchange loading like the Halifax Clarity

however what he can get depends upon his credit profile, income etc?

what cards does he have already
what's his income

chelly1972

he doesn't have any cc , his income is 16000, he doesn't have anything on credit,

CLAPTON

well, it that case he may have difficulty in getting a decent CC
best to ask his own bank asap and start building a credit rating

how old is he?
presumably he has some savings for his trip?

zerog

Why does he need a credit card? What's wrong with a debit or even prepaid card, If he going on a working visa, then he can get a bank account there and spend his own salary.

chelly1972

he is 20, and he does have £3000 already and that will go onto the caxton card, and yes he will be working and that money will go into or onto the caxton card, but he does need one for emergencies, i will try get him to try his bank

callum9999

zerog wrote: »

Why does he need a credit card? What's wrong with a debit or even prepaid card, If he going on a working visa, then he can get a bank account there and spend his own salary.

When you're living in a building with 100 other young people who just want to get drunk and party - finding and maintaining a job can be rather tricky sometimes...

chattychappy

Having worked in Asia and bumped into so many backpackers passing through, I really do recommend his having a card(s) on your account. In the event of loss/fraud etc., it will make it much easier to sort out. Also it will be easier to get a limit that's useful in emergencies and/or one of the better cards for foreign travel (Clarity/PO).

It's a nice idea that offspring are independent - so he can still pay off any spend via internet banking. I think it is a mature approach to have access to family help but only use it when necessary.

My view is coloured by seeing guys hanging around branches of Western Union offices waiting for expensive transfers from home or cadging off mates because of some disaster.

CLAPTON

he needs several ways of accessing money

for whatever reasons sometimes a particular card doesn't work

if possible two debit cards and two credit cards