Travel money options for under 18

phoenix2497

My daughter and her friend (both 16) are travelling to canada this summer to stay with a relative. I am thinking a prepaid travel money card would be best for them but unsure which works with canadian dollars? They want to be able to use them like debit cards, withdraw cash from atms and monitor their spending via an app.

NoodleDoodleMan

Nationwide do an account for under 18s which might be suitable.

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/products/current-accounts/flexone/whats-flexone

I can't comment on how that would work in practice in Canada, it appears to be restricted to UK based ATMs - but a call to Nationwide would answer any questions on that.

This article is worth a read.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/jan/30/travel-money-interrail-exam-trip-spending-debit-pre-paid-cards

EveryWhere

NoodleDoodleMan wrote: »

Nationwide do an account for under 18s which might be suitable.

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/products/current-accounts/flexone/whats-flexone

I can't comment on how that would work in practice in Canada, it appears to be restricted to UK based ATMs - but a call to Nationwide would answer any questions on that.

This article is worth a read.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/jan/30/travel-money-interrail-exam-trip-spending-debit-pre-paid-cards

You were doing so well.....

There are two cards on offer. The Cash card is the UK ATM only product. The Debit card can be used worldwide and also for shopping online.
No need for a call to Nationwide.

The FlexOne Debit card is the product they should obtain and utilise.

NoodleDoodleMan

You were doing so well.....

The Nationwide weblink only made reference to UK ATMs as far as I could tell, hence my hesitation.

We have the FlexPlus account, however not knowing how the "junior" version operated abroad I was reluctant to recommend a product I am not 100% with.

Assumptions are the mother of all misadventures, or words to that effect.

I'll try harder next time !!!

It's fee free using the Visa debit card at overseas ATMs of course, although the operating bank may charge a fee - almost certainly will in Canada, as is the case in the USA.

Probably the best deal for these two teenagers ?

EveryWhere

NoodleDoodleMan wrote: »

The Nationwide weblink only made reference to UK ATMs as far as I could tell, hence my hesitation.

We have the FlexPlus account, however not knowing how the "junior" version operated abroad I was reluctant to recommend a product I am not 100% with.

Assumptions are the mother of all misadventures, or words to that effect.

I'll try harder next time !!!

It's fee free using the Visa debit card at overseas ATMs of course, although the operating bank may charge a fee - almost certainly will in Canada, as is the case in the USA.

Probably the best deal for these two teenagers ?

Not probably. Definitely :money:

NoodleDoodleMan

We're singing off the same hymnsheet !!!

Correct me if wrong please - a Flex account debit card is not fee free when used to purchase goods or services outwith the UK - only for currency withdrawals at ATMs ?

I was caught out in Spain when I bought some bits and pieces a couple of years ago on my FlexPlus card and later discovered a transaction fee added.

If so, one for these youngsters to be aware of.

EveryWhere

NoodleDoodleMan wrote: »

We're singing off the same hymnsheet !!!

Correct me if wrong please - a Flex account debit card is not fee free when used to purchase goods or services outwith the UK - only for currency withdrawals at ATMs ?

I was caught out in Spain when I bought some bits and pieces a couple of years ago on my FlexPlus card and later discovered a transaction fee added.

If so, one for these youngsters to be aware of.

You are assuming that the products exhibit similar behaviour.

FlexOne differs from all. There are no charges for ATM withdrawals abroad, nor for purchases abroad. No ifs or buts. But they have to have joined before they hit eighteen.

FlexPlus is a paid account. You get free ATM withdrawals abroad, but a percentage is deducted for purchases abroad.

FlexAccount has charges for both ATM withdrawals and purchases abroad.

This is why the FlexOne Debit is definitely the card they need.

NoodleDoodleMan

FlexOne differs from all. There are no charges for ATM withdrawals abroad, nor for purchases abroad. No ifs or buts. But they have to have joined before they hit eighteen.

I didn't realise that for goods and purchases - being slightly over the appropriate age group to operate such an account !!!

Excellent deal for 11-17 year olds.........and the Bank of Dad !!!

That's them sorted then.

NoodleDoodleMan

My screen says this post has had zero views !!!

phoenix2497

This looks useful - thank you

EveryWhere

NoodleDoodleMan wrote: »

I didn't realise that for goods and purchases - being slightly over the appropriate age group to operate such an account !!!

Excellent deal for 11-17 year olds.........and the Bank of Dad !!!

That's them sorted then.

Actually the account continues on even when they hit eighteen. They just need to join when aged from 11 to 17.