Advice please re Son travelling to USA

JEH63

Hi there, my son is going out to USA in June for a year's internship. He won't get paid for first few weeks, how is it best for me to send him out with enough money to keep him going to live on? I expect it will be expensive to use his debit card out there to access funds! Any advice gratefully received.

Duckyduck

Get him set up with a Starling debit card in the U.K., which he can use there without fx fees. Cash withdrawals are limited to £350/day and ATMs also charge fees so he’s best just paying anything directly with the card.

JEH63

Thank you I will take a look at Starling. I was also looking at a prepaid travel card but I don't think I could top that up easily for him.

Sea_Shell

Don't forget good, comprehensive travel insurance.

eDicky

Most prepaid cards are not good value or convenience compared to the modern solutions, which convert from pounds to any currency at the ideal MasterCard rate when used:

Starling Bank - https://www.starlingbank.com/ (minimum age 16)

Loot - https://loot.io/ (prepaid account, min age 18)

Monzo Bank - https://monzo.com/ (min age 16, £200/mth limit on fee-free ATM use)

Nationwide FlexOne account with debit card - https://www.nationwide.co.uk/products/current-accounts/flexone/whats-flexone (For age 11-18 but may be retained after 18, pays 0.5%(?) interest)

Choose and take at least two for safety, always pay in local currency and reject any ATM offer to convert pounds.

So you can transfer funds to any of the above accounts that your son opens, by a simple transfer from your bank in the normal way

NoodleDoodleMan

Thank you I will take a look at Starling. I was also looking at a prepaid travel card but I don't think I could top that up easily for him.

The Caxton FX card allows the principal card holder to authorise an additional family member card for a £5 fee, the first (account owner) card is free.

That way you can load it from your linked UK debit card as and when required.

https://cards.caxtonfx.com/currency-cards/apply-now?gclid=CjwKCAjw5dnmBRACEiwAmMYGOS253PeZ5ze-atCf1sAtEd7We5xxjy55HQRjhzcWln-75EI7lP8OnhoCUjkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Worth considering as a backup, I have one for use in Euroland and it's easy to administer and use at ATMs or for goods and services.

JEH63

Thank you for your advice I'll take a look at these.

JEH63

Yes, his Uni have got him full comprehensive travel and health cover

LadyDee

Have at least two cards and don't keep them together in the same place. That way, if the worst happens, he'll aways have access to funds.