Child taking money abroad

NewLibra

Hi

My 14yr old is going on a school trip to USA and will need to buy stuff when there, he does have a debit card but the exchange rate using those is usually poor and we don't want him carrying around loads of cash on him. What is the best (and safest) way for him to take money with him?  Thank you.

DullGreyGuy

Normal recommendation is to take a debit card but one that doesnt charge FX fees.

One most commonly recommended here is Starling but they are limited to 16+... their website does talk of a under 16s card attaching to an adult account which may do the trick https://www.starlingbank.com/current-account/kite-debit-card-for-kids/ but you'd probably want to understand it better before signing up... free for first month then cancel after. 

With Kite you can set where/when money can be spent, see how much they have left and set a daily limit etc. Depending on how responsible they are it may be helpful to stop them blowing their whole trips budget on the first day or such.

eDicky

He can open the Nationwide FlexOne bank account with debit card, no fees or conversion markup for foreign use, even pays a little interest I believe.

sheramber

Have the school given any advice regarding this?

NoodleDoodleMan

eDicky said:

He can open the Nationwide FlexOne bank account with debit card, no fees or conversion markup for foreign use, even pays a little interest I believe.

ATMs in the USA will charge fees though.

eDicky

NoodleDoodleMan said:

eDicky said:

He can open the Nationwide FlexOne bank account with debit card, no fees or conversion markup for foreign use, even pays a little interest I believe.

ATMs in the USA will charge fees though.

The same as for any card, but I think these days in USA there's not much that you can't pay for by card, unless he wants to score a lid of grass (or whatever they say there these days..).

MrsR1234

Our 15 year old went to Iceland with school last month. We signed up to revolut and got him and under 18 account and he used that. No charges apply. 


I could see what money he has spent and top up if needed. We are so pleased with the account that he's now using it instead of his Santander account! 

bagand96

NoodleDoodleMan said:

eDicky said:

He can open the Nationwide FlexOne bank account with debit card, no fees or conversion markup for foreign use, even pays a little interest I believe.

ATMs in the USA will charge fees though.

No need to withdraw cash, just use the debit card for purchases. 

Ath_Wat

MrsR1234 said:

Our 15 year old went to Iceland with school last month. We signed up to revolut and got him and under 18 account and he used that. No charges apply. 


I could see what money he has spent and top up if needed. We are so pleased with the account that he's now using it instead of his Santander account! 

..and if all continues to go well you'll let him go to FarmFoods as well.