Spending abroad, school trip

evilwater

hi all,

My 13 year old is going on a school trip, and these days most money is paid via a card. The school trip will be in the EU.

What is recommended?

Thoughts?

YBR

My 14 year-old used a pre-paid card for her school trip as advised by the school. She could only spend what was loaded on the card so was not credit/debit.

itsthelittlethings

I’ve just been in the EU, we’ve been fine with cash.

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81914014#Comment_81914014

Just so, does the OP's school not give guidance?

Starling Bank (if you open a current account with them) have a kid's card

https://www.starlingbank.com/current-account/kite-debit-card-for-kids/

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81914019#Comment_81914019

I'm sure the OP's child is the exception but I'd imagine most parents would be a tad concerned with giving their 13yo a couple of hundred (or somesuch) EUR in cash.

vacheron

I use Revolut for my 13 year old son. It has no overseas fees, and you can track all payments and make top-ups.

If time / simplicity is a factor, you can get pre-paid travel cards from the post office, but the fees are higher.

QrizB

Nationwide's FlexOne account includes a debit card and won't let you go overdrawn.

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

Bigphil1474

I'd second Revolut. We got one for a trip abroad a few years ago and I now use it as my daily card. My OH has one and it's great for splitting bills etc. We haven't used the kids card option, but I understand it works fine. The topping up function is simple and you can get notifications of spending. I would expect Chase and Starling have similar. You normally pay £5 with revolut for the initial physical card, although you don't need a physical card.

Vectis

I certainly wouldn't be giving a wad of cash. Are you asking for card recommendations or how to limit spending? I'm surprised, I guess, that 13 year olds don't have online banking etc.

This being a school trip, I doubt very much if 13 year olds will be allowed free rein in shops, cafes etc. They'll probably get some time in a gift shop at certain locations, but most things like evening meals should be included.

Our youngest, 15 now, has been on a few school trips both in the UK and in France, and there's not much opportunity to spend money. They'll many spend some at lunchtime, but that will usually be fast food and/or cans of drink.

la531983

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81914019#Comment_81914019

How would that work in a Scandinavian country, or Estonia (as examples) where cash is very often not an option given the payment culture there?

NoodleDoodleMan

The Nationwide FlexOne is a very good call - parent can credit funds by bank transfer quickly if required.

Kids often have a free time on school trips - there is no one scenario fits all as far as that goes.

Carrying relatively large amounts of readies is absolutely not a good idea.