WWYD re DD and taking money to the US

[Mariandidit]

DS is 13, going on a two week exchange trip to the US. She’s saved around $400. I do not want her to take it in cash. She has a basic account with Metro but can’t use her card abroad. Ideally I’d like to be able to transfer extra to her if she needs it whilst she is there (I’ve got my eye on some stuff in Sephora!)

Teachers won’t hold money for them as they won’t be with them all the time and DD is adamant she doesn’t want to hand it all over the host family and have to ask each time she wants something.

Any ideas? Are travellers cheques still a thing?

She could use a Post office card. You get it in $ and use it in shops like a debit card with a pin. Only thing is they charge for getting cash out of a machine in it. So cheapest thing to do is buy something and ask for cash back with the transaction.
You can add money to it too if you have all the info, go in the Post office and ask about it.

Have a look at Revolut

I always use a fairfx card for traveling. It's a prepaid debit/credit card amd you can use it like a normal credit card or to withdraw cash. The exchange rates are okish, but the fees are cheaper then most bank cards so works out pretty good value. It's really easy to top up the account online as well.

Get a revolut card. Comes with a really great app that shows your balance and can easily top it up if needed. It can the. Be used anywhere a standard Visa card can be used!

Monzo, I travel for work and it has 0 transaction fees and £200 cash withdrawal free. Plus you get notifications about transactions instantly and so you know if it's been cloned. You also enable/disable magnetic strip so very useful for America and it won't get blocked on first transaction out there. Plus it's bright orange so bloody hard to use.

Another vote for Revolut. Card holder needs to be over 18, so you'll need to do it in your name. The accompanying app means that you'll see what she spends and topping it up is a doddle.

I use Revolut. Is excellent. I've used it in European countries and in the USA.

Another vote for Revolut card.

We used the Post Office card in the US and in South Africa. It worked well for us.

Revolut or Transferwise, both will let you push UK money into a native US (or other country) bank account under their name and use their debit card at counters and cash machines.

Another vote for fairfx. Very simple to use and keep track of spending.

Definitely a Revolut

You should encourage her to see if some friends want to get it too and that way if one of them loses their cards parents can transfer money over between Revolut accounts so they can withdraw cash from a friends card.