Does your DC leave their bank cards at home and rely on their phone?

[endoftetha]

My son (17) has a debit card, but leaves it at home and uses Google Pay on his phone instead, even when travelling away from home in the UK for a few days to visit friends etc. I'm concerned he will get stranded if he either
(a) loses his phone or
(b) runs out of battery.

His counter-argument for scenario (a) is that he will be more likely to lose his card if it is in a separate wallet because he uses it so infrequently. Plus, he wants to travel light, not have multiple things to carry.

He doesn't really have a counter-argument for (b), other than "it has never happened".

We live in London, so he does carry a 16+ Oyster Zip photocard in his phone case. There isn't space for his debit card too, so he probably just needs a better case. I know my niece has a card wallet stuck to the back of her phone, but it looks to me like it could easily come unstuck.

Any recommendations for a good secure setup for a phone and a couple of cards? What does your equivalent young person do?

"Even better in his pocket" sounds simple, but relies on remembering to put it there when going out, or at least when changing clothes. 😁

I keep emergency cash in my phone case, but it always strikes me as a bit daft, as the most likely reason I'll need it is that I've lost my phone 🤣

I never take my cards out with me. Rely totally on my phone. Yes I would be buggered if it broke or got lost. However, I'd worry about it then. Not ideal.

What about an Apple Watch, then if his phone dies his watch would still be working? Then he still wouldn't have cards but would have a back up.

That might appeal. Will check out whether there is an Android equivalent, as we don't generally do Apple.

That might appeal. Will check out whether there is an Android equivalent, as we don't generally do Apple.

Garmin pay on compatible Garmin watches works ok, if it doesn't do your bank then you can get a Curve or Revolut card which are useful anyway for travelling. I have the Garmin Venu Sq.

I have a card holder from Oliver Bonas that I do carry in whichever bag I am using - it’s tiny and takes up no space. I was in a wee independent coffee shop on Friday and the machine just wouldn’t take my ApplePay for some reason and I needed my debit card and to insert it/use the PIN. I have a few quid in change in the coin section of the card holder but only because I often pick up bits for my elderly neighbour and she gives me cash.,

He did actually get caught out once. He was staying in another city for a weekend sports camp and left his phone in the taxi between the sports centre and the hotel.

He phoned me using his room-mate's phone. I called the taxi firm, who asked the driver to look for it. The driver didn't find it But luckily, I was able to track his phone travelling around in the taxi. So I phoned the taxi firm again. The driver did a better search and found it under the seat. I then paid the taxi fare for it to be taken to the hotel.

So he got it back. But he didn't learn from it. 🙂

Working in retail I am aware that there have been a few occasions lately where the contactless payment system has failed with a number of different companies involved nationally. Those with only mobiles couldn't shop whilst those with cards used chip and PIN okay. On one occasion chip and PIN also failed and it was just cash payments, in a busy supermarket on a Saturday afternoon. All the cash carrying customers carried on as usual whilst the card carriers queued at the cash machines and the mobile only customers went home. Its really a case of how much risk of an occasional technical failure versus carrying extra items you are willing to take.

Im 52 and never take a card. Only my phone. I don’t even know where my debit card is.

My young adults kids would never take a card. If their phone was flat, they’d use their watches.

I only use my phone for the most part, I have a case that is an extra battery pack so I never run out of battery or he could put a note in between his phone and his case.

This is where you been leave him to make his own mistakes. I never take my cards with me at home. If I was leaving my hometown for a few days I'd take my card holder for ID & incase I needed cash but this is what experience has taught me. I'd think the same and not bother if I was his age.

There wasn't much for him to learn though, his mum fixed it for him

No, he leaves his bank card at home and relies on my bank card 😁

I’ve gone on holiday with my two kids and have 150€ or emergency money and my phone. I’ll probably have the € when I leave.
Why bring a card too?

DD very often leaves her cards at home, although certainly not if she’s going on holiday - that is really stupid!

Also usually carries a bit of ‘emergency’ cash which does come in handy from time to time. Her Apple Pay occasionally declines for no reason and it always gives her a fright

Not everywhere, especially abroad accepts Apple Pay. Surely this cannot be a shock to you?

DD had to pay her friend’s excess luggage fee at a Spanish airport last year since they only had a chip & pin machine - no contactless or cash.

Maybe a prepaid debit card with £20 on it. Or a £20 note in phone case. Always think that is a good idea and never do it.

The solution is a smart watch!

It's on your wrist. Less likely to lose it. Can set up Google pay on it as a back up!

I think carrying your card in your phone case is crazy as if you lose your phone your cards gone too. I often leave mine at home but if I’m travelling overnight or far from home I’ll have my cards (incl driving license for photo id) in a small wallet in my bag.

like this www.fjallraven.com/uk/en-gb/bags-gear/accessories/wallets-small-bags/zip-wallet/?v=F24216::7323450022402

He didn’t learn from it because it was YOU doing all the hard work! Stop saving him. He’ll figure it out for himself.

(I get it, I’m also a saver. But it’s easier to see on someone else!)

66 and sometimes don't even take my phone but use my Apple Watch to pay for stuff. (Probably dementia, given I’m over 50).

I use my phone most of the time. I take my tesco credit card with me if I decide to go because of the pharmacy and it acts like a club card, otherwise if I just pop to the small sainsburys or anywhere else, I use my phone. Its a lot more secure in my opinion because nobody can unlock my phone, and I just make sure its regularly charged (overnight every other day) and its never run out of battery on me. I take my cards with me on holiday inc driving license, but I kept them in the accommodation and never needed them.