AIBU to refuse my daughter a debit card for school trips?

[Pinkflamingo98]

Daughter has 3 school trips next week, she apparently got told that the places she will be going are card only and has asked if she can take one of our debit cards. Both me and her dad are very reluctant to do so, we have said we will give her a decent packed lunch with some goodies and a few “nice drinks” but she is dead set on wanting our card. Are we being unreasonable for sticking to saying no and not sending her with any money?
we can’t get her a card as it is far too late for us to be able to set her up one

This is a ridiculously frustrating thread because there isn't really anything to debate.
Of course OP should not give her DD her (OP's) debit card - she should also explain why she can't do this (it will validate the Ts & Cs).

If DD is old enough to have a debit card of her own, then she should have one.
If she's not then she should have a pre-payment card.

If OP was prepared to give her cash, then she goes with one of these options. If she doesn't want DD to spend any money, then she gives her nothing.

I found a dropped 'Go Henry' card last year

I rang them and not only did I get through very quickly but they seemed very 'on the ball' about sorting it.

Just get a pre loaded card for her like revolute. Or the PO do one I think.

You would be surprised what banks look at to determine if a case is fraud and if the card holder has done anything wrong. They don't just take your word for it. If the card holder uses their card in Tesco via Google pay or whatever on the same day they are then claiming they lost it in Alton Towers it would be flagged up. If you are caught in the lie not only would the bank not reimburse lost funds, they could also exit you as a customer for misuse of facilities. Banks share fraud systems and talk to each other this could then make it more difficult to get an account elsewhere. It's just not worth the risk.

Get her a monzo card?

That is an excellent suggestion

Need the context of age. My DC are teens and have their own Monzo accounts so use Apple Pay wherever they go.

It might be too late now but get her one of those cards designed for children where you can load money and she can only spend what's on there.
I would be reluctant to give her my debit card too In case she lost it but also you are not supposed to share your bank card with anyone.

As others have said - Monzo is the way and they are so quick. So easy to limit the amount she can have on it and can use it on her phone before the card even arrives if she has a phone.

she probably wants to feel more independent and I wouldn’t deny her that in this instance as any risk can be minimised.

Out of curiosity- did this really only just get announced ?

Key question.

does she have a Mobile. If you set up a Monzo account you can get her a kids card which will be pretty instant to use on her phone wallet. . They arrive within 2 days too.

or something like revolute then charge it with some money. They don’t let you go overdrawn. .

😂 Def not a cool parent. But to be fair they have never asked because they have always been able to pay in cash when going somewhere.
@Lilactimes They have annual buscards. If they would need a debit card I would have gotten them one but so far they have never needed it.

I think it's better for children to pay with cash if possible because it gives them visibility of the money they are spending.

Get her a Monzo card and she can have her pocket money etc on there.

You might want to set her up with a card and put a specific limit on. The sooner kids learn about finances the better I feel.

Extra cold drink if it’s hot.
Ice cream.
Souvenir.
Fit in with others ?

Ths is a good idea.

Can you actually have a Google pay before 16 though? DD had a Natwest card at 14 for school trips but Google wouldn't allow her to have a wallet until 16.

Are Revolute or similar different?

Fit in? How many kids have a current account and a debit card? I can't think that many parents would be happy lending they debit card to a child.l, who could easily lose it and then finding some stranger making purchases with contactless payments.

I opened a Revolut account, the card was in my wallet rte same day.

Then you leave a small amount only for that day in the account. £20 ish.

I would give her one, with a minimal amount of money on. Transfer the rest to another account for the day or whatever. I have done this with out kids before they were at the point of being able to have their own

We live in a cash-free society. She needs her own card, even if you also have access to supervise her account.

Just set her up with her own. Monzo is popular.
Lots of places are card only now. Going to gift shop or being able to buy an ice cream is an exciting part of the trip for children.
I’m a guiding leader and we are always clear when need own card as places are cash free. Some parents ignore it. Obviously we will help if we can but it’s hassle eg Blackpool pleasure beach a girl couldn’t buy her lunch as it’s cashless. She was upset. A leader had to leave her own lunch walk over, comfort girl and pay for her out of her own pocket.
Ordering and paying for a drink or paying in a shop are often life skills lots of children don’t have. It’s part of the trip as much as visiting the museum etc. They always feel proud of themselves and excited.

My son and all his friends have current accounts with debit cards. They are 13. So far this week he's been to two places that were cashless.

Instant - Revolut