Best way for teen to spend money abroad?

[IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads]

DS is going on a school trip to Spain next month.

He usually spends money using his Santander current a/c card, which will charge for foreign transactions.

I have a Chase account for using overseas, which does not charge for foreign transactions, but these are not available to U18s.

Are there any preloaded cards available to U18s that are free to use abroad ?

I'm not keen on giving him a load of Euros in cash, largely because I don't trust him not to lose it (we are working on doing safely, but I'm not sure a school trip is the time to do it). School have advised that they will need to buy their lunch every day, airport snacks, and whatever spending money they'll want, with an upper limit of £150 including lunch money. TBF DS has been saving spending money this trip, so I want to help him keep his money safe.

DD always uses Revolut when travelling abroad - no transaction fees. I would also encourage him to carry some cash as you never know when a card may decide to decline!

My DD has a Revolut card which she used in France and Italy when she went skiing with school last year.

DS had a Post Office card. You can order online. No transaction fees.

Thank you !!

Yes, I am
Planning to send him with a mix of cash and a card.

Did you take out the card in your name and give it to your DS to use? Again, you can only take out a PO card if you are over 18, but it doesn't say anything about not using it under 18.

A Starling account can be set up online and they issue a child's card which linked to the account (but money in a separate 'space').
Starling don't make additional charges for using the card abroad

You can limit spending and withdrawals within the app too

Revolut is fantastic.

Sorry he was 6th form so was in his name.

Post office card is great have in my name

I set up a Revolut account then added one junior account and ordered a card for DS. You only get one free junior account so my dh has set up a starling account to get a card for DD.

I took out PO cards for both my DC last summer (I went with them to PO). One was over 18 and one was under, I can't remember the exact logistics (I think the u18 one had to be in my name) but it was OK.

Another vote for Revolut. I always use mine abroad and put money on there most months so it's like a little holiday savings account too. My friend has one for her late teen DS and it works well. You just top it up as and when you need it from the phone app.

For both you can see their spend on the app and top up as needed, you don't need to pre-load.

Thank you all. Lots to investigate! DS is 15.

Get a hyperjar card in your name and preloaded

Or post Office card load euros

Just set up a Revolut on your phone - don't need to order a card for yourself. Then add a junior account, and order them a card in their name. V quick and easy. Starling the same process.

I did it specifically for the junior account card option.

Doesn't hyperjar have high fees? Revolut is what we use - dh has a card and account that we use when abroad and he got a junior card for ds. Initially this was for DS to use in the UK when he was 12/13 but now it is mainly used when he's been on school trips abroad.

I too have a Chase card for spending abroad so when DS age 13 went away I just lent him my Chase card .

I added the recommended spending money amount to the account and changed the PIN to one he could easily remember and then he used it to pay and draw out money as required. On return I changed the pin back to my usual one.

It all worked fine. I realise it is probably against the terms and conditions but I see no reason why the bank would know... (obviously with the instruction for him to contact me if there was a problem/ he lost it etc so I could report it to the bank)