Taking money on trip to NY

[PhoebeFriends]

My 15 year old DD is going to New York in October. School have advised to take limited cash and recommend a pre paid card.
It seems the post office travel card is for 18years plus. Would a young persons bank account with debit card be a better option?
She has a savings account but no instant access account as yet so I am thinking this would be better long term but I am not great with finances and have never be n to NY myself so advice is much appreciated.

Lucky DD! DS has a bank account with a debit card from Barclays. I do find it convenient if he rings me and asks for a quick top up if he wants to do something (and if I'm prepared to pay for it!) so it's a quick way of getting funds to your DD if she's abroad. The only downside was it was MONTHS before he could remember his PIN.

He could have had a contactless version, but we decided it would be better if it were not contactless for the time being so think about that option (less of an issue for the US, where, if California is anything to go by, contactless technology is not nearly as widely used).

Finally, in a lot of places in California, they still use signatures, but they don't actually check the signature against the card at all; if the card were nicked, you really wouldn't need to have any forgery skills at all to sign off on a purchase. But that's not too much of a problem if the amount of money in the account is fairly limited. Obviously no overdraft.

Interested to see other ideas as DS will also be going to NY, though not till 2020.

Contactless used loads in SF

Would just check charges on the Barclays a/c for using abroad.

We sent our kids with some cash and a card to use if necessary but where visiting family.

If over 18 would suggest starling but we struggled to find a/c with no fees for overseas use for u18s this summer.

If she is using a card you need to make sure it’s one which doesn’t add charges for use overseas - a debit card on a young persons account almost certainly will!

I use Monzo, which has a card and an app, and which doesn’t charge for use overseas. I don’t know if it has a minimum age though.

Just looked and Monzo is 16+

When’s her birthday?

She’s not 16 until April - I think we will have to go with a young persons debit account. To be fair I should have sorted her with years ago so at least she is financially aware if I’m not.

I would seriously avoid using a debit card overseas unless it’s an account with no exchange fees. It will work out horribly expensive.

Actually, overseas charges are a good point - they racked up a bit, though I don't know what Barclays charges would be, I'm First Direct. I'll check out Monzo for DS's NY trip, as he'll have passed his 16th bd.
Yes, some contactless in SF and indeed elsewhere in California, but far less in evidence than in the UK.
Leaving NY aside for the moment, not a bad thing to be nudged into getting a debit card organised for her, OP.

Yes, that’s my concern but because of her age it seems the alternative is cash with the risk of her loosing it all!
We are going to Barclays on Monday to open an account and I will ask if they have any suggestions and also get her to be more proactive in finding out how her friends will manage.

Honestly, I’d probably just go with the PO card but in your name. I know it’s not going by the rules, but I think it weighs up as the best option.

I got a FairFX usd card for DD when she went. Initially you order it in your name and activate it, then order an additional card in child's name (over 13) and activate and transfer the money over.

You can monitor what is spent and add if needed. I gave DD both cards in case she lost one (you are able to transfer monies between cards)

The Thomas Cook preloaded card can be used by under 18s, you just buy it in a Thomas Cook shop and you can manage it online.

If she opens a flex one account at Nationwide they will give her a debit card (with or without contactless) and even better, there are no charges at all for using it abroad.

The Thomas Cook preloaded card can be used by under 18s,

You have to be over 18 according to the T&C's - we looked into this just a few weeks back

Nemesia FlexOne definitely a good option! (Though not cash card, have to be debit card)
www.nationwide.co.uk/support/travel/fees-charges

Get her a bank account anyway. Get a currency card in your name - FairFX, T cook, post office etc and let her use it. Simples!

Contactless is pretty rare in NY.

I got the TC card in the shop specifically for my dd to use, it’s registered to me but I was very clear that she would be using it.

what about revolut?? ...not sure if there is an age limit though, but I know it has a basic level and if you verify your address/age/details it opens up lots more options.

You can also use it with an app, without the card, but I haven't investigated that properly yet.

I got one and just load up odds and ends on it and go off on a spending spree when there's enough on it.

You can load in more or less any currency, and spend likewise. You can convert your money before or just spend and it does the exchange rate on the day.

Thank you all for your replies - much appreciated.
Nemesia Thank you - the Flex One is exactly what she needs - have checked and double checked and there are not fee.

Not fee = no fees

I have to apologise, we got the cards from TUI, not Thomas Cook( (the show are next door to each other and blended together in my mind!) sorry.

Shops are next to school other not show

Each other! Where did my phone find school from?

Just get a LYK card from Thomas cook in your name as a PP has suggested.

I would have a look at Revolut. No charges, easy to manage online and easy to access you PIN from the app if you forget it.