Best overseas money card for under-18s?

LRuss on 22/03/2013 - 13:26

My son is going on a school excursion this year to Japan (in September), and I need to know the best way for him to take spending money with him.

If he was an adult, it would be easy: a 28 degrees credit card, pre-loaded with money. Or maybe a Citibank card.

However, because he is under 18, the T&C's of the above credit cards seem to exclude him from having one, unless someone can point me towards a loophole.

So, that leaves re-loadable money cards, and bank transaction accounts which allow overseas withdrawals.

Anyone have any advice? Being an OzBargainer, I'm after a system with (1) no fees, (2) good exchange rates, and (3) available at all ATMs worldwide. Does such a thing exist, or at least two out of three?

Financial

Comments

  • bajillionaire on 22/03/2013 - 13:58
    +3

    How about getting a 28 Degrees Card yourself and putting your son down as an additional card holder? I think it's 16 and over for that option.

    Link to form - http://www.28degreescard.com.au/common/docs/additional-card-…

    This way you can also login to check up on his spending habits ;)

    • Russ on 22/03/2013 - 23:55

      It appears you are correct. I finally found the following text on GE Money's website (the issuer for 28 degrees credit cards):

      "An additional card can be made available to a partner or friend aged over 16 years."

      I had previously thought the additional card holder had to be an adult too, but your recollection spurred me to look again. Thanks!

  • mskeggs on 22/03/2013 - 16:04

    As he will be accompanied by adults, the risk issue of needing a credit card isn't so great, as you say, it's just for spending money.
    With that in mind, why not just give him cash? I'm assuming you don't want him spending thousands of dollars, so it seems like a reasonable option.

    • Russ on 23/03/2013 - 00:01

      The documentation for the tour requests that the students have a "cash passport" or similar for spending money. The fees look to be rather high, which is why I started this thread.

      Also, for part of the time in Japan, he will be sleeping in dormitory-style accomodation. He sleeps quite soundly, I think it would be easy for someone to pick his pocket while he sleeps. Also, he has lost items before, so at least if he loses a credit card some of the value will be recoverable.

  • Russ on 23/03/2013 - 00:07

    Thanks everyone for your contributions, I'll try the 28 degrees card option.

    Another advantage I hadn't thought of before: I can schedule BPAY payments, to pay an amount to the card every week, thereby limiting the damage if the card is lost.

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