Best Prepaid Debit Card for Teen

[VirataMama4]

I'm looking to get a prepaid debit card for my DD for her 13th birthday and am wondering what one others recommend. I've looked into the Visa Buxx, American Express Pass (concerned because of the number of retailers don't accept Amex), Upside, and Payjr... I would like her to be able to get cash out from ATMs, since we live on a Military Base so cash is needed for things like the on base theater, etc.

So, if you could tell me your experience(s) with any of the cards above or any other prepaid card, it would be greatly appreciated!

PS~ I am not looking for a prepaid visa or mastercard that you can get at a store, like Walmart, Walgreens, etc.

 

[cglaura]

If she is only going to be using it at an ATM, I'd just get her own savings account with an ATM card.

The prepaid cards usually come with alot of tag on fees, so be sure to look into all the fine print. You should check with your bank to see if they have any with maybe reduced fees for their customers.

 

[Green Tea]

Oen a checking account for her at your bank and get her a debit card. You can move money onto her account whenever you want or need. She can get money from ATM or use it in stores.

 

[VirataMama4]

If she is only going to be using it at an ATM, I'd just get her own savings account with an ATM card.

The prepaid cards usually come with alot of tag on fees, so be sure to look into all the fine print. You should check with your bank to see if they have any with maybe reduced fees for their customers.

Thank you, but I'd like her to be able to use it for purchases at places that accept Visa or Mastercard. She also needs to be able to get cash out with it.

Oen a checking account for her at your bank and get her a debit card. You can move money onto her account whenever you want or need. She can get money from ATM or use it in stores.

Thank you for the suggestion, but she can't get a checking account until she's 16 at our bank. Our only option is a savings account where she could get an ATM only card, but that isn't what I'm looking for. See response above.

 

[dfchelbay]

Thank you, but I'd like her to be able to use it for purchases at places that accept Visa or Mastercard. She also needs to be able to get cash out with it.




Thank you for the suggestion, but she can't get a checking account until she's 16 at our bank. Our only option is a savings account where she could get an ATM only card, but that isn't what I'm looking for. See response above.

You open the checking account in your name, with daughter's name on the account. You will ultimately have control over the funds I would think anyhow. Your name, DH, and DD's names are on the account...or just you and DD if DH is not available to sign up when you do it. Then, you will all get bank cards with the visa logo on them. This is what we did for our DS when he was under 16 years old. I opened the checking account and we all received debit cards with visa/master card logo on them. Works at ATM, and as a visa.

 

[Green Tea]

The post above is exactly what we did. They can't have their own account but it is joint with me and child. The bank gave each of us a visa check card.

If this on base, the bank military families use, I know other young teens with debit cards thru that bank.

 

[VirataMama4]

You open the checking account in your name, with daughter's name on the account. You will ultimately have control over the funds I would think anyhow. Your name, DH, and DD's names are on the account...or just you and DD if DH is not available to sign up when you do it. Then, you will all get bank cards with the visa logo on them. This is what we did for our DS when he was under 16 years old. I opened the checking account and we all received debit cards with visa/master card logo on them. Works at ATM, and as a visa.

Thank you, I double checked our bank, and any co-applicant must be 18yrs or older. We can sign an agreement when she is 16 for her to open a checking account. The only option is the savings account at our bank. Our bank was the first place I checked before looking into prepaid cards.

 

[VirataMama4]

The post above is exactly what we did. They can't have their own account but it is joint with me and child. The bank gave each of us a visa check card.

If this on base, the bank military families use, I know other young teens with debit cards thru that bank.

No, its not an on base bank.


Thank you everyone, I will double check with my bank on Monday!

I am still interested in hearing opinions from people that have used the prepaid debit cards!

 

[Judique]

Thank you, I double checked our bank, and any co-applicant must be 18yrs or older. We can sign an agreement when she is 16 for her to open a checking account. The only option is the savings account at our bank. Our bank was the first place I checked before looking into prepaid cards.

I applied for the Pass card for my daughter, mostly because there was a promo. She uses it quite often although she is older then your child and already has her own campus checking and separate savings. Amex has no fees for a year, so I've got until this fall to cancel it after the promo period. I've deposited birthday and other gift money on it for her.

She seems to like it.

She's also used it to have a pizza delivered by ordering online from the pizza hut!

 

[DAPford]

I too got my DD 15 a PASS card she likes that it has her name on it the downside as you mentioned is if a retailer doesn't accept AMEX ( so far the mall kiosk and a "upscale" store selling vera bradly(she wanted a vb carrier for her "credit card") but since she is still at an age where we are around when she is shopping its not a big problem shes good about ok I owe u ___$ and then will give me her card to put towards a grocery or gas purchase we are only keeping it for the time the promo fees are waived by that time she will be 16 and we will do a checking account this was to start teaching some responsibility with money that was not trackable on a credit search no need for her to start getting real credit card offers just yet !!!!

 

[slaball1]

my daughter had and used Visa Buxx all through high school. At that time, it was well worth it and we had no problems.

 

[IDoDis]

My DD has the American Express Teen pass card. She has run into situations where places don't take it which defeats the purpose of giving her the card. She went on an out-of-town ski trip with a friend's family, so I told her to use her card to pay for her lift ticket and ski rental. The ski area didn't accept Amex, so her friend's dad had to pay for her and we then paid him back.

DD is a figure skater and I figured the card would be a good thing for her to use to pay for her ice time at the rink so I wouldn't always have to send her with cash. The rink which is owned by the city, doesn't take Amex either! Ugh. Now every time I think she can just use her card (going to the movies or whatever), I have to second guess or send back-up cash just in case her card is not accepted.

Once the monthly fees kick in this October, I'll be canceling her American Express card and will look elsewhere. A friend of hers who is also 13 has a debit card from a bank where I have an account, so I know it can be done. Will probably go that route when the time comes.

I do like that her picture is on the card to help prevent fraud, and that we are not out of the money if her card is lost/stolen. She always gets comments from sales clerks about what a cool card it is (she chose hot pink for the color). Other than that, it's not that great for a teen!

 

[Green Tea]

Ally Bank (online) has a free checking account. You can access your money from any ATM with no fees. If you can't put both your names on the account, then just make it in your name and give her the card. You are transferring the money to her account anyway, right?

I imagine ING has the same type of thing with their orange checking. Kids younger than 16 are definitely on joint accounts with ING.

 

[VirataMama4]

Thank you for the reviews on the Amex Pass and the Visa Buxx. Also, thank you for those that suggested a checking account and for the names of the 2 online banks to look into!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I have VisaBuxx for both my kids (even though the older one is in college and has her own accounts - it's an immediate way to get cash to her if she needs it) and they have used them all over the world as Visa cards and to get cash from ATMs.

I like the Visabuxx program because the fees are nominal and I fund the cards through my account at the same institution (Navy Federal Credit Union) so there are no fees to load, etc. Not only that, you can set up other people (like grandparents or, in our case, a parent who lives elsewhere) as gifters on the account and they can add funds as well.

You maintain total control over the account, including freezing the funds if necessary. Also, you can see where the card is used. When my kids travel overseas I use this feature to make sure they reached their destination because sometimes they couldn't call, but if they made a purchase with the card in their new locale it would show up immediately on the card account.

I have been using the VisaBuxx cards since 2004 without incident. Many banks and credit unions offer the VisaBuxx card, and their programs will differ slightly. We originally had US Bank VisaBuxx cards, but switched to Navy Federal where we continue to use them. Check with your bank or check the VisaBuxx website.

 

[Aristomommy]

Dd has a prepaid mastercard through USAA. I have my savings and her savings accounts linked to it and we can load money on it instantly. No fees associated, but you have to be eligible for a USAA account. I also like that she can keep her money in savings earning interest and only transfer money to the card when she needs it.

 

[lianne_0325]

Navy Federal can Visa Check Cards for teenagers over 14 so if your child is in that range and you'd prefer that over the prepaid, that would be an option as well.

 

[sightcrr]

When our daughter was younger (several years ago) our Federal credit union had good learning programs for teens/pre-teens and some of the staff mentored her for a while. Looking at the Andrews Federal Credit Union web site they have some programs for kids and you might try calling them.
Thanks for your service to our country.
Sightcrr

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

DH is researching this same thing for our DD. One of his co-workers recommended the student card issued through Paypal - they have been using it for their teen and are really happy with it.

 

[IUTBAM]

Dd has a prepaid mastercard through USAA. I have my savings and her savings accounts linked to it and we can load money on it instantly. No fees associated, but you have to be eligible for a USAA account. I also like that she can keep her money in savings earning interest and only transfer money to the card when she needs it.

Same for us! I highly recommend USAA if you are eligible for membership.