Charging privileges on room key?

[Sandi]

My 10 yo DD and are I going to be staying at CSR in another 20 days. She asked me last night if she could have charging privileges on her room key. I laughed and said "no way." She then made a few decent arguments. First, she never actually holds onto her key, I do that. She just gets to "use" the key when it is necessary. Second, she never buys anything without permission and would have to ask for permission and the key before buying anyway, so what's the big deal. And finally, she just loves to sign her name when she makes purchases on gift cards, etc., and she feels grown up when she does that.

So, does anyone know whether the resorts even allow kids to have charging privileges? If so, is there a minimum age?

Anyone do this?

 

[momsgoofy]

Yes, the resorts will allow children to have charging priveleges, but I'm not sure what the minimum age is or if there is a minimum at all.

Last fall was the first time we let DS have the privelege, because we were on the cruise and it's charge it or don't get it. He was 12 1/2 though and is a very responsible child with money. This past trip to WDW he just turned 13 and we let him have charging priveleges and like your daughter, he always asked if he could have something before he purchased. These past 2 trips were the first time we let him carry his own room key, too. It worked out fine.

In past trips I have always given him a specific spending limit (usually $200) and then we get travelers checks (in $20 checks) with 2 signatures, his and mine. He has done this since he was 8 and it worked very well. First, he thought he was a big hot shot with travelers checks and second if they were lost or stolen then we could get them replaced. Also, we didn't let him carry the entire wad of travelers checks with him, only a couple. So, you might look at this as an option. I know some might think $200 is a lot for one kid to spend, but DS buys his own t-shirts, hats, toys, gifts for family and friends, and stuff that we think he doesn't need like money for arcades. The last 2 trips he used the travelers checks were at Thanksgiving so he was allowed to keep what he didn't spend on vacation to use to buy Christmas gifts.

 

[Sandi]

Laura -
Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like our kids are similar. I love the traveler's checks idea.
thanks again.

 

[Tinkim]

I stayed at Pop with my three kids in February. My sons were 12 and 10 and they asked me if I wanted them to have charging privileges. I knew they wouldn't buy anything without asking so I said sure. My DD7 was apparently too young though because she did not get charging privileges. It worked out well though like in the food court if we all wanted different things they would use their room key to pay for their breakfast and their sister's breakfast. A few times while we were eating my son went to the gift shop for me and picked up things I had planned to buy. I know they both really enjoyed being able to sign their name and the feeling of being a grown up. Neither of them bought anything without permission as they had their own cash to spend and it worked out very well especially at meal time. I think your DD would do fine to have the room key with charging privileges. Have a great trip.