Charging Privileges

[disneyfab]

If you grant your children charging privileges, is there a way to limit the amount total or per day that they can charge?

 

[Sytrace]

I have never thought about that, but I don't think so.
I always just tell mine how much they can spend and make sure they bring me the receipts.

Or you could always give them a Disney gift card instead and once it is gone, it is gone.

 

[Drusilla99]

You can't limit it, but if you're worried about it, you can always check their spending at guest services daily and if it seems like it's getting out of hand, cut them off. I was surprised the first time I gave my kids the freedom to spend at how little they actually did; they left most spending to when they were with me. And now, that they are teens, the general rule is, drinks & extra food is fine, souvenirs are at their discretion because that money gets reimbursed to me from their bank accounts once we get home, so they know what they can afford.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

If you grant your children charging privileges, is there a way to limit the amount total or per day that they can charge?

So my children had charging privlagies from a young age, I thought it was a good way to teach them re finance, and buying things and using cards.

I told them thier cards worked, but there was a limit to it per day ( there wasn't one, just told them that) and said thry can buy smoothies or things in the shop up to that limit. They believed in that limit.

If they wanted something large they did ask me. But on occasions they ordered themselves smoothies for kids club meals, and paid for it, or pins or books in the shop.

I checked my stateroom account printout regularly. They respected it and it worked very well.

 

[noahsketomom]

My kids have never needed charging privileges but this time they will be in different clubs....two in the teen one. Anyone know if they have to pay for soda at the soda bar in Vibe?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

My kids have never needed charging privileges but this time they will be in different clubs....two in the teen one. Anyone know if they have to pay for soda at the soda bar in Vibe?

It's free in the clubs.

My children paid for an upgraded smoothie in a lunch fir the children with the clubs.

 

[noahsketomom]

Thanks! Pretty sure all they'd want is soda, but will have t think twice about giving them charging privileges.....at least for some of them! Lol

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Thanks! Pretty sure all they'd want is soda, but will have t think twice about giving them charging privileges.....at least for some of them! Lol

Just say a " white lie" that the ship will message you if they go over X $ limit. They do not know differently.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I checked my stateroom account printout regularly. They respected it and it worked very well.

That was going to be my suggestion. Each night at dinner we took a highlighter and a pen and went through the Navigator for the following day. Talking about the charges on the account that day would be a good option as well.

I don't think a limit can be put on, but you can always change privileges at any point during the cruise.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

That was going to be my suggestion. Each night at dinner we took a highlighter and a pen and went through the Navigator for the following day. Talking about the charges on the account that day would be a good option as well.

I don't think a limit can be put on, but you can always change privileges at any point during the cruise.

Official limits can't be put on, just tell the children there is one.

 

[cebain]

Just be sure to keep an eye on it. On our last cruise, a father was fuming at Guest Services after his son bought all his new friends treats from Eye Scream.

 

[diznymom]

This would not work in family. DS would just spend a little, a little there and not realize it was all adding up........especially in the video game room.

 

[disneyfab]

Thank for the responses and suggestions. I know the teen will be fine, but I was wondering about the tween and not quite tween. Tween is more a saver than a spender and very thoughtful about purchases, even small ones. Not quite tween can always find a way to spend. I know the sweet shop is going to be very tempting.

This would not work in family. DS would just spend a little, a little there and not realize it was all adding up........especially in the video game room.

This and the experience the pp mentioned buying treats for friends are my concerns. I think we'll go with checking charges before dinner and making necessary adjustments if needed.

 

[bumbershoot]

Or you could always give them a Disney gift card instead and once it is gone, it is gone.

This is likely what I would do. I've read repeatedly that GCs are the only other way to purchase items on the ship (apart from the keycard), and that might just work better.

 

[Imahikergirl]

My daughter has always been given charging privileges on our various vacations with no issues and a loose set of rules and the understanding that anything outside the rules would result in her paying me back. As soon as she was able she was taught how to use my debit card and had it days on end as a teen, again with no issues. She has turned into a fiscally responsible adult.

It totally depends on your child/children and of course checking on the charges are a very good thing. Give them parameters and make sure that they are aware that it's real money that they are being given access to - come up with a penalty if they go against the rules (bday money being docked, payback through allowance cutbacks, whatever you decide). Great way to teach about money and limits, etc.

 

[plethera1]

Seems like a good learning opportunity for the kids but as others have said I'd keep an eye on your account. Seems like a good learning experience to teach them to respect the costs of things and to learn to budget. I also really like the idea someone mentioned above about giving Disney gift cards. All the benefits and none of the risk.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Seems like a good learning opportunity for the kids but as others have said I'd keep an eye on your account. Seems like a good learning experience to teach them to respect the costs of things and to learn to budget. I also really like the idea someone mentioned above about giving Disney gift cards. All the benefits and none of the risk.

The gift cards are normally loaded onto your stateroom account at guest services.

 

[wcw57]

The gift cards are normally loaded onto your stateroom account at guest services.

yeah, that's what i thought....are people saying you can pay at the various registers with a GC directly?

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

yeah, that's what i thought....are people saying you can pay at the various registers with a GC directly?

I though the ship was cash less and all gift cards go directly to ship account at guest services.

 

[Sytrace]

You can use the gift cards at counters as well.

Edited to note that they can be used at Counters in the shops. I am not sure about the other locations as my kids have not done that.
Sorry for the confusion.