Prepaid Travel Cards for the Under 16s

[kylieh]

Hi all - DD nearly 11, wants a travel card for her spending money rather than cash for her "big purchases." DH and I are ok with it, but I've started looking and the prepaid travel currency cards are 16+, even the new Qantas one. She will have close to $500 from pocket money, odd jobs, a years worth of molars for the tooth fairy (yes, she still visits here) birthday money, etc.

So I'm thinking if I can't find one - getting a duplicate of DH's or my Qantas one and put her $$ only, but I'm thinking not a good idea, or buy a prepaid gift visa/mastercard when we arrive, assuming they're ok for any age.

Unless there is one from here for the under 16s? Suggestions?

ETA: DD is very much rules based and won't change her mind (joys of Aspergers_ EG Won't even pretend she's 11 when she's 10 type thing, so if the rules states "need to be 16" she won't use it, even if we buy it for her.

 

[PrincessInOz]

KylieH - I haven't yet hit this requirement with my DS13 yet. He's still converting cash for cash and we've done that again this year.

But I do recall walking past some hang sale stuff at the post office. I think there might have even been a prepaid travel card there. I don't know if they have an age limit but it might give you an alternative rather than doubling up on yours. Even if you get it for her, at least her money will be separate?

 

[elphaba91]

Does she have her own bank account? Have you checked with the bank if you can set her up with a debit card? I went overseas with my school at 14 and was able to have one for no charge linked to my free student account. This was with St George. So that might be an option.

 

[ssour]

I would probably get a travel card from Aus Post in your name as the name isn't printed on the card so you can tell her it's hers and she won't know otherwise. I just had a skim of the PDS and didn't see mention of a minimum age but I might have missed it - if it's not mentioned you might be able to get it in her name?

 

[AussieCaribou]

The commonwealth bank has a travel card that is a prepay card (like the post). My FiL uses his every time he travels (2-3 times a year). I'm going in on Friday to get mine. The paperwork that I have read have not mentioned an age requirement so I am going to be getting one for my daughter (14). I don't bank at the commonwealth but I don't have to have an account...I do have to have cash.

Anyway, I can let you know how we go on Friday.

 

[kylieh]

Thank you all - I'm going to look at Aus Post, though AussieCaribou I would love to know if you find out anything.

 

[Toy Story]

Hi, my DD used the post office card for an OS school trip she recently went on. My only issue is you only get one card linked to the account. There is apparently a MasterCard version that gives you two cards linked to the one account.

CBA won't provide the cards to under 16 years olds.

 

[kylieh]

Thanks for the info on two cards with Mastercard - I'll have a look for that one too.

 

[AussieCaribou]

Okay. Commonwealth Bank's travel card is a go for the 14 year old. There is no age restriction on them.

They are MasterCard prepaids. You get two cards. If you are not a client, you have to sign up and that takes a bit of time. For DD and myself it took 45mins total. Also, had to bring cash with me. Cards cost $15 to set up the first time. DD's was free because they wave the fee for students (need school ID card).

The cards can take up to 6 types of currency at the same time. So they will work just fine for the awesome round the world Disney trip I will do one day. Lol...

 

[Toy Story]

Okay. Commonwealth Bank's travel card is a go for the 14 year old. There is no age restriction on them.


The cards can take up to 6 types of currency at the same time. So they will work just fine for the awesome round the world Disney trip I will do one day. Lol...

Interesting - my CBA said they were only available to over 16 year olds...

I would have preferred to use the CBA as we would have all had the same cards when we travel.

 

[AussieCaribou]

Toy Story, I totally understand. We wanted identical cards as well.

It's actually in their paperwork that there are no age restrictions. Don't know why you couldn't do it there. :0/

 

[Luisa]

My understanding (and I could be completely wrong) was that banks never issued any type of Visa/MasterCard debit card to under 18s (now U16s) as there is potential to overdraw the account which would mean they are then entering into a credit contract which they can't do with a minor.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Toy Story]

My understanding (and I could be completely wrong) was that banks never issued any type of Visa/MasterCard debit card to under 18s (now U16s) as there is potential to overdraw the account which would mean they are then entering into a credit contract which they can't do with a minor.

This is the reason the bank gave me - I will have to review the paperwork...

 

[AussieCaribou]

Just returned from the US.

DD14 was able to get a pre-paid commonwealth travel card under her own passport/school ID before we left. No problem or issue. Just walked into the bank with her school ID, passport, and cash. We do not bank with Commonwealth normally. By showing her school ID, they waved the $15 startup fee.

Overseas, she was able to use her card without any issue (she did need to show ID once). Worked a treat.

 

[marvel]

Most of the cards such as Comwealth or Amex, give you two cards, which can be used at the same time, just have to activate them both. My DD14 used hers with no problems.