QUICK Suggestions Needed....

[kristenrice]

DD12 is going to a local theme park tomorrow with her youth group from church. She already has her ticket but she will need spending money for food and such. Instead of sending her with cash (she doesn't want her pockets full of change and bills), we were thinking of getting her one of those pre-paid Visa gift cards. The ones that I've looked at online all seem to have a monthly fee. I've never bought one before, but I think what I'm looking for is a gift card with a pre-loaded amount that has the Visa or MasterCard logo on it so that it can be used almost anywhere. Where can I find one TODAY?

 

[Kirk]

I know Wells Fargo does them but probably any bank.

https://www.wellsfargo.com/gift-card

 

[kristenrice]

I know Wells Fargo does them but probably any bank.

https://www.wellsfargo.com/gift-card

Thanks! I looked at the page and it says "You must have a Wells Fargo Debit Card or Credit Card to purchase Wells Fargo Visa Gift Cards online."

I don't know if that means I could walk into Wells Fargo and buy one (without having a WF credit/debit card) or if it means I have to have a WF credit/debit card to get one at all.

But I do have to go to the bank today anyways so I will ask them there. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[kj2mom]

Our local grocery stores have them, Walgreens has them, places like BJs has them. Some of them have an activation fee of a few dollars (some places waive that but I am not sure how that is decided).

 

[Malibustyle23]

Almost any grocery, drug, Wal-Mart, target, etc. But as pp stated they will have an activation fee of around $4-10.

 

[tvguy]

My only hesitation would be WILL she be able to use it? I am seeing more and more CASH ONLY signs this year at ball parks, fairs and amusement parks. She may NEED cash.

 

[Alesia]

My only hesitation would be WILL she be able to use it? I am seeing more and more CASH ONLY signs this year at ball parks, fairs and amusement parks. She may NEED cash.

This is my concern as well. Are you 100% sure that she'll be able to use the card?

 

[usnuzuloose]

Another issue is what if the card won't work. Also the vendor's that want cash only.

 

[daughtersrus]

They have them at Dollar Tree with a low activation fee. If she looses the card, anyone will be able to use it.

 

[indimom]

I would also be concerned about whether the card would work when/where she needs it. We had a couple of those cards on our last Disney trip. Some worked, some didn't. We kept trying with the largest one, and it worked in the third or fourth location we tried (and these were all locations on Disney property? you would think if the card worked at one, it would work at them all?). It was only an annoyance to us since we had other methods of payment. It would have been a big issue if that's all we had with us to make purchases.
While annoying to deal with, I think I'd stick with cash.

 

[kristenrice]

My only hesitation would be WILL she be able to use it? I am seeing more and more CASH ONLY signs this year at ball parks, fairs and amusement parks. She may NEED cash.

This is my concern as well. Are you 100% sure that she'll be able to use the card?

We took a family trip to this park last month and I used our credit card everywhere (even the locker rental was card only!) so as long as the card itself works, she should be OK.
I sent her off today with $25 on the card. She has a pre-paid voucher for a refillable mug (free refills all day) and the group is breaking for lunch in the parking lot so she has food. If the card doesn't work, she will still have food and beverage so she will be OK.