I read the advice you gave the reader about how to provide spending money to his daughter when she goes to school abroad next year. You said a debit card is a good all-around choice.
Our 16-year-old daughter is traveling to Washington, D.C., for a school trip. She needs money for lunch and extras, but she doesn't have a bank account with a debit card and we don't want her to carry around lots of cash. What would you recommend?
For a short trip, I recommend a prepaid travel card that you can load with cash, such as the American Express Travelers Cheque card ($14.95) or Visa's TravelMoney card ($4.95 for AAA members and $9.95 for everyone else).
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Your daughter can use either card to make purchases or get cash. Both offer guaranteed replacement if the card is lost or stolen. Be aware of fees; each company will charge you to reload or reissue a card.
I plan for my son to use one of these cards when he goes on a school trip to the Dominican Republic in June. I'll let you know how it goes.
ATM card vs. debit card
Your column on getting cash abroad dealt with an interesting topic. As a U.S. expatriate who has lived in Hong Kong, I believe an ATM card is the best approach. However, I would distinguish between a Visa- or MasterCard-branded "debit" card and a more traditional ATM card. We incurred a fee on withdrawals using our Visa debit card. But there was no such charge for an ATM card issued separately by a Hong Kong bank that used the Plus network.
My daughter, who attends school in Canada, has had a similar experience. Her ATM card from a Canadian bank can be used at many stores and businesses, and to get cash from ATMs. As in the U.S., however, she is charged a fee if she makes a withdrawal from an ATM that's not operated by her bank.
Opening an account at a local bank makes sense if you or your child will be in one country for an extended time. For shorter stays, a debit card issued by a U.S. bank remains a practical choice.
Avoid fees with a card issued by a bank that gives customers free withdrawals from banks within its network. For example, Bank of America permits free withdrawals at more than 23,000 ATMs operated by members of the Global ATM Alliance.
-
Snowbirds: Avoid These 3 Sneaky Insurance IssuesBefore snowbirds depart for their winter retreat, they should check their insurance coverage for surprises that might arise, or else be on the hook for repairs.
-
Hang in There With This Value FundPatience is required for investors in the Dodge & Cox Stock Fund, but its long-term outperformance proves it's worth the wait.
-
Why It's Worth Booking a Winter VacationTravel Smart In the early months of the year, travel demand dips — and so do prices.
-
5 Ways to Save on a Trip to the 2026 Olympics in ItalyA guide to going to the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics without breaking the bank.
-
Smart Strategies for Paying Your Child an AllowanceBy giving your kids money to spend and save, you’ll help them sharpen their financial skills at an early age.
-
The Best (and Worst) Airlines for Flight Delays and CancellationsWhich airlines should you book and which should you avoid if you want to make it to your destination on time?
-
Four Luxury Spa Resorts for Well-Heeled TravelersWe hand-picked these U.S. luxury spa resorts for their serenity, amenities and dedication to the comfort of older travelers.
-
Child-Free Cruises Perfect For Your Retirement CelebrationHow to find a bespoke ocean or river vacation for adults. Many of these options are smaller, charming river cruises, expeditions, or niche experiences.
-
Noctourism: The New Travel Trend For Your Next Trip"Noctourism" is a new trend of building travel and vacations around events and plans that take place at night. Take a look at some inspiring noctourism ideas.
-
My Husband and I Retired at 67 With $3.2 Million, But He's Frugal About Travel. How Can I Convince Him to Loosen Up?We asked financial planning experts for advice.
