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Travel Money for Under 18s
If your child is travelling abroad, whether on a family holiday, a school trip, or independently, you're likely thinking about how they'll manage spending money while away. This guide covers the general options parents consider, what to weigh up, and how travel insurance fits alongside whichever option you choose.
Financial products such as prepaid cards, current accounts and travel money are provided by banks and other financial institutions - not by Holiday Extras. If you're considering one for your child, we'd recommend researching current providers directly and comparing what's available at the time, since features, fees and terms change regularly.
How Prepaid Travel Cards for Kids Generally Work
Many parents look for ways to manage how much money a child has access to while travelling, particularly if the child is travelling independently, on a school trip, or with a group. Here's generally how it works:
- An alternative to cash: Rather than sending a child abroad with physical currency, some parents choose to load a set amount onto a prepaid card in advance
- Parental visibility: Many providers offer an app where spending can be tracked, so parents can see how funds are being used while their child is away
- Managing a lost or stolen card: Providers typically allow a card to be locked or cancelled remotely if it's misplaced - this is separate from any travel insurance cover you may hold
- Not linked to a main bank account, so spending is limited to whatever balance is loaded on
- Can typically be used for contactless payments, ATM withdrawals (where supported), and paying for goods online
What to consider when choosing a travel money option
If you're weighing up how to handle spending money for your child's trip, here's what's usually worth comparing between providers.
Providers set their own minimum and maximum ages for who can hold an account or card.
Some providers charge a monthly fee, others don't - this is worth checking directly.
These vary significantly between providers and can add up over a longer trip.
Some providers cap how much can be withdrawn or spent per day.
The level of oversight - instant notifications, remote top-ups, spending caps - differs by provider.
Some products are add-ons to an existing family bank account, while others are entirely standalone.
Because these details change often and vary considerably between providers, we'd recommend checking current terms directly with any bank or provider you're considering, rather than relying on general guidance, before making a decision.
Travel money and travel insurance
However you choose to manage your child's spending money abroad, this is separate from travel insurance. Holiday Extras child travel insurance may, depending on the policy, provide cover for belongings lost, stolen or damaged while travelling - subject to policy terms and conditions.
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What is a prepaid travel card for a child?
A prepaid travel card is generally loaded with a set amount of money in advance and isn't linked to a main bank account, so spending is limited to whatever balance is on it. These are provided by banks and financial institutions, not by Holiday Extras, so features and eligibility vary by provider.
What age can a child get a travel money card?
This depends entirely on the provider, minimum and maximum ages vary between products. Check current age eligibility directly with any provider you're considering.
Is a prepaid card safer than cash for a child travelling abroad?
Many providers allow a card to be locked, frozen or cancelled remotely if lost or stolen, which isn't possible with physical cash. Whether this suits your family depends on your child's trip, we'd suggest researching current provider options directly.
Does travel insurance cover a lost or stolen travel money card?
Depending on the policy, travel insurance may provide cover for belongings such as a travel money card if lost, stolen or damaged while travelling, subject to policy terms. Check your policy documents for exact details.
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Disclaimer: Holiday Extras does not provide, endorse or recommend any specific travel money product or provider. Information on this page is general in nature; features, fees and eligibility for any financial product are set by the relevant provider and are subject to change. Please check current terms directly with the provider before making any decision. All information supplied on this page relating to Holiday Extras insurance is subject to policy terms and conditions, exclusions and limitations. We will not be liable for misinterpretation of said information and advise you to check your policy documents for full details.
Holiday Extras Travel Insurance is sold and administered by Holiday Extras Cover Limited, registered office address: Ashford Road, Newingreen, Hythe, Kent CT21 4JF.
Holiday Extras Cover Limited is an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, registration number 828848. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting: http://register.fca.org.uk
Holiday Extras™ is a Trading Name of Holiday Extras Cover Limited. The insurance is underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited. Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 13436330 and whose registered office address is 1 Fen Court, London, United Kingdom, EC3M 5BN.
Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Firm Reference Number 955859. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting: http://register.fca.org.uk
Our flight delay cover is underwritten by Astrenska Insurance Limited and serviced by Collinson Insurance Services Limited.
