Bringing children's friends to Aruba

[bob214]

Our children are bringing 3 friends along to Aruba this year and we are looking for the safest way for them to bring spending $ for activities and food. We are thinking about having them get Visa/MasterCard gift cards that have money loaded onto them instead of bringing lots of cash. Will gift cards work at the shops and activities desks around the island? I would think that they would since they are just like credit/debit cards.

[Arubalisa]

I do not see why it would not work. I would stick with Visa or Master Card and avoid American Express. It is not accepted everywhere, so I would probably avoid that.

The only issue I can think of is the issue of replacement of gift cards vs. pre-paid credit cards. If a gift card is lost will the issuer replace it?

Our 14 yo has a pre-paid credit card for incidentals with friends and their families and her upcoming class trips. We make sure that she carries a photo I.D. in case it is asked for. I know when I worked in retail handling credit cards I would question a teen using a credit card.

[fattypatty]

Originally Posted by Arubalisa

I do not see why it would not work. I would stick with Visa or Master Card and avoid American Express. It is not accepted everywhere, so I would probably avoid that.

The only issue I can think of is the issue of replacement of gift cards vs. pre-paid credit cards. If a gift card is lost will the issuer replace it?

Our 14 yo has a pre-paid credit card for incidentals with friends and their families and her upcoming class trips. We make sure that she carries a photo I.D. in case it is asked for. I know when I worked in retail handling credit cards I would question a teen using a credit card.

hm....if anything, i would be holding those gift cards for safekeeping and giving it to them when they need it.

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by fattypatty

hm....if anything, i would be holding those gift cards for safekeeping and giving it to them when they need it.

LOL we hold the card at home, but when our dd has the card and goes out to say a move with her friend(s) and their parents if she spends money off the card for "junk" it comes out of her allowance.

The only money we will put on the card for her upcoming trips to Universal and Charleston are for necessary snacks and meals (some, not all are provided). The rest gets deposited from her allowance.

As a bonus, God forbid there should be an emergency we can phone the credit card company and have additional money put onto the card which is credited as quikcly as it takes to make that phone call.

[cindyo]

Originally Posted by bob214

Our children are bringing 3 friends along to Aruba this year and we are looking for the safest way for them to bring spending $ for activities and food. We are thinking about having them get Visa/MasterCard gift cards that have money loaded onto them instead of bringing lots of cash. Will gift cards work at the shops and activities desks around the island? I would think that they would since they are just like credit/debit cards.

A minor can get a 2 signature travelers checks and sign with one of their parents. Once they arrive in aruba you could hold the proof of purchase and all they would have to do is sign with an ID.