Currancy for travel to Morocco and Spain
 

My son is going on a class trip to Morocco and Spain and will need access to money. I don't want to give him a debit card due to the fluctuations in currency and the costs of overdrafts. Is there a Visa gift card that can be loaded with so many $$$ that can be drawn on while in those particular countries. Is there another way you would handle the spending issue?

Dawn, in my opinion, if he is mature enough to go to Morocco and Spain, he is mature enough to have a debit card. Discuss it with him, open a checking account in his name, explain the fees he will need to repay for any overdrafts, and let him go. I see no connection to the fluctuation in currency and use of a debit card.

I just found a Visa TravelMoney card that is accepted internationally from AAA. Its a preloaded credit card that works at POS and ATMs. has anyone used that?

Dawn, since you have not received replies for this question, you may want to repost it under a title like "Will Visa Gift Card work in Spain?" My suspicion is most people will suggest a debit card as not all venders accept Gift Cards, credit card fees, and perhaps other issues I am unaware of. Good luck.

I'd be very wary of a VISA Gift card, especially in Morocco. I haven't checked that one out specifically, but those cards usually carry extra fees and are geared so you can't retrieve any unspent funds.

A regular ATM card is your best, and least expensive, bet. I have no idea what you mean when you say you don't want to give him one because of fluctuating currencies. As for overdrafts, I've never heard of a debit card that allowed you to withdraw more money than you have in the account.

Agree if he's old enough to travel to Europe and Africa he's old enough to manage the finances for such a trip.