Credit Cards for Under 18′s
Great news – there’s now credit cards for under 18′s. These cards work just like prepaid mobile phones. You load onto the card what money you have, and then you decide if, when and where you spend it. When your money is spent, you won’t be able to spend any more until you load more credit so you can’t get into trouble with debt.
Credit cards for under 18′s are limited to cards that don’t offer any borrowing. To have a real ‘credit card’ that actually lets you borrow, you have to be over 18, a UK resident, and have a credit history.
If you’re under 18, and you have some cash you’d like to be able to safely spend online, or you’d like the security of being able to pay by credit card at retail outlets, here are our choices of debit cards and credit cards for under 18′s.
 |
Virgin Money PAYG Prepaid Visa Card | Great for London 2012 Olympic Tickets. The smart way to carry cash | Prepaid |
Ideal for London Olympics tickets Free top ups Available to under 18's Discounts with Virgin Companies
No purchase protection ATM fees 2.95% charge on each purchase Expensive to use abroad |
CashPlus Gold Prepaid MasterCard Credit Card | Top prepaid card, cash-back & comes with Euro card | Prepaid | Prepaid |
CashBuilder feature to build credit rating Purchase Protection Cash back and rewards Shop online |
Virgin Money Monthly Prepaid Visa Card | No bank account needed, no credit check! | Prepaid |
Discounts with Virgin Companies Free top ups No transaction fees in UK Monthly fee ATM fees No purchase protection Expensive to use abroadIt maybe possible if you’re under 18 to be issued with a secondary card on a parent or guardians credit card account, but they’d be responsible for you complying with the terms and conditions of use, and of course they’d be liable ultimately for any money you spend!
Parents or friends can load money onto these cards for you, either with cash or direct from their bank account, just like a ‘real’ credit card. Its a very safe way way to keep your money if you haven’t got a bank account, but there are charges involved and you need to understand your individual payment profile to know which of the cards will be best for you.
The cards work normally in any retail store or outlet where they normally accept credit cards. They also work for online purchases, meaning for the first time, under 18′s can easily shop online. Credit cards have a significant benefit over debit cards or cash because they offer purchase protection.
Some of these cards need a parent, guardian or friend to apply for the card, and then request a supplementary or secondary card for the under 18. Some you can apply for in your own name if your under 18, as long as you can prove who you are and where you live.
