Scotiabank Gold American Express® CardScotiabank Gold American Express® CardEarn up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points + no annual fee in your first year

The Best Cards for a Student on a School Trip

  • Student
The Best Cards for a Student on a School Trip
Share

School Trip – Which Credit Card to Give to Your Child?

With the return to school, school trips and competitions away from home are also resuming for many young people. When your child participates alone, the question of payment can be a challenge. Whether it’s for buying souvenirs, meals, or for an unforeseen expense, we want to provide them with a secure payment method.

It is important to note that lending your personal credit card to your child violates the terms of use of financial institutions. This practice carries significant risks: in the event of theft or fraudulent use, the bank will refuse any reimbursement since you have knowingly violated your credit card agreement.

Here are the options available to you to make your child a bit more independent while travelling.

School Trip – How to Choose the Best Card for Your Child?

When choosing your credit or prepaid card, consider the following:

  • Fees: Compare monthly fees, ATM withdrawal fees, and the foreign currency conversion fee percentage (which is generally 2.5%, with some cards at 0%);
  • Flexibility: Ensure that the card accepts multiple currencies;
  • Mobile application: Track expenses in real time;
  • Easy reloading of a prepaid card: In case of emergency or « Mom, I’d really like to have this souvenir like my friends », you want to be able to put money back into the account quickly.

School Trip – The Option of an Additional Credit Card

Your teenager can have a copy of your credit card as an authorized user. It’s one of the best options!

Depending on their age and the financial institution, you can request an additional card. Read our article to find out at what age your teenager might be able to have one.

This way, any purchases he makes will end up in your credit card account and you will pay your account afterwards, as usual.

Do you have a card in your wallet with no foreign currency conversion fees? If so, it might be a good idea to get an extra one for your child, too, to avoid the 2.5% fee for all out-of-country transactions.

The Wealthsimple Prepaid Mastercard is an excellent option for a young person: no minimum income required, no annual fees, no foreign currency conversion fees, and a welcome offer of $25 cash back when opening the account.

Wealthsimple Prepaid Mastercard

WealthsimpleCash Back
Annual fee
$0
Our valuation
$25
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$25Total$25Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
$25
Apply Now

on Wealthsimple's website

With the Wealthsimple Prepaid Mastercard, you can access your available funds in your Wealthsimple Cash account.

With this welcome offer, you can get $25 cash back as a new Wealthsimple client. To do this, you simply need to open an account and then deposit at least $1 within 30 days.

You can invest your money in an investment account or a cryptocurrency of your choice. Also, you earn interest on your Wealthsimple Cash account balance! Wealthsimple Generation clients can earn an interest rate of up to 2.25%.

In addition, there are no foreign transaction fees for any purchase made in a currency other than the Canadian dollar and no annual fees.

Annual fee

Primary card$0

Value

1st Year Value$295

If you already hold a travel card with no conversion fees, such as the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* Card, the first supplementary card is usually free. However, this card requires a personal income of $60,000 (or household income of $100,000), so it’s only suitable if you already hold it or are eligible for it.

Annual fee
$150
Our valuation
$350
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 35,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now

on Scotiabank's website

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card +* CardMC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

  • No fees for foreign currency transactions
  • 6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
  • Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
  • Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 2xGroceries
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xEntertainment
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650
2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Other advantageous cards with no high minimum income also exist: check out our guide to credit cards with no minimum income required to compare more options.

School Trip – Prepaid Cards

Mydoh

Mydoh offers a rechargeable prepaid Visa card for a child, without being linked to a bank account. And if you want, you can even personalize the card for $6.99 with any image you choose.

There are no hidden fees, and the parent only deposits the necessary amount on the Mydoh card, accessible instantly. Additionally, there is no card number visible on the physical card. So, if it is lost, this minimizes the risk of fraudulent use.

Mydoh offers both a digital and physical card. Abroad, the foreign currency conversion fee is 2.5%. Its only drawback is that there is no option to withdraw cash from an ATM.

KOHO and Wise Prepaid Cards

KOHO and Wise banks offer prepaid cards, but only to people who have reached the age of majority in their province of residence.

Remember, you can’t open an account and get a prepaid card in your name, then give it to your minor child to travel with.

Our credit card selection
Credit cardAnnual feeWelcome offer
Annual fee$0Welcome offer
No welcome offer
Apply Now
Annual fee$144Welcome offer
No welcome offer
Apply Now

Vanilla Prepaid Card

Vanilla Visa or Mastercard prepaid cards may be another option. However, it is forbidden to purchase such a prepaid card with an American Express credit card, as mentioned in the conditions.

There is an activation fee on purchase, and foreign currency conversion charges are 2.5%. Also, beware of fraud with this type of card. Before making your purchase, make sure that the packaging has not been opened, as tampering occasionally occurs.

Beware: Canada Post’s Cash Passport Prepaid Card

Many schools suggest the Canada Post Cash Passport card, but we don’t recommend it.

It costs $15 to buy, you have to pay a $3 fee every time you load money into it, the foreign currency conversion fee is high (3.25%), you pay an additional 1.5% if you use it in Canada and on top of that, there’s a $20 fee if you want to withdraw the money left in it.

Let’s just say that it seems to exist mainly to remind us how much better other options are. It’s better to explore other solutions that offer more benefits and less costs.

Which card is most beneficial for a young person on a school trip?

It all depends on your child’s age and your own eligibility for credit cards.

  • Simplest and most accessible option: the Wealthsimple Prepaid Mastercard, with no minimum income required and no conversion fees, an excellent default option for a young person.
  • If you already hold a premium travel card with no conversion fees (such as the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite* Card): add your child as a supplementary cardholder, usually free and with no additional steps.
  • Most flexible option, with no minimum age: Mydoh, if your child is too young for an additional card.
  • To avoid: the Canada Post CashPassport card, whose fees are significantly higher than other options.

Conclusion

Before departure, take the time to educate your child about responsible practices that will allow them to fully enjoy the benefits of their card while avoiding excesses. We particularly recommend using an additional card, as this will help you accumulate points to use for a future trip with your child!

Have a good trip!

Annual fee
$150
Our valuation
$350
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$350Total$350Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 35,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now

on Scotiabank's website

With this welcome offer for the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card +* CardMC, you’ll earn 25,000 welcome bonus Scene+ points after charging $2,000 in purchases to your account within the first three months.

Plus, every year, earn an annual bonus of at least 10,000 Scene+ points when you charge at least $40,000 in purchases to your account. In total, the offer represents up to 35,000 Scene+ points and a value of up to $1,250 in the first year, including rewards, savings on foreign transaction fees and airport lounge access.

With the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card, you earn 3 points per $1 spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland and participating Co-ops, and 2 points per $1 spent at other grocery stores, restaurants, eligible entertainment and eligible daily transit. You earn 1 point per $1 on all your other everyday purchases.

These points can be redeemed against any travel purchase at a rate of 1,000 points = $10 (flights, hotels, all-inclusives and even Airbnb), or as cash back with Scene+ at the same rate.

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite +* Card also offers:

  • No fees for foreign currency transactions
  • 6 complimentary airport VIP lounge passes
  • Excellent insurance for your travels and purchases
  • Visa Infinite* Concierge Services

We have named this credit card the Best Credit Card with No Foreign Transaction Fees in 2024, 2025, and 2026.

Annual fee

Primary card$150
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 2xGroceries
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 2xTransit
  • 2xEntertainment
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$650
2nd Year Value$397

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$240

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Our featured card

Featured
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$990
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$990Total$990Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 110,000 points
Ends Sep 22, 2026
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

The Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card is the best credit card in Canada for free hotel nights.

New Cardmembers can earn up to 110,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points with the current offer:

  • Earn 80,000 points after you spend $6,000 on your Card in your first 6 months of Cardmembership.
  • Plus, earn 30,000 points by making a purchase during your 15th month of Cardmembership.

This offer ends on September 22, 2026. The annual fee is $120, and there is no annual fee on Additional Cards, so you can add a partner or a family member at no extra cost.

Every year after your first Card anniversary, you receive an Annual Free Night Award good for a redemption of up to 35,000 points at eligible hotels and resorts worldwide. At a valuation of 0.9 cents per Marriott Bonvoy point, that certificate is worth roughly $315, which on its own more than covers the $120 annual fee. That is the main reason to keep this Card year after year instead of cancelling it.

To get the most out of the certificate, aim it at a night that would otherwise price close to the 35,000 point ceiling.

The Card also gives you 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Those credits count toward the next Elite tier, so you begin every year 15 nights ahead of where you would otherwise start.

You move up to Gold Elite status automatically when you reach $30,000 in purchases on the Card in a year, or when you combine 10 qualifying paid nights within one calendar year with the 15 Elite Night Credits from your Card.

Marriott Bonvoy points are generally valued at 0.9 cents each. On that basis, the 110,000 point welcome offer is worth about $990, and an Annual Free Night Award used at its full 35,000 point ceiling is worth about $315.

Marriott Bonvoy points pull their weight on free nights rather than on gift cards or merchandise, which is why this Card should be judged on the hotel stays it produces.

You earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and 2 points per dollar on all other purchases. Points can be redeemed for free nights with no blackout dates at more than 7,000 hotels around the world.

The Card carries a solid package of coverages: $500,000 travel accident insurance, flight delay, baggage delay, lost or stolen baggage and hotel or motel burglary at $500 each, car rental theft and damage up to $85,000 for rentals of up to 48 days, Purchase Protection for 90 days and a one year Extended Warranty.

Two things to plan around: the 2.5% foreign transaction fee on purchases made in a foreign currency, and the 21.99% purchase interest rate, which makes this a Card to pay in full every month. Like all American Express Canada Cards, no minimum income is published for this Card, and you can see whether you would be approved before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$0

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 5xMarriott Bonvoy hotels
  • 2xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,437
2nd Year Value$312

Travel insurance

Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days

Our editorial integrity

Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.