Nope, not if it’s weather related or anything that’s out of their control. D2 was 17, connecting through EWR to Ithaca for her sister’s graduation. Due to bad thunder storm, they cancelled her flight. I was on the phone with UA agent asking them to book a room for D2 and we would be happy to pay for it. They said, “Not my problem. The airport is open 24 hours.” I had to get her to a hotel room for few hours while H drove down from Ithaca (we were there already) to pick her up. She did use her AmEx to check in.</p>
<p>Both our kids got Visa credit cards connected to our account when they started driving out of town. They knew the cards were for emergencies only while still in h.s. They kept them through college. S2 used it all through college for buying textbooks and paying his cable/internet bill online.</p>
<p>Just saying - most hotels will not let a 15 year old stay - even if parent paid for room. Guests must be over 18 or accompanied by an adult. That means spending the night in the airport if she is stranded. Which is also why they recommend not booking a teenager on the last flight of the day/night. Chances of needing a credit card are slim - the only thing she will be able to buy anyway is food.</p>
<p>When anyone runs a report on her, it will come up that she had credit before she was born, raising a red flag. We found this out when we wanted to get D a debit card tied to our account (before she went on a trip.) The bank saw the flag and thought it was identity theft, but it was really just that the report was showing that she had had a credit card 8 years before she was born (because the card was first issued to me 8 years before she was born.)</p>
<p>I got each of my kids a credit card on MY account that I opened up when they were starting to be solo far from me. The account remains open, even though they rarely use it. It has a credit limit sufficient to buy a ticket for most flights and/or handle a pretty bad auto tow & repair bill and/or lodging. So far, it has rarely ever been needed but gives me peace of mind. I believe it’s a Visa, which I chose because it is widely accepted.</p>
<p>I also love the AmEx warranty protection and have used it several times.</p>
<p>Like oldfort, I found it very convenient to add my Ds to my Visa account when they were near the end of high school. Run to the store, when I agreed to pay for gas for them, shopping for something I agreed to pay for, or in an emergency. They never abused it, and I can see their charges separately on the bill. So far they haven’t lost it or had it stolen, either. D1 had a debit card in late high school and college also, tied to her own account that she used for purchases she was responsible for. Once she turned 21 our bank offered her a no fee Visa, which she took. After college I cancelled D1’s card.</p>