Natwest Student Account 2009/10: We Want Your Feedback

stclair

Millli wrote: »

The railcard is a '16-25 card' so is for 16-25 year olds. That's why someone older can't get it even if they are a student.

Students can have a 16-25 railcard over the age of 26

If you're over 26 and in full-time education, you'll need:

• To prove that you're studying full-time at a recognised school/college
• To attend for over 15 hours a week, at least 20 weeks a year
• To show an ISIC card (International Student Identity Card), or complete and certify the 'Mature students only' section of the application form

stclair

honeymuffin wrote: »

I went into Natwest today and they said that as I was 26 I wouldn't be able to get the railcard with the student account. This seems inconsistent with what other people have got. I don't want to open an account with them and then find I can't get the railcard. Can anyone suggest how I can make sure I can get the railcard before applying?

Call this number 0191 501 3806 during office hours. They deal with natwest student railcards and will be able to confirm it for you before you open the account.

stclair

You may find this link useful.

It gives you more information about the student account than on Natwests website itself.

http://www.rbs.com/media/news/press-releases/2009-press-releases/2009-06-11-student-account.ashx

Fruitloops

I'm over 25 and I got the student railcard as a mature student with no problems. I mentioned it before I opened the account and they said it was fine.

dustypixie

I'm really happy with Natwest. I have the railcard and the £1,250 overdraft.

When I first opened the account I wasn't using any of my overdraft. I was in a branch one day and the lady at the desk asked me to wait for an adviser, which I did in wonder. Then, I was advised BY NATWEST! to open a savings account and put my money in there!

I had planned to do this anyway, it was just a really nice surprise Natwest were advising me to make money from them! I planned to go home and look for a better savings rate, but the natwest one wasn't bad and now I can keep check on all my accounts in one place with their online banking facility. I couldn't put the money in an isa as I was already using my allowance.

mikeymikeyb

I got £1250 overdraft straight away no problems. but I had had credit previously

My one (massive) problem with Natwest though has been my railcard - totally messed it up two years in a row. I'm now £26 out of pocket (a lot for a student!) 'cos they've lost my receipts. My advice - it's not worth the hassle

G_Baldwin

Beware, my son opened account last yr, lured by 5 yr railcard offer. He texted his application for railcard as invited, but never got a response. He did not follow it up as he happened to already have a railcard for that year. Now he wants to pursue it for this year, they say as they never received an application last year, he cannot have one. He is outside the Terms & Conditions that say he had to have applied within a limited timescale-before Oct. He has 'saved' them money for one year, you would think he could still have it for the oustanding 4 yrs as promised.

christinewj

My daughter is having a nightmare with her Natwest Student account. She is living at home and I am paying her university fees as we are trying to get her through university without a massive loan - perhaps we're really old fashioned? Anyway she has a part time job and has salary paid in every month. She arranged an overdraft of £100 for emergencies but this wasn't approved by the Natwest although the bank omitted to tell her this and off she went on holiday. When her standing order for £14 took her into the red four days before pay day she had all kinds of charges resulting in a further overdraft. The bank refunded these charges as a gesture of goodwill and they acknowledged they were negligent with communication. They still will not allow an overdraft though as they have no proof she's a student - no loan and wages - but to get the account in the first place she had provided UCAS letters. I took in all the letters again and they photocopied them but she still can't have an overdraft because of the way the account went into an unapproved overdraft. Arghh! My advice is if you have a part time job, get a separate account in another bank and get the student loan. It doesn't pay to try and avoid student debt. She is now worried how all this will affect her credit score.

gottago

The terms and conditions of this account says that in order to keep the railcard you must pay into the account at least every three months and withdraw money at least three times a month. Does this mean I could just £20 in every three months and then spend it on a sandwhich or drink three times each month? Normally I would have thought this would be the case but the site says it must be your 'main account' though other than the terms listed above I can't find anything that suggests that salary-type amounts must go in.

I'm perfectly happy with my Barclays account but I really want that railcard!

ScottyLP

I upgraded my account online on the 14th. Got an email the 17th saying my account had been upgraded to a Student Account. Went in today to deposit some money I had, and asked if I needed to take my unconditional offer in to confirm anything, they said it was fine and I didn't need to. Asked about when I'd get my overdraft and she was very helpful and set it up there and then, she said I should have £500 tomorrow, although I'll end up phoning and asking for an increase later into term.