RBOS premier/gold?

jumble_2

I'm in the process of moving my current account to the Royal Bank of Scotland and have been offered the Premier/Gold accounts. They cost £12/£15 a month and offer all sorts of stuff like cheaper insurance, breakdown cover, annual travel insurance and discounts... I don't know what to do! Does anyone have experience of these accounts? Anyone got any advice?

Here's the info online: http://www.rbs.co.uk/Personal_Finances/Current_Accounts/Royalties_Current_Accounts/Royalties_Premier_Account/default.htm

Is it a good deal?

Thanks!

CopperPlate_2

You can probably get all these offers cheaper individually. £15 a month works out to be, what, £180 a year? Are you really going to use the wine service to get a discount (probably a smaller discount than you could get using some of the codes on this site and the online wine retailers?), breakdown cover direct from organisations like GEM (£69 a year for two people covering any car, and all the benefits associated with premium cover, etc) - Martin has written heaps of articles on these 'extras' that you can get separately. Personally, unless they were offering me hard cash or discounts that were worth something I'd steer clear, but that's just my own opinion. There will be others who think it's a great offer and that's fine too.

kenshaz

Please do not move to one of these accounts ,they are pants ,the savings can be obtained free elsewhere,and the discounts are a waste of time

jumble_2

Thanks, that's all good advice. I thought the annual travel insurance might be handy, and as I'm thinking of buying a car I was attracted to the breakdown cover but hadn't a clue about the costs. £180 does sound scary. Why didn't I do that calculation?! I guess I was blinded by the sales guy. I think I'll stick to my initial reaction, which was "I'm not going for that!".

Cheers.

Techno

I had the gold account but changed it to standard for this year because OH was able to upgrade his account in May and get the free £100. However I found it well worthwhile.
We ski at least twice per year so booking through Royalties gold get 10% off each hol (including late deals and they have on occasion price matched), airport parking reduced, free annual insurance that includes the extra ski cover for free if you ring them, fee free currency and free airport lounges (that's £68 just for the louges for 2 ski hols)
Their credit card was 9 months at 0% and no BT for gold customers so did that. If you buy any electrical items they do an extra 2 years breakdown insurance if you pay for it with either credit or debit card and I took their car insurance last year as it was £10 more than the very cheapets quote but with free 'full' greenflag. And their is loads more including free card protection for you and partner. I wouldn't go for the platinum but if you are going to make full use of the benefits it is definitely worth taking out the gold
(and no,I don't work for them - just a very satisfied customer who still made good use of the A&L premier account!!!)

Techno

sorry computer running slow so posted twice!!!

jumble_2

Thanks, Techno, you'e made me think AGAIN! This isn't going to be easy...

CopperPlate_2

Why not sit down and look at each of the benefits they offer, then work out how many times a year you'll use that particular deal.

Then see if you can get that deal cheaper elsewhere as a stand alone offer. If the difference between what you'll pay separately is less than the £100odd fee, then you have your answer.

smile offer the smilmore account for £7.50 a month with virtually the same main discounts bar the wine discounts, etc.

Honestly unless you're going to make £180+ worth of savings a year, avoid it. Plus the interest rates are PANTS!

jumble_2

Cheers, Copperplate. I'm definitely opening the account - interest rates are irrelevant for I'm barely in the black! I'll take a closer look at the discounts.

Cheers!