Maestro Card at 18

Helix

Hi

I have been with Natwest for about 3 years now with the Card Plus account and solo card. I recently turned 18 so went into the branch to try and upgrade to get a maestro card. They tried to upgrade it and typed it all into the computer but it wouldn't let me have one.

I earn about £120 a month which is paid into my bank account which the computer says isn't enough for a Maestro card yet they won't tell me how much is enough. I also got told I could upgrade to student account which would give me a maestro card despite only having a UCAS welcome letter and 3 conditional offers. So I went back into the branch again with all my UCAS letters and they had got it wrong I could only open an account after June when I have my final offers.

What annoys me most is when I phoned up last month I asked what happens to my account when I reach 18 and they told me oh I'll get a maestro card and chequebook and they never once mentioned that I had to earn more than I do or have to meet a criteria.

I would rather not move from Natwest as I want to have upgrade to a Student account with them when I can, but I really could do with a Maestro card. Does anyone know a way to get Natwest to give me a maestro card? Or another bank which will let me have one with the amount of income I have?

It seems that as I have left it until I have become 18 I can't apply for any of the Youth Accounts which offer this card and I have to sign up to a full bank account which have a lot more checks in order to get anything.

Thanks
Craig

Kilty_2

Can't you get the Lloyds TSB Under 19's account?

Visa Debit which is better than Maestro anyway.

Helix

Is it a proper Visa Debit card rather than Visa Electron?

waddy80

Yes it is a visa debit card. I work for them so I know it's right!

Kilty_2

Yeah Visa Debit, I'm about to open an account with them as it happens .

What's my chances of talking them into giving me a cheque book, waddy80 ?

aj3001

How about getting a second card with a different bank? Try Halifax they seem pretty good with young people

Helix

aj3001 wrote:

How about getting a second card with a different bank? Try Halifax they seem pretty good with young people

I would do this but now I'm 18 all the banks want me to have my salary paid in to be able to get a proper account with maestro or visa and its already paid into Natwest. I might look opening the Lloyds TSB account as they don't seem to have the requirement or switch to HSBC and hope they offer me maestro.

I might have another go at getting Natwest to upgrade me. When I mention that I will change banks the staff seem to do more to help but get stuck when it comes to the computers desision.

aj3001

I have 3 current accounts, my salary only goes into one, none of them have ever kicked up a fuss (I use HSBC and Halifax)

Kilty_2

Helix, try Nationwide, they might give you a debit card etc on the FlexAccount since you are 18 and earning.... (They refuse outright to give one to anyone under 18 though :mad:).

Visa Debit on that account as well if you get it, otherwise a Cirrus ATM card. Worth having an account with them anyway for withdrawing money abroad with no foreign transaction fees and a damn good exchange rate.

They don't require that you pay your salary into the account.

BusinessStudent

Helix wrote:

I earn about £120 a month

EMA?

Helix

BusinessStudent wrote:

EMA?

No, I don't qualify for EMA. Its from my Job I say £120 as thats about average and what Natwest entered it as, really it can be anything from £60 to £200 depending on how much work there is in a month.