Natwest/RBS bank student account 2012/2013: We want your feedback

Former_MSE_Alana

Hi all,

In our newly published Student Accounts 2012/13 guide the Natwest and RBS Student Accounts are in our top picks.

They offer 0% overdrafts of tiered amounts up to £1,000 in year one. Then £1,250 in year two and £1,500 in year three.

We're after feedback from people who have applied this year and want to know your experience and if you had any trouble getting the overdraft.

Thanks for all help in advance

jamorris_2

I have had a student account with RBS for three years now. When I first wanted to increase my overdraft I had to make an appointment, it was quite intimidating and I was talked into a student credit card and contents insurance (none of which I really wanted). The next few times I wanted my overdraft extended I was told I wasn't allowed due to charges on my account. This was from the RBS insurance direct debit to which I couldn't afford to pay. They told me to keep my account clear of charges for three months and then I could extend the overdraft. I went back 3 months later to be told no.
I also got into lots of debt with the credit card to which I didn't want! luckily my mum helped me out of this.
My account has now been changed to a graduate account even though I am doing a 4 year degree so I am having trouble trying to get it switched back to a student account. Overall I am not happy with my RBS student account. Also I never got any of the freebies when I signed up because they were out of stock!

Orson

Hi,

I've been searching the Nat West site for details of the Student railcard, and can't find the eligibility regarding existing account holders anywhere.

I see on the MSE guide, it states that the account must have been open since at least April this year, but can you point me to it on their site please, as I just can't find it.

Thanks

DimitrisX

What about NatWest customers on 2nd year who want to upgrade to Student Account? Do they get the free railcard?

b1505

I've not been at all happy with Natwest for my student account in my first year. Managed to get my free railcard etc which was good but the customer service is appalling. When I've been wanting my overdraft increasing (after the dates it was allowed) I've been told no in branch without them even trying, yet when I've got them to try it's worked. Now I have the problem the other way round, got told I could increase my overdraft in the branch yet it didn't happen. Phoned customer services to be told I couldn't until September so none of the staff seem to know what's going on.

V_Chic_Chick

I have been a Natwest customer for several years. I switched to a student account for the 2011/12 academic year, and will remain with them for the next academic year.

The railcard came through without being asked for, although this does require you to cancel paper statements (I liked having paper ones ) Unfortunately, when you want to extend your overdraft (e.g. from the first term £500 allowance to the second term £750 allowance) you get taken off to a side room and interviewed which I can imagine some people find intimidating.

Staffs_Tony

On many internet locations the Nat West says it offers existing customers that open a student account a free rail card, and it says the same on this site.

However what they dont mention is that it only applies if you have the right kind of existing account.

My son has had a Nat West account for years, this being a Adapt account, when he turned 18 Nat West changed it to a Select account, this was done without asking for it.

Now they state that because he has an Select account and not an Adapt account he is no longer eligable for the free rail card.

I wonder how much Nat West is saving by changing its customers accounts then removing this offer to students.

They obviously havent made enough money to pay a few more bonuses, and by ripping off students (who will be shouldered with debts of around £50,000 already).

Unhappy Nat West customer:mad:

Oasis1

I started university in 2010 and have had a student account with Natwest since then. They've always sent my Young Person's Rail Card way before my previous one expires so I feel that was very reliable and I've made full use of it!
I've currently got a £500 overdraft which I've had the whole time - I don't think they've ever increased it. I guess I have to go in if I want to do that?
I've always found it quite easy opening and closing other savings accounts etc. No complaints really!

silvercar

DS applied online to upgrade his current Natwest adept (?) account to a student account and it was done within 2 days. Online info showed he will also get the rail card for 4 years.

Herbalus

I've had a student account with Natwest for 2 years now and have experienced no problems with their overdraft facility or customer service (until this month). I have applied in branch for 2 overdraft extensions in 2 different terms and been granted them both with no problems - I do remember meeting an advisor to get the first extension but it was not an intimidating conversation, just a few questions about why I wanted the overdraft extension etc (easy to explain away: I simply said there were problems with my student loan and I might need some extra funds until it arrived).

The railcard has been extremely useful and has been automatically sent to me each July 3 weeks in advance of the previous expiry date.

The problems with customer service only appeared this month as I prepare to move to Spain for this academic year as part of my languages course. Naturally the bank require 3 debit transactions each month to keep the benefits of a student account active (or it will revert to a select account), but of course I refuse to use the Natwest debit card abroad and incur expensive charges on a regular basis. The bank advisor suggested outright that making 3 small transactions a month in Spain would be "worth it" to keep the overdraft facility and that the charges would be "minimal", even after I pointed out to her the minimum charge of £2 for foreign transactions would mean £6 per month for keeping the account. Needless to say I have cleared the overdraft and will leave the account dormant in favour of Norwich and Peterborough's current account that has no charges for foreign use whatsoever.

silvercar

Herbalus wrote: »

I've had a student account with Natwest for 2 years now and have experienced no problems with their overdraft facility or customer service (until this month). I have applied in branch for 2 overdraft extensions in 2 different terms and been granted them both with no problems - I do remember meeting an advisor to get the first extension but it was not an intimidating conversation, just a few questions about why I wanted the overdraft extension etc (easy to explain away: I simply said there were problems with my student loan and I might need some extra funds until it arrived).

The railcard has been extremely useful and has been automatically sent to me each July 3 weeks in advance of the previous expiry date.

The problems with customer service only appeared this month as I prepare to move to Spain for this academic year as part of my languages course. Naturally the bank require 3 debit transactions each month to keep the benefits of a student account active (or it will revert to a select account), but of course I refuse to use the Natwest debit card abroad and incur expensive charges on a regular basis. The bank advisor suggested outright that making 3 small transactions a month in Spain would be "worth it" to keep the overdraft facility and that the charges would be "minimal", even after I pointed out to her the minimum charge of £2 for foreign transactions would mean £6 per month for keeping the account. Needless to say I have cleared the overdraft and will leave the account dormant in favour of Norwich and Peterborough's current account that has no charges for foreign use whatsoever.

You could have made online transactions, they don't have to be using your debit card. So you could have made arrangements with someone in the UK to pay them something online and they return the cash to you at some point.