student a/c-railcard or cheap foreign currency?

Kulafey

I am about to open a student account and am looking at the Santander one that offers a railcard for 4 years and also the halifax one. I travel abroad maybe 3 times a year so think the halifax one may be good as they offer the cheapest way to get holiday money when abroad. And the only time really that I use a train is to get to and from the airport, although maybe if I had a travel card I might travel by train a bit more often. - Any one have any opinions?

katharinee

Have you looked into the Caxton card? That's how I got my money when I was in Europe this summer, & it was really convenient & good value I thought.
As for railcards, got mine for £14 using my mum's tesco clubcard points. xb
For me, having a railcard saves me a lot of money as I travel by train a lot! You can also connect it to your oyster card to save 1/3 on that too.
Try working out how much you'd save on trains through having a railcard (assuming you travel the amount you do at the moment) & how much you'll save on travel money (by looking into alternatives & comparing it w/ the best, also assuming you spend what you spend now) & see which is best!

atypical

Kulafey wrote: »

I am about to open a student account and am looking at the Santander one that offers a railcard for 4 years and also the halifax one. I travel abroad maybe 3 times a year so think the halifax one may be good as they offer the cheapest way to get holiday money when abroad.

I think you're confusing the Halifax Clarity credit card (which is the best card for use abroad) with the Halifax student account (which comes with a standard debit card with very expensive fees).

Get the Santander student account for the railcard. Then apply for a Halifax Clarity card for use abroad (they guaranteed my acceptance when I was a student).

Herbalus

atypical wrote: »

I think you're confusing the Halifax Clarity credit card (which is the best card for use abroad) with the Halifax student account (which comes with a standard debit card with very expensive fees).

Get the Santander student account for the railcard. Then apply for a Halifax Clarity card for use abroad (they guaranteed my acceptance when I was a student).

Do you know why Halifax 'guaranteed' acceptance if you didn't have a product with them? I would suggest that the average student wouldn't get a Clarity card (a top specialist card) because of limited credit history.

atypical

Herbalus wrote: »

Do you know why Halifax 'guaranteed' acceptance if you didn't have a product with them? I would suggest that the average student wouldn't get a Clarity card (a top specialist card) because of limited credit history.

I had a current account (only for cycling £1k through for £5/month). There's a pre-apply eligibility check on this site. Could use that to gauge if they'd get it.