Santander Student Account: A Few Questions (including railcard)

DannyWhoWorks

I am a third year University student and 25 years old (26 years old).

Sadly, this means next year I will not be able to have my very appreciated 16-25 railcard!

I've looked around and it seems that the Santander student account gives you a free railcard for four years!

I have looked under the terms and conditions and even though I am only 25 till August, it looks like I would be entitled to the railcard for the whole four years.

• I am over 25 years old and in full time education - can I order a Santander 16-25 Railcard?

Yes, as long as you have opened a new Santander Student Account and fulfill the eligibility criteria above.

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I just wanted to double check?

Also, to open the Santander account, it says you need too:

Use the account as your main account, paying in a minimum of £500 per term.

Firstly, would I have to change so my loans get paid into the account or would it be possible to just transfer over £500 once every term from my main account to the Santander account and then basically back to my normal everyday account?

dezza

You'd be eligible for the railcard - for the full four years. I was 25 shortly before I applied for the railcard and mine's valid until 2017.

The T&Cs state your loan, salary etc must be paid into the account, so you probably would need to arrange to have your loans paid into the student account.

atypical

People aged 16-25 or those in full-time education of any age are entitled to it.

Poppy9

you can transfer over £500 a term from another account and back. You can close the account and keep the rail card

DannyWhoWorks

Thanks so much guys but I think I have found a problem! I read somewhere you have to be a first year and I am a third ... does this count me out?

DannyWhoWorks

Oh wait

you are in your 2nd year or above and would like to switch your student current account from another provider to Santander. We have a dedicated team who will mange the switch from your old account to the Santander Student Current Account.

Looks like I will not get away with just putting in £500 a month though! . Will I be forced to have my loans and wages paid into the account?

dezza

According to the terms of the account you'll need to - not too sure how strict they are on this though. It does say if you don't they can close the account or change it to, I assume, a standard current account.

davethorp

I think you have to be in the first year to get the railcard. Age is not an issue though as others have said. I'm 33 and have got the railcard

dezza

davethorp wrote: »

I think you have to be in the first year to get the railcard. Age is not an issue though as others have said. I'm 33 and have got the railcard

You don't have to be in the first year to get the railcard - I was between 2nd/3rd year when I switched and I got it. You just need to go in branch to apply for the account, rather than doing it online.

davethorp

dezza wrote: »

You don't have to be in the first year to get the railcard - I was between 2nd/3rd year when I switched and I got it. You just need to go in branch to apply for the account, rather than doing it online.

Think I was basing that on THIS POST in the feedback thread but yeah looking at the terms it seems to include everyone so chances are the person in the feedback thread was misinformed

DannyWhoWorks

Thanks to everyone for the help and advice! Last week I made an appointment and I now have this account open and going to apply for my railcard once I get my online banking details!