Nat West 'Young Persons Railcard'

oscarleo

I have been told by a fellow student that I can still qualify for a 'young persons railcard,' even if I am a mature student (aged 47) in my first year - it's just that I will only get it for 3 years instead of the 5 years advertised.

Yet when I look at the small print in the terms and conditions, it says: 'Mature students or First year students who will be aged over 26 at the expiry of the 5 year young persons rail card will be issued with a Railcard that expires either at the end of their degree course or on the day before their 27th birthday.'

This looks to me like a convoluted way of saying that I don't qualify?

scottishlass

According to the website you are

You can get a Young Persons Railcard if you're aged between 16-25 or a mature student, over the age of 26 and in full-time education. If you're aged 26 or over, you'll need to provide proof that you're a full-time student at a recognised school or college. This has to be over 15 hours a week and for at least 20 weeks a year. You can either show an ISIC card or have the 'Mature students only' section of the application form completed and certified.

Going by the T&C's I would guess it would last three years (i.e to the end of your degree)

Just trying to work out the 27 bit : If you were 23 years and a first year student doing a three year course you would be over 26 at the end of the 5 year expiry. So would get it till the end of your course or when you were 27 - OK I'm confused over that bit.

oscarleo

It's not exactly clear is it?

I can only interpret it to mean that I can only qualify as a mature student, if I applied for it before the '26' deadline and became (according to them) a mature student after that?

Can't understand why there being so ageist about it. How are they going to lose out by offering it to mature students too? They could have called it a 'student railcard' and gained a lot more business. Talk about shoot yourself in the foot!

Cash27

This is how I understand it:
If you are a mature student you will only get the rail card for the duration of the degree course-ie when you receive your rail card, its expiry date will be the date you finish your course.
If you are going to turn 27 after you finish your degree course (and within the 5year period), the expiry date will be the day before your 27th birthday.

Does that make sense? I didn't apply for the Natwest student account because I knew I would not be eligible for the railcard for the whole 5 years it is offering. You can just buy a normal young persons railcard for £20 a year which you definitely qualify for if you are a full time mature student.
Hope that helps!

DrFluffy

oscarleo wrote: »

I have been told by a fellow student that I can still qualify for a 'young persons railcard,' even if I am a mature student (aged 47) in my first year - it's just that I will only get it for 3 years instead of the 5 years advertised.

Yet when I look at the small print in the terms and conditions, it says: 'Mature students or First year students who will be aged over 26 at the expiry of the 5 year young persons rail card will be issued with a Railcard that expires either at the end of their degree course or on the day before their 27th birthday.'

This looks to me like a convoluted way of saying that I don't qualify?

I'm a mature student, and have a free-bee bank 5 year YPR... If you are over 26 at the end of your course, the card is in valid from when you graduate...

maniac886

I applied for the Natwest Graduate account by switching from my HSBC account.

I still got a railcard which I thought was strange and so I rang them up this morning and they told me that I would get the railcard for 2 years after I graduate till 2009!

Nice one!

CrispyUK

Young Person's Railcard is normally available to anyone up to the age of 26 yrs old, it's also available to mature students, whilst they are a student (and I think it has to be full-time education?).

It's not worded very well I agree but you will be eligible for the railcard, however it will expire when you graduate (i.e. stop being a student) rather than after 5 years as it would for the 18-21/22(ish) year olds opening the account.

Madcatgirl

I got my young persons railcard from HSBC when I started uni at the age of 24 now 4 years ago. I've just graduated, and the railcard has another year before it expires - not until I'm 29. Someone messed up there in my favour!