Natwest student rail card - 5 years

channy

Natwest advertise as part of their student account a free student rail card for 5 years. Never thought of it until now these questions...

If you close the student account, you won't get the rail card anymore?

If you get upgraded to a graduate account, you won't get the rail card anymore?

You will get the student rail card even after you graduate because they say "for 5 years"?

fff_2

hi!

It's actually not one five-year railcard, but five separate ones which each last one (academic) year. You have to use your account during each year in order to qualify for them to automatically send you a new one. Not sure about when you change from student account to graduate, however.

more info here - http://www.natwest.com/microsites/personal/student08/index.asp

(scroll down to t's and c's)

also, i think if you bank with RBS (scottish equiv. of natwest) you can choose £100 cash over the railcard (this was true last year anyway)

also, as a student, natwest is good because it offers the biggest interest-free overdraft (as standard, i think £1250)

hope that helps,
fff

Sol00

Is the Natwest account updated for 08/09 yet, or is it still 07/08?

natweststaffmember

It should be updated for 08/09 as what is called Student Campaign started on 9th June 2008.
The rail card is renewed annually for up to 5 years. I will need to have a think about the graduate issue because I believe that the railcard MAY still be eligible for graduate students still studying but not sure about IF they are working. It would be worth popping into your local branch and asking. I haven't heard that question before so cannot really be certain of the correct answer for you, apologies.
RBS Bank btw is not the Scottish equivalent of NatWest Bank as both Banks are separate entities within the RBS Group of companies. RBS banks can be found in England as can NatWest be found in Scotland.

Helix

https://www.natwest.com/students. That has all the information about 08/09.

Shoshannah

The 5 year railcard I got from HSBC (similar offer on a student account) says it is valid until 2009 on it. I have never been sent a new one each year. I'd always assumed if I closed the account I could get away with the card? Unless they have to renew it on a database somewhere or something.

HSBC offered me £100 cash or a 5 year railcard when I opened the account in 2004. To buy my own railcard for five years would have cost £100. If I had chosen the £100 cash and closed the HSBC account now, would I be expected to give them back £20? I doubt it. So I would have thought the railcard can be kept?

Or have I got that wrong?

FreheitOverture

You have to phone up and renew the rail card each year, or hope they send you a new one. It's not guaranteed as you need to use your account in the few months before the card expires. I believe graduates keep the card as well, although don't quote me on that.

Their overdraft is great £1250 for first year, £1400 second year although I try not to use it all. You then get three years after you graduate to clear your overdraft interest free, with the interest free amount falling each year

Sol00

Does anyone know of any other banks that have released their 08/09 student accounts?

jo132000

I've just been 'upgraded' to the graduate account this year....due to me finishing...there's no mention of me getting a new railcard...so I might go in and ask..