Common questions

Converting Your account

What do I do if I wish to cancel my packaged subscription?

Pop into your local branch and an adviser will go through the features and benefits of the account with you to ensure you can make an informed decision about whether the account is right for you. Our Advisers can also calculate if this account is saving/making you more money than it is costing you, so that you have the figure in black and white. If, after this conversation, you decide that the account doesn’t meet your needs, the adviser will be able to convert your account.


If I decide to convert my Packaged Account, what accounts can I change to?

You will be able to convert to either a more suitable Packaged Account alternative, or to our standard Current Plus Account.

E.g: If you hold a Advantage Gold you can opt to convert to Advantage Blue which may be more appropriate for you.


Will I stop being charged?

If you decide to change to our standard Current Plus Account then you will receive one last pro rata charge for the length of time you have kept the account since your last charging date.

Eg: If your charging date is the 1st of the month and you downgrade on the 16th, you will receive a fee for the two weeks you have held the account, ie: £12.95/2 = £6.47

This will be taken within 45 days. There will be no packaged account fees taken after this point.

If you downgrade to different Packaged Account such as Advantage Blue then similarly your charge will be calculated on a pro rata basis and from that point the new Packaged Account fee will apply.


Will I be able to keep my debit card?

Your account details (Sort Code and Account Number) will remain the same and your debit card will be unaffected. All that will change will be the name of the account.

E.g Instead of your account being shown as Advantage Gold on your statements it will show as a Current Plus Account.


If I downgrade, can I still keep my Advantage Reserve?

Within your Packaged Account you have access to many exclusive benefits, which include preferential interest rates on your savings. Once you downgrade your Packaged Account, your Advantage Saver will be converted to a First Reserve account. This means that you may receive a lower return on your savings going forward, therefore it is important to consider the extra Interest that your Packaged Account brings you.


Are there any benefits that I will be able to keep if I downgrade my Packaged Account?

If you have taken a preferential Packaged Account rate on your Mortgage, Loan or Insurance (Home & Car) then your preferential rate will remain in place. However, once your Mortgage,Loan or Insurance finishes/is due for renewal, then you will no longer be eligible for the Packaged Account discounted rate.

Please speak to a Customer Adviser at you nearest branch to find out what benefits would remain and what benefits you will lose if you convert and don’t forget, you can ask your adviser to calculate just how much your preferential rates are saving you.


Will I be able to upgrade again in the future?

Yes. The FSA recommends that you review your finances at least every six months or whenever your circumstances change.


Living abroad

Why can I not access all my Advantage Gold benefits while I am resident abroad?

Certain benefits are only applicable to customers who are UK residents as stated in your Advantage Gold terms and conditions.


What benefits can I use while I am resident abroad?

Gold hotels: Helps you save up to 60% at over 21,000 hotels worldwide.

Overdrafts: A pre-arranged overdraft with tailored interest rates with the financial flexibility you need.

Savings: Preferential, tiered interest rates, instant access and easy account management when you save with Advantage Reserve.

Mortgages: Whether you’re a first time buyer, moving home or remortgaging, we’ve got a wide choice of mortgage deals. UK property only.

Holidays: Make great savings on package holidays from major operators for you and your family, flights and even airport parking. Must be paid with your UK-based bank account or credit card and a postage and package fee will be applied when sending documentation outside of the UK.


What additional benefits can I use if I visit the UK while I am resident abroad?

Home insurance: Get an extra 10% off your first year’s premium with our 4 or 5 Star Defaqto rated home contents and buildings insurance. UK property only, subject to eligibility.

Privilege card: Enjoy great days out when you save 20% on entrance fees for up to six people at over 200 UK attractions. UK attractions only.


What benefits can I only use when I am resident in the UK?

Travel money: Enjoy preferential exchange rates and no commission on foreign currency delivered to your door.

Purchase protection: Cover against loss, theft or accidental damage for up to 100 days when you buy items costing more than £50 with your Advantage Gold card.

Green Flag car breakdown cover: From Green Flag, one of the UK’s leading breakdown specialists. Includes roadside assistance, Home-Call and recovery service.

Car insurance: Save 10% in your first year with NatWest car insurance and make even more savings if you already have NatWest home insurance.

Extended warranty: An extra year of warranty on up to six new household appliances including TV, computers and kitchen appliances.

Mobile phone insurance: Up to £1000 cover for your mobile, PDA, Blackberry or iPhone against loss, theft, damage or unauthorised calls – wherever you are in the world.

Identity theft protection and assistance: Helps you to combat the fraudsters and rebuild your credit status – with document registration, online card monitoring and a credit report.

Accidental death benefit: Up to £15,000 protection for your family to help them through a difficult time.

Loans: Enjoy tailored interest rates on your NatWest personal loans when you apply in branch, by telephone and online.

Credit cards: Enjoy a tailored rate of interest with our great range of credit cards.

Travel insurance: 5 Star Defaqto rated worldwide travel cover that protects you and your family all year round on trips up to 31 days – providing you have resided in the country of residence for at least six calendar months prior to your trip.


If I become resident abroad is there any affect on my existing banking products (e.g. loans, mortgages, overdrafts) for which I receive preferential rates with my Advantage Gold account?

As long as you continue to have an Advantage Gold account you will continue to receive the preferential rate on your banking products.


If I do not reside abroad for the entire year, am I able to utilise all benefits when I return to the UK?

Yes, if you will be resident in the UK, with the exception of Travel Insurance.

To be covered by our Travel Insurance policy you need to reside in the country of residence for at least 6 calendar months prior to your trip.


What alternative current accounts are available to me?

You have a choice of NatWest current accounts.

Our full range of current accounts

If you want to review your Advantage Gold account please call 0161 452 2997.


How do I call Membership Services?

If you have any further questions please call Membership Services on 0845 300 3695. (Minicom 0800 917 0526).


How were my potential savings worked out?

Here's our benefits and savings breakdown summary with examples of how we worked out your potential savings.




Save up to How we worked out your potential savings
£160 Annual 5* Defaqto rated UK and Worldwide travel insurance
Annual worldwide family travel insurance with winter sports cover worth up to £160 (April 10). Rated 5 Star by independent research agency Defaqto in February 2010.

£119 Mobile Phone Insurance
Saving based on Phones 4u premier plan at £9.99 per month (April 10).
£64 Identity Theft Protection and Assistance
Saving based on Sentinel Identity Theft Protection (Apr 2010).
£18 Accidental Death Benefit
Saving based on Aviva's cover of £20,000 for £1.99 a month (Apr 2010).
£54 Car Insurance
Saving based on 10% off first year's premium for fully comprehensive cover on a Toyota RAV 4 (VVT-iGX) for a 30 year old male driver with a licence for over 3 years, 5 years No Claims Discount, £250 voluntary excess and mileage of 8,000 living in BN12 3JA (Apr 2010).
£45 Home Insurance
Saving based on a 49 year old with buildings and contents insurance for a 3 bedroom semi-detached house built 1946-1970 in BN21 3JA (Apr 2010).
£69 Extended Warranty
Saving based on a LCD Television costing £450 and 12 months cover in addition to the manufacturers 12 or 24 month warranty (April 2010).
£69 Green Flag Car Breakdown Cover
Saving based on Green Flag cover for a 36 year old male, living in Leeds, driving a 2003 Renault with level 2 cover (April 10).
£18 Privilege Card
Saving based on 2 Adults receiving a 20% discount when visiting 2 attractions a year where the standard ticket price is £22.50 (e.g. London Dungeon).
£175 Advantage Gold Travel Service with Thomas Cook
Based on a family holiday to Tenerife for 2 adults and 2 children. Departing from London Gatwick on 31 August and staying 7 nights at the Parque de la Paz Aparthotel on a Self Catering basis. Price before discount, including in-flight meals and extra luggage allowance is £1,754. 10% discount is £175.40. Price after discount is: £1,578.60 (Apr 2010).
£55 Gold Hotels
Savings based on a twin/double room for 3 nights at the 4* hotel, Hotel Concorde Montparnasse, Paris staying between the 06 July 2010 to 09 July 2010 at £309. The same hotel with expedia.co.uk at £364. (Apr 2010).
£23 Complimentary home delivery and preferential exchange rates on travel money
Based on preferential exchange rates, 0% commission and complimentary home delivery for: 2 short breaks with £300 currency (worth £10+5); and one holiday with £800 of currency and £300 of commission free travellers’ cheques (worth £8) (Apr 2010).


Benefit provider information


Annual 5* Defaqto rated UK and Worldwide travel insurance

NatWest Advantage Gold travel insurance is underwritten by UK Insurance Limited (UKI) who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered No. 1179980. UKI is a Royal Bank of Scotland Group Company.

Mobile phone insurance

This cover has been arranged for National Westminster Bank by Homecare Insurance Limited, Holgate Park, York YO26 4GA. Registered in England No. 2793290. A member of the CPP Group of companies and trading under the CPP trademark.

Identity theft protection

The policy is underwritten by AIG UK Limited. It is administered on behalf of NatWest Bank Plc by Affinion International Limited. Company Number: 1008797. Affinion International Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Car insurance

NatWest car insurance is underwritten by UK Insurance Limited (UKI) who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. UKI is a Royal Bank of Scotland Group Company.

Home insurance

NatWest home insurance is underwritten by UK Insurance Limited (UKI) who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.UKI is a Royal Bank of Scotland Group Company.

Extended warranty

NatWest extended warranty Insurance is underwritten by Domestic & General Insurance PLC (Company Number 485850).

Car breakdown cover

Advantage Gold car breakdown cover is underwritten by UK Insurance Limited. UK Insurance Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.