Swiss Banks: Benefits For Young Customers

Many Swiss banks have youth savings accounts with which young people and students can earn interest at higher rates than customers with regular savings accounts. Additionally, young customers do not pay basic ongoing fees for private accounts, cards, and banking packages at many banks.

But those are not the only benefits that banks offer to teenagers and young adults. Many Swiss banks also have reward programs and customer privileges. Typically, young customers receive various discounts and free entry to certain events or locations. Depending on the bank, young customers may also benefit from free use of public transportation, or free visits to cinemas.

Overview of Swiss bank benefits for young customers:

• Cash back from Postfinance

All Postfinance credit card users earn cash back, regardless of their age. Every June and December, Postfinance credits the cash back equal to 0.3 percent of purchases made with its standard credit card to your Postfinance bank account. Prepaid cards do not have cash back.

• Cashyou from UBS

Young customers who use the UBS Key4 accounts get a free Cashyou app subscription, which normally costs 39 francs per year. The app claims to include 3000 discounts in 33 Swiss cities and towns.

• Club BCJ from the Banque Cantonale du Jura

Holding a debit card or credit card from the cantonal bank of Jura entitles customers of all age groups to various discounts in the region, including at local restaurants, shops, and experiences. Customers also get discounted tickets for cultural and sporting events.

• Colourkey from the Basler Kantonalbank

Colourkey, the reward program from Basel City’s cantonal bank for customers up to the age of 26, gives you free entry and discounts for a number of leisure activities, as well as language and driving courses.   

• Free 25 from the Migros Bank

Customers up to the age of 25 benefit from numerous discounts from Migros Group merchants, including cheaper gym memberships and online courses, discounts at Migros restaurants and takeaways, and discounts at travel agencies.

• Redy coupons from the Schwyzer Kantonalbank

The Redy reward program from the cantonal bank of Schwyz uses a tier-based system for young customers up to the age of 26. The more you use banking services, the faster you move to the next tier. Depending on your tier, you get vouchers for things like Netflix, Spotify, cinemas, shopping centers, or public transportation.

• Key Club from UBS

The Key Club reward program from UBS comes in two different versions – one for adults, and the other for young people up to age 26 and students up to the age of 30. Young customers receive five extra Key Club points when they use their credit card or prepaid card to make at least ten purchases within a semester. You earn one Key Club point for every 100 francs of purchases paid with the credit card, up to a maximum of 10 points per quarter. You get additional points as a welcome bonus, and when you recommend UBS to other people. Each Key Club point has a value of one franc, and points can be redeemed for shopping vouchers.

• Gratis ins Kino from the Thurgauer Kantonalbank

If you have a Young or a Student banking package from Thurgau’s cantonal bank, you can go to local cinemas free of charge every Wednesday. To use this benefit, you must go to the bank’s website and order a code which you then have to present at the cinema along with your debit card.

• Neon Green

Neon rewards Neon Green account holders of all ages by planting trees. It sponsors the planting of five trees per month per Neon Green customer, plus an additional tree for every 100 francs of purchases you charge to your Neon Green card.

• Peeps from Postfinance

Young people up to the age of 20 and students up to the age of 30 benefit from a free Peeps app subscription, which normally costs 60 francs. The Peeps app claims to offer new discounts and raffles on a daily basis.

• PassionNE from the Banque Cantonale Neuchâteloise

Showing a debit or credit card from the cantonal bank of Neuchâtel gives customers of all ages discounts for select experiences, such as theater plays.

• SGKB You

The cantonal bank of St. Gallen offers a free printing service with which customers up to the age of 24 (up to age 30 for students) can print their theses for various academic degrees.

• Stucard from the cantonal banks

The Stucard debit card is offered by 16 different cantonal banks in German-speaking Switzerland, including those of Aargau, both Basels, Bern, Lucerne, St. Gallen, and Zurich. Young customers can use this card to benefit from discounts for shopping, dining, lifestyle experiences, and nightlife. The age limits for using the Stucard vary between banks, with customers of the most accommodating banks being able to use these discounts up to the age of 30.

• Surprize (used by many different banks)

The Surprize reward program is offered by numerous Swiss banks, including all cantonal banks, Bank Cler, Raiffeisen, and Valiant. The program works the same for both young customers and adults. Purchases with the debit card are rewarded with points, with one Surprize point for every one franc spent. Points can be redeemed for merchandise or gift cards.

• Swissqoin from Yuh

Swiss neobank Yuh rewards customers of all ages with its Swissqoin cryptocurrency. For every purchase worth at least one franc that you pay for with your Yuh Debit Mastercard, you receive one Swissqoin. You also receive five Swissqoins for every investment transaction. Rewards are limited to a maximum of ten Swissqoins for card transactions and 50 Swissqoins for investment transactions per day. You can redeem your Swissqoins for cash back paid into your account.

• Customer benefits from the Zürcher Kantonalbank

Young customers up to the age of 22 and students up to the age of 28 can use public transportation in the ZVV fare network free of charge on Friday and Saturday nights. The free tickets are available through the mobile banking app. Zurich’s cantonal bank also offers a free printing service for student’s theses.

Like adults, young customers can also get various discounts by presenting their debit card or credit card. Examples of discounts include the Zurich Zoo, and certain theaters, concert halls, and cinemas. Customers can also benefit from seat upgrades at the Schauspielhaus Zürich theater, free entry to the Grüningen botanical garden, and free travel on the ferry that takes visitors to the Zürcher Theater Spektakel.

• Customer benefits from the Glarner Kantonalbank

Customers of the cantonal bank of Glarus, regardless of their age, can get discounts by presenting their debit card at certain locations. Examples include museums, indoor pools, cable cars, sporting events, and cultural events.

• Young Member Plus from Raiffeisen

Young customers enjoy the same Members Plus benefits as older customers. This loyalty program gives you a museum pass (free entry to numerous Swiss museums), discounted ski passes, and discounts privileged ticket purchases for musicals, events, shows, and concerts. Young customers between the ages of 12 and 26, and students up to the age of 30, get additional discounts, such as for thesis printing services. As a young customer, you also get a 50 percent discount on the Swiss Half Fare Card subscription for public transportation.

Can I use more than one reward program from the same bank?

Yes, it is possible to use several customer loyalty programs from the same bank. You do not have to choose just one program. However, some programs are only available to customers in certain age groups.

Up to which age can I use reward programs for young customers?

That varies from one Swiss bank to another. Some banks only let you participate in youth reward programs up to the age of 20, while others give you these benefits up to the age of 26.

Up to which age can I use reward programs for students?

Many banks let students benefit from youth reward programs much longer than people who are working. Swiss bank reward programs for students are often valid for students up to the age of 30. That normally applies to apprenticeships and schools in addition to classic tertiary education.

More on this topic:
Comparisons and calculators for young people
Comparisons and calculators for students
Swiss bank reward programs for adults explained
Swiss credit card reward programs explained