HOUSEHOLDS have just days left to snap up £175 free cash with an easy move.
Banks and building societies regularly run switching offers to draw new customers in.
All you have to do is switch your current account from one to another and fulfil other criteria and the money is transferred to you.
In most cases, it takes just minutes to get started.
There are a number of switching offers out there currently, including a new one from Barclays which is offering new customers £175.
But you’ll need to be quick as you need to start the switch by the end of the month.
To qualify for the bonus you must open a Barclays Bank Account and join the Blue Rewards scheme or open a Premier Current Account, using the Barclays app.
The account you open must be an individual account, not a joint one.
You need to complete a full switch via the Barclays app using the free Current Account Switch Service (CASS) and bring across at least two active direct debits to the new current account.
Barclays says applications to switch must be made before Thursday, November 30 and be completed within 30 days.
The £175 will land in customers’ accounts within 28 working days.
To get the £175 bonus, you can’t have held any Barclays current account since November 1, 2023.
You also can’t currently hold any of the following accounts:
- Barclays Basic Bank Account
- Barclays Bank Account
- Barclays Bank Account with a personal overdraft
- Barclays Bank Account with Blue Rewards
- Platinum Bank Account
- Mortgage Current Account
- Premier Current Account
You must also be at least 18 years old and live in the UK.
What other banks are offering switching bonuses?
Nationwide and First Direct are all currently offering switching bonuses worth up to £200.
Nationwide is offering £200 to new customers who switch to either its FlexPlus, FlexDirect or FlexAccount accounts.
You just have to open one of the accounts online or in-app and switch from a different bank, including two direct debits.
The bonus will then be paid within 10 days.
Bear in mind, you will have to pay a £13 monthly fee to maintain a FlexPlus account.
Meanwhile, you can’t switch to any of the three accounts if you’ve received a switch bonus from Nationwide since August 18, 2021.
Any customers signing up for the Nationwide bonus will also gain access to the building society’s regular savings account, which pays 8% interest on up to £200 a month.
First Direct is also offering a switching bonus worth £175 and it opens up a 7% regular savings account.
The bank comes with a 90% customer service rating on the MoneySavingExpert website too.
You just have to open the account in-app and pay in £1,000 or more within three months.
The money will then be paid within 28 days.
You won’t be able to get the switching bonus if you’ve ever had an account with First Direct or have opened a current account with HSBC since January 2020.
How to switch current accounts
The easiest way to switch banks is by using the Current Account Switch Service (CASS).
Over nine million people have used the service so far to swap their current accounts.
Most major banks and building societies are signed up. The full list is on the CASS’ website.
Through the service, you have to contact your new desired bank to apply for one of its accounts.
If you are accepted, they will offer to make the switch for you automatically and ask you to choose a date to do it.
Your old bank should then talk to your old one and everything will be switched across, including your balance, direct debits and salary.
After this, you will receive your new cards, log-in details and any PINS.
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