News

**MSE Martin** · 08-09-2009, 4:13 PM

IMPORTANT Updates 10.27am, Thurs 24 Sept

1. Smile Account closed. Due to huge demand generated from this going in the weekly email, Smile have told us they've reached their limit of accounts early, and have closed the deal to new applicants.

Well done anyone who got it in time, and if you didn't, better luck next time. All top deals go in the free weekly email.

2. Confirmation of A&L free £100. Sadly there was a typo appeared after incorrect proofing in some versions of the weekly email that said you could get Smile only if you properly changed account but A&L without doing so. This was the wrong way round - its correct everywhere on the site, and we've put a holding page up for people who clicked the A&L tip link. Apologies.

What's the deal?

Internet Bank Smile, part of the Co-Op, is offering a free case of wine (12 bottles) for customers who open its current account, you don't actually need to bank there though.

To get the voucher you must open the account before Thurs 1 Oct and pay in £800 for 2 months, one payment in Oct and one payment in Nov (although you have until 2 Dec to make the Nov payment).

Importantly you don't have to keep the cash there, you can withdraw it nor do you need to switch over your direct debits.

Then it will send you a code for 12 bottles of wine from Virgin Wines (there is a £6.99 charge for delivery).

The codes should be despatched by email on 3rd Dec.

Should I do it?

Do beware opening a current account means a credit search on your file, so only those with good credit histories should do this. Or if you're planning on applying for something that will give you another credit check soon, it probably isn't worth risking it.

Obviously you have to have the cash available and transferring/withdrawing it will take around 3 days, so bear this in mind before you apply.

This offer is only available to customers who are residents in the UK (except Channel Islands and Jersey). This offer is not open to existing smile current account holders or those that have had a smile current account in the last year.

Is the account any good?

The account currently pays just 0.12% AER on credit balances but as part of the Co-Operative, Smile is known as a more ethical bank. There are other current accounts with better offers...

Free £100, travel insurance & 0% overdraft. New Alliance & Leicester* customers get a year's 0% overdraft, free annual travel insurance and a £100 sign up bonus, though you do need to switch your bank account for this one. More info and options in the Best Bank Account guide for full details.

Alternative wine voucher. Switch both your gas and electricity via comparison site Uswitch* using this special link and it will give you the same wine voucher. Full info in Compare Energy & get cashback guide.

Safe Drinking

This is a fun deal, but please drink sensibly... see Drink Aware for more info.

Thanks to MoneySaver billbob for this fab spot! This post has been inserted to give a detailed guide

* Using these links helps the site stay ad-free and free to use, as they're 'affiliated links' which invisibly take you via commercial price comparison services like Moneysupermarket or Find, which then pay this site per click.

You shouldn't notice any difference, the links don't impact the product at all and the editorial line (the things we write) is NEVER impacted by the revenue. If it isn't possible to get an affiliate link for the best product, it is still recommended and still included. The following alliance-leicester.co.uk, uswitch.com are an identical unaffiliated link provided for the sake of transparency. Click the following link for more details on how this site's financed.

billbob · 15-09-2009, 2:51 PM

Just seen on Smile's website that they are offering a free case of wine when you open a current account and deposit £800 over two months. Sounds like a great offer to me...anyone else?

chambta · 15-09-2009, 3:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billbob

Just seen on Smile's website that they are offering a free case of wine when you open a current account and deposit £800 over two months. Sounds like a great offer to me...anyone else?

Doesn't seem a bad deal. Not a wine drinker myself but could always use for Christmas presents if the code arrives in time. Rather have cash personally.

mr_fishbulb · 15-09-2009, 3:04 PM

Did this a few years ago. If you are into your wine, you won't be impressed with the quality. Otherwise it's good for plonk.

cheeryoleary · 15-09-2009, 6:16 PM

Also did this a couple of years ago. Once I'd closed the account it took them ages to inform the credit reference agencies that I was no longer enjoying their overdraft facility.

brindy · 23-09-2009, 10:16 AM

This is a terrible 'tip'. You'll get credit searches and a whole load of hassle (moving direct debits, etc) just to get a free box of wine, which you have to pay postage for.

If you're that desperate for a drink, go buy a bottle of meths.

willywillwill · 23-09-2009, 11:17 AM

Brindy, brilliant response - some opportunities it's not worth chasing and I think this is one of them

**MSE Dan** · 23-09-2009, 11:18 AM

Hi brindy,

With this Smile deal, you dont have to move any DDs or Standing Orders, just pay in £800 for two months, which you can withdraw after its been depositied.

HTH

Dan

brindy · 23-09-2009, 11:24 AM

Ah, I must have misunderstood what was in the email I received this morning:

Quote:

To get the wine voucher, open one by Wed 1 Oct, and pay in £800/month for two months, though you needn't keep the cash there, you can withdraw it, but you must properly shift to it.

What does 'properly shift to it' mean? To me that implies moving DDs, etc over.

Cheers,
Brindy

topherknowles · 23-09-2009, 1:58 PM

I did this when it was a recommend a friend offer about 12 months ago, it doesn't have to be your main account at all but it quickly became mine!

**MSE Dan** · 23-09-2009, 4:06 PM

Hi brindy,

Thanks for pointing that out - unfortunately there was a mx up in the two sentences in the weekly email.

Smile - you dont have to switch to get the wine

A&L - you do have to switch

We've amended the on-site version of the weekly email.

Thanks again, and sorry for the slip!

Dan

billbob · 23-09-2009, 5:00 PM

The interest rate of the account isn't amazing, however, you can earn cooperative memberships points with the current account with Smile. I think you earn 1 point for every £5? The points are turned into cash every 6 months.

Nice that the wine voucher is given out just in time for xmas!

lm0503 · 23-09-2009, 6:15 PM

[QUOTE=billbob;25361441]The interest rate of the account isn't amazing, however, you can earn cooperative memberships points with the current account with Smile. I think you earn 1 point for every £5? The points are turned into cash every 6 months.
QUOTE]

What is this? I have had a current account with Smile for years (and think it is an excellent account - the staff are very helpful whenever I have had to phone up and the website is easy to use - just thought id say that for anyone wanting to open one for this offer) but i have never heard of any points thingy. Am I missing out on something?!!!

billbob · 23-09-2009, 8:55 PM

[QUOTE=lm0503;25363753]

Quote:

Originally Posted by billbob

The interest rate of the account isn't amazing, however, you can earn cooperative memberships points with the current account with Smile. I think you earn 1 point for every £5? The points are turned into cash every 6 months.
QUOTE]

What is this? I have had a current account with Smile for years (and think it is an excellent account - the staff are very helpful whenever I have had to phone up and the website is easy to use - just thought id say that for anyone wanting to open one for this offer) but i have never heard of any points thingy. Am I missing out on something?!!!

If you are a member of the Cooperative (a kind of Nectar loyalty card scheme) you can also earn membership points on bank accounts, credit cards, loans, mortgages and savings at Smile and the Cooperative Bank. The points you collect get coverted into a share of the Cooperative's profits every six months.

The link to regsiter is at the bottom of the Smile website (with a little bee logo). For some reason Smile don't really promote it, but if you have accounts with them it is definately worth registering.

billbob · 23-09-2009, 9:03 PM

Typical, go to apply for the account for the offer and it's no longer there.

alangent · 24-09-2009, 7:39 AM

The other thing to bear in mind is if you are a Virgin Wine member OR have received a similar offer, you won't be able to take this offer on top. Check the wine small print as well as the account stuff!!!

Alan

mystic_trev · 24-09-2009, 9:26 AM

Looks like they've finished the 'offer' early. Go to the link and it says they've run out of wine

Dontpanicyet · 29-09-2009, 4:04 PM

Hi MSE's,

Did anyone get this offer? I'd like to know, do you get the code straight away or do you have to wait untill you paid in the two lots of £800?

My account was opened on the day the offer closed - 24th Sept. I'm not paying in £1600, waiting two months and then getting nothing...I'll just close it straight away.

I rang Smile but they could not tell me if I had qualified or not. In fact, the guy I spoke to knew nothing at all about the offer...

Toreador · 06-10-2009, 1:00 PM

Since the offer's closed, the details of what you need to do to get the wine are no longer on their site!

I opened my account in time, can anyone tell me what I now need to do? Is it just depositing £800 this month and £800 next, or is there more to it than that?