Halifax Web Saver Reward 2.8%-3.0%

info_addict

Hmm - that doesn't apply to us, as we didn't have a qualifying SAVINGS account only our Reward Current Accounts, opened in June 2009.

Maybe the advisor was doing belt and braces - or was unsure of the requirements?

But if I read it right - does it mean that if those who only have a qualifying Reward Current Account - then they have to complete THIS FORM and post it off in order to have the additional 0.20% reward interest added?

This form should be completed by *qualifying current account customers to receive a higher rate of interest on their **existing variable rate
savings accounts. After completing and submitting this form, the additional 0.20% AER interest will be applied to all qualifying variable rate savings
accounts held, provided conditions are met.

As all we had done was apply online for the Web Saver Reward account and thought that we would automatically get the reward interest added.

Consumerist

info_addict wrote: »

But if I read it right - does it mean that if those who only have a qualifying Reward Current Account - then they have to complete THIS FORM and post it off in order to have the additional 0.20% reward interest added?

I understand it to mean that if you open a qualifying savings account after 4 January 2010, it is NOT an "existing" account (for reward purposes) but a new account.

Edit
I suspect that Reward accounts started from 4 January 2010 (not sure about this, so check) and to get the reward on "qualifying" savings accounts which already existed on that date, you have to register using the form. Qualifying accounts opened after that date don't need to be registered separately.

info_addict

I think I get it now. That form is only for those who already had a qualifying variable rate savings account prior to 4th January 2010 and would like an extra 0.20% reward added to it.

As this new Web Saver Reward account has only just been advertised, then all applicants will obviously be after that date and don't need to fill in the form.

Seems like the advisor didn't know about that date, and simply must have registered our account as well.

Consumerist

info_addict wrote: »

I think I get it now. That form is only for those who already had a qualifying variable rate savings account prior to 4th January 2010 and would like an extra 0.20% reward added to it.

That's the way I understand it. Couldn't have put it better myself.

Edit
You can understand how Halifax advisors get confused. They ought to register with this site to get accurate information. :rotfl:

10_66

Consumerist wrote: »

...They ought to register with this site to get accurate information. :rotfl:

Ha, ha! I think it should be compulsary.

gilly_dc

info_addict wrote: »

Just to double check my wife and I were entitled to the extra 0.2% loyalty bonus, we dropped into a branch this morning. The staff had less idea than we did about the account (there's a surprise). They said we'd have to see one of the advisors. When we saw her, she told us she had to register us for the additional bonus - which she did there and then. No selling of other products either, which we thought may be pushed on us.

I pointed out that I hadn't seen this requirement in the T&C's, but she insisted it had to be done and we would get confirmation within 28 days.

Anybody else come across this?

To be honest, branch staff often aren't clued up on everything that well.
Because they have to learn a bit about every department, i.e bank account, savings, mortgages, loans etc, they often don't have the in-depth knowledge of people who just specialise in one or two departments who are on the phone.
You're generally much better off calling up for advice unfortunately.

opinions4u

gilly_dc wrote: »

To be honest, branch staff often aren't clued up on everything that well.
Because they have to learn a bit about every department, i.e bank account, savings, mortgages, loans etc, they often don't have the in-depth knowledge of people who just specialise in one or two departments who are on the phone.
You're generally much better off calling up for advice unfortunately.

It works both ways in my experience.

I did find it particularly frustrating trying to explain to one customer who wandered in to my branch that my 15 years of experience (at that point in time) covering a range of functions including call centres, branch and underwriting was more likely to give him an accurate answer than the mysterious call centre agent who had just fed him a load of garbage from the heart of Belfast that morning and, when I eventually tracked them down, I discovered had a remarkable self-confidence for somebody who had been on the phones for 4 days.

There is some truth to the suggestion that customers expect staff to know everything, and it's an impossible expectation to meet. The honest "I don't know but I'll find out for you" response is usually the way forwards.

Newly_retired

Where I work ( CAB ) we cannot begin to know everything but have excellent systems whereby we can look up the information required. Surely banks should be the same?

christinejp

Opinions4u, would you mind answering this question, as you always seem to know what's what with these Halifax accounts?

My daughter has just opened the new Web saver Reward account. She has over 20k in a Websaver Extra opened last August. What's the best way to get the bulk of the money over to the new account without getting any withdrawal penalties, and still getting her 0.2% reward bonus payable in August.

She has made no withdrawals so far from the Web saver Extra, but I'm assuming there is some daily transfer limit, stopping her moving the whole 20k (minus a pound) in one go to the new Web saver Reward.

Thanks in anticipation.

opinions4u

christinejp wrote: »

Opinions4u, would you mind answering this question, as you always seem to know what's what with these Halifax accounts?

My daughter has just opened the new Web saver Reward account. She has over 20k in a Websaver Extra opened last August. What's the best way to get the bulk of the money over to the new account without getting any withdrawal penalties, and still getting her 0.2% reward bonus payable in August.

She has made no withdrawals so far from the Web saver Extra, but I'm assuming there is some daily transfer limit, stopping her moving the whole 20k (minus a pound) in one go to the new Web saver Reward.

Thanks in anticipation.

Fairly sure any internal transfer will go through. If not immediately, within a few hours.

As you suggest, leave the Extra account open with £1 until the loyalty bonus is paid.

If you have problems completing the transfer ring the online helpdesk on 08456 602 0000.