First Direct joining bonus rule

lagib

I recently decided to switch my bank account to First Direct for the second time but found a snag in the rules. Last year i switched for the first time and departed after 6 months collecting £200 in the process. The rules state that bonuses (currently £225 to join and £100 to leave) will not be paid to anyone who has been through the process previously as i obviously have.
Has anyone out there managed to navigate this problem legally and bagged the bonus/s.

Naf

While on the subject, (and not wanting to hijack the thread - OP's question comes first!) does anyone know if you can just transfer money out and back in to make up their £1500 if what goes in is ony around the £1300 mark?
Also, how do you get £225 to join, as they're only advertising £100?

smartiedriver_2

It's £100 to join, or £125 if you go via Money Supermarket apparently.

Then after a period of time, if you are (genuinely) unhappy and wish to leave, they will pay you a further £100.

It was on Martin's weekly email, about 3 or 4 weeks ago.

alanq

smartiedriver wrote: »

It's £100 to join, or £125 if you go via Money Supermarket apparently.

Money Saving Expert? http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/compare-best-bank-accounts#topservice

Naf

lagib wrote: »

(currently £225 to join and £100 to leave)

So it's £125 to join, and £100 to leave. OK.

mrmajika

alanq wrote: »

Money Saving Expert? http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/compare-best-bank-accounts#topservice

No, it's definitely via moneysupermarket.

mrmajika

lagib wrote: »

Has anyone out there managed to navigate this problem legally and bagged the bonus/s.

I wouldn't have thought it possible without a change of address and changing your name by deed poll. Even then, I wouldn't hold my breath.

alanq

mrmajika wrote: »

No, it's definitely via moneysupermarket.

You're right. In my defence Martin's newsletter doesn't mention MoneySupermarket.com. SO I just followed the link from the MSE newsletter to http://www.interactive.firstdirect.com/moneysupermarketexclusive/ and then clicked on apply.

I didn't go anywhere near MoneySuperMarket.com so if the extra £25 depends on having arrived at the offer page from there it doesn't look like I'll be receiving it. I'll be fuming if I have lost out because MSE didn't link to MoneySupermarket.com for the offer.

Swans1912

smartiedriver wrote: »

It's £100 to join, or £125 if you go via Money Supermarket apparently.

Then after a period of time, if you are (genuinely) unhappy and wish to leave, they will pay you a further £100.

It was on Martin's weekly email, about 3 or 4 weeks ago.

Did this with the plan to leave... but shock horror found them to be great and decided to stick with them. Total marketing fail on my part but don't regret it one bit.

lagib

Thanks mrmajika. I guessed as much but hope springs eternal. As i am with Santander i think my best option is to go for a Halifax bank account and gain £5/mth (£60 pa) if £1000 is paid in each month plus another £5/mth (£60 pa) if i spend £300/mth (no problem) on my Halifax Clarity credit card. After a year i can then look for a better deal but obviously not with First Direct.

apt

lagib wrote: »

I recently decided to switch my bank account to First Direct for the second time but found a snag in the rules. Last year i switched for the first time and departed after 6 months collecting £200 in the process. The rules state that bonuses (currently £225 to join and £100 to leave) will not be paid to anyone who has been through the process previously as i obviously have.
Has anyone out there managed to navigate this problem legally and bagged the bonus/s.

If First Direct is following its rules you won't be allowed to open an account with them let alone get another set of bonuses.