Halifax Reward account, Am I too late to set up direct debits?

latecomer

Knew I should have paid more attention to this - I didn't realise they would revert to a standard account - I thought that you would just lose the reward.

Off to open a Tesco account now, already got a AA account and BM savings although have no idea of my login details for those...

Lady_K

When sorting these direct debits before 14th which is a Sunday does anyone know if the direct debits have to have come out of the reward accounts by 14th or will they not count if they come out after the 14th even though they were set up b efore that date.

If I ring to ask halifax to swap over an existing direct debit from my main reward account but the dates on those ditrect debits are due to come out on say 20th or something thats later than 14th so would they count?

latecomer

Think you only require to have active direct debits on the account, they dont have to have taking any money.

aliasojo

I've just checked the letters I received about these changes, not one of them mentions having to have dd's set up by the 14th.

If mine are not sorted by then, might I have room to 'argue' the case given that it's not in my letters?

Lady_K

I noticed it when signing out of online banking, I pasted it to word as it goes away quickly, this is what it says

In January, we told you about some important changes to your Reward CurrentAccount which will take effect on 1st May 2013. Here’s a reminder about what’schanging and to make sure you know what to do next.

Set up at least two different direct debits by 14th April 2013
If you want to remain in the Reward Current Account, you need to make sureyou have at least two different direct debits set up by 14th April 2013,otherwise you’ll be moved onto our Current Account on 2nd May2013.

If you haven’t got two different direct debits set up, it’s easy to do.Simply switch them from another account by using our online form or you can set upnew ones by contacting each company directly. If you need any help, just callour dedicated team on 0845 300 0031.

What else is changing?
The Reward Current Account is designed to be your main bank account andfrom 1st May 2013, you'll receive a £5 reward each month you use it as yourmain bank account and remain in credit. By main bank account we mean an accountyou use to pay in your salary or other credits (minimum of £750 per month) andpay out at least two different direct debits, each calendar month.

From 1st May 2013, your fee-free overdraft buffer is also increasing from £10to £50. This means you'll pay no planned or unplanned overdraft fees if you gooverdrawn by up to £50.

Easy ways to manage your account

[*]You’ve got until the end of each day (midnight) to repay any debit balance you might have to help you finish the day in credit.
Our mobile banking app can help you keep track of your account at any time, day or night.
[*]Our mobile alerting service can provide balance alerts to tell you when your balance reaches a certain limit.

latecomer

Good to know. - was in response to aliasojo.

@Lady_k - I've not seen that when logging out?

aliasojo

I've just checked my account online, still no mention of the 14th.

There's a link to a pdf that sets out all info and there's definitely nothing there with that date.

'From 1st May 2013, we're making changes to how you qualify and receive reduced account fees or reward payments for our Ultimate Reward Current Account and Reward Current Account.

Find more information on these changes - pdf'

The pdf has nothing about that date, I've printed it off as proof just in case.

Lady_K

Tesco - I have set up a tesco account for £1 a month from 2 reward accounts. It said it cannot be taken out until 17th April and did not mention anything about having to recieve papers or sign anything so I'm hoping it will be as straightforward as that.

Now I need to set up 2 more somehow

ING said they need 2 cheques one for each reward to link it as they arent on my existing ing account but it looks like it wouldnt arrive in time because they said it they recieve it early next week they still need 4 or 5 days to get something back from halifax themselves.

Thinking about setting up national lottery dd then cancelling it later, I think they should return the money if you cancel?

Lady_K

latecomer wrote: »

Good to know. - was in response to aliasojo.

@Lady_k - I've not seen that when logging out?

It doesnt seem to be there at the moment, it did start with 'dear my name' It was coming up all yesterday which prompted me to action on it.

I dont trust the phone customer services with Halifax they are never properly informed and if they give incorrect info about this I dont want to risk losing the reward status

lippy1923

Do you not have any credit cards you could set DD's up on?