First Direct Farewell 'bonus'

Tadpole78

Hi, apologies if this has been asked before, but I couldn't see a definitive answer anywhere.


I switched to FD almost 6 months ago, and have been paying in £1k each month. However, I'm going to leave in a few weeks, and just wanted to check is there a 'right way' to manage the switch away in order to claim the £100.
Do I contact FD first to let them know, before initiating the switch with my new account provider? Also, does anyone know if they have a criteria (for want for a better word) for the reasons given for leaving. Is it sufficient to say, that there are no branches near me and I don't particularly like the app?


Many thanks!

eskbanker

See this recent thread about their service guarantee - personally I wouldn't see lack of branches as being a legitimate reason to be unhappy with their service (you should have known about it before applying), maybe a meaningful issue with their app might work though?

meer53

Don't use the "no branches" excuse. They've never had branches, you would have known this when you opened the account.

Tadpole78

OK, thank you both. Food for thought!

puk999

I got the leaving bonus. You have to contact them first before leaving as mentioned here. I sent them a secure message in online banking and waited for a response. I said I didn't get on with the look and feel of their online banking style and colours, and the fact that it opens in another window meant that if I got interrupted I might forget about the window as it wasn't part of the tabs in the main browser window.

The reasons were stretching the truth, weak, and pathetic, but I wanted that £100 carrot as I never wanted the account long-term, just to get the switching bonus, so the account was ripe for switching away from.

I got a phone call from a really nice man who talked to me about my reasons, said it wasn't for everyone, and authorised my payment. After switching away to someone else using the CASS, I received a cheque for £100 about 2 weeks later IIRC.

This was definitely my least favourite bank incentive earned. I did feel a bit cheap, but the £100 cheered me up lol.

bsms1147

Not worth staying for the 6% regular saver?

Tadpole78

Thanks for the puk999, I was hoping to not to have to actually speak to anyone, as like you, I've only held out this long for the £100, so my excuses will also be quite weak!


Alas not bsms1147, I'm embarrassed to even think about my lack of savings!

Tadpole78

So, I sent a secure message, and they responded saying they would send out a cheque, happy days. However the next day my account was closed, so does this now mean that I can't switch this account out? I assume so, was hoping to switch to coop.

System

Yes, but if you told them you wished to switch out then they should not have closed it. A formal complaint might be in order.

Tadpole78 wrote: »

So, I sent a secure message, and they responded saying they would send out a cheque, happy days. However the next day my account was closed, so does this now mean that I can't switch this account out? I assume so, was hoping to switch to coop.

andypandylin

puk999 wrote: »

I got the leaving bonus. You have to contact them first before leaving as . I sent them a secure message in online banking and waited for a response. I said I didn't get on with the look and feel of their online banking style and colours, and the fact that it opens in another window meant that if I got interrupted I might forget about the window as it wasn't part of the tabs in the main browser window.

The reasons were stretching the truth, weak, and pathetic, but I wanted that £100 carrot as I never wanted the account long-term, just to get the switching bonus, so the account was ripe for switching away from.

I got a phone call from a really nice man who talked to me about my reasons, said it wasn't for everyone, and authorised my payment. After switching away to someone else using the CASS, I received a cheque for £100 about 2 weeks later IIRC.

This was definitely my least favourite bank incentive earned. I did feel a bit cheap, but the £100 cheered me up lol.

I thought once you requested the leaving bonus your account will just be closed. Didn't know you could still use it to switch away from? Looks like I have missed out on a £100 here:mad: