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redagila

I opened an A&L Premier Direct a/c just over a year ago to take advantage of the first £2500 @ 6%. As the year is up, decided it was time to close the a/c which has only £1+ credit. Just phoned and been offered the same deal for 12 months if I don't close the a/c. It means they will downgrade the a/c to a standard one and then phone once this has gone through the system to upgrade it again!

Quite pleased I was unable to close a/c online as another 12 months at this rate will do me very nicely even if it is only on £2500.

stphnstevey

redagila wrote: »

I opened an A&L Premier Direct a/c just over a year ago to take advantage of the first £2500 @ 6%. As the year is up, decided it was time to close the a/c which has only £1+ credit. Just phoned and been offered the same deal for 12 months if I don't close the a/c. It means they will downgrade the a/c to a standard one and then phone once this has gone through the system to upgrade it again!

Quite pleased I was unable to close a/c online as another 12 months at this rate will do me very nicely even if it is only on £2500.

I am in exactly the same situation. They offered me this option, but I turned it down as it takes 3 months before they can put you on the new account and also your not classed as a new customer, so don't get any incentives (£100 or quidco).

You'd be better off closing the account and coming back in 3 months as a new customer.

redagila

stphnstevey wrote: »

I am in exactly the same situation. They offered me this option, but I turned it down as it takes 3 months before they can put you on the new account and also your not classed as a new customer, so don't get any incentives (£100 or quidco).

You'd be better off closing the account and coming back in 3 months as a new customer.

I have not had to wait 3 months. They downgraded my old account which took 2 days to go through system. On Saturday they telephoned and upgraded the account back to a Premier Direct with the same account details and this will take effect in a couple of days because of the weekend.
I know if you want to qualify for the £100 you need a break of 3 months to come back as a new customer but I was quite happy to be able to get the £2.5k @ 6% for 12 months. Also I am not a great user of cashback sites. So yes I probably could have made more but am quite happy with this easier option.

stphnstevey

redagila wrote: »

I have not had to wait 3 months. They downgraded my old account which took 2 days to go through system. On Saturday they telephoned and upgraded the account back to a Premier Direct with the same account details and this will take effect in a couple of days because of the weekend.
I know if you want to qualify for the £100 you need a break of 3 months to come back as a new customer but I was quite happy to be able to get the £2.5k @ 6% for 12 months. Also I am not a great user of cashback sites. So yes I probably could have made more but am quite happy with this easier option.

What ever works best for you. Might have taken that deal myself if they offered. Would have made about £40 extra than my normal savings account.

Will wait 3 months now and hope get some of the £100 cashback and the same deal.

Philycheesesteak

I've moved everything to First Direct because they're so good.
£100 for moving

£100 each for my wife an I changing to their life insurance.

I could get another £100 if I took their deal (pay for banking with travel insurance, breakdown cover, mobile phone insurance etc), first 3 months free so effectively you're paying £8 for the year. I didn't opt for that as I'd already got my travel insurance, mobile phone is cheap and using MSE have breakdown insurance for a cheap price, and don't like to pay for banking on principle...)

I have switched Car insurance too guaranteed 10% off your renewal quote (15% for additional cars in the household)

Every time I've called them, No queue, English operators, Extreemly Helpful!

Nope I don't work for them, and they haven't paid me to say that.

Sorry Natwest you were ok but despite me being a good customer you didn't really give me anything... except poor interest rates.

Leew1231

I can backup that First Direct have English call centres because there is one 5 mins from my house in Leeds. I'm wanting to change accounts from Abbey and the more I read the more good things people seem to say about First Direct. Has anyone had any particularly bad experiences with these? I ain't too bothered about financial incentives etc. I just want someone who doesn't rip me off at every opportunity.

stphnstevey

Has anyone had any experience of closing and applying again to AL within the 3 month period and still received the bonus £100?

Also, those that have opened more than one current account with them, did you switch and account with each one?

And sorry, just one other question. Santander say they will match your overdraft upto £5,000. Do they ask you to prove how much your last overdraft was or do you just have to ask for it?

purplestar133

stphnstevey wrote: »

And sorry, just one other question. Santander say they will match your overdraft upto £5,000. Do they ask you to prove how much your last overdraft was or do you just have to ask for it?

They asked me to show a recent statement that showed my overdraft limit and that I was in credit for at least 3 days that month.

That was more than a year ago though -they may have changed their conditions as they refined the details of the offer.

blueberrypie

NickyDee wrote: »

Just a word of warning for those of you switching from first direct to Alliance & Leicester, first direct completely ruined the transfer out causing all of my Direct Debits, standing orders, online payments and debit card to be cancelled.

They misinterpreted the instruction to close, rather than transfer!

Several weeks on and they still haven't remedied the situation...

Maybe they were trying to get you used to A&L's service gently ;-)

stphnstevey

Do I understand this correctly, with the Account, if you don't switch an account you only lose out on 6% RS and not the 6% from the current account on £2500?

http://www.alliance-leicester.co.uk/current-accounts/premier-direct-current-account.aspx