The Top Easy Access Savings Discussion Area

Molehusband

Malchester said:

I think that most accounts included in the comparison sites are available to all customers, new and existing. Some accounts are only available to existing customers as loyalty accounts (or some other name). I have never found an account I cannot open just because I am an existing customer

My experience has been that the usual comparison sites never show accounts which are available only to existing customers (regardless of what the account name may be). So on several occasions I have failed to obtain the best interest rate available to me because it was not listed on the comparison sites. I don't have time to trawl through checking with all my existing providers when rates are changing almost daily.

For example, recently I wanted to open a new cash ISA before the end of the tax year. I didn't have much time, opened the "best available interest rate" one shown on Moneyfacts. I subsequently discovered I missed out on a better rate offered by Cynergy to their existing customers (of which I am one).  Why couldn't comparison site show it as "only available to existing customers"?

Aidanmc

jaypers said:

 I do refuse to open a Cynergy account however as I’ve heard bad things about the associated security app. 

You do not need to use the Cynergy app. If you request, they will send you a digipass device.

refluxer

Molehusband said:

I subsequently discovered I missed out on a better rate offered by Cynergy to their existing customers (of which I am one).  Why couldn't comparison site show it as "only available to existing customers"?

I guess because that loyalty account/rate wouldn't be available to the majority of people looking at that information, plus the comparison site would also struggle to obtain that information in the first place due to it only being available to existing customers and not publicly visible.

My experience of the majority of the loyalty rates that I've been offered is that they are either the same as currently available to new customers or (more often than not) actually beaten by a different company at the top of the appropriate MSE table anyway.

typistretired

My Chase debit card was delivered to me today very impressed with their presentation in a lovely card and little blue plastic like recyclable too envelope looks like a birthday card from outside

Molehusband

jaypers said:

Molehusband said:

littlemoney said:

Daliah said:

littlemoney said:

Daliah said:

Chase UK 1.5% AER. Proper instant access account. Not for those without smartphone or tablet as it is digital only. Thanks to @andyhicks88 for the heads up.

https://www.chase.co.uk/gb/en/product/chase-saver-account/

Are you saying that digital only means that it is not available for via a windows laptop but only via android.

Android or iOS. Not available for laptops or PCs.

Shame. I was going to apply but I only have a tablet with version 6 (too old) and my phone doesn't have space for another app. Digital discrimination. You need to be rich enough to have an up to date tablet or a phone with a large memory. They don't want people who can't afford the latest technology.

Yes it's a shame that so many new savings institutions only seem to offer access to customer accounts via apps on mobile devices which require users to key in data via microscopic keyboards. While I am happy to use a mobile app for viewing information about my account, I am unhappy about the lack of a proper keyboard for entering sensitive information such as account numbers, passwords etc. Until someone solves the need for a microscope while keying in on mobile phone. I will not open a bank/savings account unless it also offer access via PC/laptop.

  I do refuse to open a Cynergy account however as I’ve heard bad things about the associated security app. 

I log into my Cynergy account through their website and use the Cynergy Authenticator app to validate sign in. I have experienced no problems with their Authenticator app.

typistretired

Neither have I had a problem with Cynergy Authenticator App but the sooner they have an app for their accounts the better most banks now have apps. 

TheWoodler

Absolutely - it would be comparing apples and pears. 

I can’t feel aggrieved that I can’t compare absolutely all products on the market - and in fact it would be a source of aggravation to *more* users if they saw leading products only to find they’re ineligible to apply - to prevent this happening means flags (that not everyone would notice by the law of averages) or a separate table (ditto), which could potentially list wildly differing loyalty products. Again, comparing apples and pears, and all for more effort than it’s worth.

There’s a reason the comparison sites take an ‘open-to-all’ approach - their reach and credibility is greater that way. 

Loyalty products are often advertised to existing customers by their chosen contact preferences e.g. post, email. 

Check your contact preferences with each provider; ensure that at least one contact method is turned on in your settings; and check your spam parameters on email as sometimes even legit communications get filed in junk! 

typistretired

Atom Bank emailed me yesterday 30th that my interest rate had gone up from the 23rd so it is best to check this forum daily as some posters do a search each day of banking interest rises 

Molehusband

refluxer said:

Molehusband said:

I subsequently discovered I missed out on a better rate offered by Cynergy to their existing customers (of which I am one).  Why couldn't comparison site show it as "only available to existing customers"?

I guess because that loyalty account/rate wouldn't be available to the majority of people looking at that information, plus the comparison site would also struggle to obtain that information in the first place due to it only being available to existing customers and not publicly visible.

It will be very easy for comparison sites to obtain the information about accounts only available to existing customers. They will be in contact regularly with all savings institutions who will provide the information.:If nothing else they will have colleagues with accounts that can help if necessary.

Comparison sites should publish rates showing them as "for existing customers only". Job easily done.

Nick_C

Re the need for a smart phone to use Chase.

You can run an Android Emulator on a Windows PC.  I used Bluestacks for a while while I was still using a very old smartphone that only ran Android 5, and more and more of my banking apps became unavailable on my phone.

I don't know if you could set up a new Chase account just using an emulator, but you can download the software here:
https://www.bluestacks.com/

You would need a basic mobile phone of some sort to receive authentication messages.