Donor Switching and Advice

Branagorn

I have just opened up a donor Barclays account for switch bonus purposes (I'm new to this game, received my first bonus last month with Natwest, then found out serial switching is apparently a thing). My intention was to Switch to HSBC as their bonus is the largest.


I read in the terms and conditions that I had to switch with 2 direct debits or standing orders, so I've had to wait a few weeks to receive my card/pins etc, and then the pin sentry needed to set up payees.


I have two questions:


1. Does people have a general feeling of how long the HSBC switch bonus will be available (perhaps based on history), as when checking, there is a First Direct one that ends on Monday. I'm now thinking perhaps I should do the First Direct one 1st, and then HSBC once the bonus is paid (should it still be available). Also, I'm assuming although the two banks are linked, setting up First Direct wouldn't then block me from the HSBC bonus afterward?


2. I actually quite like how Barclays works, and would like to use them for my genuine, everyday banking needs. How long should I wait to set another one up?


My intention is to have 3 bank accounts.


Natwest (already up and running where my wages are paid into) for Bills, as it pays cashback/bonus on these.


Barclays for everything else, as I find it has been painless for sending money to new payees, and I quite like the personalised card.


And then the 3rd account, just to cycle through whichever switch bonus is best as each bonus is collected.


Would anybody advise me against this plan?

Branagorn

Sounds like a better way of doing it.

How quickly after setting up with Starling would I be able to initiate the switch?