Switching to Barclays

Simba-ali34

Hello,

I'm in the process of switching banks and I have just set up my account and was about to start the switch service through Barclays app. Before I do is it required for me to visit a branch with ID before the switch date if I have already set up an account online?

Also anyone know of any horror stories of balances not being brought across on the switch date? This is my biggest worry!

Regards

eskbanker

It's always prudent to check that an account is fully open and operational before initiating a switch, so if you have (and validated use of) all necessary cards, online access, and moved money in and out of the account, then you should be good to go.

There will inevitably be horror stories of switches going wrong for various reasons but they're very much the exception rather than the rule - if you're particularly concerned about the balance then there's nothing to stop you moving the bulk of it manually just before the switch date....

Simba-ali34

As stupid as it sounds I was worried about moving money manually incase it caused some kind of conflict with the switching service? But if it's ok I will probably move atleast some across before I even begin the switch. Is there a limit on how much can be transferred across as part of the switching service?

I only have 4 direct debits so I could probably do it all manually...

N1ckS

If you're looking to move to Barclays for the double Blue Rewards then you have to use the switching service. Transferring money is fine, although unnecessary imo, I wouldn't mess around with the DD's though.

http://www.currentaccountswitch.co.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

Simba-ali34

I am kind of confused on how to get the double blue rewards as Ive created an account but I'm not a blue customer and am not eligible until I've met certain criteria, will this be applied after I've used the switch?

PRAISETHESUN

Simba-ali34 wrote: »

As stupid as it sounds I was worried about moving money manually incase it caused some kind of conflict with the switching service? But if it's ok I will probably move atleast some across before I even begin the switch. Is there a limit on how much can be transferred across as part of the switching service?

I only have 4 direct debits so I could probably do it all manually...

You can operate your account as normal up until the account switch completes as the account is technically still open - operating it manually will not mess up the switch process. To the best of my knowledge, there are no limits on what can be transferred as a part of the switch.

Simba-ali34 wrote: »

I am kind of confused on how to get the double blue rewards as Ive created an account but I'm not a blue customer and am not eligible until I've met certain criteria, will this be applied after I've used the switch?

See here for how Blue Rewards work if you're not familiar: https://www.barclays.co.uk/current-accounts/blue-rewards/

In a nutshell they charge a £4 monthly fee and in return give out various benefits if you meet their criteria to qualify for rewards. One of the most popular ones is a straight cashback, where you are paid out £3.50 for each direct debit that comes out of your account (up to £7 per month).You need to opt in to receive rewards, but it is available to most Barclays current account holders regardless of if you've switched to them or not. The switch incentive is simply a doubling of the reward payments (eg. £14 per month for paying out for 2x DDs instead of £7) and will automatically be applied on any payments paid out the first month after your switch completes.

18cc

activate blue rewards on your new account either by calling them or from the app.

they will charge you £4 a month so make sure you have 2 x dd to get the £7 for that month

once you switch that will be doubled to £14

Katiehound

18cc wrote: »

once you switch that will be doubled to £14

for 12 months.
After that you would still get £3. (Unless you have insurance or mortgage with them- more rewards.)

Simba-ali34

Sorry, did anyone happen to know if you still need to go into a Barclays bank if i already have an account to confirm a switch ?

18cc

If you already have a Barclays account you can switch a donor account in from the app and you don't need to go into a branch

Brewer20

18cc wrote: »

If you already have a Barclays account you can switch a donor account in from the app and you don't need to go into a branch

I think the OP means if they've already had the account set up and running, a new account.


Interested in this question, I've read a few posts on this recently but unsure myself?



If I applied for an account as a new customer of Barclays and I get accepted online, then set up the app and initiate blue rewards as I've read do I then go in a branch (via an appointment) to complete the switch process? In other words like I've done in the past with other banks they don't actually do this online as part of the application process?