Backup Bank Account(s)

jonnygee2

This is often discussed but has anyone here had to use a backup bank account and if so why?

My backup account is Starling and I use it for cash withdrawals abroad, as they are free. I think getting something with some sort of perk that's useful to you is best.

It is indeed very rare to need them, but given they are generally free and take minutes to apply for these days, why not just have one?

digalumps

Black Lab !

rubicon15

Something I've been thinking about, but like many I just don't see the need really, apart from if they freeze your account for some reason. If your normal account crashes for a short while, surely credit cards would cover day to day spending, to then pay off immediately when back up? Fintech Banks are brilliant anyway, my own being Starling, and I'm nearly 70, but they're just so much easier, secure with instant notifications, and fully covered for funds up to the usual amount as with all banks.

username

It's always good to have a backup(s) anyway.

I personally have several cards/accounts and will always have on me at least 3 cards from different banks/networks - i.e. Amex, Mastercard and Visa.

Therefore, short of the shop's network connection/equipment failing, I should have a card for payment that will function.

I do also have £20 cash too, but that's not had to be used for a long time.

enthusiasticsaver

I have had to use a back up account when an urgent bill needed paying and our main bank account system was down so online payments could not be made.  I used my personal account instead with a different bank. 

[Deleted User]

I've had my account frozen and I didn't do anything wrong. It's all done by AI now and you can easily end up in that position without anyone (the bank included) having a clue why.

One thing to consider with this is whether your backup account is linked to your main one. For instance, I had a Bank of Scotland and a Lloyds account. They both use the same systems so when one of the accounts got frozen they both did and I had to phone two separate customer service teams to unfreeze them (which took about four hours). Your backup should use a different system for that reason.

ZeroSum

I don't have a 'back up' account. I have several accounts for different purposes, and in each way they a kind of 'main' account 

GaleSF63

I have 2 current accounts. Should something happen with the more used account, the second one would then suddenly become the "back-up" account. Until then it's just another account. It's only a label. 

newlywed

Once I could have seriously made use of one (which is why I have one now but didn’t at the time). Santander had IT issues. Couldn’t use atm, couldn’t use debit card. Didn’t have a credit card…

needed petrol to get to work the next day but had enough to get home, needed food for stepkids lunches the next day…

Oh banked with the same bank

Yes I was very ill prepared on all counts.

Thankfully it was working again next morning so we survived… but a second day with IT issues would have been a serious struggle with work more than 6 miles away.

Vortigern

I've never needed to use an alternative account because of any planned or unplanned outage at my main bank.

My answer might be different if TSB were my main account, or if I was into gambling or crypto.