NatWest Switching Bonus- Refusing to Pay Out??!!

Sugarbell1981

I opened a NatWest account and requested a Current Account Switch on the 6th March, to take advantage of the £175 switching bonus. They started switching my account on the 24th March and when I contacted them on 12th March to ask why I hadn't received an account number/sort-code they said 'not to worry, it was progressing but everything was just taking a bit longer due to COVID'.
Today I've contacted them to ask where my switching bonus is and they've told me I wasn't eligible as they pulled the switching offer on the 19th March due to Coronavirus and as my switch didn't start until 24th I'm not entitled to the bonus. Despite the fact my account was applied for on the 6th March.
I'm furious- they don't seem to think it's their problem that they pulled the offer during this process and didn't inform me (I received no communication that the offer was no longer on). Has anyone else had this problem? Is there anyone that's managed to complain with any success? I've made a complaint but been told it could take up to 28 days to deal with due to the current situation and I'm sitting here fizzing wanting to close my NatWest account straight away as I'm so annoyed!!! Surely they can't do this? I wouldn't have carried on with the switch if I'd known.
Shelley

Ed-1

Sugarbell1981 said:

I opened a NatWest account and requested a Current Account Switch on the 6th March, to take advantage of the £175 switching bonus. They started switching my account on the 24th March and when I contacted them on 12th March to ask why I hadn't received an account number/sort-code they said 'not to worry, it was progressing but everything was just taking a bit longer due to COVID'.
Today I've contacted them to ask where my switching bonus is and they've told me I wasn't eligible as they pulled the switching offer on the 19th March due to Coronavirus and as my switch didn't start until 24th I'm not entitled to the bonus. Despite the fact my account was applied for on the 6th March.
I'm furious- they don't seem to think it's their problem that they pulled the offer during this process and didn't inform me (I received no communication that the offer was no longer on). Has anyone else had this problem? Is there anyone that's managed to complain with any success? I've made a complaint but been told it could take up to 28 days to deal with due to the current situation and I'm sitting here fizzing wanting to close my NatWest account straight away as I'm so annoyed!!! Surely they can't do this? I wouldn't have carried on with the switch if I'd known.
Shelley

If you applied for the switch during the application for the account then your complaint will be upheld.

steffangl

NatWest said they would pay the bonus by 5th June - you may find you get it next week and the advisor was incorrect.
If not then I think they will honour it, even if you have to wait for complaints to investigate.

NedS

We are still waiting on a payout too. There was a delay in opening the account but it did complete just before the 2nd April cut off date and we have since paid in £1500 and logged in to online banking to meet the other requirements of the offer. We shall wait until the 5th June deadline before raising a complaint if the payout isn't made.

SpanishBlue

NedS said:

We are still waiting on a payout too. There was a delay in opening the account but it did complete just before the 2nd April cut off date and we have since paid in £1500 and logged in to online banking to meet the other requirements of the offer. We shall wait until the 5th June deadline before raising a complaint if the payout isn't made.

The cut off date was later changed to 5pm on March 19th, but as long as you had started the process by then, you should still get the £175.

NorthSeaKing

SpanishBlue said:

NedS said:

We are still waiting on a payout too. There was a delay in opening the account but it did complete just before the 2nd April cut off date and we have since paid in £1500 and logged in to online banking to meet the other requirements of the offer. We shall wait until the 5th June deadline before raising a complaint if the payout isn't made.

The cut off date was later changed to 5pm on March 19th, but as long as you had started the process by then, you should still get the £175.

Do you know when the cut off date was changed? I applied on March 14th, account opened on March 31st, switch completed 8th April. I'm sure 2nd April was still the cut off date for opening the account when i applied.

SpanishBlue

FlashBlack said:

SpanishBlue said:

NedS said:

We are still waiting on a payout too. There was a delay in opening the account but it did complete just before the 2nd April cut off date and we have since paid in £1500 and logged in to online banking to meet the other requirements of the offer. We shall wait until the 5th June deadline before raising a complaint if the payout isn't made.

The cut off date was later changed to 5pm on March 19th, but as long as you had started the process by then, you should still get the £175.

Do you know when the cut off date was changed? I applied on March 14th, account opened on March 31st, switch completed 8th April. I'm sure 2nd April was still the cut off date for opening the account when i applied.

I first heard of the date change on this thread about 9 posts down. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6114274/natwest-rbs-175-switch-incentive-can-i-apply-for-both-at-the-same-time/p1

I opened my account in branch on March 19th and the staff confirmed that the offer was ending at 5pm that day.

clowning

NedS said:

We are still waiting on a payout too. There was a delay in opening the account but it did complete just before the 2nd April cut off date and we have since paid in £1500 and logged in to online banking to meet the other requirements of the offer. We shall wait until the 5th June deadline before raising a complaint if the payout isn't made.

The payout date was brought forward. I think to the 13th May. I have received mine.

Hammer_Time

I phoned them Friday and asked them if I will be getting the £175, they said yes and should be on the 5 June. I did mention about people being paid on the 13 May they told me that was for a earlier offer.

NorthSeaKing

I messaged them on facebook to ask. They didn't look into my personal situation, but resent me the terms and said as long as i've met the criteria i will receive the £175 by 5th June. 

Hammer_Time

I have just received an email from Nat West today stating that the £175 switching bonus will be paid into my account by 5 June.