New Halifax Reward account. Has anyone figured out a way around £500 spending?

Rich2808

Sorry to add a further question.

But for the last 3 months I received my reward via having a £5,000 balance. Now with rising rates I decided to withdraw this and opt for the £500 debit card payment qualification route. My reward extra profile on the app only makes reference to my balance dropping below £5k - and not my cleared £500 debit card payment - so I am not (at present) going to qualify for a reward for November.

Can you simply swap from the £5k+ balance to the £500 debit card payment to qualify - or is that choice fixed along with your reward at the start of the reward year?

I can't believe you can't but the way its worded on the site implies 'you choose' which option - but can you change that choice month to month? So £5k balance one month - and then below £5k the next but make a £500 debit card payment.

It might seem a stupid question - but I can't think what else I may be doing wrong!

https://www.halifax.co.uk/bankaccounts/current-accounts/reward-current-account.html

northwalesd

Rich2808 said:

Can you simply swap from the £5k+ balance to the £500 debit card payment to qualify - or is that choice fixed along with your reward at the start of the reward year?

No, sorry you can't just switch options mid year, it is fixed.

soulsaver

Rich2808 said:

Sorry to add a further question.

But for the last 3 months I received my reward via having a £5,000 balance. Now with rising rates I decided to withdraw this and opt for the £500 debit card payment qualification route. My reward extra profile on the app only makes reference to my balance dropping below £5k - and not my cleared £500 debit card payment - so I am not (at present) going to qualify for a reward for November.

Can you simply swap from the £5k+ balance to the £500 debit card payment to qualify - or is that choice fixed along with your reward at the start of the reward year?

I can't believe you can't but the way its worded on the site implies 'you choose' which option - but can you change that choice month to month? So £5k balance one month - and then below £5k the next but make a £500 debit card payment.

It might seem a stupid question - but I can't think what else I may be doing wrong!

https://www.halifax.co.uk/bankaccounts/current-accounts/reward-current-account.html

From FAQs in your link:

"How long does the offer last?

All offers will last for at least 12 full calendar months from the day you choose to add it to your account. So if you added the offer on 10 July this year, it would end on 31 July next year. If you met the conditions for the £5 reward from 10 July to 31 July this year, then you'd still get £5 for July as well.

Once you’ve added a Reward Extras offer, you can’t switch to another offer until the 12 months have passed."

Rich2808

soulsaver said:

Rich2808 said:

Sorry to add a further question.

But for the last 3 months I received my reward via having a £5,000 balance. Now with rising rates I decided to withdraw this and opt for the £500 debit card payment qualification route. My reward extra profile on the app only makes reference to my balance dropping below £5k - and not my cleared £500 debit card payment - so I am not (at present) going to qualify for a reward for November.

Can you simply swap from the £5k+ balance to the £500 debit card payment to qualify - or is that choice fixed along with your reward at the start of the reward year?

I can't believe you can't but the way its worded on the site implies 'you choose' which option - but can you change that choice month to month? So £5k balance one month - and then below £5k the next but make a £500 debit card payment.

It might seem a stupid question - but I can't think what else I may be doing wrong!

https://www.halifax.co.uk/bankaccounts/current-accounts/reward-current-account.html

From FAQs in your link:

"How long does the offer last?

All offers will last for at least 12 full calendar months from the day you choose to add it to your account. So if you added the offer on 10 July this year, it would end on 31 July next year. If you met the conditions for the £5 reward from 10 July to 31 July this year, then you'd still get £5 for July as well.

Once you’ve added a Reward Extras offer, you can’t switch to another offer until the 12 months have passed."

I fully understand I cannot change the monthly reward you get - £5, cinema ticket, magazine subscription etc - which you have to maintain for a year.

I didn't realise - and its not clear - that how you qualify for the monthly reward (£500 debit card payment or £5000+ continuous balance) also had to be the same each month? I don't recollect selecting the £5k+ balance for a year - just the cinema ticket?

To me it reads you can choose each month to spend £500 on a debit card - or keep £5k+ in the account for the entire month. 

I can't change my cinema reward - but how you qualify for it (£500 debit card payment or £5k+ balance) - reads being a monthly choice? Am I wrong?

How to qualify for a monthly reward

Choose to either

• Spend £500 on your debit card each month

Or

• Keep £5000 or above in your account each day of the month

And

• Pay in £1500 or more into your account each month
• Stay in credit (keeping your balance at £0 or above)

To find out more take a look at our section on Reward Extras.

Sensory

How you earn the reward is also part of the fixed choices. You choose both during the same single process, every year, and it cannot be changed until 12 months have passed.

You can contact Halifax directly if you wish for confirmation.

Jami74

Sensory said:

You can contact Halifax directly if you wish for confirmation.

But you'll probably just be told by a very nice lady that you have to go shopping in high street with your card.

In which case, come back here and we will all express disbelief at what you were told and be horrified by the inconsistencies experienced by different customers.

surreysaver

Emily_Joy said:

I've received my last reward payment in May. I was too busy with life to look into it. Yesterday I visited a local Halifax branch. A very nice lady explained to me that "paying credit card bills doesn't count - you have to go shopping in high street with your card". I also have paypal business debit card linked to the halifax card and I think this also doesn't count.

Looking at the statements, in April I spent 500 by paying credit cards and this seem to have qualified me for the reward.

Perhaps the rules have changed since then?

I would rather a member of staff were competent than 'very nice'

Band7

adindas said:

I have two Cambridge BS saving Extra Reward Regular Saver (5%) and Your Saver

I normally pay my RSA by SO, but today i tried using debit card to pay my RSA it seems there is no option for that.

Which Cambridge Building Society saving allow payment by Debit-card ?

I have one of their ancient instant access accounts which allows debit card deposits. Not sure whether their currently available one takes debit cards other than in Branch. My Cambridge Regular Savers don't take debit cards.

adindas

Band7 said:

adindas said:

I have two Cambridge BS saving Extra Reward Regular Saver (5%) and Your Saver

I normally pay my RSA by SO, but today i tried using debit card to pay my RSA it seems there is no option for that.

Which Cambridge Building Society saving allow payment by Debit-card ?

I have one of their ancient instant access accounts which allows debit card deposits. Not sure whether their currently available one takes debit cards other than in Branch. My Cambridge Regular Savers don't take debit cards.

Just saw this This newly launched Cambridge BS Reward Regular Saver allow Debit card payment. But probably just DC payment when you visit their branch, not online .

https://www.cambridgebs.co.uk/savings/regular-savings/reward-regular-saver

Manage the account:

• manage your account in branch, by phone or via post
• you can pay in cash and cheques and make debit card payments at any of our branches or you can transfer funds from an existing Cambridge Building Society account

CuriousGirl

Just to say that topping up a Revolut account does wonder, I think it is the easiest  way to earn rewards. Did three Revolut transactions last Thursday,  this morning all three sets of £5s are confirmed.