Halifax Switch Offer £125

ChaskhaChaia

Anybody else having problems with opening joint accounts? I applied online for account and it made me log in as I have already have a halifax account with them (I tried doing it without logging in and it wouldn't let me). I completed the application process and at no point did it ask me whether I wanted to open a sole or a joint account and I finished the process with a sole account opened. However, it was actually a joint account I wanted to open as it was a joint account that I wanted to switch from. I rang them up and they said that no joint accounts can be applied for online and we would have to go into the branch to do this. This seems madness! I've applied for joint accounts with the Co-op and with RBS online with no issues before!

Alex9384

I already have 3 Rewards accounts with Halifax so I guess I can't do this.

Aidanmc

Have already 2 Reward accounts, try for a 3rd or just go with Ultimate Reward?

SpanishBlue

Alex9384 said:

I already have 3 Rewards accounts with Halifax so I guess I can't do this.

I too have 3 Reward accounts. You could always open a Ultimate Reward account and then downgrade it to a basic current account once you have received the £125.

RetSol

You could always open a Ultimate Reward account and then downgrade it to a basic current account once you have received the £125.

That's my plan. 

I have read elsewhere that you can get away without incurring the monthly fee...

where_are_we

Sadly, I got cashback in August 2020. I used the Ultimate Reward Account to switch to and downgraded to an ordinary current account as soon as the cashback had been paid in order to avoid the monthly fee. Opening the URA means inputing a lot of personal extra information due to this account`s benefits, but it worked!

I am consoled by £120 a year rewards from the 2 Reward Accounts I hold. For those opening a RA for the first time to benefit from the cashback, remember the secondary benefit of £5 monthly rewards by making a £500 debit card monthly payment.

Alex9384

SpanishBlue said:

I too have 3 Reward accounts. You could always open a Ultimate Reward account and then downgrade it to a basic current account once you have received the £125.

Yeah, hypothetically. But isn't it like... rocking the boat too much? Having 3 Rewards and try to open another one? I wouldn't like to have all my Halifax accounts closed because of that, just like NatWest did to me in March this year.

[Deleted User]

How do you have 3 accounts and the same bank? Are they all in different names?

@crumpet_man 'By 'strings' i mean having to spend £500 on my debit card, OR have £5000 in my account permanently.

Alex9384

DeletedUser said:

How do you have 3 accounts and the same bank? Are they all in different names?

No, you have one account and when you log in, there's an option to open another one.

Sensory

ChaskhaChaia said:

Anybody else having problems with opening joint accounts? I applied online for account and it made me log in as I have already have a halifax account with them (I tried doing it without logging in and it wouldn't let me). I completed the application process and at no point did it ask me whether I wanted to open a sole or a joint account and I finished the process with a sole account opened. However, it was actually a joint account I wanted to open as it was a joint account that I wanted to switch from. I rang them up and they said that no joint accounts can be applied for online and we would have to go into the branch to do this. This seems madness! I've applied for joint accounts with the Co-op and with RBS online with no issues before!

Lloyds/Halifax do state on their website that joint accounts can only be opened in branch, either a brand new account, or adding someone to an existing account.

Barclays, Co-op, HSBC, Nationwide, Natwest/RBS and Santander don’t require branch visits/appointments for opening joint accounts, but Lloyds/Halifax?

Appointments last up to an hour and you probably need one unless you’re lucky. They are recorded. Be prepared for lots of small talk and forced friendliness. You’ll both have to sit through the same 6-minute video, twice, and it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been a customer, you’ll always be given all the necessary information and documentation as if you’re a brand new customer. For an added value account like Reward or Ultimate Reward, you’ll both have to sit through another video twice outlining the benefits of the account (or just once if you’re lucky). They can then proceed to switch the account.

As you’ve already opened the account, you’ll only have to watch the videos once.