Barclays £175 Switch Offer - 15th July 2025 to 28th August 2025

danny13579

lovelylouca said:

I'd been trying for an hour beforehand. The first error message I've logged was at 10.30pm. I work during banking hours - isn't that the point of digital banking and applying through the app? What's the point of a 11.59 deadline if it's not honoured? 

I'm not trying to have a go at you, of course you should be able to apply up to the deadline, but this is Barclays, not a normal bank. They're not exactly known for making things easy for people or facilitating people.

Tawny_Owl_2

Yes, I tried to open a Barclays current account as a new customer on August 28 with a view to taking advantage of the switching incentive too !!
If you don't want to use their app, there is an online application form on their website - a bit of a challenge to find mind you - but it is there. When I reached the ID check section, it prompted me to phone their 0345....call centre, which I duly did, and I guess it's situated overseas.

The representative advised me that he'd have to book an appointment at my nearest branch, where I'd need to bring photo ID + proof of address, such as a utility bill. Incidentally, my nearest branch is a 12+ mile round trip, so the appointment was going to be after August 28 and therefore I agreed to not take my application further on this occasion.

The representative was friendly and did treat me fairly, no problem with that, and said that in his experience it was very rare for a newbie to Barclays to have an account opened within 24 hours (because of the security checks).
Whether you applied via the app or the website form, you'd still encounter the necessity to book the appointment at the branch for the ID checks. It needs to be a "full blooded" branch, as the "pop up" branches are unable to carry out these checks. Ironically, I have one of these pop up branches in my local town library, where Barclays are there for about 2 half days a week !!

Although Barclays are not a frequent provider of these switching incentives, the call centre representative said that there's usually at least 1 campaign per year, so here's to 2026 !


Lesson to be learned : When Martin Lewis states a deadline for switching to Barclays, you need to allow at least 1 working day ahead of this so that you can complete all your ID checks.

PRAISETHESUN

@Tawny_Owl_2 just FYI that this particular offer required you to apply for the account using the app. If you've applied via their website then you haven't met the terms of the offer, so Barclays will probably not pay the incentive.

s71hj

£175 switch incentive literally just hit my account. Presumably I can immediately cancel Barclays blue and my direct debits? 

danny13579

s71hj said:

£175 switch incentive literally just hit my account. Presumably I can immediately cancel Barclays blue and my direct debits? 

Yes, you can. You can also leave Barclays completely if you wish.

s71hj

Sadly the Barclays app keeps giving me an error message MPS 007 Whenever I go into scheduled payments to try and cancel the direct debits. Anyone else getting this? 

s71hj

s71hj said:

Sadly the Barclays app keeps giving me an error message MPS 007 Whenever I go into scheduled payments to try and cancel the direct debits. Anyone else getting this? 

Sorry MPS003!! 

danny13579

s71hj said:

s71hj said:

Sadly the Barclays app keeps giving me an error message MPS 007 Whenever I go into scheduled payments to try and cancel the direct debits. Anyone else getting this? 

Sorry MPS003!! 

No idea, sorry. But maybe keep the direct debits active and switch out to another bank that requires direct debits as part of the switch (if going for another switching offer)?

tomxlisa

s71hj said:

£175 switch incentive literally just hit my account. Presumably I can immediately cancel Barclays blue and my direct debits? 

How long did it take from when your bank was switched in, also the £1500 does that need to be left in the barclays account until the incentive is received?.

s71hj

tomxlisa said:

s71hj said:

£175 switch incentive literally just hit my account. Presumably I can immediately cancel Barclays blue and my direct debits? 

How long did it take from when your bank was switched in, also the £1500 does that need to be left in the barclays account until the incentive is received?.

22/8 switch was completed