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

Lens

clairec666 said:

Lens said:

Harsh requirement that rules out anyone who has ever had a current account previously so pretty much all existing customers. I was ready to go for this one, assuming it meant you couldn’t switch into an account that was already open before the 15th July, eg you have to open a new one. But I agree now having read all these comments and looked again at the terms and conditions, I totally agree. It rules out all existing customers. Almost unethical. 

I had a current account with Barclays, about 20 years ago, which was a "backup account" which I barely used. When my card expired and I asked them for a new one, they insisted that my account didn't exist and they had no record of me. Refused to pay me the 9p that was in the account, so I haven't banked with them since. I'm tempted to apply for this switch offer, just to see if they mysteriously find my old current account and use it as grounds to refuse me the bonus!

I would, definitely in this situation. If they have no record of you it will surely be fine.

Don't think its worth trying for me though. I've had an account open with Barclays for over 20 years as well, my first ever bank account and used it as my main account until recently. I also opened another Barclays account (leisure money account) a few years ago and used for quite a few switches, but kept my original one open. Recently as a result of the switching I've found another bank which I prefer for quite a few reasons. I've transferred everything over manually including my salary. Will be interesting to see what happens to my Barclays account, if they decide to close it or not. I'll be keeping some money in it but not using it. 

Good luck with your switch if you decide to go for it. 

alpaco47

I found this impossible. Couldn't even open the app, as it didn't recognise my address, although I have lived here for nearly 30 years. Just wasted about 2 hours, tried about 6 times to load the app, made 3 phone calls to Barclays for help. The advice was to go to my local branch!! It closed recently and the nearest one is about 10 miles away. So I won't be switching my account.

nomorekids

Anyone know whether its going to disqualify me from the £175. I failed their identity check so I now have to produce identity docs at a branch.  Can I do this and then carry on with the application via the barclays app to qualify for the incentive?

PRAISETHESUN

nomorekids said:

Anyone know whether its going to disqualify me from the £175. I failed their identity check so I now have to produce identity docs at a branch.  Can I do this and then carry on with the application via the barclays app to qualify for the incentive?

I have a vague recollection that this happened to someone for a past Barclays incentive, and the staff did something in their system to approve the ID presented in branch, and then coached them through completing the rest of the application through the app, including applying for the switch in the app, to make sure they qualified for the incentive.

At the very least I'd ask the staff to put a note on your account to specify that you initiated the application via the app, and you can always complain if they refuse to honour the incentive on that basis.

gambleruk

nomorekids said:

Anyone know whether its going to disqualify me from the £175. I failed their identity check so I now have to produce identity docs at a branch.  Can I do this and then carry on with the application via the barclays app to qualify for the incentive?

I had to go to the branch twice last time to eventually get it sorted, they were understanding but the Barclays ID check system was hard work even with me sat there with my passport and driving licence and the girl had to give up the first time round and make me another appointment which was when it finally got sorted. 

Lifes_Grand_Plan

Hi everyone,

So I managed to open the account via the app, but can then see no sign of any option to initiate a switch. Has anyone else already done this and can guide me where to look please? Thx

EDIT: Jeez they make things difficult. I've just been through all their help articles about switching and they send you round in circles and just parrot out "Switch via the app" but then never actually tell you where the option is for flip sake!

Second EDIT:
Finally found it under "Products>Our Services>Switch Current Account"

Sinbad

The offer as highlighted on this week's MSE email states: "Switch in an account from a different bank, including 2+ Direct Debits by 28 Aug"
I have a little used First Direct sole account I could switch from but it has no direct debits set up on it currently.
Thoughts on whether I could switch and then add a couple of direct debits in order to get the 175.00

TIA

danny13579

Sinbad said:

The offer as highlighted on this week's MSE email states: "Switch in an account from a different bank, including 2+ Direct Debits by 28 Aug"
I have a little used First Direct sole account I could switch from but it has no direct debits set up on it currently.
Thoughts on whether I could switch and then add a couple of direct debits in order to get the 175.00

TIA

No. You need to set up the 2 direct debits on the First Direct account and then do the switch.

Nasqueron

You have more than enough time to move the DD to the FD account then switch. The offer text says switch the account with 2 DD not move 2 DD in later. Read the terms to check otherwise  

Sinbad

danny13579 said:

Sinbad said:

The offer as highlighted on this week's MSE email states: "Switch in an account from a different bank, including 2+ Direct Debits by 28 Aug"
I have a little used First Direct sole account I could switch from but it has no direct debits set up on it currently.
Thoughts on whether I could switch and then add a couple of direct debits in order to get the 175.00

TIA

No. You need to set up the 2 direct debits on the First Direct account and then do the switch.

Great, thanks for that.