Barclays 'you won't be eligible' warning over £900 payments - Liverpool Echo

Barclays is currently offering a series of cash incentives to attract new customers who switch their accounts to the bank. Eligible clients can receive up to £900 in total payments by combining rewards across different types of accounts and savings transfers. For instance, customers who open a Barclays Bank Account can get £200, while those opting for the Premier Current Account are entitled to £400. Additionally, transferring ISA savings to Barclays can bring in an extra £500, allowing some customers to claim the full £900 in bonuses. However, Barclays has set strict rules around who qualifies for these rewards. One key condition is that the offers are only available to new customers who have not held a Barclays current account prior to the start date of the promotion, which is 7 October 2025. This means anyone who had an account open on or before this date won't be eligible for the switching bonuses. Furthermore, customers must not have received any previous reward for switching to a Barclays current account, ensuring the promotion targets genuinely new switchers. To participate, applicants need to open their new accounts through the Barclays app. The full switching process requires some specific steps: for the Barclays Bank Account, customers must also enroll in Blue Rewards, a service that comes with a £5 monthly fee. Additionally, the switch must be fully completed in the app, including the setup of at least two direct debits. Importantly, within 30 days of starting the switch, the customer has to deposit at least £2,000 into the new account to qualify for the payment. Once all these conditions are met, Barclays promises to credit the reward — either £200 or £400 for the switching offers — within 28 days. Customers will be notified by text once they’ve completed the necessary steps, and the payment will appear on their bank statement labeled as “Switch Reward.” It’s important to note that each person can only claim one switch offer, and the account must be opened solely in their name. The conditions and eligibility criteria have sparked some uncertainties among potential customers. One individual asked via social media whether they could claim the bonus if they had a Barclays account previously but none open on the specified start date. Barclays clarified that eligibility strictly depends on having no open current accounts on or before 7 October 2025. This has caused some disappointment for former customers who hoped to benefit from the deal. Overall, Barclays' offer could be attractive for new customers looking to consolidate their banking and savings with one institution while earning some extra cash. However, the requirements around account history, app-based applications, direct debits setup, and minimum deposits could deter some potential switchers. Customers need to carefully consider whether they meet all the terms before initiating the switch to ensure they don’t miss out on the bonuses.