Open a new Halifax Reward or Ultimate Reward account to get the free cash
The Halifax switch offer is back, this time with a twist that could earn you more cash on top if you keep using the account for the rest of the year.
Here’s who is eligible and what you need to do.
Update: This offer ended on 31 August 2023.
Other switch offers
Now the Halifax offer has ended, you might want to check out one of these additional deals that are currently running
How much do you get with the Halifax switch offer?
This time there’s less money on offer with a bonus of £150 (the highest ever amount was £175). But, there’s a chance to get earn an extra £25 a month for three months.
That means there’s potentially £225 up for grabs, plus you’ll also have the chance to get another £60 on top over a year in ongoing rewards.
How to get the Halifax switch offer
£150 switching bonus
To get this you need to open up one of two Halifax accounts, and this has to be a brand-new account. The two accounts are:
- Reward account
- Ultimate Reward account.
Once you’ve successfully done this (a credit check will take place for new applications), you can start your switch. This must start by 31 August 2023, though it can complete at a later date. You can do this online, via the app, in a branch or over the phone.
You’ll need to fully close the old account you switch over and it needs to be from a different bank. So you can’t switch from another Halifax account. Make sure the old bank is part of the Current Account Switching Service.
The offer is open to both new and existing customers, though as mentioned it above it must be a new account. That means you can’t upgrade to a Reward or Ultimate Reward account from an existing account. However, there’s a workaround I’ll come back to.
Up to £75 extra cashback
As long as you qualify for and receive the switching offer, you’ll also be able to take part in this debit card spending offer. You’ll be able to get £25 a month for three months as long as you spend £750 on the debit card each month.
The months themselves don’t start straight away. The offer runs in September, October and November 2023. Spending won’t carry over to the following month, so you’ll start again at zero at the beginning of each month.
The £750 spend must take place within each calendar month, so watch out for any transactions at the end of the month that might not leave your account until the start of the next one.
Though you can take part in each of those months, they aren’t lumped together. So you could spend in months 1 and 3 but miss month 2 and still get two lots of £25. Of course, to get the full £75 you need to spend in all three months.
You can spend with the card itself in a business, use it online or via Apple and Google Pay. However, some transactions won’t count. For example, you can’t use it to clear a credit card, overseas spending, gambling or cash withdrawals.
What’s unclear is whether the hack used to claim the monthly reward from the Halifax Reward account of topping up savings accounts or current accounts that allow debit card payments will work.
The £25 cashback payments will be made direct to your account by the 20 of the following month and your account must remain open in order to get the cash. That means you’ll need to keep your account open until 20 December 2023 at the earliest.
When can you get Halifax’s switching deal?
The offer begins on Tuesday 25 July 2023 and runs until 31 August 2023. The end date is the last time to start the switch process – it can actually complete after this.
The bonus will be paid within three days of your switch completion, which can be as fast as seven working days after you start the switch.
As detailed above, the extra £75 cashback offer runs from September to December 2023.
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Who can’t get the switching deal?
If you’ve received a switch bonus from Halifax since April 2020 you won’t be able to get this new offer. You also won’t get it if you switch to one of the non-eligible accounts.
And joint account holders will only get one payment, and if one of you has previously had cash from Halifax or Lloyds since April 2020 then the other account holder won’t get it this time.
Lloyds Banking Group staff members also won’t be eligible.
Can you switch from Lloyds Bank?
Halifax is part of the Lloyds Banking Group, and this often causes confusion as to whether it counts as a different bank. The good news is you can switch from a Lloyds current account to Halifax.
However, if you’ve previously had a bonus as part of a Lloyds Bank switching offer since April 2020 you will not be eligible for the cash from Halifax.
Which Halifax account should I switch to?
The standard Reward account is the best option for most people. You can get £5 a month (or a cinema ticket or three digital magazines) by jumping through a few hoops. Here’s more on how to do this in my Halifax Reward review. I’d certainly go for this account if you don’t already have it.
You will need to pay in £1,500 a month to avoid a £3 fee each month, but that’s easy to achieve with most salaries. The money doesn’t need to stay in the account. And you can even do it in smaller batches, e.g. transfer £500 in from another account. Withdraw it, then pay it in again. And then repeat for the third time.
I don’t think the Ultimate Reward account is worth it. Though this comes with travel insurance, breakdown cover, mobile phone insurance and home emergency cover, it’ll cost you £17 am month. That might work out cheaper than what you pay right now if you have and need all those services, but if you do shop around as there are lower cost packaged accounts out there.
Andy’s top reward current accounts
- Halifax Rewards: £5 or a cinema ticket each month
- Chase Bank: 1% cashback for one year on spending
- Club Lloyds: A free year of Disney+
Get more details on these on my list of the best bank account offers
How new Halifax Reward customers can get the switch offer
As long as you are eligible, just open up a new Halifax Reward or Ultimate Reward account and then switch to it from a different bank. This applies to new and existing Halifax customers.
Do not upgrade an existing account to Reward. It must be a brand-new application.
How existing Halifax Reward customers can get the bonus
If you already have one of the eligible Reward accounts the good news is you can simply open an extra account – you’re allowed to have three at once.
If you already have all three Reward accounts then you can downgrade one of those to a standard Halifax account (better than closing it down), and apply for a new Reward account for the offer.
Which old account should you switch?
You can switch pretty much any full current account over, though bear in mind to get the bonus this other account will be closed down.
I always think it’s worth having an account you use just for switching, as this means you can take advantage of offer after offer without losing the benefits you might enjoy on another account.
Here’s more in my guide to why I have more than one account.
Summary
Halifax switch offer
| Switching bonus | £150 |
| Bonus paid | Within 3 working days of completing the switch |
| Additional cashback bonus | Up to £75 (three x £25) |
| Additional cashback paid | By the 20 of the following month |
| Open to existing customers | Yes |
| Requirements | Open a new Reward or Ultimate Reward account |
| Switch using the Current Account Switch Service and close your old account | |
| The old account must be from a different bank | |
| Additional cashback requirements | Spend £750 a month in some or all of September, October and November 2023 with the debit card |
| Exclusions | Offer limited to once per person |
| Not have received a switching bonus from Halifax or Lloyds since April 2020 | |
| Offer ends | 31 August 2023 (last date to start the switch) |
I’m so frustrated as swapped and only got a normal current account. I managed to speak to two actual people and the robot assistant saying I’ll definitely get it . Then told that I didn’t have the reward account. I lost my natwest account now I’m so angry at this. I’m ringing back Tuesday any 💡 what to say 😡😡
same happened to me!!!!
This was great. They paid me the switching bonus four days before the switch was even complete!
hi ive £6000 in hsbc can i switch to halifax without the £1500 per month ive read somewhere this one of the criterias
I already have a current account with Halifax to upgrade to Reward account and a dummy account lined up from another bank.
Would I be able to close down or downgrade the Reward account back to previous account a month or so after I have received the £175 switching bonus?
Hi Andy
I currently have 3 Halifax reward account
1 joint reward and 2 single reward account
Can I just open a quick monzo account and switch into 1 of my single reward accounts or do I need to upgrade the account when doing the switch to be eligible?
Hi Andy
I am considering a Bank switch from NatWest, probably to Santander. Being an OAP everything has to count, so the% on household purchase, are to me good plus the interest paid on current account. However if you have time I would be really interested on your ‘updated ‘ view on Santander 123 and 123lite.
Thank you for such an informative site
Hi I’ve recently switched to Halifax & the customer service is atrocious. I’m enquiring how long do I need to keep the account open as I’ve received the switching reward ? I can’t even access my online account.
Hi, I’ve just set up some direct debits but the money for these DDs will taken in a few weeks. Do I need to wait for money to be taken or can I switch as soon as these direct debits appear on my banking app?
It does depend on the bank switch offer. With Halifax ou’ll probably be ok to switch once they are set up, but it might be best to wait. Remember you can set a switch date in advance, so you can always start the process now
Are standing orders acceptable instead of Direct Debits. What is the minimum amount required.
Thanks
No, it has to be a Direct Debit. The only minimum will be set by the company setting it up (e.g. some charities say at least £2)
Hi Andy
You mentioned no transfers to Halifax since 2020, does it include Bank of Scotland? I am under the impression that are the same bank
Thanks
I am a little stuck with this one, It says i already have a login which I do not, I entered my llyolds information and it goes to login but then says its unable to process a payment ?
Looks like if your a Llyolds banking customer you get a little stuck in signing up
I Already Have a reward account How would I Go about this. Can I open another Reward account or should I Open an Ultimate Reward one.
Thanks
Is it too late to do this now?
a couple of questions:
1) Would a debit card payment to Vanguard count towards the £500 DC requirement?
You make the payment on Vanguard using the long card number.
2) is there somewhere on the Halifax where I can see if I’ve met the requirements, i.e paid 1500 money and spent £500 on the debit card?
A ‘reward summary’ page?
1) yes that should be fine if it’s using the debit card. You can always make a small payment and check in the app to see if it counts towards the progress
2) Yes in the app, you can track progress on these. Go into the app, select the account, then hit the menu button. You’ll see “track your rewards extra” listed
Can you switch to Halifax from another banking company claim the £125 then just switch back to your old banking company or a different one?
Yes, once you have the switching cash you can leave, though be aware your old bank might have some restrictions about switching back in a certain time frame.
Where would I find this information?
Hi Andy
I hold a Help to But ISA with Halifax, if I was to take advantage of this offer would they just run a soft credit check?
Thanks
No, I think they’ll perform a hard credit check
Hi I have just switched from a current account to a reward account would i still get the £125 as I am not sure.
If the current account was from a different bank and the Reward account is a new account then you should be fine. But if you switched from a Halifax current account to a Halifax Reward account then you won’t get the money
hi andy can you advise me on a current account that i can open to switch into halifax that doesn’t do a hard check ?
thanks
Starling or Monzo are the only ones with a soft check – as long as you don’t request an overdraft
Hi Andy.
Do the accounts that are switching in need to have any monies or payments setup to use the incentives.
I have a few old accounts with other banks that are sitting at £0 and have no active direct debits or transfers. Can I use these for the Halifax offer?
It does depend on the switching offer, but with Halifax Reward you don’t need any Direct Debits etc. Make sure you read the terms and conditions of the account though to avoid the monthly fee and to get the reward each month
Will the account switch work for a monzo account?
Yep you can switch from Monzo
On the reward current account website, there’s a qualification requirement, which is spend £500 per month using the card, or hold £5000 in the account. Is this a necessity to claim the £125 switch? and does it even matter at all?
This is just for the monthly, ongoing reward, not the switching bonus! I’ve written more about it in my review of the account and there are plenty of links to that in the article above
Hi, I don’t have any accounts I don’t use at the moment and I was thinking about opening a new one to switch from. However, I’m not at my address right now, so I’m wondering if there are any accounts I can open completely online. I’m assuming it’s possible with Starling but I’ve heard great things about them and I’m not sure if I’ll be able to have an account there in the future if I use it now to switch. Thanks!
Most accounts will let you open them online, but bear in mind online details and cards will be sent to your home. You’re right that Starling (and Monzo) can be opened fully online, though cards will still be posted.
You might have to wait up to a year to reopen Starling if you do want to try them again, With Monzo it’s 30 days.
Hi there can I switch a monese account over to the Halifax reward account? Thanks in advance.
Afraid not. Monese isn’t a “proper” account so not one that’s included
Hi Andy, when you say a credit check will be done, is it a hard check or a soft check? I’m a couple months from completing on a house purchase and would like to avoid any hard searches until then, in case it affects my mortgage offer. Thank you
It’ll be a hard check I’m afraid. Best to leave it. Offers will come around again (most likely)
Are No direct debits or standing orders required?
Nope, not for this. Though there are separate spending and deposit requirements for the Halifax Reward account itself – but not direct debits
Is it possible to do 2 switches to and from the same bank?
So nationwide account to Halifax and then Halifax to rbs if you do them at the same time?
No, you’ll need to wait until you have the money from Halifax before you can use that account to switch elsewhere -otherwise you won’t get that bonus
Hi Andy just so I’ve got it right I currently have a Halifax reward account if I close this account and upgrade to a Halifax Ultimate Reward Current will I get my £125 ? as I missed out the last time
You don’t need to close the Reward account. You can just open up an Ultimate Reward account. Then if you don’t want to keep that new account, downgrade to a free account once you have the bonus
Hi Andy, can I use the Halifax switch offer when I have already taken advantage of a Lloyd’s bank switching offer. Thanks.
Yes you can
I tried to switch my Halifax Current Account to a Reward Account and was advised this….
‘You wont qualify for the offer if:
You’re changing an existing Halifax account to a Reward or Ultimate Reward Current Account
You’ve received cashback for switching to us since April 2020
You are switching to a Halifax Current Account, Basic Account, Student Account or Youth Account
You are switching into any existing Halifax bank account’
Yes, that’s right. As detailed above you need to open up a new Reward account, and then switch into it from an account held at a different bank.
Would a two stage approach work:
1 Open basic account to become a Halifax customer.
2 Open a reward account to gain £125 bonus?
You can just open up the Reward account as a new customer!
But you have to switch accounts from another bank you can’t get it by just opening up the Reward account as a new customer as you are already with them and it says that you have to do a switch. Although you did say above that you can if you have a current account with Halifax and switch to the reward account but their web site says no.
For the reward account if you have say 3,000 in there when you open do you still need to do a £1,500 deposit each month to evade the fee and get the £5 a month. That’s the only issue with the reward account. Other wise your paying them £3 a month just to have it..!
Yep, that’s right. Open a new account and switch to it from a different bank.
Re the Reward bonus. Yes you need to pay in £1,500 each month to avoid the fee. But that doesn’t have to stay there. It can be transferred out. In fact, if you have £3k in the account you can move out £1500 and then pay it back in.
Hi , if you have a Halifax reward account already and you downgraded to a basic account THEN open up a new reward account will you be eligible for the switch offer ?
Thanks
Yep! That should work fine, though you’ll lose the reward for that month, so if might be easier to try the packaged account and then downgrade that once you’ve got the bonus
Do you need direct debits
Not for this one
thanks andy 🙂 your great
Can you switch a Lloyds current account and get the bonus. I thought they were the same company?
Yes that’s fine
Are you sure, Andy. I’ve just read the literature from the Halifax and it clearly says that the money won’t be paid if the switch is made from any existing Halifax current account.
Yes, that’s correct. You can have an existing Halifax account but you can’t switch that in.