[rams]

I have found you get better rates changing GBP there. Often have a money changer in shopping centres

[rams]

roger wrote:

rams wrote:

So to understand @roger you switched to commercial curve and still use a personal credit card on it?

No curve when replacing the card sent me business card instead of personal card which I used for last three years or so.

I am yet to find out what are the downsides of any.
As long as I can pay into HMRC and other curve fronted payments ( limited to £10k per month), I will e ok with it.

Thanks. Those HMRC payments must come with a small fee right?

[rams]

So to understand @roger you switched to commercial curve and still use a personal credit card on it?

[rams]

If you see the other thread you can buy online and email customer services later to instead use the gift card

[rams]

rams wrote:

Have applied and so far, so good. When do rewards offers start appearing?

by way of update but the end of day 7/8.

[rams]

Revoman wrote:

I’ve had the same letter from Barclays. I’ve been in credit by at least £5,000, usually £10,000 to £20,000, since opning the account in December 2022. There hasn’t been a lot of activity from my side but had a letter today saying they’re closing the account, no reason given.

Empty your account ASAP and don’t risk them closing it immediately without warning like they did to me

[rams]

Travel Strong wrote:

My experience is Yes *but* only if you explicitly ask them too. Last time my agent was about to create a new PNR and was sure it would be no different in price, but he humoured me, quoted it on one PNR and was quite surprised that I had a fair chunk less to pay once quoted as one round trip.

great thanks for the tip

[rams]

Have applied and so far, so good. When do rewards offers start appearing?

[rams]

Given 10 June has come and gone anyone have any updates to share? Still have the personal curve but most bills are to HMRC for corporate taxes so I am thinking of switching to corporate. That said I’m still confused as to whether the 10k fee-free fronted applies on the corporate card (sounds like you save the 1.5% fee but need to pay 0.1%)?

[rams]

stevenhp1987 wrote:

tbtb31 wrote:

mzb wrote:

tbtb31 wrote:

Can the gift card be bought instore or online online?

It can definitely be bought at the store – have done it many times. But I think I read many reports that online works just as well.

Thanks! And does reloading the gift card online with additional funds trigger the offer, too?

They cannot be reloaded online. You have to buy a new one and pay the delivery fee. Triggers the £50 offer but you have to go into store to use it. Cannot be used online.

Correct but they have a workaround where you email customer services and they deduct from gift card and credit your card back. Used this a few times

[rams]

sloth wrote:

rams wrote:

Alex G wrote:

Obvious question, have you been abusing/mis using the account? Did you genuinely qualify for Premier Banking?

No abuse of current account and qualified fine. Less than a month or so ago the premier relationship manager was calling to try and get me to re-mortgage with them

Pretty committed of your RM since they all lost their jobs over a year ago. Maybe they were working for free…

Ha. I have his job title wrong in that case. His email in fact says he’s a “Financial Guide”

[rams]

Alex G wrote:

Obvious question, have you been abusing/mis using the account? Did you genuinely qualify for Premier Banking?

No abuse of current account and qualified fine. Less than a month or so ago the premier relationship manager was calling to try and get me to re-mortgage with them

[rams]

It’s not creation related but I had a question about Barclays who wrote to tell me they are closing my account in 2 months a few weeks ago. I tried to log in today and it didn’t work. I called them and they said they written to me today to say they are closing it today. Well within their rights per t&c but is that reasonable having given 2 months notice just a few weeks ago? They say I need to go to branch to collect any balance in my account. Having said I had 2 months I was thinking of switching the account to NatWest but not sure that will work now. Any grounds for a complaint about what they have done?

I could move/delete this but thought it relevant to some of the discussion above about notice of closure and t&c

[rams]

pushkar wrote:

rams wrote:

pushkar wrote:

rams wrote:

Interesting thread. I’m closing my Barclays account so the Natwest switch for £200 is tempting especially given the good reviews here. Premier for £2 a month seems a win (up to £10 Cashback each month). Does anyone have the reward black and think it is worth it (£31 per month)

Yes I do, have considered many other ‘packaged’ accounts but as Natwest is my main bank and never run into any problems with them personally, I have always stuck with them. Suspect whether it’s ‘worth-it’ will really depend if you need/want the extra stuff bundled in.

I finally upgraded to the Premier last year, which also allows you to get the Black Credit Card with no annual fee (0.5% cashback on all spend, and 1% on supermarket spend; think fuel spend also counts at supermarkets) – not bad for a MC with 0% forex fee abroad on both the debit and credit cards.

For me, the Worldwide travel insurance Insurance and Mobile Phone insurance covers the cost of the account, + the £10 cashback from the 2x DDs. Nice perk to have Dragonpass included as they sometimes have lounges that Amex Plat/Priority Pass doesn’t have. Other stuff like Car breakdown cover and home emergency call out; if you need all of that then it’s great value.

Other soft perks like discounted Cinema tickets, a decent Cashback on Ticketmaster and ‘Concierge’ to help get you a sports ticket, or restaurant etc. For me, the Natwest bank app is the best in the business.

Thanks for sharing.

I currently have First Directory for car breakdown (and mobile cover though Curve Metal also covers that) and as it’s in a joint account so covers both of us. I assume would need a joint Natwest account to share the benefits in the same way?

Also do you happen to know which cinema chains they offer the tickets to?

Interestingly enough no, their policy covers you, your partner, and kids under 18 if any for upto 4 claims a year. Excess is £100 though, is that higher than Curve? I’ve claimed a few times over the years and always in my case instant approval and a new phone out within 1-2 days. On Cinema – on the member portal it says Vue, Odeon, Showcase, Empire as the main ones and there’s a few more regional/local cinemas.

Thank you

[rams]

pushkar wrote:

rams wrote:

Interesting thread. I’m closing my Barclays account so the Natwest switch for £200 is tempting especially given the good reviews here. Premier for £2 a month seems a win (up to £10 Cashback each month). Does anyone have the reward black and think it is worth it (£31 per month)

Yes I do, have considered many other ‘packaged’ accounts but as Natwest is my main bank and never run into any problems with them personally, I have always stuck with them. Suspect whether it’s ‘worth-it’ will really depend if you need/want the extra stuff bundled in.

I finally upgraded to the Premier last year, which also allows you to get the Black Credit Card with no annual fee (0.5% cashback on all spend, and 1% on supermarket spend; think fuel spend also counts at supermarkets) – not bad for a MC with 0% forex fee abroad on both the debit and credit cards.

For me, the Worldwide travel insurance Insurance and Mobile Phone insurance covers the cost of the account, + the £10 cashback from the 2x DDs. Nice perk to have Dragonpass included as they sometimes have lounges that Amex Plat/Priority Pass doesn’t have. Other stuff like Car breakdown cover and home emergency call out; if you need all of that then it’s great value.

Other soft perks like discounted Cinema tickets, a decent Cashback on Ticketmaster and ‘Concierge’ to help get you a sports ticket, or restaurant etc. For me, the Natwest bank app is the best in the business.

Thanks for sharing.

I currently have First Directory for car breakdown (and mobile cover though Curve Metal also covers that) and as it’s in a joint account so covers both of us. I assume would need a joint Natwest account to share the benefits in the same way?

Also do you happen to know which cinema chains they offer the tickets to?

[rams]

Interesting thread. I’m closing my Barclays account so the Natwest switch for £200 is tempting especially given the good reviews here. Premier for £2 a month seems a win (up to £10 Cashback each month). Does anyone have the reward black and think it is worth it (£31 per month)

[rams]

thanks for sharing. Very useful to know

[rams]

Anyone stayed at the Draper New York which is part the Tapestry collection? I was looking at that or Intercontinental Times Square.

I have fixed travel dates 8-11 Sept and looking at hotels for points, all coming out 80k per night Hilton or 60k IHG. Thoughts on best? I am Hilton Gold and IHG Diamond Ambassador.

[rams]

Thanks for sharing that example @JDB. So if they had paid with the BA Amex there would have been no issue?

Player 2 and I used to churn the BA card. But then player 2 unexpectedly had her application reviewed last October. So I decided to keep just her card permanently and cancel mine (I earn more so hopeful I won’t need such a review). Having had our first baby 10 months ago I am doubtful we will do more than 1 long trip a year anyway so one BA Amex is enough for us with a gold card each. Am thinking about cancelling one of the golds (player 2’s) but need to find a good home for the 100k odd points first. The 2.5k bonus for £5k spend has been useful and part of the reason I am ok to keep them along with the Deliveroo benefit.

[rams]

This is a wonderful thread

[rams]

gt94sss2 wrote:

rams wrote:

I have some USD in a Citibank UK current account. I believe they are exiting this business though I’ve not been informed yet officially! From reading this thread it doesn’t seem like I can transfer my Citibank USD directly to HSBC fee free if I open this global account?

That functionality is not yet available in the Global Money Account.

However, I believe you should be able to do it via a free HSBC UK Currency Account – the balance can then be transferred to the Global Money account.

Thanks I’ll take a look. Had an email form Citi today about change in terms but still nothing about closing my account

[rams]

Intercontinental was a great when we stayed there. WAs Spire Elite Ambassador and upgraded to Presidential Suite. Free lounge access also provided.

[rams]

I have some USD in a Citibank UK current account. I believe they are exiting this business though I’ve not been informed yet officially! From reading this thread it doesn’t seem like I can transfer my Citibank USD directly to HSBC fee free if I open this global account?

[rams]

Maples wrote:

Did no one else get the amazing £3 off for spending £50 at Esso?

I got both this and £5 off on different cards

[rams]

I believe this changed at some point whereby refunds don’t count but i don’t know if it has changed again