Barclays Premier Account - experiences?
Discussion
Hi all,
Colleague of mine has been offered an upgrade to 'Premier Banking' with Barclays. Anyone got any experiences of this?
Seems that there isn't a monthly or annual fee. Advantages include allowances to take out £1000 at ATMs and UK based 24/7 customer service.
Accounts stay the same and a new debit card is issued.
Are there any downsides/negatives to this Premier Banking (no such thing as a free lunch etc) or is this simply Barclays trying to maintain loyalty? It all sounds very positive but he's a cynical git so always looks at the downsides.
A worthwhile upgrade or should I suggest to him to steer clear?
Colleague of mine has been offered an upgrade to 'Premier Banking' with Barclays. Anyone got any experiences of this?
Seems that there isn't a monthly or annual fee. Advantages include allowances to take out £1000 at ATMs and UK based 24/7 customer service.
Accounts stay the same and a new debit card is issued.
Are there any downsides/negatives to this Premier Banking (no such thing as a free lunch etc) or is this simply Barclays trying to maintain loyalty? It all sounds very positive but he's a cynical git so always looks at the downsides.
A worthwhile upgrade or should I suggest to him to steer clear?
No downsides that I'm aware off... not really man upsides either though; as you mention, higher ATM limit.. you get Premier Rewards as well, which is OK but nothing great (25% off prezzo type stuff)
Not really any odds either way. I didn't actually get an option to 'upgrade' my account, they just changed me and sent me a letter stating as much.
Not really any odds either way. I didn't actually get an option to 'upgrade' my account, they just changed me and sent me a letter stating as much.
If there are simply eligibility requirements and no fee payable, do the Premier Rewards include Personal Car Breakdown Assistance?
I deal with several different banks, but have not yet heard of any 'premium' accounts, which might have tempting benefits that are worth more than the fees.
I am grateful to have free banking, and appreciate they do provide transactions, branches etc., but in return, they do sometimes get sizeable chunks of free cash to use.
I think there was a charge when I had mine but that was some time ago. They gracefully froze my account and cancelled by Premier Debit Card when they heard that I'd been made redundant, wasn't that good of them! Needless to say I closed the account completely soon after, they were all over me previously with quarterly meetings with my Premier Account Manager but that ended as soon as they found out that they couldn't "sell" me any more of their expensive services (that was before being made redundant).
Thanks for the replies. I'll pass on the info. Sounds like in the absence of an annual charge, it's something he should consider.
https://www.barclays.co.uk/premier-banking/rewards...
I can't imagine him being interested in visiting 'English Heritage Sites' though unless there's a Nandos nearby.
https://www.barclays.co.uk/premier-banking/rewards...
I can't imagine him being interested in visiting 'English Heritage Sites' though unless there's a Nandos nearby.
Perik Omo said:
I think there was a charge when I had mine but that was some time ago. They gracefully froze my account and cancelled by Premier Debit Card when they heard that I'd been made redundant, wasn't that good of them! Needless to say I closed the account completely soon after, they were all over me previously with quarterly meetings with my Premier Account Manager but that ended as soon as they found out that they couldn't "sell" me any more of their expensive services (that was before being made redundant).
Was that because you needed a certain salary to qualify? How did they find out about the redundancy? Why didn't they simply change it back to a 'normal' account?richardracer said:
Barclays Premier credit card has a £100 per annum charge.
I think this is current account rather than a credit card.Edited by g3org3y on Sunday 10th September 17:20
Yes, you needed a certain salary level to have the account. They found out when I invoked the unemployment protection insurance that came with the account and I only knew that the account was frozen when my debit card no longer worked although there were ample funds in the account. They didn't seem to appreciate irony of having the protection insurance and then freezing the account when I tried to invoke it, as it happens I'd got another job before the protection insurance kicked in so didn't need it anyway but as I said I quickly closed my accounts with them and moved over to Nationwide. I'd been with Barclays since 1964 and this was in the mid 90's so had been with them for 30+ years and they couldn't have cared less when I closed the accounts.
No downsides, no cost, rewards app gets you a fee freebies, coffee a day, cinema vouchers that kind of thing. There are add on packages you can buy if you want, technology insurance etc never been pushed to me, decentish newsletter on finance matters as an email, 24/7 telephone banking, a BRILLIANT app for banking which I use all the time and if you earn enough/have enough deposits a named manager you can speak to.
Why not give it a go?
Why not give it a go?
I have it too. Cost £3 per month but I get £8 back in rewards. Basically if you use their services you get money back for being a good customer. No real down sides from what I can see and you get a free £1000 overdraft (no charges), you can also draw up to £1000 per day from the hole in the wall.
I was a Premier customer when they were charging £17 a month. After a while I realised it was a crock of poo,
"Free" travel insurance only valid if you pay for the holiday including flights and hotels with the Premier debit card. This particular T&C is not obvious and only available in the small print booklet that you have to request. Consequently I went abroad thinking I was covered and I wasn't as I had paid for the holiday with a CC. Who pays for a holiday with a debit card?????
The Airport lounge pass (run by Airport Angel) is valid for about four visits a year. Accompanying guests/family are included in that allowance. Checking in more than two hours in advance of flight not allowed.
The RAC cover was useless as I lease a new car every three years covered by manufacturer warranty.
It''s Barclays. They make the find-the-lady street con artists look like amateurs.
"Free" travel insurance only valid if you pay for the holiday including flights and hotels with the Premier debit card. This particular T&C is not obvious and only available in the small print booklet that you have to request. Consequently I went abroad thinking I was covered and I wasn't as I had paid for the holiday with a CC. Who pays for a holiday with a debit card?????
The Airport lounge pass (run by Airport Angel) is valid for about four visits a year. Accompanying guests/family are included in that allowance. Checking in more than two hours in advance of flight not allowed.
The RAC cover was useless as I lease a new car every three years covered by manufacturer warranty.
It''s Barclays. They make the find-the-lady street con artists look like amateurs.
Edited by audidoody on Monday 11th September 11:01
audidoody said:
I was a Premier customer when they were charging £17 a month. After a while I realised it was a crock of poo,
"Free" travel insurance only valid if you pay for the holiday including flights and hotels with the Premier debit card. This particular T&C is not obvious and only available in the small print booklet that you have to request. Consequently I went abroad thinking I was covered and I wasn't as I had paid for the holiday with a CC. Who pays for a holiday with a debit card?????
The Airport lounge pass (run by Airport Angel) is valid for about four visits a year. Accompanying guests/family are included in that allowance. Checking in more than two hours in advance of flight not allowed.
The RAC cover was useless as I lease a new car every three years covered by manufacturer warranty.
It''s Barclays. They make the find-the-lady street con artists look like amateurs.
The subject of the travel insurance has been discussed before, you don't have to pay for flights/hotels etc with your Premier debit card, I have even had a telephone conversation with Barclays who confirmed."Free" travel insurance only valid if you pay for the holiday including flights and hotels with the Premier debit card. This particular T&C is not obvious and only available in the small print booklet that you have to request. Consequently I went abroad thinking I was covered and I wasn't as I had paid for the holiday with a CC. Who pays for a holiday with a debit card?????
The Airport lounge pass (run by Airport Angel) is valid for about four visits a year. Accompanying guests/family are included in that allowance. Checking in more than two hours in advance of flight not allowed.
The RAC cover was useless as I lease a new car every three years covered by manufacturer warranty.
It''s Barclays. They make the find-the-lady street con artists look like amateurs.
Edited by audidoody on Monday 11th September 11:01
Does your new car 3 year warranty cover you for breakdowns? what happens if you are involved in an accident and the vehicle needs to be recovered?
When I had a serious accident last year I called the RAC who recovered my vehicle and got me and my belongings back home at no extra cost.
All good so far here
Free of charge, Very good Uk call centre.
Worth it just for that.
Free coffee everyday, handy as there is a new Patisserie Valerie close to my work.
English Heritage & Gourmet card memberships. May use once or twice.
The RAC & Airport Lounge. These aren't Premier account features are they?
I thought they were add ons to any account, for a fee
Free of charge, Very good Uk call centre.
Worth it just for that.
Free coffee everyday, handy as there is a new Patisserie Valerie close to my work.
English Heritage & Gourmet card memberships. May use once or twice.
The RAC & Airport Lounge. These aren't Premier account features are they?
I thought they were add ons to any account, for a fee
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 12th September 07:24
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