Online Banking

[Barsel]

If you use online banking and you want to change the type of account you have, can you do it online or do you have to phone the bank to do it? TIA.

[bookbinder]

Normally, you can do it online. After all, you must have told the bank, in the first place, what kind of account you wanted, so you should - in theory - be able to change it online now.

[Barsel]

I'll see if I can find out how to do it, but I may need further help.

[gingejbee]

I'm not sure that you can simply change it...I'd probably open the new account and then transfer funds from the original one into it.

[ladybirder]

Yes I think so. You can also add other accounts such as different Savings Accounts. Well I can with Nationwide.
The point of an Online account is that you don't have to phone.

[THECORBYLOON]

The present account need not have been created online. I had mines for decades before I went online and then changed to the app.

Anyway, you can do it online but the bank might need to see you in order to copy or verify any proof they need.

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/current-accounts/opening-a-bank-account/

[gingejbee]

Banks/buiding societies will always want you to confirm that you've read and understood the Ts & Cs of any new account and that you agree to them. You couldn't do this if you just tried to "change" the name of the account online.
I maintain that you'll need to open the new account then transfer funds into it...but I'm willing to be proved wrong!

[Barsel]

Well they're not going to see me 'cos they've closed the branches near to me.

[Barsel]

The reason I want to change it is because I pay £2 a month to get cashback if I shop at certain retailers using my Santander card, but I don't know who these retailers are.
I found a few like Costa, Morrisons, Co-op, but when I google for a full list of retailers, I can't find one.
Unfortunately, I never shop at those mentioned, but there maybe some that I do shop at, just don't know who they are.

[dannyk13]

Can you contact the bank on live chat.If you can I am sure that someone will help you with this.

[bednobs]

is it a 123 account? i changed mine online

[Barsel]

barry the online chat isn't a person it needs you to ask something it understands, so when I asked for a full list of retailers I can shop at so I can get cashback, it didn't understand the question.
bednobs, it's a Santander cashback lite that I pay £2 a month into, and if I shop at certain retailers, I get cashback.
If I could find out who these retailers are and I could shop there, I would leave the account as it is.

[Barsel]

Sorry, getting barry and danny mixed up again.

[Hopkirk]

I'm with Santander, and you get occasional cashback offers notified in the online banking and mobile banking. However they are limited time and often single use offers.

Do you currently do online banking?

[Hopkirk]

I changed my account online, from 123 to 123 lite.

[Barsel]

Hoppy, is that the only way you know what you can get cash back on if you look at your statement online. ( I do use online banking.)
I know you can get it on certain things like certain insurances and direct debits but I can't find a full list of what.
I usually get .31 a month cashback from direct debits of which I have 2. One is my internet provider and the other is my boiler insurance.
It's not worth paying £2 a month if I only get .31 back.

[Mamyalynne]

Anything helpful here?

https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/support/understanding-our-services/retailer-offers

[dannyk13]

Barsel on line chat at my bank is definitely a person who you can talk to.

[calmck]

To get cash back I think you have to go into Retailer Offers and chose the ones you want so you should see a list. The money is paid into your chosen account

[THECORBYLOON]

Is yours a current account or a credit card account? They have different conditions and with the credit card one, you can put your location in and it tells you which ones do cashback in your area.

[Barsel]

Thanks Mamya, I'll take a look in a minute.
danny, it's a virtual assistant so they only understand certain questions said in a certain way.
Corby, it's a debit account.
Have just managed to speak to someone on the phone who has explained it very well to me and has told me I would be better of with an everyday account and has told me how to do it online.
Many thanks for all your answers.