Barclays has announced that certain customers could receive a £300 payment, with some of the money potentially arriving in their accounts before Christmas. Many people could qualify for the perk if they meet specific conditions.
Who can get the £300 Barclays payment?
Most people should be able to sign up and take advantage of the switching offer, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. To open an account, applicants must be aged 18 or over, be UK residents and apply through the Barclays app.
Once the account is established, customers must complete a full switch via the Current Account Switch Service (CASS) within 30 days, including at least three active Direct Debits. Applicants are also required to deposit a minimum salary of £2,000 into the new account within 30 days of opening.
Those who held an open Barclays current account prior to 1 October 2026, or who are opening a joint account, will not be eligible for the cash bonus.
How the reward is paid out
The first half of the reward (£150) will be paid directly into the new account within 28 working days of meeting all the qualifying criteria. The latest possible date to open the account and fulfil all qualifying criteria in time to receive payment before Christmas is Thursday, November 19.
The remaining £150 is paid out in £30 instalments as a "monthly engagement reward". The criteria for this portion are considerably more straightforward, and most regular customers will likely meet them without realising.
Conditions for the monthly engagement reward
To receive each £30 instalment, customers must make at least 10 eligible debit card purchases using their Barclays debit card, receive salary payments totalling at least £2,000 into the Barclays Bank Account, and have an active Barclays Account on the date the £30 Engagement Reward is paid.
The CASS bonus will appear on the statement as 'Switch Reward'. People can increase the perks they receive while with Barclays by opting into the bank's Blue Rewards Benefits programme for £5 a month, which unlocks discounted Apple TV+ subscription perks and cashback rewards.
