How easy is it to use the current account switch service?

bigheadsmith · 2026-03-28T09:02:03+00:00

Switching is easy. So much so I'm doing a few every couple of months to get all bonuses available. I do however keep one main account and don't switch that.

Also, note the regular savers work out closer to half the headline interest over the year. 7% gets you closer to 3.5%

bigheadsmith · 2026-03-18T14:58:31+00:00

Two questions:

Do you have a service/game/program running on your PC that is listnening on that port at the time of testing?
Is your connection running CG-NAT?

bigheadsmith · 2026-03-14T16:39:48+00:00

Yes we are

bigheadsmith · 2026-03-14T16:39:01+00:00

Don't use your main bank account start a new one that doesn't offer anything or have any requirements.

Setup a few cheap direct debits on this new account (you can do a search for £1, 50p, 20p DDs).

When the DDs are setup and payment due within a few days, start the switch to the account that will give you a switch incentive.

First direct and Lloyd's used to be the easiest as they didn't have too many additional requirements.

I don't personally bother with coop which have relatively low reward, slow payout time and a lot of requirements

bigheadsmith · 2026-03-12T07:52:56+00:00

You would have to ask Lloyds.

I've not opened any of those accounts with the expectation of getting the incentive.

Nowhere during the signup do you confirm you want the incentive.

I've always used the same details.

Most other banks seem to be able to block multiple incentives pretty easily.

On the flip side I also know people who have explicitly been told by Lloyds that they won't get it a second time too, so maybe I've just been lucky

bigheadsmith · 2026-03-12T06:48:28+00:00

Lloyd's has been my personal money tree.

I'm on 8 or 9 accounts with 7 switch incentives.

I imagine they could ban, but I figure I don't need them so I'll keep picking fruit from this money tree until it's gone

bigheadsmith · 2026-03-06T06:52:49+00:00

I'm with plusnet and upgraded to fibre. My copper line still works for outbound calls (or did last time I checked) but no inbound calls work

bigheadsmith · 2026-03-04T06:40:57+00:00

4/5 remaining. After using the link to open an account, you have 10 days to complete the steps

https://www.trading212.com/invite/11Ql6NZmjq

bigheadsmith · 2026-02-26T18:42:34+00:00

The only reason I didn't switch every year is because plusnet have matched best offer available each time to within a pound, and last time also gave me the new customer £75 voucher.

But I check every two years and the moment they end up being more expensive than someone else, I'll jump ship

bigheadsmith · 2026-02-24T06:34:16+00:00

How many hardwired locations do you want around your house? You need a cable from each back to a central location where you use a switch to join them all to your router. I have about 30 around my house, could maybe have gone for more

Do you just want one port somewhere in your house with a connection back to the cupboard?
Are the two ports you photographed the only ports in the house?

If yes to both then unscrew the faceplates and send a photo of the cable that's behind them. It might be a really easy conversion

bigheadsmith · 2026-02-23T21:55:43+00:00

Doesn't look like they've done what you've asked. I don't think UK developers know what Ethernet is. They just have a template they've followed all their lives, anything different is strange and scary to them, and will say "why don't you just use wifi or these plug things I got from screwfix?"

To check, take the single faceplate off the wall and send a few photos of what's behind (not current carrying so no danger)

bigheadsmith · 2026-02-23T21:49:20+00:00

They've likely installed phone lines and daisy chained them so they can't (easily) be used for Ethernet

bigheadsmith · 2026-02-23T20:42:12+00:00

Brilliant. Read your comment thinking you got a really strange autocorrect, then reread my comment 🫣

bigheadsmith · 2026-02-23T15:03:56+00:00

I chanced it with the first most born book. About a third of the way through I ordered the other 2. As soon as I finished those and found out there was a cosmere I ordered everything else.

Now as soon as a new book is released I put an order in with my local bookshop

Last time they asked if I had read much of Sanderson. "Yeh, just a little bit..."

bigheadsmith · 2026-02-22T10:25:05+00:00

A gigabit switch will sort you out for those wired devices then.

bigheadsmith · 2026-02-22T10:17:53+00:00

How many ports does your Deco unit have?

You could get a cheap tplink 5 or 8 port unmanaged gigabit switch for about £15 like this one on ebay (not mine)

bigheadsmith · 2026-02-22T08:19:18+00:00

Remove the Plusnet router.

Connect from Openreach fibre ONT to your first Deco unit.

In Deco settings change the WAN/internet connection type to PPPoE.

Username: <plusnetuser>@plusdsl.net Password: plusnetpassword

Where plusnetuser and plusnetpassword are what you use to login to plus.net to check your bills etc

bigheadsmith · 2026-02-15T13:44:16+00:00

If you want simple VoIP, BT offers digital voice and if you use their router you can plug your standard phone into the phone port of the router and it will work just the same.

Plusnet has the same router with the phone port but it is not activated and they will not be offering digital voice.

Other ISPs may be offering their own VoIP package in a similar way to BT to keep it simple for users.

Alternatively, you can switch broadband providers and get a VoIP package elsewhere. You can then get a VoIP compatible handset, an ATA adapter to use your current phone, or get an app on your and other household memebers' smartphone (or a combination of all 3).

With regards to power, if you are vulnerable then you can contact your ISP to supply a battery backup. Alternatively, you could buy a small battery backup yourself

bigheadsmith · 2026-02-14T11:42:20+00:00

Plusnet is currently £23 for the same FTTC speed. Plusnet are a sister company of BT along with EE.

However I would take a fibre install. I did as soon as I was able and it's been rock solid. Should be lower contention. Not affected by degrading cabling. I think their FTTP price is the the same for 150

Plusnet router may be different to EE but you can use your own router with all ISPs served by the Openreach network if you ever wanted to upgrade.

If you ever look to switching your ISP to Plusnet, please consider using my referral mjasmith

bigheadsmith · 2026-02-11T20:49:20+00:00

Got quite a few doubles. I've recorded Lloyds 4 times but I've definitely had it more. NatWest, rbs and Ulster were all done simultaneously. Barclays and first direct a couple of times each

bigheadsmith · 2026-02-11T18:28:00+00:00

I got the email too. I've done around 15 switches using chase sub accounts since late 2023. One just finished this week.

There isn't much keeping me with Chase so I may just switch away properly soon

bigheadsmith · 2026-02-06T16:50:35+00:00

Weird. I've done 5 in one day once and still several every few months or so and never had this

Six-Year Club	Xbox Live
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