Switching Guide
What to Do Between Bank Switches
Your bonus has landed. Here's what to do with the gap before your next switch, so nothing lapses and you're ready when the next good offer appears.
Last updated: July 2026
Quick answer
- Keep your Direct Debits active — don't cancel them once your bonus lands, since you'll need them again for the next switch.
- Double-check your old account's redirect period is working, so nothing gets missed.
- Decide what to do with the bonus itself before it lands, so it doesn't just disappear into everyday spending.
- Keep an eye on live offers so you're ready to move the moment a good one appears.
Most switching guides focus on the switch itself — but the gap in between switches is where people either stay organised and ready, or quietly drift out of the habit. Cancelling your Direct Debits too early, losing track of your old account, or letting the bonus vanish into general spending are the most common ways people undercut their own progress. Here's what to actually do during the weeks and months between switches.
Right after your bonus lands
1
Confirm the bonus and check the terms are fully met
Some offers require ongoing conditions for a short period after the bonus lands (like a minimum number of Direct Debits staying active). Check the specific terms so you don't accidentally void it after the fact.
2
Decide where the bonus goes
Whether it's savings, a specific goal, or just staying in your current account — decide deliberately rather than letting it blend into everyday spending. This is the easiest way to actually notice you've earned something.
4
Keep half an eye on your old account
The redirect protection on your previous account lasts 3 years, catching anything mistakenly sent there. It's still worth a quick check after a switch that nothing's been missed, especially in the first few weeks.
While you're waiting for the next offer
There's no need to actively hunt for offers every week. A sensible middle ground: check in on live switching offers every month or so, or whenever you get a newsletter update, rather than either obsessively monitoring or forgetting entirely. Most switching offers change gradually — new ones appear, older ones close — so a monthly glance is usually enough to catch a good one before its deadline.
This is also a good time to reassess: has your situation changed? A new job, a house move, or a change in your regular spending pattern might make a different bank's account more useful next time, beyond just the bonus value.
How long should you wait?
There's no fixed rule, but 3–4 months between switches is a comfortable, sustainable pace for most people — enough time for a bonus to land and settle, and for new offers to appear, without it becoming a constant chore. Switching more frequently is possible if you're organised about it, but check each bank's specific eligibility terms carefully, since re-eligibility rules (commonly a 3-year gap before switching to a bank you've already used) are the real limiting factor, not how quickly you personally want to move.
Stay permanently ready between switches
BeSwitchReady keeps two genuine Direct Debits active on your account year-round — £0.99 each, £1.98/month total — so there's nothing to rebuild each time you're ready to switch again.
Be Switch-Ready — £1.98/month
Frequently asked questions
Should I cancel my Direct Debits after a switch?
No — keep them running. You'll need two active Direct Debits again for your next switch, and cancelling means setting everything up again from scratch.
How often should I check for new switching offers?
Roughly once a month is enough for most people. Offers don't change daily, and checking too infrequently risks missing a good deadline.
What should I do with my old bank account after switching?
You can usually close it once you've confirmed everything transferred correctly, though some people keep a second account open for other reasons. If you close it, check the redirect protection has caught anything outstanding first.
How long should I wait before my next switch?
3–4 months is a comfortable pace for most people. The real limit is each bank's own eligibility rules, commonly a 3-year gap before switching back to a bank you've previously used.