can’t have had a personal American
Express credit card in the last 24
months. Make sure you check your
eligibility on their website before you
make your application.
The other way to earn cashback
is via websites such as Quidco or
TopCashback. You need to visit
these sites to search for the retailer
you want to use, for example Marks
& Spencer or Boots. You’ll see
the rate on offer displayed. Click
through from the cashback site to the
retailer’s online website and shop as
normal. It can take a while for your
earnings to be confirmed, so it won’t
be an instant money maker—but it
quickly adds up.
And best of all you can combine
both cashback on your card with
shopping via cashback sites to boost
your earnings.Switch banks
Though deals come and go, one
way banks entice customers to open
up new current accounts with them
is through huge switching bonuses.
These usually range between £100
and £150, and payment can be in
your account as fast as ten days or
take as long as three or four months.
To get the money you’ll need
to open a new account with the
bank offering the bonus and then
complete a full switch from another
current account. This will mean
closing down your old account
completely. As part of the processEarn cashback
This is one of my favourite ways to
make some money—you just need
to change the way you pay. With
cashback you are paid when you
spend cash. As long as you don’t
use this as an excuse to spend more,
it’s effectively free money.
There are a couple of options.
You could look at a cashback debit
or credit card. The best ongoing
rate is from the new Chase Bank
current account. For the first 12
months you’ll get 1% back on most
of your purchases. For the average
household that could add up to
around £150 a year. However it is
an app-only bank so you’ll need a
smartphone to open and manage
your account.
A higher initial rate is available for
new American Express cardholders,
with boosted welcome bonuses
worth £100 to £150 as long as you
spend a few grand in the first three
months. Some cards will pay out the
bonus earlier than others.
To qualify for this extra offer you
MONEY
106 • DECEMBER 2021
IT DOESN’T HAVE
TO MEAN
BUYING FEWER
PRESENTS OR
SCALING BACK
THE CHRISTMAS
DINNER