Enter your last switch date and bank to find out exactly when you can switch again.
Default 12 months -- adjust if you know the specific period
The cooling-off period is the minimum time you must wait after switching to a bank before you can switch back and claim another bonus. Most UK banks require 12 months, though some use 6, 24, or even 36-month periods.
This period is designed to prevent “bonus cycling” — repeatedly switching between the same banks to collect bonuses. The clock starts from the date you opened or switched to the account, not from when you received the bonus.
Banking groups add another layer: if you switch to Lloyds, you can't switch to Halifax or Bank of Scotland during the cooling-off period either, because they're all part of Lloyds Banking Group.
Banks in the same group share eligibility restrictions. If you've switched to one brand, you typically can't claim a bonus from another brand in the same group.
Lloyds Banking Group
Lloyds, Lloyds Premier, Club Lloyds, Halifax, Bank of Scotland, Scottish Widows
NatWest Group
NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, RBS, Ulster Bank
HSBC Group
HSBC, First Direct
Barclays
Barclays, Barclays Premier
Santander UK
Santander, Santander Edge
Nationwide Building Society
Nationwide, Nationwide FlexDirect
TSB
TSB
Co-operative Bank
Co-op Bank, Co-operative Bank
Virgin Money
Virgin Money, Clydesdale Bank, Yorkshire Bank
Coventry Building Society
Coventry Building Society
Banks impose cooling-off periods to prevent people from repeatedly switching to claim bonuses. The period starts from when you opened or switched to the account. After the cooling-off period ends, you become eligible to switch back and claim the bonus again.
Generally no. Banks within the same group (e.g., Lloyds, Halifax, and Bank of Scotland are all in Lloyds Banking Group) share eligibility restrictions. If you've had an account with one brand, you're typically ineligible for switch bonuses from other brands in the same group during the cooling-off period.
If your bank isn't in our list, it may be a standalone bank without a group restriction. You can still use the checker by selecting the closest match or manually setting the cooling-off period. Most UK banks use a 12-month cooling-off period as standard.
Track cooling-off periods automatically
StoozeMax tracks your switch history, calculates cooling-off periods, and alerts you the day you're eligible to switch again. Never miss a re-switch window.
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