Barclays Premier current account review
- Incentive
- Eligible for Barclays Blue Rewards.
- Account fee
- £0
- Interest (AER)
- 0% AER
- Overseas card transactions
- 2.99%
Our verdict
If you’re a keen traveller and you have a high income, discover what the Premier current account from Barclays has to offer and whether it could work for you.
Barclays Premier current account could be a good choice for those who travel frequently and who are looking for a bit more from their bank account. As a Premier Banking customer you also get access to exclusive products and the Premier telephone banking team. Which, if you meet the strict eligibility requirements (the account is only suitable for those with a high income or those with a lot in savings), can make your banking experience a bit smoother.
If you don't qualify, or even if you do, it's well worth comparing what else is out there to see whether it's really the best option. A number of banks have premier services which offer different benefits, while there are a range of credit cards that let you collect Avios points, some of which have no monthly fee. Visit Barclays's website to apply or compare other Barclays accounts here and premier accounts from other banks here.
Pros
-
Option to earn Avios points
-
Exclusive savings and mortgage rates
-
ATM withdrawals limits up to £2,000
-
Interest free overdraft
-
No monthly fee
Cons
-
Strict eligibility requirements
-
To apply for Avios Rewards you must pay a monthly fee
-
No interest paid on in-credit balances
Details
Product overview
| Account name | Premier Current Account |
| Incentive | Eligible for Barclays Blue Rewards. |
| Provider | Barclays Bank |
| Account fee | £0 |
| Interest (AER) | 0% AER |
| ATM withdrawal limit | £2000 |
| Debit network | Visa |
| Card type | Cash / Debit |
| Minimum eligibility age | 18 Years |
| Minimum operating balance | £1 |
| Minimum opening balance | £1 |
| Direct debits | |
| Current account switch guarantee | |
| Cheque Book |
Fees
| Currency conversion withdrawal for overseas cash withdrawal in Europe (EEA) | 2.99% |
| Currency conversion withdrawal for overseas cash withdrawal in non-Europe (EEA) | 2.99% |
| Foreign cash transaction fee in Europe | £0 |
| Foreign cash transaction fee in rest of world | £0 |
Overdraft information
| Arranged overdraft available | |
| Overdraft arrangement fee | £0.01 to £15000:- £0 Per Request. £15000.01 and over:- 1.5% Per Request |
| Overdraft review fee | £0.01 to £15000:- £0 Per Annum. £15000.01 and over:- 1.5% Per Annum |
| Overdraft Grace Period | 15:00 same day |
What is the Barclays Premier current account?
The Barclays Premier current account offers a range of exclusive benefits and services for its customers, including Barclays Avios Rewards.
However, because of the exclusive perks on offer, it also has strict eligibility criteria.
How does it work?
The Barclays Premier current account offers the following features:
- Exclusive rates on mortgages and savings.As a Barclays Premier customer you’ll have access to exclusive mortgage and savings rates with Barclays, including its Rainy Day Saver amd Blue Rewards Saver accounts.
- Interest-free overdraft. Apply for an interest-free arranged overdraft.
- Access to a dedicated Premier relationship team. Available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is also a chat service in the app and video banking is available for some services.
- Higher ATM withdrawal limit. The exclusive black card allows you to withdraw a higher daily limit from ATMs. However, you will need to increase the limit in your Barclays app.
- Barclays Avios Rewards. You’ll have the option to join Barclays Avios Rewards for an additional monthly fee and collect Avios points.
"The Barclays app is very reliable. It lets you view all your accounts in one place and link your Barclaycard. I’ve used the travel insurance and breakdown cover included with my account. I particularly liked the service I received when my car broke down in France. I was able to call the UK helpline attached to the Premier banking team and the problem was solved quickly. Some of the rewards have been removed in recent years, which is disappointing. My main issue with the account was when I tried to send money to my daughter and I found the fraud checks overly restrictive.
If there’s one thing you’d tell a friend who’s thinking of getting this, what would it be?
Having the Premier banking team on hand is very valuable and cuts down wait times. "
Who is it for?
To be eligible for a Barclays Premier current account, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old, a UK resident, and not in full-time education. You’ll also need an annual gross income of £75,000 or more paid into a Barclays current account or a minimum of £100,000 saved or invested with the bank.
What are the benefits?
There are several benefits to opening a Premier current account. If you’re a keen traveller, the option to rapidly build up Avios points may appeal. Or if you’re looking for a bit more of a dedicated service, you may like the 24/7 support and dedicated team of financial guides.
How to apply
The quickest way to open a sole Premier current account is to download the Barclays app and open it to start your application. Alternatively, you can apply online. If you already bank with Barclays, you can upgrade via online banking or by giving Barclays a call.
Banking scores
Finder scores, in blue, are based on our expert analysis. We also show reviews from users, where we've received more than 10, with a score in yellow. We gather more reviews from customers every year in Finder's customer satisfaction survey.
To find out more, read our full methodology.
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