Start with the bank offering the reward. Its definition of an active Direct Debit matters more than the label in your banking app.
Find the instruction
Open the bank account you plan to switch from and look for Direct Debits or regular payments. Compare the collecting organisation and any reference with the provider’s confirmation.
For example, Halifax’s guidance explains how to view regular payments online, including the last payment amount. Other banks use different menus. A processor’s name may appear instead of the service name, so check the reference too.
Check the payment history
Find the most recent completed collection in your transaction history. Record its date and amount. A pending payment or authorisation message is different evidence.
There is no single definition that applies to every switching offer. At the review date, Lloyds’ switching FAQ defines an active Direct Debit using a collection within the previous 13 months and says an instruction with no first payment does not qualify as active. Check the current wording for the offer you are considering.
What counts depends on the offer
| Bank | What to check |
|---|---|
| Lloyds | The offer asks for three active Direct Debits. Lloyds looks for a collection within the past 13 months and excludes subscriptions and standing orders. |
| Santander | The offer asks for two active household Direct Debits to eligible suppliers. Select Correct subscriptions are outside those categories. Santander also says payments made through intermediaries such as Stripe or PayPal may fail to register. |
| first direct | The offer accepts a combination of two Direct Debits or standing orders transferred through the switch. |
Check Lloyds’ terms, Santander’s household Direct Debit list and first direct’s switch requirements before you act. Offer terms can change.
Count instructions, not just purchases
Two subscriptions from one company are not, by themselves, proof of two qualifying instructions. Compare the bank’s Direct Debit entries and references, then ask the bank if its counting rules are unclear.
Some banking screens also use subscription to mean a recurring card payment. Check the payment method as well as the product name. Never assume that a cheap monthly payment qualifies solely because it is called a Direct Debit by the seller.
Check the switch date
New instructions added during the seven working days before your agreed switch date are not automatically transferred under the CASS FAQ. Ask your new bank how this affects your plans.
Before relying on an offer, check these details:
- the required number of instructions
- any previous collection requirement
- the account the instructions must be on
- exclusions and the date the bank checks them
If you already meet the conditions, you may not need to buy any additional Direct Debits. Compare the current offer requirements before choosing our paid service.
Sources checked for this guide
These sources were checked on 3 November 2026. Check the bank’s current terms before acting.
The Direct Debit service
Each subscription costs 50p a month until cancelled. Check your bank’s terms before relying on a Direct Debit for a switching reward.
See prices for our paid Direct Debit service