Hi,

I opened an account with Abbey AND another one with A&L exactly 12 months ago (8 and 8.5% fixed rate). I always kept the balance up to the max allowed for the higher interest rate (2.5K each). Each month I transferred the required sums (1000 and 500 £) in and out via online banking. Each account paid ca 13 £/month for a total of +300£. Earned 25£ each time I recommended A&L through the "recommend a friend" link. People told me it was too much of a hassle to remember to transfer the money in and out once at month. I bet they thought their saving accounts in Island were easier to manage! Now that the bonus period is over, I'll recommend my wife, close my accounts and transfer everything into my wife's accounts. I'll do it over and over again. And in case anything goes wrong I'm covered by the compensations scheme. You are free to judge, I haven't seen any catches so far.