Martin Lewis Sounds 'Last Chance' Alarm for Nationwide's £100 Bonus
Consumer champion Martin Lewis has issued an urgent alert to Nationwide Building Society members, stating it is "likely your last chance to qualify" for this year's Fairer Share £100 payment. The warning comes as the eligibility window for the annual bonus is set to close imminently.
Time-Sensitive Eligibility Window
Nationwide has distributed the £100 Fairer Share payments for the past three consecutive years, with indications pointing towards a continuation of the scheme in 2026. The building society's final decision is expected to be announced in May, mirroring the timeline of previous years. Should the payment be approved, funds are typically deposited into qualifying accounts during June.
The critical factor for eligibility is account activity during the first quarter of the year. Nationwide traditionally assesses customer accounts based on their status and usage up to and including March 31. This makes the final days of March a pivotal period for members hoping to secure the bonus.
Martin Lewis's Direct Warning
In a recent post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Martin Lewis directly addressed Nationwide customers. "Nationwide customer? It's likely your last chance to qualify to get this year's Fairer Share £100," he stated. The post included a referral to a comprehensive guide published by his website, Money Saving Expert (MSE), which outlines all necessary details and steps.
The MSE article strongly advises customers to act without delay to "maximise your chances" of qualifying, assuming Nationwide maintains the same requirements as in previous cycles. The core recommendation is twofold:
- Ensure your Nationwide current account remains active until at least March 31, 2026.
- Make certain you have used the account by this same deadline.
Historical Qualification Criteria
In past years, meeting the two activity requirements, combined with one of the following financial conditions, has been sufficient to qualify for the £100 payment:
- Holding a minimum of £100 in any Nationwide savings account.
- Owing at least £100 on a Nationwide mortgage.
For members who do not currently meet either of these financial thresholds, MSE provides a straightforward solution. "If you don't [have at least £100 in savings OR owe at least £100 on a mortgage with Nationwide], stick £100 (or maybe £200 to be safe in case it changes its terms) into one of its savings accounts," the guide recommends. This proactive move could secure eligibility should the terms remain consistent.
The alert from Martin Lewis serves as a crucial reminder for Nationwide's vast membership base. With the March 31 cutoff fast approaching, customers are urged to review their account status and take immediate action to avoid missing out on this potential £100 windfall.
