Santander Edge Review 2026: Is It Still Worth It After Cashback Was Scrapped?
Santander has been busy “refreshing” its current accounts, but not in a way that benefits customers.
First, it retired the long-running 123 account, one of the most popular cashback current accounts the UK has ever seen. Then it scrapped Retailer Offers, its debit card cashback scheme, and replaced it with Santander Boosts, a downgrade by any reasonable standard.
Now comes the biggest blow yet.
From September 2025, Santander removed the 1% cashback on debit card spending from both Santander Edge and Santander Edge Up. For many people, that single perk was the entire reason for paying a monthly fee in the first place.
I’ve used Santander accounts on and off over the years, including the old 123. That account genuinely rewarded you for everyday banking. Edge was never as generous, but it still felt like a fair modern replacement… until now.
So, with spending cashback gone, is there any point in keeping (or opening) a Santander Edge account in 2026? Let’s take a proper look.
Santander Edge review
Santander Edge can still earn modest cashback on household bills, but the removal of spending cashback has significantly reduced its value. Edge Up now only makes sense for people holding large cash balances.
Pros
- Easy cashback on household bills via Direct Debits
- Access to a competitive Edge saver in the first year
Cons
- Spending cashback removed in September 2025
- Edge Up fee is poor value for most people
- Santander Boosts offers little real benefit
Reviewed by Household Money SavingWhat Changed With Santander Edge?
The key change is simple and not great.
Santander removed the 1% cashback on debit card spending from both Edge and Edge Up in September 2025.
This wasn’t a small tweak. It wiped out cashback on everyday spending like food shopping, fuel, travel and online purchases. That was the feature most people noticed and valued.
The bigger issue? The monthly fees stayed the same.
Santander didn’t rebalance the accounts. It just took value away.
This follows a familiar pattern:
• 123 account closed to new customers
• 123 Lite introduced, then quietly sidelined
• Retailer Offers scrapped
• Santander Boosts introduced as a weaker replacement
• Edge cashback removed
At each step, customers have been left with less.
Santander Edge current account (2026): key feature
Feature | Santander Edge |
|---|---|
Monthly fee | £3 |
Minimum pay-in | £500 per month |
Cashback on spending | ❌ Removed (September 2025) |
Cashback on bills | Up to £10 per month |
Eligible bills | Council tax, utilities, broadband, mobile, TV |
Interest on balance | ❌ None |
Exclusive savings | 6.00% AER on up to £4,000 (first-year bonus rate) |
Debit card fees abroad | None |
Account extras | Santander Boosts |
Who it suits | Households with high monthly bills |
Santander Edge Up current account (2026): key features
Feature | Santander Edge Up |
|---|---|
Monthly fee | £5 |
Minimum pay-in | £1,500 per month |
Cashback on spending | ❌ Removed (September 2025) |
Cashback on bills | Up to £15 per month |
Interest on balance | 3.50% AER on balances up to £25,000 |
Exclusive savings | ❌ None |
Debit card fees abroad | None |
Account extras | Santander Boosts |
Who it suits | People holding large current account balances |
Edge vs Edge Up comparison table
| Edge | Edge Up | |
| Monthly fee | £3 | £5 |
| Minimum amount paid into account monthly | £500 | £1,500 |
| Monthly cashback limit from bills | £10 | £15 |
| Interest on credit balance | 0 | 3.5% |
| Exclusive savings account? | Yes, 6% up to £4,000 | No |
Also worth reading
Did you know there are plenty of other bank accounts offering cashback?
Is Santander Edge Still Worth It?
Santander Edge can still make sense in specific situations.
It’s worth considering if:
• You have £1,000+ per month in eligible household bills
• You’ll fully use the bill cashback
• You plan to use the 6% Edge saver in the first year
In that setup, you can comfortably cover the £3 monthly fee and come out ahead.
That said, Edge no longer feels like a brilliant current account. It’s now a bill-cashback tool with a banking licence, not a genuinely competitive everyday account.
If you don’t max out the bill cashback, the value quickly collapses.
Is Santander Edge Up Worth It Now?
Frankly, no… for most people.
Before the cashback cut, Edge Up could just about be justified if you spent heavily and held large balances. Now, its only meaningful perk is the 3.5% interest.
That rate is beaten (or closely matched) by fee-free alternatives like Kroo, Chip and Chase.
Paying £5 a month for an account that offers nothing unique simply isn’t good value in 2026.
Unless you consistently keep £15k–£25k sitting in your current account and want absolute simplicity, Edge Up isn’t worth upgrading to.
Santander Edge vs 123, 123 Lite and Older Accounts
This is where long-time Santander customers feel the pain.
The old 123 account paid cashback on:
• Council Tax
• Utilities
• Travel
• Retail spending
Edge never matched that generosity, but it was at least a modern compromise. With spending cashback gone, Edge now falls well short of what 123 once offered, while still charging a fee.
If you’re searching for Santander Edge vs 123 or Santander Edge vs 123 Lite, the reality is simple: customers get less now, not more.
Final Verdict
Santander Edge has gone from “reasonable value” to “niche usefulness”.
Edge is only worth keeping if you reliably earn bill cashback and use the linked saver. Edge Up, on the other hand, is now very difficult to justify.
Santander didn’t refresh these accounts, they made them worse.
Alternatives Worth Considering
If you’re looking for better everyday rewards, these are worth a look:
• Club Lloyds – lifestyle perks and switch incentives
• Barclays Blue Rewards – flexible cashback and extras
• NatWest Reward – consistent bill cashback
Santander Edge FAQ
Is Santander Edge still worth it in 2026?
Only if you have high eligible household bills and use the Edge saver. Otherwise, the value is limited.
Has Santander Edge cashback been removed?
Yes. The 1% debit card spending cashback was removed in September 2025.
What bills qualify for Santander Edge cashback?
Council Tax, utilities, broadband, mobile and TV services paid by Direct Debit.
Is Santander Edge Up better than Edge?
Not for most people. The higher fee isn’t justified now that spending cashback is gone.
Is the Santander Edge saver good?
Yes, the 6% rate on up to £4,000 is competitive in the first year, but it drops after the bonus period.
Are there better alternatives to Santander Edge?
Yes. Several fee-free accounts and reward accounts now offer better overall value.
If i had £3000 in my account how much per month will i earn
Michael, you’ll earn £15 per month for the first year