Urgent. Open 2%+ fixed savings TODAY but don't put money in yet, giving a get-out-of-jail-free card before Thursday's base rate decision

The Bank of England will announce tomorrow (Thu) whether it's raising its official borrowing rate, the base rate. In one poll in July, 80% of City analysts expected it WOULD rise, from 0.5% to 0.75% - a potential 9yr high. Fixed savings rates have already risen partly due to those predictions. If base rate does rise, new savings rates may edge up - but if it doesn't, the current crop could be pulled. So we've devised a way to hedge your bets, so whatever happens you're sorted.

• Get-out-of-jail-free trick to bag top fixed savings. With fixed savings, you lock your money away for a set time without access, for a rate that's fixed for the term. However, apply today and on the hot deal below from Raisin you lock in the rate, BUT you don't need to pay into it for a week, so you can wait. If base rate rises and you find a better deal, simply close it. If not, put the money in and you've a winner. Note that if saving s rates rise after a base rate jump they tend to take a few days - full updates in Top Savings.
  
  
• Today's top standard 1YR FIXED RATES: £50 bonus on 1.95% (equiv 6.95% on £1k) or a straight 2.05%. 
  
  - £50 bonus on 1.95%. There's a trick to beat the standard top 1yr fix via 'savings marketplace' Raisin. It pays £50 to new customers who open an account through it. And of all the accounts it offers our top pick is ICICI Bank's 1.95% 1yr fix (min £1k). After cashback, if you only put in £1,000 it's an effective 6.95%, and it pays more over the year on up to £50,000 than the top straightforward 1yr fix below. You've five working days from opening to pay your money in to ensure you still get the full deal, and you'd be shielded even if its rate drops in the meantime. See full Raisin info.
  
  - 2.05% AER - top straightforward deal. This is from app-only Atom. While you've a week to fund it, there's more risk if hedging your bets as if it lowers the rate between opening and your deposit you get the reduced rate, so it's best to decide sooner. See more fixed savings lock-in options.
  
  
• Today's top EASY-ACCESS savings - earn up to 1.4%. These are best if you need, er, access. And you could pay money in now and withdraw fee-free if rates elsewhere jumped, as they're flexible. Coventry BS pays 1.4% but you're only allowed three fee-free withdrawals/yr. For unlimited access, Birm Midshires* is 1.35%, though the first deposit must be by cheque. xA0;The top big-name and easiest-to-operate account is Tesco Bank* at 1.34%. All rates are AER variable, but all will dive or close in 1yr so remember to switch. You can open these with £1+.

PS: All above have full or shared £85,000 per person savings protection. For help, full info and more deals, see Top Savings. If base rate rises on Thu, in next week's email we'll guide you through how to make all the right decisions on savings, mortgages and more.

As yet another bank cuts payouts, switch to get PAID £185 in M&S vouchers, 3% bills cashback or FREE £170 headphones

Halifax has announced its Reward account customers will see their monthly cashback drop from £3 to £2 from Oct (it was £5 last year). This follows many banks dropping their free-cash switching incentives. But don't let 'em take your custom for granted - unless you're delighted with the service, and/or happy with the financial boons, disloyalty pays. So ditch and switch... All below require you to pass a not-too-harsh credit check.

• First Direct - no.1 service + freebie incl £170 Bose headphones or £150 Expedia vch. First Direct* has topped every bank service poll we've done, and newbies can choose one freebie, incl the above & more, when switching. It als o offers a 5% regular saver, while some get a £250 0% overdraft. To get it all, switch and pay in £1k+ within 3mths of opening - within 2wks of that you're emailed info on how to get the freebie. To avoid a £10/mth fee after 6mths, pay in £1k+/mth or have an avg £1k+ balance.
  
  

• M&S Bank - free £185 M&S vchs. New switchers to M&S Bank* get a £125 M&S gift card + £5/mth added to it for 1yr. You also get access to its 5% regular saver, and many get a £100 0% overdraft. For the £125, you must fully switch, incl 2+ active direct debits (ones that have paid out in the last 13mths) within 3mths of opening. For the £5/mth, pay in £1k+/mth and keep the direct debits active.

• Santander - best for average/small bills or Santander mortgage holders. Santander 123 Lite* has a £1/mth fee yet pays 3% cashback on phone, broadband, mobile and TV bills; 2% on energy; and 1% on water, council tax and Santander residential mortgages (max £10/mth on mortgages) when you pay by direct debit. To get the cashback you must pay in £500+/mth, log on to online/mobile banking every 3mths and have at least two active direct debits - but you don't have to switch to it, so it could be an extra bills account.  span>Without a Santander mortgage, with what we consider average bills it pays £72/yr after the fee. With high bills, it's £132/yr.

• NatWest - best for high bills. For £2/mth the NatWest Reward account* gives 2% cashback on council tax, energy, water, mobile, landline, TV and broadband bills paid by direct debit. With what we consider average bills it pays £66/yr after the fee - with high bills, it's £135/yr. To get the cashback, log in to online/mobile banking every 3mths and pay in £1,500+/mth - like Santander, you d on't need to switch to it so it can be a 2nd bills account.

Switching's easy, takes 7 working days and the new bank moves all your payments across. Full info and more options in Best Bank Accounts.