Via Slickdeals, you can get $200 when you open a new Chase checking account. The offer expires August 15, 2014.
But there are a few restrictions which I’ll explain. I’ll also tell you how to use your Chase bank account to get more miles & points for Big Travel with Small Money!
How Do You Get $200 Bonus?
Link: Chase Checking
You can NOT currently have a Chase checking account or fiduciary account (such as a savings account). If you previously had a Chase checking account, it must be closed for at least 90 days.
Step 1 – Open a New Chase Total Checking Account
Go to www.chase.com/checking to open a new Chase Total Checking account. And enter a coupon code in the “Coupon Code” box.
Here’s the list of coupon codes.
Step 2 – Deposit $100
Put at least $100 into your new Chase Total Checking account within 10 business days.
Step 3 – Make a Direct Deposit (Or Use AMEX Serve or Bluebird!)
The final step to earning your bonus is to make a direct deposit within 60 days of opening your account. You could electronically deposit your paycheck or government benefits. But some folks have reported that transferring funds from their AMEX Serve or Bluebird accounts also qualify!
You should see your $200 bonus in your account within 10 days after completing those 3 steps.
The bonus is considered interest and you’ll have to pay taxes on it.
And you MUST keep the account open for at least 6 months to keep the bonus.
How to Avoid the Service Fees
There are 3 ways to avoid the monthly services fees of between $10 and $12 with a Chase Total Checking account.
- Make monthly direct deposits of $500 or more
- Keep a minimum daily balance of at least $1,500
- Keep an average daily balance of $5,000 or more in your qualifying Chase checking, savings and other balances
If you’re comfortable with it, the easiest way to get the $200 bonus without paying any fees might be to send $1,500 into your account from your AMEX Serve or Bluebird account. Then leave it there for at least 6 months.
Collecting ~13% interest on your money (before taxes) is a pretty good deal!
And if you want to remove your money, you can close the account after 6 months without a penalty.
A Chase Checking Account Can Give You More Points for Travel
When you have a Chase checking account, you can get a 10% year-end bonus on the points you’ve earned with your Chase Freedom card. And you can earn lots of Chase Ultimate Rewards points when you use your Chase Freedom card in the quarterly bonus categories.
You can use the Chase Ultimate Rewards points you’ve earned with the Chase Freedom card for cash back. Or you can transfer them to airline & hotel partners IF you also have a Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Ink Bold, or Chase Ink Plus card.
Note: There is currently an offer for 70,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points when you sign-up for the Chase Ink Plus card in a branch!Bottom Line
Until August 15, 2014, you can use a coupon code to qualify for a $200 bonus when you open a new Chase checking account.
You can NOT currently have a Chase checking or savings account. And if you had 1 previously, it must be closed for at least 90 days.
When you have a Chase checking account, you get a 10% year-end bonus on the points you’ve earned with your Chase Freedom card. That means more cash back, or my favorite…more Big Travel with Small Money!