Chase Bank new checking account free $200

[Dragon Slayer]

Not sure what the right forum to post this is.

The Chase banks in GA are giving $200 to people opening a new checking account. On the site it says $125 so not sure if it is different for other states. After reading the fine print all you have to do is maintain $1500 for 6 months to avoid all fees, and you can close the account after 6 months to get the $200. I went to do it with a coupon I got in the mail. They gave me the coupon back and told me to give it to someone else

Pretty good return on 6 month investment

[Watty]

Just FYI, you will get a 1099 on this and have to pay taxes on it next year so watch out with that. I did something like this with a different bank a few years ago and the 1099 did not come March after I had filed my tax return so I had to file an amended return.

[tuckeverlasting]

I did this at Chase last January (although it was for only $150) and maintained the account for about 7 months and then closed it. I just got the Form 1099 a few days ago.

I should be eligible to do this again pretty soon so will check in to it! They also have a savings account bonus deal but it isn't nearly as good, I don't think, so I didn't do it.

[Lollytiger]

The last time I heard about this promotion, you had to have one of the checking accounts that has a monthly fee attached to it, such that you still get free money but not as much; enough that I decided it wasn't worth the bother. Did they change that now?

I've been considering applying for the Chase Sapphire Preferred since it has a $400 signup bonus. It used to be $500 but they got rid of that. I'm waiting for it to go back up to $500 before applying, which obviously means that will never happen and instead they'll lower the bonus.

[tfb]

Just FYI, you will get a 1099 on this and have to pay taxes on it next year so watch out with that. I did something like this with a different bank a few years ago and the 1099 did not come March after I had filed my tax return so I had to file an amended return.

I did it last October. Still in the six-month holding period. 1099 already came as expected. No big deal.

[tuckeverlasting]

The last time I heard about this promotion, you had to have one of the checking accounts that has a monthly fee attached to it, such that you still get free money but not as much; enough that I decided it wasn't worth the bother. Did they change that now?

There was a monthly fee if you did not keep a minimum balance in the account. I think as Dragon Slayer said it was $1500.

[lindisfarne]

I've taken advantage of these offers from a few banks in the past, back when there were fewer conditions. I've never understood why this is worthwhile for them.

[crowd79]

If you have excellent credit, credit card sign-up bonuses are usually more attractive, and they are free from Federal and State income tax reporting.

With all the hula hoops one has to jump through nowadays just to get bank bonuses just doesn't seem worth it to me. Minimum balances, # of purchases, this and that to avoid fees, etc, etc, and pay Fed and State income tax on your bonuses just to complicate your life a little more..... No, not for me.....

[WHL]

I did this last year as well. If I remember correctly, the bonus money was counted as interest income for tax reporting.

I got $150 for keeping 1k in the account for 6 months. I still use the account all the time, so I guess it worked for chase

[Mel Lindauer]

I did this last year and got $150 and a 1099. They have a special account for former military personnel whereby they waive all fees, so ask about it.

[Rainier]

Do you get the money when you open or after six months?

If its just a minimum balance it seems worth it. If its purchases, deposits, etc maybe not.

[z3r0c00l]

I've been considering applying for the Chase Sapphire Preferred since it has a $400 signup bonus. It used to be $500 but they got rid of that. I'm waiting for it to go back up to $500 before applying, which obviously means that will never happen and instead they'll lower the bonus.

Yes this deal is the better one, grab a chase sapphire if you can. You simply pay yourself the points back, tax free.

[Rainier]

Can sapphire points turn into cash back?

[z3r0c00l]

Can sapphire points turn into cash back?

Yes I used the points to "pay myself back." Took a little while to get the points, but well worth it. I had to charge a minimum of $500 in 90 days, which is not a big deal since I put bills on my card anyway.

[linuxuser]

Do you get the money when you open or after six months?

If its just a minimum balance it seems worth it. If its purchases, deposits, etc maybe not.

I got the $200 within a month.

I keep $1500 for no fees.

I will close after 6+ months.

The annoying thing is that the Chase guy keeps calling me every month trying to get me to move money there I'm sure.
I'm sure they'll give me a similar hassle when I go in to close the account.

[Mandrale]

This must be for only select states? Not finding any information for it here.

[Browser]

Just checked online. The Chase Sapphire comes with 40,000 bonus points if you spend $3000 in first 3 months, which is worth $500. The points can be redeemed for "Travel Rewards" whatever that is. I assume airline tickets. Doesn't mention any cash back rewards.

[Rainier]

Just checked online. The Chase Sapphire comes with 40,000 bonus points if you spend $3000 in first 3 months, which is worth $500. The points can be redeemed for "Travel Rewards" whatever that is. I assume airline tickets. Doesn't mention any cash back rewards.

I think you get their "Ultimate Rewards." If that is the case it can a statement credit or a check, but 40,000 points is only worth $400 in cash ($500 in travel).

I'm doing it tonight. I only do these things if it is cash or statement credit (same as cash to me).

[crowd79]

Just checked online. The Chase Sapphire comes with 40,000 bonus points if you spend $3000 in first 3 months, which is worth $500. The points can be redeemed for "Travel Rewards" whatever that is. I assume airline tickets. Doesn't mention any cash back rewards.

I think you get their "Ultimate Rewards." If that is the case it can a statement credit or a check, but 40,000 points is only worth $400 in cash ($500 in travel).

I'm doing it tonight. I only do these things if it is cash or statement credit (same as cash to me).

I would do it, too, but $3,000 in 3 months is a tall order. I definitely don't plan to spend that much money in 3 months. Maybe next year if and when I take a vacation and this deal is available still.

[Rainier]

I did it. I put everything on my credit card so $1,000 per month is not a big deal.

[Browser]

Here's all it says for me. I don't see anything about cash or credit balance awards. Only travel rewards.

EARN 40,000 BONUS POINTS
AFTER YOU SPEND $3,000 IN THE FIRST 3 MONTHS FROM ACCOUNT OPENING*
- That's worth $500 toward travel rewards when you redeem through Ultimate RewardsSM.

[Rainier]

Here's all it says for me. I don't see anything about cash or credit balance awards. Only travel rewards.

EARN 40,000 BONUS POINTS
AFTER YOU SPEND $3,000 IN THE FIRST 3 MONTHS FROM ACCOUNT OPENING*
- That's worth $500 toward travel rewards when you redeem through Ultimate RewardsSM.

Cause I have another Chase card that also uses Ultimate Rewards.

[Browser]

too confusing for me...

[Taylor Larimore]

Bogleheads:

I enjoyed a satisfactory relationship with another bank for nearly 30 years. However, Chase recently opened a branch bank a block away.

When I read about Chase's $200 bonus, free benefits for veterans, plus the convenience, I decided to move my account to this nearby bank. I am very pleased with my new bank and especially my efficient and knowledgeable Chase representative who did error-free transfers of my automatic payments and withdrawals.

Best wishes.
Taylor

[OAG]

Just checked online. The Chase Sapphire comes with 40,000 bonus points if you spend $3000 in first 3 months, which is worth $500. The points can be redeemed for "Travel Rewards" whatever that is. I assume airline tickets. Doesn't mention any cash back rewards.

I think you get their "Ultimate Rewards." If that is the case it can a statement credit or a check, but 40,000 points is only worth $400 in cash ($500 in travel).

I'm doing it tonight. I only do these things if it is cash or statement credit (same as cash to me).

I would do it, too, but $3,000 in 3 months is a tall order. I definitely don't plan to spend that much money in 3 months. Maybe next year if and when I take a vacation and this deal is available still.

I have purchased Grocery Store, Amazon and Best Buy cards in the past to get over their large charge requirements of these promotions. Even put $10K on one a few years back when purchasing a new card.

[crowd79]

Just checked online. The Chase Sapphire comes with 40,000 bonus points if you spend $3000 in first 3 months, which is worth $500. The points can be redeemed for "Travel Rewards" whatever that is. I assume airline tickets. Doesn't mention any cash back rewards.

I think you get their "Ultimate Rewards." If that is the case it can a statement credit or a check, but 40,000 points is only worth $400 in cash ($500 in travel).

I'm doing it tonight. I only do these things if it is cash or statement credit (same as cash to me).

I would do it, too, but $3,000 in 3 months is a tall order. I definitely don't plan to spend that much money in 3 months. Maybe next year if and when I take a vacation and this deal is available still.

I have purchased Grocery Store, Amazon and Best Buy cards in the past to get over their large charge requirements of these promotions. Even put $10K on one a few years back when purchasing a new card.

Cool, didn't think of that. However I've already applied for and got accepted for an Amex Blue Cash Preferred card to get 6% off groceries and I need to spend $1,000 on that to get a $150 credit in the first 3 months. Probably shouldn't apply for more credit cards for another year or it could seriously hinder my credit score. I did not think you could purchase gift cards on credit cards because my local grocery store does not accept credit cards for gift card purchases, cash or debit only. But this can be done elsewhere??

[papito23]

Note: this is taxable.

I bought a $200 coupon code on eBay (pm me if you want the sellers username) for $10. (My wife and I both). Did have some hassle with the fraud prevention division, maybe bc I tried to transfer $ from my non-chase checking acct to my wife's new chase. $380 still worth the hassle (underemployed, in 0% tax bracket). More than a months worth of groceries for holding $3k I'm an FDIC acct for 6 months. No complaints here.

EDIT: $200 was added within a week or two, if I remember right. Just transferred it back to my regular checking account and the $1500 is sitting there. Tick, tock...

[tj]

Do you get the money when you open or after six months?

If its just a minimum balance it seems worth it. If its purchases, deposits, etc maybe not.

I got the $200 within a month.

I keep $1500 for no fees.

I will close after 6+ months.

The annoying thing is that the Chase guy keeps calling me every month trying to get me to move money there I'm sure.
I'm sure they'll give me a similar hassle when I go in to close the account.

You can close by secure message.

[linuxuser]

Do you get the money when you open or after six months?

If its just a minimum balance it seems worth it. If its purchases, deposits, etc maybe not.

I got the $200 within a month.

I keep $1500 for no fees.

I will close after 6+ months.

The annoying thing is that the Chase guy keeps calling me every month trying to get me to move money there I'm sure.
I'm sure they'll give me a similar hassle when I go in to close the account.

You can close by secure message.

And they mail me the check?
Excellent!
Thank you!

[linuxuser]

Note: this is taxable.

I bought a $200 coupon code on eBay (pm me if you want the sellers username) for $10. (My wife and I both). Did have some hassle with the fraud prevention division, maybe bc I tried to transfer $ from my non-chase checking acct to my wife's new chase. $380 still worth the hassle (underemployed, in 0% tax bracket). More than a months worth of groceries for holding $3k I'm an FDIC acct for 6 months. No complaints here.

I get the coupon code once in awhile addressed to Our Neighbor, and I threw them away.
I didn't know you could sell them!?!?

[linuxuser]

I did not think you could purchase gift cards on credit cards because my local grocery store does not accept credit cards for gift card purchases, cash or debit only. But this can be done elsewhere??

It used to be that you had to pay cash for gift cards at least that was my recollection.

Anyway, this past holiday season, I purchased gift cards at Walmart, Staples, and Target with my credit card.

Today I purchased a $10 TGI Friday's gift card at Walgreen to test out that Chase will give 5% rewards for this quarter for drugstore purchases!

[crowd79]

I did not think you could purchase gift cards on credit cards because my local grocery store does not accept credit cards for gift card purchases, cash or debit only. But this can be done elsewhere??

It used to be that you had to pay cash for gift cards at least that was my recollection.

Anyway, this past holiday season, I purchased gift cards at Walmart, Staples, and Target with my credit card.

Today I purchased a $10 TGI Friday's gift card at Walgreen to test out that Chase will give 5% rewards for this quarter for drugstore purchases!

Warning! I bought milk and a couple other items at Walgreen's with my Chase Freedom card earlier this month and it did NOT give me 5% rewards on my last statement. It was only like a $5 charge, so why bother calling Chase up to complain, etc.....

[Wild Willie]

Heard on a news program that effective today (I think) merchants, 'sticks and bricks' and also online merchants, can begin charging all credit and debit card purchases up to 4% additional charge, but they have to disclose it at time of purchase. That will pretty well kill all my points I accumulate on my Chase card. True or not?

[Sunny Sarkar]

I've been doing this checking account thing for 3 years now - open at the beginning of the year and close 6+ months later.
Last year I also took the $500 bonus from the Chase Sapphire card offer, and $200 for Capital One, and 45,000 AA miles, etc.
Wonder how long they'll wait until they blacklist me (I read somewhere that such an inter-bank blacklist does indeed exist).

[LFKB]

Can sapphire points turn into cash back?

Yes, but if you fly Southwest ever, use the points there. 40,000 sign up points = $400 cash back or ~$800 in SW flights. SW flights used a fixed points per $ ratio so it pretty much always works out to right around $800.

[Wild Willie]

Oops, found a separate topic on this exact subject:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=109763

[Dragon Slayer]

Just checked online. The Chase Sapphire comes with 40,000 bonus points if you spend $3000 in first 3 months, which is worth $500. The points can be redeemed for "Travel Rewards" whatever that is. I assume airline tickets. Doesn't mention any cash back rewards.

Cool thanks for the tip! Looks like it has to be a Chase Sapphire "Preferred" card. There is a $95 annual fee after the first year. Is there a plenty for closing the account after you earn your bonus? I looked on their site and could not find anything about it.

As for buying gift cards at grocery stores.....YES! I do this all the time with me AMEX Blue card. My store Kroger has a fuel center and will do something like "4x fuel points on gift cards" I would just load up on cards eBay, Amazon whatever and save $2.00 off a gallon on a 35 gallon fill up. I drive a big truck so it works out perfect. If you ever go to any stores with gift cards just stop by the grocery store before and get 5% off all your purchases basically.

[WHL]

You guys are, of course, free to use your credit card points as you wish, but I'd just like to make sure you all know that redeeming points for cash (or statement credit, same thing) is generally the worst value you can get for your points.

Chase UR points, as well as AMEX points, can be transferred to select airline mileage programs, meaning you can combine two credit card offers to provide a ton of points. In most cases, two credit cards is enough to fly business class anywhere in the world...

[WHL]

Also, the "knock" on your credit score for opening /applying for too many accounts isn't really anything to worry about unless you're planning on buying a house, in which case you should not be applying for credit anyways!

I checked my credit score in late 2011 as 798. Since then, I opened 7 credit cards, with three in the last two months. I checked my credit score this weekend at 784. No practical difference.

[linuxuser]

You guys are, of course, free to use your credit card points as you wish, but I'd just like to make sure you all know that redeeming points for cash (or statement credit, same thing) is generally the worst value you can get for your points.

Chase UR points, as well as AMEX points, can be transferred to select airline mileage programs, meaning you can combine two credit card offers to provide a ton of points. In most cases, two credit cards is enough to fly business class anywhere in the world...

Business class airline tickets are good only if you have use for them.
Cash is more useful to me at the moment.

[papito23]

I get the coupon code once in awhile addressed to Our Neighbor, and I threw them away.
I didn't know you could sell them!?!?

I don't know if this is legal or not, BTW. I play by the rules Chase lays out, so no guilty feelings here.

[Default User BR]

Business class airline tickets are good only if you have use for them.
Cash is more useful to me at the moment.

Yep. I don't like to fly, so I avoid it when I can. I do take advantage of discounted gift cards from CC rewards programs. The best yet was the (very) limited Discover offer, $40 Shell cards for $20. But even home improvement store cards with 10% off can be worthwhile.


Brian

[ddunca1944]

Do you get the money when you open or after six months?

If its just a minimum balance it seems worth it. If its purchases, deposits, etc maybe not.

I got the $200 within a month.

I keep $1500 for no fees.

I will close after 6+ months.

The annoying thing is that the Chase guy keeps calling me every month trying to get me to move money there I'm sure.
I'm sure they'll give me a similar hassle when I go in to close the account.

You can close by secure message.

Only if the account has less than $500 in it. I just tried, but I have $538 in the account. So will withdraw $500 and then use secure message to close the account. mI like not having to deal with anyone in person to close the account.

[linuxuser]

But doesn't the fact that it drops below $1500 trigger the monthly fee?

Looks like I will have to deal with the hassle of in-bank closing yet again.

[ddunca1944]

But doesn't the fact that it drops below $1500 trigger the monthly fee?

Looks like I will have to deal with the hassle of in-bank closing yet again.

I imagine it would if you left it there. I've had an auto deposit so that avoided the fee. The auto deposit has already happened for Jan. My plan is to get the balance below $500 today and close the account tomorrow.