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iahphx
iahphx (@guest_298521)
September 23, 2016 23:26

I would never do this just for the sign-up bonus. As a customer, I can tell you that doing business with BankDirect is clunky, so it’s not worth the trouble for a short term relationship.

As far as long term investments go, it probably works best at exactly $50K. Above that, you can buy mileage earning CDs from them that are OK, but not as lucrative as the 50K checking account.

Obviously, this deal is better for folks in higher tax brackets. If you are, and you’ll use the miles, I think it’s probably worth it. There’s a decent discussion on Flyertalk about the value. With interest rates so low, it’s not like you can make a lot more money parking your cash in a “regular” checking account. And earning some miles for award tickets is definitely more fun than earning tiny amounts of interest.

Javi
Javi (@guest_298214)
September 23, 2016 10:48

“…at most you’ll get 22,000 points.” “You’ll also earn miles based on your balance…100 miles per $1,000…in collected balance on the first $50,000 (5,000 miles) per month.” -DoC

It’s 22,000 miles for meeting the direct deposit, debit card, bill pay, and referral. But that doesn’t include the 5,000 miles per month for maintaining $50,000. So, that’s an additional 30,000 miles for a total of 52,000 miles for six months. Am I missing something?

Javi
Javi (@guest_298225)
September 23, 2016 11:03

Never mind. I just noticed that you segregated the sign-up bonus and the ongoing bonus. Although in the ongoing bonus section, you didn’t reiterate the miles earned, like in the sign-up bonus section.

yussuf
yussuf (@guest_297808)
September 22, 2016 16:17

DoC, i though it might be pertinent to point out that my Insurance agency used my number of bank accounts opened to determine my quote. The notice i received:

Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act Disclosure Notice

Thank you for contacting GEICO for a rate quote.

The price we are quoting you is based in part on information provided to us by the consumer reporting agency listed below.

We are sending you this notice, as required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, because you received a higher price based on your credit information. However, you may contact us for additional consideration if the credit information used is a result of an extraordinary life circumstance.

The consumer reporting agency provided the following description of the credit factors that had the most influence on the price we quoted you:

-Insufficient number of installment loans (-)

-Insufficient time since oldest bankcard account opened (-)

-Insufficient time since oldest account opened (-)

-Excessive number of bank revolving accounts (-)

Please note that the consumer reporting agency did not participate in our adverse decision. They are unable to provide you with specific reasons for our decision.

I find this obscure. Do Credit Reporting Agencies report the number of bank accounts i have and why should that matter?

Alex
Alex (@guest_297846)
September 22, 2016 19:46

Bank revolving accounts are credit cards, not bank accounts. Hence why they are showing up on the credit report.

calwatch
calwatch (@guest_297644)
September 22, 2016 01:25

Per the flyertalk thread they are strict about direct deposit since the bonus is given manually. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-airlines-aadvantage/1047553-questions-bankdirect-consolidated-50.html

As far as the auditing thing, even if you were penalized it would be interest and MAYBE a 20% penalty on top of regular taxes. Not that big a deal, especially since there is a reasonable position that miles and points are not taxable. http://www.taxdebthelp.com/tax-problems/tax-audit/irs-audit-penalties

jsfalcon
jsfalcon (@guest_297605)
September 21, 2016 23:09

Are you sure about the Direct Deposit being your full income? The offer I see states” A direct deposit must be received payable to a listed account holder for six (6) consecutive statement cycles, totaling a minimum of $2,000.00 per month.”

Lrdx
Lrdx (@guest_297603)
September 21, 2016 23:06

Are you sure you don’t have to pay taxes on this?

Maybe the bank does not send you a 1099, but you might still need to report and pay taxes on this.
Is there anyone with this account that was already audited by the IRS and found this OK?

scott
scott (@guest_297741)
September 22, 2016 10:38

I did this several years ago. I did not have to pay taxes on it.

Lrdx
Lrdx (@guest_297875)
September 22, 2016 21:55

What do you mean under “this”? Opening the account or get audited?

scott
scott (@guest_298174)
September 23, 2016 09:48

By “this” I mean I opened the account with BankDirect and earned all the miles. There was nothing to report for tax purposes.

Lrdx
Lrdx (@guest_298503)
September 23, 2016 22:24

No idea. If the IRS would say miles worth its sale prices, 22000 would be $649 (per http://www.aa.com/buymiles), making this a pretty mediocre signup bonus: $330 value minus $227.15 in taxes (in 25% federal + 10% state bracket and with 1.5c per mile value) = ~$100

If the 1.5c is fine by the IRS, this account would make sense: the “interest” is 1.8% (minus tax), that’s super high for a non-rewards checking.

Laura
Laura (@guest_297601)
September 21, 2016 22:52

What high interest checking accounts do you keep your emergency fund in DOC?

Nick
Nick (@guest_297588)
September 21, 2016 22:22

I would gladly keep $50,000 in an account in order to collect 5k miles per month, but not with the fee. The problem with the fee is that they can always increase, it just seems dumb to pay someone to hold your money.

Credit Card Joint
Credit Card Joint (@guest_9630)
May 8, 2014 00:51

Back in the day http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/10317 it was a good offer. Unfortunately… times have changed.

Jinx
Jinx (@guest_297636)
September 22, 2016 00:52

What has changed?