[YMMV] KeyBank $400 Checking Bonus [AK, CO, CT, ID, IN, MA, ME, MI, NY, OH, OR, PA, UT, VT, WA only]

Offer at a glance

• Maximum bonus amount: $400
• Availability: AK, CO, CT, ID, IN, MA, ME, MI, NY, OH, OR, PA, UT, VT, WA only
• Direct deposit required: Yes, a total of at least $500 within 60 days of account opening. Almost any ACH transfer should trigger this requirement, click here to see what has worked in the past.
• Additional requirements: None
• Hard/soft pull: Soft
• Credit card funding: Up to $100
• Monthly fees: $0 – $18, waive-able
• Early account termination fee: $25 if closed within 180 days of opening
• Expiration date: April 28th, 2017 September 15th, 2017

The Offer

Direct link to offer

• Open a qualifying KeyBank checking account with the promotional code RETK0117 and receive a direct deposit of at least $500 or more within 60 days of account opening and receive a sign up bonus of $400

The Fine Print

• You must open a Key Express Checking^® (this is the basic banking account in NY), Key Advantage^®, Key Privilege^SM, or Key Privilege Select Checking^SM by the expiration date and make one direct deposit of $500 at the minimum within 60 days after account opening to get $400.
• Offer code and reservation number required to redeem this offer. Offer is non-transferable. Coupon and offer code cannot be resold. Limit one gift per qualifying account. Limit one gift per individual.
•  The gift will be deposited within 90 days of meeting requirements. If you close your account within 180 days of account opening, you will be charged a $25 account early closure fee.
• Offer not available to individuals who have had a KeyBank checking account or a KeyBank Hassle-Free Account® in the last 12 months.
• All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them.

Avoiding Fees

Key Express Checking $7 Monthly Fee

The monthly fee on this account is waived if you do either of the following each statement cycle:

• Direct deposits of at least $500
• At least 8 customer initiated transactions (any deposits, withdrawals, which includes transfers)

Early Account Termination Fee $25

If you close your account within 180 days, you are required to pay an early account closure fee of $25

Relationship Rewards $40 Fee

There is a $40 fee if you don’t opt out of their relationship rewards.

Our Verdict

To get the bonus, you need both the promo code and a targeted reservation number. Some people have had success getting a reservation number by chatting with KeyBank or – more likely – by calling into a branch. Let us know if you have success. Otherwise, it’ll only work for those targeted.

There are often non-targeted $200 or $300 offers for Key Bank, $400 is as good as it gets. The requirements are quite low, so if you can get it to work I’d jump on this offer.

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• A Beginners Guide To Bank Account Bonuses
• PSA: Don’t Call The Bank
• Introduction To ChexSystems
• Banks & Credit Unions That Are ChexSystems Inquiry Sensitive
• What Banks & Credit Unions Do/Don’t Pull ChexSystems?
• How To Use Our Direct Deposit Page For Bank Bonuses Page
• Common Bank Bonus Misconceptions + Why You Should Give Them A Go
• How Many Bank Accounts Can I Safely Open Within A Year For Bank Bonus Purposes?
• Affiliate Links & Bank Bonuses – We Won’t Be Using Them
• Complete List Of Ways To Close Bank Accounts At Each Bank

Hat tip to Mother Mary and Sam