[Expired] [Targeted] U.S. Bank $200/$225 Checking Bonus

This bonus has expired, click here for other U.S. bank bonuses or here for the best current checking bonuses.

Offer at a glance

• Maximum bonus amount: $200
• Availability: Nationwide but targeted
• Direct deposit required: Yes, recurring deposits of $500+ within 60 days of account opening
• Additional requirements: Use unique promo code
• Hard/soft pull: Soft
• ChexSystems: Mixed data points
• Credit card funding: None
• Monthly fees: $0 – $8.98, waivable 
• Early account termination fee: None
• Household limit: One
• Expiration date: March 31st, 2018

The Offer

Direct link to offer (requires unique code. Sent via e-mail, subject line is ‘A special offer just for U.S. Bank customers!’)

• U.S. Bank is offering some of their customers a sign up bonus of $200 when you open a new checking account and complete the following requirements:
  • Open a new checking account with a unique promo code by March 31st, 2018
  • Receive  recurring direct deposits of at least $500 per month within 60 days of account opening

Others are seeing a $225 bonus that requires one Zelle Payment every month for the first three months. Direct link to that promotion is here. Also requires a unique promo code.

The Fine Print

• This offer is only valid for the addressee and is not transferable.
• A $25 minimum deposit is required to open a U.S. Bank consumer checking account.
• All regular account opening procedures apply.
• Earn the bonus by opening a new consumer checking account (excluding Student Checking and Safe Debit Account) by March 31, 2018 with posted recurring direct deposits totaling at least $500 per month within 60 days of account opening.
• You must use the Promotion Code listed on this offer when you apply.
• Your bonus will be reported as interest earned on IRS Form 1099-INT and you are responsible for any applicable taxes.
• The bonus will be credited to your new checking account within 6-8 weeks after direct deposit is received assuming account is open.
• One offer per household. Offer may not be combined with any other bonus or marketing offers. U.S. Bank checking customers and employees are not eligible for bonus offers. Other restrictions may apply.
• All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

U.S bank has three checking products which qualify for this promotion:

• Silver Checking Account
• Gold Checking Account
• Platinum Checking account

Probably the easiest way to keep this fee free is to open the Gold Checking account; if you have a U.S Bank credit card then the monthly fees on this account are waived. You might also be able to get them waived through this.

If you don’t have a U.S Bank credit card and aren’t planning on getting one, your best bet is to open the Silver checking account which has of $8.95 ($6.95 if you enroll in paperless statements).

Fee is waived if you do these three things:

1. Go paperless
2. Open a Package Money Market Savings account (no fee)
3. Do one of these two things:
   • Have combined direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more, OR
   • Maintain an average monthly balance of $1,500

Our Verdict

We saw a targeted bonus like this in February of last year, then a public bonus in August. Let’s hope that holds true for this year as well. I don’t see anything in the fine print that prevents you from getting the bonus again, as long as you’re not a current checking customer.  U.S. Bank typically does not like to approve people for deposit accounts if you have ARS/IDA frozen. It might make sense to unfreeze those before applying. Another theory is you need to live somewhat close to a branch. It also seems like you need to live somewhat near a branch to be eligible (50 or 100 miles?) Others aren’t having this issue. I won’t add this to the best checking sign up bonus page due to the fact it’s targeted.

Big thanks to Travel With Grant & TZ  who let us know. Learn how to find bonuses and contribute to the site here.

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:

• A Beginners Guide To Bank Account Bonuses
• Bank Account Quick Reference Table (Spreadsheet) (very useful for sorting bonuses by different parameters)
• 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
• Banks That Allow/Don’t Allow Out Of State Checking Applications
• Bank Bonus Posting Times