Deal has now ended, view more checking bonuses by clicking here
Update: it’s actually nationwide, but they are ChexSystems sensitive, so keep that in mind.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount:Â $150
- Availability:Â Â Branches are in FL, NC, TX, UT, VA
- Direct deposit required: No
- Additional requirements:Â 10 debit card transactions ($10 minimum)
- Hard/soft pull:Â Soft
- ChexSystems: Unknown, sensitive
- Credit card funding:Â Up to $1,500
- Monthly fees:Â None
- Early account termination fee:Â Unknown
- Household limit:Â None
- Expiration date:Â December 31st
Contents
The Offer
- Chartway Federal Credit Union is offering a bonus of $150 when you open a new checking account with the promo code Holiday19 and complete the following requirements:
- Make 10 Visa debit card purchases of $10 or more within 60 days of account opening
The Fine Print
- This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration.
- This offer ends on 12/31/19.
- To qualify for $150 bonus, must become a new member, open a Cash Back Checking or LifePlus Checking account, and make ten (10) Visa® debit purchases of $10 or more within 60 days of account opening.
- Bonus will be awarded within 60 days of account opening and deposited into Chartway checking account.
- Account must be in good standing to receive cash incentive.
- APY varies based on total balance.
- Any applicable state and/or federal taxes are the sole responsibility of the member.’
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Monthly Fees
Cash back checking account has no monthly fee to worry about.
Early Account Termination Fee
I wasn’t able to find an up to date fee schedule, so I’m not sure if an EATF is charged. In the past it was required to keep the account open for 180 days or you would forfeit the bonus but that is not included in the fine print of this offer. Shouldn’t be a big issue since you can keep the account open for free anyway.
Our Verdict
Always nice to see a bonus with no direct deposit requirement, downside is that each debit card transaction needs to be $10+ but still a bonus worth doing. Because of that we will add it to our list of the best checking account bonuses.
Hat tip to reader Arora
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
Texas DP
12/19 deposit opened
1/10/10 10x swipes mostly real swipes between $10-12
2/10 Bonus Posted
Had to call a few times at the beginning of the process to get it opened, but without having to change my direct deposit worth it. Thanks DoC
Another DP:
12/26 – Opening Deposit Posted
1/26 – 10x “Transfer to Venmo” [$10/each] (I just venmod my roomie)
2/5 – Payed $10 of my tuition
2/10 – Bonus Posted
Also note that I didn’t initially receive my debit card, as they never ordered one. After being given a runaround on the phone, I sent an SM saying mail me the card or I close account. Received card about a week later.
Successful Texas DP)
12/30/19 Opened account
1/13/20 10X Amazon Refills
2/3 SM to see when they post, was told 60 days
2/10 $150 Posted
Thanks, DoC!!!
Worth noting that they are Chex sensitive. I was declined due to Chex, but this is Player 2’s DP.
Applied on 12/16
Application accepted on 12/19
Initial deposit made available on 12/26 (took some prodding, not sure why it took so long; funded via Citi DoubleCash which posted as a purchase)
10 debit card payments made 12/28-12/29
Bonus posted 1/13
I had an account in 2016 so it seems you can apply again!
Completed requirements, will report back on how long it takes bonus to post.
I was denied too after P2 was earlier denied. Please note I do have an existing relationship with them (an auto loan). I was told that they reject anyone with 5 or more chex inquiries in last year.
That seems like a useful data point.
Also approved, then denied due to Chex. Yes it’s a stupid system. If they had actually opened the accounts, I’d fight them for the bonus. But it looks like while my application was approved, the accounts were not. That is, accounts were never created, I was not given any account numbers, it was never possible to actually conduct any transactions. Easy come, easy go.
Just got the chex report today. Only 6 inquires and got denied because of many inquiries. They are super sensitive
P2 had 3 and was denied.
The funny thing is discover and bell bank pulled my report twice that make me having 6 inq. Gruu
Any idea how long it takes to hear from them after you apply?
denied by chex for inaccurate responses. Here is one of the questions:
“Please select the model year of the vehicle you purchased or leased prior to March 2018”
I have purchased 5 cars prior to march 2018…
Then there’s this: “Please select the range that includes the year the home was built for the address that you provided.”
Well I provided two since it tells me I need to put in a previous address…
I dont know why i’m so pissed but I am.