This bonus has expired, click here for other Chartway federal bank bonuses or here for the best current checking bonuses.
Warning: Last time Chartway offered a bonus they let lots of people open accounts, only to close them and refund the credit card funding to the card.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount:Â $50 per account
- Availability:Â In branch/phone only. Branches are in FL, NC, TX, UT, VA
- Direct deposit required:Â Yes, for savings/checking accounts
- Additional requirements:Â See below
- Hard/soft pull:Â Soft
- ChexSystems: Unknown
- 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
February 28th, 2019March 31st, 2018
Contents
The Offer
- Chartway Federal Credit Union is offering a $50 bonus for each new product you open before March 31st when you call or visit a branch and use the promo code FITNESS18. Savings/checking accounts require a direct deposit. You can open a maximum of 10 new accounts.
The Fine Print
- Membership eligibility subject to verification.
- Limited time only
- . Restrictions apply.
- Existing Chartway loans and lines are not eligible.
- Limit $50 incentive to one product type per person.
- Limit to 10 total products per person.
- New savings and/or checking accounts must include direct deposit receipt confirmation to be eligible.
- New account and/or loan application must be received by February 28, 2018 using Promo Code FITNESS18.
- Employees, officers, and directors of Chartway, and members of the immediate family and household are eligible for this promotion.
- Cannot be combined with other offers.
- Normal account opening balances apply
- All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them
Avoiding Fees
Best Value Checking $0 Monthly Fee
Your best option for avoiding monthly fees is to go after the Best Value Checking account which has no monthly fee and does not require any minimums to keep it fee free.
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
In terms of accounts you could open, Jeffrey L suggested the following:
LiveNow Debit Card- minimum $0(doesn’t count as separate product)- Savings account- minimum  $100
- Checking account- minimum  $100
- 12 month no penalty Share Certificate or 6 month share certificate – minimum $500
That would be a $200 bonus, pretty good but a lot of accounts to manage. Given Chartway’s history, I won’t be adding this to our best checking sign up bonus page.
Big thanks to reader, Jeffrey L 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
1. Still no bonuses for any of the accounts.
2. Never got a debit card or PIN in the mail, so guessing one wasn’t ordered.
3. And, had one another annoyance in the paperwork I wanted fixed.
Couldn’t hold my tongue any longer, so I contacted the CU via SM, one for each. Foresaw this as going to be an uphill battle, so I used real DD, so they don’t have much wiggle room to back out of paying the bonuses AFAIK.
Like I previously stated I got my first 2 really quick. Still no CD bonus. I am pretty sure I got a debit card.
Likely going to contact about CD soon.
Thier SM response was yesterday; they posted the $100 for the Savings & Checking – into my savings account under transaction description “Dep FITNESS 18”. The SM stated the bonus has been credited, but the Certificate did not qualify. I replied, stating that a Certificate is a different product, that the banker I sat with said it would qualify, that I disagree, and requested escalation. I attached a copy of the original promo terms. TBD. Not sure if this is CFPB worthy or not, but I will try to exhaust my options before going that route.
Oh, but they are ordering me a Debit card. WooHoo!
Was debit card statement a joke?
I will SM on same issue for Certificate. If they don’t meet their terms I have zero issue CFPBing it. As previously posted, I got other 2 really quick. I don’t mind chasing a bank for $50.
Joke? No. Apparently they didn’t order me a debit card when I opened the account. Honestly, I almost never use debit so I didn’t even notice. But it’s a good idea to have an alternative way to access the account.
I think they will give in on the CD bonus, but it will have to be someone higher on the food chain. That’s why I requested escalation. I will post here when I get a response.
Their response was “Since the certificate is a locked in term savings account it cannot receive direct deposit making it exempt from the promotion.”
I am submitting one more rebuttal stating the credit/loan products aren’t a DD receiving product but still included, and that it’s impractical for most customers to split DD’s anyway. Requested escalation again and going to file the CFPB if I can’t get satisfaction – tired of playing with the one CSR.
My compliant on CD is also escalated currently. Will update response. If not filing CFPB.
Submitted cfpb a week ago. Response I got was that they were forwarding to the ncua. No results or response yet.
Ok. Will post where I get. I would advise future caution when dealing with Chartway. Phone rep said not part of offer. Plan on escalating until I get somewhere.
Any update? Called in again this time told they paid for CD, but not for Share Savings (because that account is mandatory). One last SM and then CFPBing it. Seems like they will use any excuse not to pay.
NCUA sent me a very lengthy e-mail yesterday stating they were forwarding my complaint to the Credit Union. Today, a $50 deposit was made to my checking account. Just says Dep.
Winning…
I assume Chartway will send me a letter stating the deposit has been made, and they are updating the NCUA complaint as resolved.
Called in today. After filing CFPB complaint referred to NCAA, first lady said savings account doesn’t count as required for membership. Told her wanted to talk to management due to inconsistent stories. After very long hold she came back on and told me her manager said they would give me 50 as a one time courtesy. Stated I did not meet terms as only had 1 DD not reoccurring DD (true used 1 employer DD). They gave me what I wanted so did not correct her/complain more. Urge strong caution dealing with their promotions.
They write their terms loosely and then do not follow them.
3 different stories:
1. Reoccurring DD required that is why we didn’t pay
2. CD not eligible since cant have DD
3. Savings not eligible since required for membership
Definitely pulls Chex.
Just confirming in branch not necessary? Ty for great DPs!
Based on the uninformative promo terms, it’s in branch or phone. Shawn posted above he went in branch in TX. My account is still going (in branch VA)… however, unlike Shawn, I didn’t get any bonus yet. I hit the deposit accounts several times with ACH, and since that hasn’t produced results, real DD is sked for 03/30. Somehow I still have a feeling this account is going to go south on me.
Agree terms suck. Feel like this is a manually posted bonus or something. I called today to confirm trial deposits for CD funding and they gave me another $50 a few hours later. Up to 100. Waiting on last $50. Not sure about Chex DPs. My account seems in the clear and know atleast 5 Chex (probably much more).
LOL. Whelp, my real DD hit checking, and a tiny real DD taste to the Savings. Nothing happened – no bonus. I will wait until the end of April to call… I want to see this account at least be older than 30 days before dealing with customer service. That chex printout with my denial message on it has me spooked – I still believe the banker screwed up and they didn’t catch it.
Thx. In FL but the bonus isn’t enough to make me drive 4+ hrs. Unless I find myself in S FL I’ll watch from the sidelines I suppose.
Do phone. It is in terms as well. In branch they said online too, but I would not risk it.
Ok, I’m gonna read up on this one again. $200 does meet my self imposed minimum limit.
$150 is what you will get… $50 for each, one savings, one checking, and we assume, one CD. A debit card is not a “product”. Everything else requires retirement savings, loans, or CC apps.
In branch for me. Opened CD on phone.
DP: Bonus posted into checking ($50). Opened 3/10. Posted 3/15. No DD yet. No savings bonus yet. Opened CD on phone today. A lot of new accounts since Oct 17, something like 15?
Interesting. Opened 2/28. Lots of ACH, no bonus on savings/checking/CD. Schwab Moneylink/WF DDA, etc. I know I am probably jumping the gun. Banker said it would show up next month, so whatever happens, I won’t complain until end of April.
I agree. Was told next month after DD at branch. 50 showed up though.Will harass for savings/CD in April. No activity since open.
That’s crazy, with no activity other than opening deposit. Anyway, maybe they do payouts in phases. Seen stranger things. Looked at the promo I did with them in 2016, where they actually spelled out the rules (what a novel concept). Said payout in 60 days. I signed up 10/22, got paid 12/02, so just over a month. Which is normal, where they payout earlier than expected. A bank does want to wait until last minute because they field too many questions. Wastes their time. Every call they take is $$$, in theory.
Called confirmed only 1 DD required to checking. No need for DD to savings.
CSR’s are notorious for getting it wrong – they probably get little training if any on what promos are existing and just input the data when customers inquire. Not to flip-flop on what I said earlier, but there is a lot of detail missing from the terms of this promo. Which account types are eligible, how long do we have to keep them open, how long before bonus posts, how long do we get to establish DD, and what is considered a DD? No minimum DD listed, so very possible trial ACH deposits will trigger. As mentioned in article, normally you have to keep account in good standing 6 months. It’s sad when a customer can write the terms better than the bank.
There is only a few of us speaking on this promo, but I am curious to see how it pans out.
I was told on the phone the last time I called that cd accounts do not count for the bonus as they have no direct deposits…? Does anyone know what accounts qualify as I get a different answer every time I call?
When I signed up, I specifically asked if a CD would qualify, if he could attach the promo, and he said it would. I asked how they came up with maximum TEN $50 bonuses per person without having duplicate products, and he said loan products would qualify as well. Not sure if he was right. The promo terms do state “Existing Chartway loans and lines are not eligible” so that would imply new loans would qualify. I interpreted the DD requirement only for applicable products, and it says Savings/Checking… you aren’t going to have a DD go directly to a loan, CC, CD or IRA.
So, I AM GUESSING Savings, Checking, CD, IRA CD, IRA, home loan, auto loan, personal loan, heloc, recreational loans, credit card? I am beyond 10. I was surprised they didn’t have a flyer or anything written terms in branch – just the silly picture of the yoga girl on the TV. Really helpful.
I agree. I asked in branch and was told yes CDs count. The minimums above need updated too 15 checking 5 savings. Will provide DP when bonus posts told April.
Agree, acct opening mins are $5 savings and $15 checking. I forgot to mention that originally. And, super easy to keep fee free with the LiveNow acct, but no checkwriting. Silly exclusion on a CHECKing account.
Also, applicable states is not exactly correct. Those are the states with branches. I think they have some branches near the border, so they openly accept some others specific counties outside thoses states. Online application allows: AZ, FL, NV, NC, NJ, OH, TX, UT, VA. Then you select your specific cities/counties.
Either way, to ensure promo gets attached, I am thinking you have to go in branch, but phone might work if in the 9 states & in a footprint county. And, the WePromise loophole allows anyone to join for a $10 donation, so if you have a branch anywhere along your travels, you should be able to do the promo.
Agree with all this. Any knowledge on how to get saving account # to set up DD?
Yeah, they don’t make it easy to figure out. I have seen this before with credit unions. They use a prefix / suffix system to account numbers. Each account type has it’s own ID number that falls in the middle of the prefix & suffix.
Now that you are sufficiently confused, easiest way to tell your full account number:
– Login to online banking.
– From the home tab, Click on the account you want to view.
– Middle of webpage, there is account info tab. Click on it.
Very last line on that view should say:
Account Number (ACH)….. XX0000XXXXXXX
Savings Share will be 0000
Livenow Checking will be 0080
This makes it hard for the average person to tell which account you are talking about, as we normally look at the last digits.
Chartway RTN is 251481614. See it at http://www.chartway.com/connect/member-help.html.
I don’t recall if Chartway has any rules on ACH out of the savings. Some credit unions only allow ACH out of checking, not savings. Reg D only allows 6 withdrawals out of a savings/mo, but some credit unions block all ACH out out of share savings. I know Navy Fed is this way. (Edit: Chartway doesn’t have this rule – my trial deposit from WF were successfully debited out of the share savings)
Personally I can’t imagine they want ACH to both your Checking and Savings, but do whatever makes you happy. I am doing a random collection of ACH, and still uneasy about sending a real DD to an account that I think they might close.
My understanding is I have to have a DD into each to meet terms. I was planning on doing an employer $5 to each once. Would help if I could get into their online banking without errors.
Well, I can’t help you there. I guess you need to call then. I assumed you didn’t find the full account number on your paperwork…. which I didn’t either. I don’t see it in app either, so that the only way I have seen the full acct number.
As for DD – yeah, I know it says and/or for DD. Not everyone has that kind of flexibility to split DD’s. I have mine spread out as much as possible and I can’t justify splitting two for Chartway. I am rolling the dice.
That’s awesome you have that DD flexibility. You must be financially fit, just like the Yoga chick.
Thanks. Yeah these small banks you just never know. Yeah no account number of paperwork. Same no account in app.
I agree, my DD is all online and be be split like 9 ways I think. For a lot of people it isn’t that easy.
This was funny. My banker made sure I was financially fit (sarcasm). Feel like 99% of readers here are probably more financially savy then most.
DoC – This promo has been extended to 03/31/2018. Min. for CD is $500, unless you are a kid. I did it. I went to my local branch today because I thought it was the last day for the promo. I first spoke to the greeter – question answering person at the door. I explained I was interested in an account, but knew I had a lot of Chex inquiries. She suggested I wait, because they pull Chex on a monthly basis and my most recent account would not be on there next month. I could smell a BS factor with answer, but ok. She pulled up my old account and saw it was closed in good standing. But, then she tells me I have to see a banker to do the “Fitness Review”, who isn’t available. Come back in 1/2 an hour. OK, so I go do some errands and come back. Banker still not available. I decide to wait, as I may as well not give up now. A few minutes later banker walks in and by his age he looks like he just got off the school bus. Now I know why I had to wait, I suppose. So, I explain again, to the banker this time. Interested in promo – had account with Chartway before – but I have a lot of recent Chex inquires. He says there is no set limit of inquiries, and that have multiple accounts is a personal preference and will not disqualify me. (The same kind of warm assurances I got from KeyBank, which ended badly.) Then he says he can pull my Chex without applying to see if I qualify for membership. (I assume he was able to do this because I was a member before? He never asked for my SSN so he got it from his system.) He says he sees the inquires I am talking about, but I still qualify for membership. So, I am feeling good. Requested a Savings, Checking, and one 6 mo CD account. Wrote a check for the minimum balances. ($5 – $15 – & $500 for the CD – not $100 – $100 for the teenager CD, whatever they call it) I sign on the electronic signature pad – he hands me printed copies of application, which I find and correct a couple spelling errors that were made. I looked over the data entry items more than the actual boilerplate. Lastly, gives me my login/passcode on the back of his business card. Says each of my bonuses would be paid in April for all three accounts. About 45 mins later, I am off to finish my errands. I get home and look over everything more closely. I see at the top of the first paper it says: “Notice of action based on info contained in a consumer report. We regret we cannot open your account today due to information received from ChexSystems Inc.” Yada yada… “right to obtain a free copy of… Read more »
That’s very annoying, thanks for the well thought out comment as always.
No problem – just paying back your site. Maybe it will work out, but I have my doubts.
Suggested edits on the CD min opening value being $500 and debit card not being a separate product.
Editing now
Surprisingly enough, the Chartway account has stayed open. I have made a few transfers in and out. Cautiously optimistic that they grandfathered me in because I had been a prior customer.
I will post if bonus(es) posts.
DP: I decided to go against the DPs. Went to local TX branch. Explicity asked about if Chex inquiries issue. Told no, just negative information. I have 12 new accounts in prior year.
Proceeded to open checking/savings. My paperwork looked fine. Be careful about paper statement/account fee if not multiple products.
Was told I can open CD online.
Hoping not closed later like others. Was told bonus would deposit in April. Will be making a stink if later closed after banker reassured me large number of Chex inquiries not a problem.
Oh, also how bad is a hard pull? They said there is one for this offer. Thanks
I have had an account with them before. They pulled Chex – no hard pull of the big 3, EQ/EX/TU. Not sure who you spoke to, if they knew for sure, but maybe they were mistaken, that they meant a hard pull of ChexSystems. Or, it’s possible they have changed the policy. Credit unions, in general, are more likely to do hard pulls for new members, but nobody reported a hard pull last promo that I recall. Just don’t opt-in to overdraft protection, or open a line of credit/credit card.
How bad is a hard pull? Depends on your credit file. Usually not a big deal, as payment history is incredibly more important than low impact HP’s. However, if you have limited credit history, or some boo-boo’s, too many HP’s can make or break you. Can also depend on the scoring model used, which there are a ton of them.
I don’t understand how the debit card is a product as chartway is saying that it is not. Also, they seem to say that all checking savings and MONEY MARKET require Direct deposit (not ach) to get $50 product bonus. Does that sound right as the article seemed to imply debit card might work? Thanks
I thought a debit card would work as a separate product, but perhaps not. The checking, savings and money market accounts do require a direct deposit as per the terms.
I mentioned that above – a debit card is included as part of a checking account – it’s not a separate product. As for them wanting a DD – that’s true, and how they expect each account to get a DD. That can be very difficult for most, unless an ACH works, which it may, or may not. They won’t usually tell you if an ACH will or won’t count; it’s better to beg for forgiveness then to ask for permission (i.e. Don’t call the bank).
I hope am able to make another $5000 for 2018. 2017 was a good year. So far, I’ve only made $500. Long ways to go! Too many hoops to jump for this particular deal.