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RJ
RJ (@guest_2091606)
July 3, 2025 11:40

Adding a DP – opened checking account for P3 and funded $500 with Chase Sapphire. It coded as cash advance.

RM
RM (@guest_2081404)
June 19, 2025 22:40

Gadget - Bank Bonus Geek Associated seems to have closed the joint account workaround (https://www.doctorofcredit.com/il-in-mn-wi-only-associated-bank-500-checking-bonus/#comment-1342365) — unless I am doing something wrong.

Tried to open a joint savings account just now through my login with me as an existing customer (opened in branch OOS earlier this year) and P2 as the new customer. My information was auto-filled. Added P2 as a joint applicant, checked the box stating that her address was the same as that of the primary applicant (our OOS address), filled in her SSN/DL info, and tried to move on to the next page. Got an error (“Unfortunately, we are not able to open accounts in your area”), with the state in P2’s address (CA) highlighted in red (“State/Province is invalid”). Nothing in my address was flagged.

Do you have any thoughts? The only other thing I can think of is to open the savings account on my own and then try to add P2 either by phone or by calling my banker at the branch where I initially opened — but that seems like it would attract unwarranted attention, and is probably unlikely to work.

Gadget 🕵️‍♂️ Bank Bonus Geek 🔗
June 19, 2025 23:13
  RM

It’s been many years since I did the joint account to bring in P2, I cannot remember the details now. It’s possible they are cracking down on OOS and I might be in the soup next time I try to open a new checking account.

RM
RM (@guest_2081503)
June 20, 2025 07:19

Sorry to have been the bearer of (potentially) bad news. Since we have not heard any similar reports from folks using the credit card trick, my guess is that this is restricted to completely new customers like my P2. But time will tell, I guess. Gadget - Bank Bonus Geek

Pete
Pete (@guest_2078762)
June 16, 2025 12:45

Extended to 30 September 2025

Nathan
Nathan (@guest_2075183)
June 10, 2025 10:14

Ok so problem: apparently the promo code wasn’t applied when I applied online through the link. Has anyone else experienced this and know what to do? It’s tough to search through the post history for this scenario. The Rep says my best bet is to a call a branch and see if they can add it

Nathan
Nathan (@guest_2075966)
June 11, 2025 13:08

Ugh, called one branch and they said I just need to do the reqs for the promotion to show. Didn’t seem like they knew what they were talking about so I called a second branch. Second branch said that actually first branch did enroll me but then checked with a supervisor who said I am not eligible because OOS. Seemed like she put a note on the account too. I think they are misreading their own rules and don’t know what they are talking about.

Wondering if this warrants getting CFPB involved. Would suck to have opened the CC for only the measly $150 bonus.

Nathan
Nathan (@guest_2075997)
June 11, 2025 13:42

Called branch rep back to contest reading of the terms, but after checking with back office they held that “new customer” means “new deposit relationship” and that my CC was new anyways.

To me that is not what the terms say so I am thinking of getting CFPB involved. But not sure what CFPB pressure could do since I haven’t “done” the bonus yet; would Associated Bank be likely to enroll me in the promotion?

Can I get your thoughts? Gadget - Bank Bonus Geek Pickle Rick🔗 mothman69 Celia

Also a bit worried that contesting about this could lead to changes in the terms in the future

Nathan
Nathan (@guest_2076793)
June 12, 2025 14:53

Sorry for double tag, Celia. This comment went to review and I didn’t think it would go through

Pickle Rick🔗
Pickle Rick🔗 (@guest_2076796)
June 12, 2025 14:56

Did you save the “Account Summary” pdf from your account opening? If so, what does it say for the account type?

Nathan
Nathan (@guest_2076890)
June 12, 2025 17:01

Pickle Rick🔗 No I did not, but logging into the app tracker the type just shows Access Checking

Pickle Rick🔗
Pickle Rick🔗 (@guest_2076909)
June 12, 2025 17:19

Gotcha. Yeah the promo code definitely wasn’t applied then. Wasn’t sure if it was a case of CSRs giving incorrect information.

I think if the promo code wasn’t applied as part of the opening, you might be SoL. Unless you have screenshots of the application process showing either the promo or the URL containing the promo code query string, unfortunately I don’t see you winning a case. It’s up to the bank’s discretion at this point.

What the back office said seems nonsensical to me though. The terms don’t state “new customer”. They just say you have to open a new checking account. Further, the CC doesn’t invalidate the made up “new deposit relationship” requirement, so wtf are they even on about?

Nathan
Nathan (@guest_2076922)
June 12, 2025 17:37

Darn, I did not screenshot the intermediate page. Thank you for your advice. Unless someone thinks different, I think I will just close the checking account (which might motivate them to enroll me) and wait for the 12 month timer to reset before churning, which would mean my CC wasn’t a complete waste.

The terms they are referring to are about the state restrictions of who can open online. According to their fake interpretation, if I am a “new customer” i.e. have a “new deposit relationship”, then I can’t enroll online OOS.

Pickle Rick🔗
Pickle Rick🔗 (@guest_2076933)
June 12, 2025 18:00

Those are some real mental gymnastics. Their fake opening restriction, which clearly doesn’t apply as you were already able to open the account, doesn’t make them unable to attach the promo.

I do agree with you on closing the account, but that’s just my two cents.

mothman69
mothman69 (@guest_2076997)
June 12, 2025 20:31

As you’ve already experienced you probably won’t be able to get anyone to fix the missing promo code and a CFPB complaint won’t help with that either. Best to close the account and chalk it up as a loss. Sometimes things like this happen when trying to sneak in from OOS.

Lilly
Lilly (@guest_2077537)
June 13, 2025 16:07

mine was listed as Access Checking Promo – 1351 

Celia 🔗
Celia 🔗 (@guest_2075980)
June 11, 2025 13:24

Nathan I wasn’t sure my account was enrolled either. Out of curiosity, does your checking account have a number after it? I think mine was listed as Access Checking – 1351 and at the time DPs were saying that showed the account was enrolled in the bonus.

Nathan
Nathan (@guest_2075986)
June 11, 2025 13:35

Celia No I do not have a number after.

Celia 🔗
Celia 🔗 (@guest_2076014)
June 11, 2025 13:56

Hmm, was just a thought. Since you already involved the bank, your best bet might to be just to run through promo requirements and see what happens. If you took screenshots, you might be able to argue it if it doesn’t show. Not sure it helps, but the terms in my offer stated: Offer limited to one per customer and cannot be combined with other offers. New customers opening online are limited to IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, OH and WI. 

Nathan
Nathan (@guest_2076238)
June 11, 2025 18:30

Celia Do you think if I submitted to CFPB the bank would enroll me in the promo? Or does CFPB only help if I have already completed the reqs?

Celia 🔗
Celia 🔗 (@guest_2076262)
June 11, 2025 19:36

I would think that CFPB would only help if all the terms were completed.

Nathan
Nathan (@guest_2074609)
June 9, 2025 09:42

So there are a ton of old DPs about people’s money getting locked up when they tried to move in the large amounts for the $10k hold requirement. Does this still happen or did they fix their system or did we learn a way around it?

Christopher Robin 🔗💰
Christopher Robin 🔗💰 (@guest_2074610)
June 9, 2025 09:46

Nathan General recommendation is to both push and pull funds using an established external bank account as opposed to using your newly opened account (Associate Bank in this case) to initiate transfers.

Nathan
Nathan (@guest_2074613)
June 9, 2025 09:54

So if I wanted to do a CD for the hold requirement, I would need to push $10k to my Associated Bank checking account, then open the CD and transfer from my checking?

Christopher Robin 🔗💰
Christopher Robin 🔗💰 (@guest_2074614)
June 9, 2025 09:55

Nathan What you described would work.

David Pilcher
David Pilcher (@guest_2073244)
June 6, 2025 08:11

For anyone doing this now – do you see “Promo Code 6020” when you start the process?
There is no way to enter 1400 that I could see.
Thanks.

Gadget 🕵️‍♂️ Bank Bonus Geek 🔗
June 6, 2025 13:22

You should use the promo code that is being prefilled by the bank’s webpage, which appears to be 6020 now. Don’t go off the DoC webpage notes as they are likely old and outdated. David Pilcher

David Pilcher
David Pilcher (@guest_2073450)
June 6, 2025 13:47

Thanks, that’s what I did. I try to screenshot everything along the process as well in case the CFPB is involved later on.

405_club
405_club (@guest_2073232)
June 6, 2025 07:09

DP

03/03/25 Opened with a $25 deposit
03/14/25 $10K real DD
03/28-06/06 Recurring DD >= $500, every 2 weeks
06/05/25 $600 bonus posted

Nathan
Nathan (@guest_2073202)
June 6, 2025 00:56

For those doing OOS trick via CC, you can just begin the app like normal then sign-in inside the app, rather than sign-in first and navigate within the portal to apply for an account. That way, you can have more confidence that the promo will be applied (even though other people say any new account is auto-enrolled).
Also I was approved for checking same day I as I got access to online banking (several days after CC app)

David Pilcher
David Pilcher (@guest_2072900)
June 5, 2025 13:53

I got approved today after trying again (denied 07/24 1st time). Ohio.

Some thoughts:
I did not apply for a credit card first. Just went for the checking.
Promo I saw and made copies of during the sign-up were “Promo Code 6020”.

After I was approved, I went ahead and did a 7 month CD for 4.13/4.25%. Why? It’s a good rate, and beats keeping any significant money in their savings or checkings. I called first and spoke to their back office – they, as well as the terms of the “across all accounts” confirmed that the 10k in a CD would qualify one part of the bonus requirement.

I did not try Visa funding due to reports below it would code as cash advance..

Direct Deposit – I’ve never seen anything like this – they have a tool that will connect to your payroll department automatically. I am a federal employee and they were able to connect to DFAS and update my direct deposit automatically.

While I was in there I noticed they have the same credit cards basically as USBANK’s Cash+ as well as the Altitude Go!. Can’t hurt to have more Cash Plus cards, and $150 for $500 will make the total bonus:

$600+$150+$247.92 (7 months interest on 10k).
Since I have to keep the account open for a year anyway, it’s almost 1k back with the CC bonus & CD interest. Not bad. I am cautiously optimistic.

Pickle Rick🔗
Pickle Rick🔗 (@guest_2072912)
June 5, 2025 14:12

Applying for a credit card first is just a workaround we OOS applicants used to get into online banking, and then apply for checking as a current customer. You didn’t have to do that since you are already in footprint.

Associated works with Elan, a USB subsidiary, as their credit card provider. Same underwriting as USB, statements look the same, and their cards are very similar. Their Max Cash Preferred cards are nice in that you don’t have to reselect your categories every quarter. The tradeoff is that if you redeem cash back, you have to use an account with the partner bank and it takes a few biz days. If you close your deposit accounts with the partner, then you have to use a different method to redeem.

David Pilcher
David Pilcher (@guest_2073101)
June 5, 2025 20:27

I was in footprint last July and got denied. It’s really just a crapshoot here. I thawed all 3 + Chex in July too. The get the credit card first thing I did do with USbank. I only mentioned it as some of the OOS folks said they did that – that’s the point of a datapoint.

Pickle Rick🔗
Pickle Rick🔗 (@guest_2073112)
June 5, 2025 20:45

I mean, that’s not really the point of a DP lol. You’re not OOS, so saying you didn’t have to use the OOS workaround is redundant.

That’s not to say that your overall DP isn’t helpful btw. It’s thorough and appreciated.

David Pilcher
David Pilcher (@guest_2073243)
June 6, 2025 08:10

Pickle Rick there are 0 Associated Bank branches in the state of Ohio sir. I am out of state, but not out of “footprint”. It was the same story July of ’24 when I was denied.

Pickle Rick🔗
Pickle Rick🔗 (@guest_2073249)
June 6, 2025 08:26

You’re splitting hairs and missing the point. We generally use OOF and OOS interchangeably.

If you’re in footprint, you don’t need to use a workaround to apply. You can just apply. For those of us OOF/OOS folks, we have to use the workaround because the regular application is restricted to states in footprint.

David Pilcher
David Pilcher (@guest_2073351)
June 6, 2025 11:19

Being told I’m splitting hairs by someone who is equally pedantic. Got it.

NONE of what you mentioned explains why I was denied in July 2024, and MOST of the replies here for out of state (which I am) talk about getting the credit card first. You do know how to hit “View more replies” at the bottom do you not? You think I just replied without reading the comments first?
This thread also states to put in code 1400.
I came in to provide my datapoint, but you couldn’t let it go.

You seem to live in this thread Rick – enjoy. I’m out.

Pickle Rick🔗
Pickle Rick🔗 (@guest_2073367)
June 6, 2025 11:38

Lol you’ve clearly got a firm grasp on the context of our earlier DPs. No sweat off my back. Bye, Felicia.

David Pilcher
David Pilcher (@guest_2073453)
June 6, 2025 13:49

Who has time to sit in the Associated Bank comments section on DOC? Hey, Rick, maybe you can reply to another 900 people.
Do you work for Associated Bank?

Pickle Rick🔗
Pickle Rick🔗 (@guest_2073457)
June 6, 2025 13:51

What happened? I thought you were out?

David Pilcher
David Pilcher (@guest_2073102)
June 5, 2025 20:27

Another way to redeem is add them to Amazon for checkout. Elan/USBANK work this way at least.

Pickle Rick🔗
Pickle Rick🔗 (@guest_2073103)
June 5, 2025 20:29

Yeah, that’s one of the different methods I was talking about

David Pilcher
David Pilcher (@guest_2073352)
June 6, 2025 11:20

Congrats Rick. Well done.

Michael
Michael (@guest_2070235)
May 31, 2025 16:29

Anyone know how far they go back when determining eligibility. Vaguely recall having a Discover Savings account over 20 years ago. Don’t want to bother moving around 50k for no reason.

Eric 🔗
Eric 🔗 (@guest_2070237)
May 31, 2025 16:32

Wrong post?

Pickle Rick🔗
Pickle Rick🔗 (@guest_2070238)
May 31, 2025 16:32

Did you comment on the wrong page?

Michael
Michael (@guest_2070243)
May 31, 2025 16:44

Wrong thread. Sorry. Too many pages open determining which deal to work on next.

Frey
Frey (@guest_2070266)
May 31, 2025 17:31

Michael to answer the question though, Discover is a lifetime bonus.