Bonus is back, thanks to reader Sid for finding the working link. Keep in mind there is a $300 bonus available in some areas at the moment.
Notes:
- Some reports of them being sensitive to too many ChexSystems inquiries
- You’ll receive a code like this: ONAS0218-000001406 (ONAS0118 is your promo code and the second string of numbers is your reservation code). I think this is no longer required for online openings.
- If you receive “this offer has ended” message it means your zip code isn’t eligible.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $200
- Availability: Offer available in the following markets ONLY: All of New York state except for the greater New York City area, Columbus, Dayton and Toledo OH, Denver CO, Idaho, Indiana (Central and Northern), Maine, Michigan, Philadelphia PA, Portland OR, Utah and Vermont
- Direct deposit required: Yes, $500+ required
- Additional requirements: Use promotional code
- Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
- ChexSystems: Mixed DP, most likely does
- Credit card funding: Up to $100
- Monthly fees: $7 avoidable
- Early account termination fee: $25, 180 days
- Household limit: None
- Expiration date: February 23rd, 2018
Contents
The Offer
- KeyBank is offering a sign up bonus of $200 when you open a new checking account and complete the following requirements:
- Use promotional code ONAS0218
- Make a direct deposit of $500 or more within 60 days of account opening
The Fine Print
- Offer is available to clients who do not have or haven’t had a KeyBank Hassle-Free Account® or a KeyBank checking account during the past 12 months.
- All of New York state except for the greater New York City area, Akron, Canton, Cleveland OH, Columbus and Dayton, Toledo OH, Denver CO, Hartford and New Haven CT, Idaho, Indiana (Central and Northern), Maine, Michigan, Pittsburgh PA, Philadelphia PA, Portland OR, Seattle WA, South Puget Sound WA, Utah and Vermont
- Direct deposit transactions are limited to payroll, Social Security, pension and government benefits.
- Limit one gift per qualifying account.
- Limit one gift per individual
- . The value of your gift will be reported on Form 1099-INT. Your gift will be deposited into your account 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.
- Other miscellaneous charges may apply. Accounts overdrawn or closed at the time of gift fulfillment are not eligible for this offer. Employees of KeyBank, its affiliates, and subsidiaries are not eligible for this offer. Accounts titled as Trust Accounts, Estate, Non-Individual, and No Access are excluded from eligibility. Offer code/coupon IS REQUIRED and cannot be sold. Offer is subject to cancellation without notice and cannot be combined with any other offer.
Avoiding Fees
Key Express Checking $7 Monthly Fee
- 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
Our Verdict
It’s best when they offer $300 for opening the key express checking account, but KeyBank is so scattered with what they offer (differing deals in different regions) and we haven’t see that deal for some time. Might be worth just going for this one if you’re eligible but YMMV. Will obviously post if we find a better deal. For now I won’t be adding this to our best checking bonus. They currently have a $300 bonus available in different areas here.
Hat tip to readers Mark O & Yet Another Redditor
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
For those who use Amex Serve, how do you keep it fee free?
Here is the new code for 2019
ONAS0119
https://www.key.com/personal/promotions/checking-200-ps.jsp?ppc=1901_CMPPRM_ONAS0119_ps+Google_Secondary_GDN_Similar_Audiences&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi7CAldyD4AIVSD5PCh28Pw0-EAEYASAAEgKvV_D_BwE
Sept 19 – transferred $500 from Alliant Credit Union. It coded as “Direct Deposit, Alliant Cu. Online Wd”. $200 Bonus posted Oct. 2nd.
I was planning to close this account but got an offer for $10 back when I make 10 debit card transactions. It claims the bonus will post by 10/31. Has anyone done this and if so, how quickly did the $10 post? We know the $200 for opening the account and doing a direct deposit posts fairly quickly. I don’t feel like keeping the account open another couple of months for $10 but a few weeks is OK.
Definitely chex sensitive. Denied with over 50 inquiries.
Direct link above showed offer has ended for me (Seattle, WA). I input my zip code (98133), went to their home page where there was a banner ad for this bonus. Link that works for me: https://www.key.com/personal/promotions/checking/get-200.jsp?sqkl=personal_promotions_acq_200_060418
Offer Code: MASE0618
Expiration: November 2, 2018.
Data Point:
500 push from Santander Checking or Discover Savings did not work to trigger the bonus. Coded as “ACH,santander bank payment” and “ACH,discover bank p2p”. Direct Deposit from my employer triggered 200 bonus the same day.
Thanks, added those DP.
Looks like these goof balls never applied my promo code to my account and im sitting around waiting for nothing. Managers going to call me later – not sure if I should mention the 500 ACH i had come from capital one and if the manager will overide/ flag the account to not get the promo
DP:
Feb 21: Opening Deposit – $100
Feb 27: PayPal Transfer – $507
March 22: JPMORGAN CHASE EXT TRNSFR – $503
March 30: WELLS FARGO IFI DDA TO DDA – $503
April 3: GIFT FROM KEY BANK FOR RECENT OFFER – $200
Not sure which transfer triggered bonus but I’m guessing it wasn’t PayPal?
Live in Idaho and clicked the updated link provided in comments, but using ONAS0218 gave me this:
“Offer/Marketing Code The offer code entered is either not available in your area or for the account you selected. Please change or remove the code to complete your request.”
Any ideas?