[CA & TX only] Premier America Credit Union $100 Checking Bonus

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• Denied for Chex. I am 1/1, 5/3, 10/6, 17/12, 32/24

• Denied for Chex after uploading all the docs they requested. Pretty ridiculous process.

  And since when is Premier America chex sensitive?

• Went in branch in Houston. After wasting half an hour with some guy who was new he said they are denying due to many inquiries. If I knew they were chec sensitive I wouldn't have bothered for $100

• As an update, my $200 DD hit the account on Wednesday and has already been withdrawn along with the initial deposit (account now has my standard $0.01 balance).

  The DD posted as "Deposit [Employer Name] Payroll."

  Out of abundance of caution, I will have one more DD in two weeks before discontinuing it.

• Where can I find the member number? We need that to sign up for online access.

  • It appeared to me in the final message where the application was approved: "Your membership number is..."

    • How’d you guys get past the mobile verification? Still sending to my email with the wrong code

      • Never had this issue. You may want to contact their number and ask for assistance, hopefully this will resolve it.

• Applied yesterday and got call today asked for further verification, need a copy of utility bill, ssn, driver lic. She said no credit card funding is accepted, only allow funding from bank acct. In that case, I don't plan to proceed.

  • Great news. the customer rep called and said she made a mistake. I can use credit card to make initial deposit with almost no limit.

    • DP: Smart Spending checking max inital funding allowed $999

      • What CC was this with?

•  Why can't I receive the verification code on my cell phone? Email verification code is received by email but it shows an error when filling in the code.

  • Same here

• The Smart Spending checking promotion is a much better option (same $100 bonus amount and trivial requirements). As per our discussion in the 'Contact Us' section, I gave it a try OOS since there were no recent DPs, and my account was approved on Thursday.

  The $75 bonus should post after 45 days, while the remaining $25 after you set up a $200 DD (by “monthly,” they mean they expect the DD to be recurring).

  I applied with the three main credit reports frozen and they pulled my Chex report. My Chex stats were: 1/1; 1/2; 3/3; 5/6; 20/12; 35/24, as per my latest TU report.

  • Where do you see a $100 bonus for the Smart Spending? I only see a promotion for $25.

    • From their link, it's $75 + $25:
      https://www.premieramerica.com/smartspending24

  • Here's the link for the Smart Spending checking promotion Jjohn8219 speaks of:

    https://www.premieramerica.com/smartspending24

    "$75 incentive available to individuals who open a first-time Smart Spending account. Account must remain in good standing for 45 days to qualify for incentive. Promo code SmartSpending24 must be used during account opening. Offer valid until December 31, 2024. $25 Head Start Savings BONUS is available when monthly direct deposit (minimum single deposit of $200) added within the first 45 days after account opening. Converted Smart Spending checking account not eligible for bonus. $75 and $25 bonuses will be paid out separately."

    Based on the above, only one $200 direct deposit is required. The question is, what do they consider a direct deposit and what has counted from the past?

    • Credit goes to Snairock to be fair, as I discovered this bonus thanks to him/her (see the discussion in the 'Contact Us' section).

      For the $25 part, note the term "monthly." Like I said, my understanding directly from the bank is that this is equivalent to "recurring." Hence I will make at least a couple of DDs, as always via my employer.

      • It's only $25, but they would have a hard time enforcing it unless they change the language, as it specifically says "(minimum single deposit of $200)"

        • The question is, what counts as a direct deposit?

• Direct Deposit needs to be 250+

  To qualify for the $100 New Premier Plus Checking Account Bonus, new account must have an ACH Direct Deposit (minimum single deposit of $250), be opted in to eStatements, and conduct 10 debit and/or credit card point of sale transactions within the first 60 days of account opening. Bonus is paid on day 61 if all qualifications are met and membership is in good standing. Members with open or converted checking account not eligible for account bonus. Bonus may be subject to IRS tax reporting. Member may receive a 1099 Form from Premier America. Offer subject to change or end without notice. Offer may be combined with other offers at the sole discretion of Premier America Credit Union.

• Damn I had their credit card it's a fixed rate of 7.95% and had their checking and savings without a bonus. I got their credit card bonus of $100 but not checking bonus. Should I close mine out and reapply?

  • If you think the requirements are worth it for you, and you don’t have a suspicious number of ChexSystems inquiries and/or live near their branches.

    If you do try, probably wait a bit before trying to reopen, and if the account you have now isn’t the Smart Spending one there’s one for that that’s easier, and also doesn’t have the “no open checking account” requirement https://www.premieramerica.com/smartspending24