[YMMV] Citi Cardholders $200 Checking Signup Bonus With Direct Deposit

Update 10/27/23: Looks like this might be publicly available at this link but YMMV.

Offer at a glance

  • Maximum bonus amount: $200
  • Availability: Targeted email offer
  • Direct deposit required: Yes
  • Additional requirements: None
  • Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
  • ChexSystems: Yes
  • Credit card funding: None
  • Monthly fees: $25-$30, avoidable
  • Early account termination fee: None
  • Household limit: None listed
  • Expiration date: 4/4/2023

The Offer

Direct link to offer (requires unique offer code)

Citi is offering select cardholders the following deal:

  • Existing Cardmembers can earn a $200 cash bonus when you open a new eligible Citi Checking Account and make at least two Enhanced Direct Deposits totaling $1,000 or more within 90 days of account opening.
    1. Open a new checking account in an eligible account package from 1/10/2023 –
      4/4/2023 and enroll in the cash bonus offer the day you open your account.
    2. Make at least two Enhanced Direct Deposits totaling $1,000 or more within 90 days of account opening.
    3. Your cash bonus will be deposited into your open, eligible Checking Account within 30 days after you successfully complete all required activities.

The Fine Print

  • Offer valid 1/10/2023 to 4/4/2023.
  • You must have received the offer directly from Citi to be eligible to participate in this promotion. Participation does not guarantee eligibility.
  • You can only participate in one of the following offers when you open a new checking account: Enhanced Direct Deposit Checking Offer, Enhanced Direct Deposit Cardmember Checking Offer, Tiered Bonus Checking Offer (OBTA), Cash Tiered Bonus offer, Welcome Checking Cash Bonus Offer and Card Payer Consumer Checking Offer. Multiple enrollments in these offers may lengthen the amount of time it takes to pay you your cash bonus by as much as 90 days because you only will be awarded the offer with the highest bonus value.
  • All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Monthly Fees

Citi Basic Account Package has a $12 monthly fee, this is waived if you do any of the following:

  • Make one qualifying direct deposit per statement period and one qualifying bill payment per statement period or
  • Maintain a $1,500+ combined average monthly balance in eligible linked accounts
    Fee also waived when first listed account owner is 62 or older.

Early Account Termination Fee

In the past, Citi has not charged any ETF, and none is mentioned for this offer.

Our Verdict

This offer was sent out via email (from: citicards@info15.citi.com) to some Citi cardholders with an offer to signup for a new Citi checking account. There’s also a different Citi checking/savings offer of up to $2,000; that offer has a deposit requirement. Separately, some people got a $200 checking retention bonus today.

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:
    Chuck
  • On October 27, 2023, 08:00
Tags: bank bonusCiti

View Comments (106)

  • DP: Regular ACH push from Wells Fargo works to trigger bonus:

    12/01/23: Opened account online
    12/15/23: Deposited $20 in branch for opening balance
    12/29/23: Real DD
    01/19/24: Push from WF
    01/26/24: $200 bonus

    Based on the DPs, looks like Citi will post the bonus about a week after you meet the DD requirements.

    @will @chucksithe

  • 12/17/23 Account Opened
    1/5/24 $500 DD
    1/12/24 $500 DD
    1/19/24 $200 Bonus posted

    Pretty easy. Will wait a few weeks before closing to avoid the monthly fee.

  • Here are my datapoints:

    * 12/28/23 - account opened with $100 ACH from Wells Fargo
    * 1/9/24 - $500 real DD posted
    * 1/12/24 - $500 real DD posted
    * 1/19/24 - $200 bonus posted “Interest Adj Q1 2023 $200EDD Checking ACQ Offer”

    Will contact Citi to see if there is a way to match to the current $300 checking account offer.

      • Calling to get a match didn't get me anywhere, but the rep said that I could open a new checking account with the new promo. I am skeptical, but I opened a second Citi account and then confirmed via a chat rep that my account had the new offer applied. I will know if it works after the $1,500 in EDD posts. I will report back.

        • Seems like bad advice from that rep... because per terms, you will not qualify. Good on ya for trying though.

          "Qualify.So long as you have not owned a Citi checking account in the last 365 days, meet Tax Requirements, and are at least 18 years old, you can apply to participate in the Enhanced Direct Deposit Checking Acquisition Offer (“Enhanced Direct Deposit Offer”)."

          • I'm thinking the rep was recollecting this line:

            "Multiple enrollments in these offers may lengthen the amount of time it takes to pay you your cash bonus by as much as 90 days because you only will be awarded the offer with the highest bonus value."

            But, that would only work if your bonus had not paid out yet at the time of the 2nd account enrollment. Anyhow, good luck!

  • I am always wary of Citi. but does the 'Everyday Access' acct, also satisfy the requirements for the $200? It doesn't specifically say which accts satisfy the requirements altho , it appears that all for do. Thanks!

  • Looks like the only way to avoid monthly fees is to maintain $250+ in DD. How long you required to wait before closing? I don't see it mentioned in the terms

  • Easy bonus, got it without being targeted.

    12/8: $510 work DD
    12/22: $510 work DD
    1/2: $200 bonus received

  • Got denied when trying to open the checking account. I was so shocked - my first denial, called the phone number listed promo email - a lady on the phone recommended to clear cookies, try another browser. I tried 2 more times, from Firefox after cleared cookies and then from Chrome on the phone with the same result. Went to ChexSystems and requested report - I only had 2 entries (in May and November) under "Inquiries viewed by others" in addition to 3 Citi generated ones today because of my trying to apply 3 times. What would you recommend as next steps? Calling them? Trying physical branch?

Leave a Comment