[Expired] [YMMV & AL, DC, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV] BB&T $300 Checking Bonus – Direct Deposit Optional

All codes are currently expired, for the current best checking bonuses click here.

Update 11/06/2018: Bonus is back, this time the promo code is AUXGB. You can validate it’s working as the promo code is accepted. Valid until December 27th, 2018.Hat tip to readers learnedpaw & @lowerybelairmd

Bonus is back, you can tell it’s valid again because the promo code is accepted. Hat tip to reader Brian. Make sure you change the promo code to ASNFV

Offer at a glance

  • Maximum bonus amount: $300
  • Availability: AL, DC, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, NC, NJ, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV
  • Direct deposit required: Optional
  • Additional requirements: Use promo code AUXGB
  • Hard/soft pull: Soft pull It seems like they are very persistant about overdraft protection so make sure you don’t opt in for that
  • ChexSystems: Yes
  • Credit card funding: Up to $250 (says debit card only, but credit cards will work)
  • Monthly fees: $30
  • Early account termination fee: $25, 180 days
  • Household limit: One
  • Expiration date: August 12th, 2018

The Offer

Direct link to offer (please note this doesn’t mention the bonus. Bonus terms were originally sent out via snail mail so this offer is targeted. It’s another matter whether that is enforced)

  • BB&T is offering a bonus of $300 when you open a new BB&T elite gold checking account. You need to open the account with the promo code AUXGB and complete one of the following requirements:
    • Maintain an average daily balance of $5,000 or more within 75 days of account opening OR
    • Complete direct deposits of $2,000 or more within 75 days of account opening

 

The Fine Print

  • Offer is limited to one incentive per household
  • Any account not in good standing, closed or with a balance less than or equal to zero at the time we review account eligibility (between 75-120 days of account opening) will not receive the bonus
  • All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Elite Gold $30 Monthly

You can avoid the monthly fee on this account if you meet any of the following requirements:

  • $25,000 combined deposit balance in checking, savings, CDs, IRAs, Money Rate Savings, Investor’s Deposit Account, or investments through BB&T Investment Services, Inc.
  • $25,000 combined outstanding balance in retail loans and lines of credit3
  • $150,000 BB&T personal mortgage loan balance

Early Account Termination Fee $25

All accounts come with a $25 early account closure fee if you close them within 180 days of account opening.

Our Verdict

Main issue with this account is keeping the account fee free. You basically need $25,000 in combined deposits, that’s also enough to trigger the bonus requirement so that’s a plus. You’d need to keep the $25,000 invested until the bonus posts and then pay the $25 early account termination fee. This 75-120 days, let’s say 120 days just to be safe. This account earns 0.01% APY, so basically nothing. If you put the $25,000 into a 2% account during that period you’d earn ~$165. When you add the $25 closing fee you’re looking at a bonus that is only really $100 or so.

They have  a $150 bonus that will be better for most readers. More details on that here.For now I won’t be adding this to the best checking account bonuses.

Big thanks to reader, John M who let us know. Learn how to find bonuses and contribute to the site here.

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:
    William Charles
  • On November 6, 2018, 17:40

View Comments (61)

  • "Maintain an average daily balance of $5,000 or more within 75 days of account opening".

    Did you mean "for" 75 days? Or what does an average of 5,000 "within" 75 days mean? Can the 5,000 be deposited at day 75, and maintained for 45 days max, which would put us within the 75-120 days after account opening when the account will be reviewed for the bonus?

  • Does anyone know if it's churnable? I closed the account 2 months ago after receiving the same bonus. I did not find any 1 bonus per life in the T&C.

  • FYI I am still trying to get my $150 bonus from the summer from these guys. I am past the terms of that deal. I contacted them for teh 3rd time today & my next step is a CFPB complaint.

  • So I have a mortgage with BBT of over 150K. So is this a no brainer for me then and I only have to DD 2K within 75 days?

  • Looks like I’m getting screwed with the whole code mix-up.

    “I appreciate you contacting us concerning the new account promotion and I will be happy to provide you with more information about it.

    I was able to review your account, our records reflect your account was opened online on 07/02/18. The promotion code entered was ARZFV. Upon further review, accounts with this promotional code must have been opened between the dates of 04/09/2018 and 06/10/2018 to receive the $300 incentive.

    Due to these finds your account is not eligible for the $300.00 promotion credit.

    I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.”

    I’ve already paid 2 monthly fees of $30 and don’t want to pay another...and also don’t want pay an Early Termination Fee. What to do?

    • I am in the same boat. I had confirmed thrice with them when I opened the account that bonus is attached to the account. So I have escalated through the online account manager for getting me the bonus. If they reject, my next step would be CFPB.

      • It turns out I got an email about two weeks ago, after mentioning submitting a CFPB complaint, that there was an error in their system and I will be awarded the $300. I received the bonus a few days ago. There is hope 😊

        • Great. Thanks for the update. Hope to get the bonus soon. How long did it take to get the bonus posted after escalation?
          Did you downgrade before escalation itself ?

          • It was about 2 weeks after escalating that I got the “CEO” email and about 1 week later the bonus posted. Yes, the account was downgraded in that time but only because I thought I wasnt going to receive the bonus at all.

      • I downgraded accounts and he refunded $30. Will close after 180 days to avoid Early Termination Fee

        So, $30 loss.

        Can't wait to open another account with them and actually collect the bonus ;-)

  • P2 was on the previous offer and was able to get the bonus. Will the houshold limit impact me if i (Not P2) do this offer? - Any such dps on the past

  • I still haven't received my bonus for the previous offer and I opened the account on July 2nd, meeting the requirements with legit DD shortly thereafter. I've already paid the monthly fee x2.

    Anyone in a similar boat and already received the bonus?

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