A bank bonus usually requires more than putting money into a new account. Before applying, check who is eligible, how the money must arrive, the deadline, the ongoing costs, and what must remain true at payout. Use the five checks below to turn an offer into a plan you can verify.
1. Are you eligible, and is the offer attached?
Look for previous-account and previous-bonus exclusions before moving income. These are different tests: a closed account may still affect eligibility even if it never earned a bonus. Check whether the rule applies to a primary owner, a joint owner, a particular product, or other accounts with the bank.
For example, the reviewed Capital One offer excludes primary or secondary holders of certain checking products on or after January 1, 2024, and requires code CHECKING250 when opening. Confirm the exact offer and save its enrollment evidence. Official terms ↗
Your check: record the promotion URL or code, the applicable account-history rule, and the dates in your own records. If you cannot establish eligibility, resolve that question with the bank before treating the bonus as part of your budget.
2. What counts as a qualifying direct deposit?
The payment's source and the promotion's definition matter. An ACH transfer is not automatically an eligible direct deposit. These examples show why a single list of “transfers that work” cannot replace the official conditions.
| Promotion | Qualifying activity | An exclusion to check |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Total Checking | Electronic paycheck, pension or government-benefit deposits. | Self-transfers, Zelle and tax refunds do not count for this bonus. Official terms ↗ |
| Capital One 360 Checking | Regular periodic income meeting its qualifying direct deposit definition. | Do not use a transfer initiated through Capital One's website or app as a substitute. Official terms ↗ |
| Wells Fargo Everyday Checking | Posted qualifying income through ACH, RTP/FedNow, or specified third-party debit-card credits. | Account transfers, mobile checks, Zelle, branch and ATM deposits are excluded. Official terms ↗ |
| SoFi Checking & Savings | Recurring ACH income from an employer, payroll or benefits provider, or government agency. | Bank transfers, peer-to-peer payments, merchant payouts and tax refunds are excluded. Official terms ↗ |
Your check: identify the payer, payment method, amount and posting date for each planned deposit. A transfer description or another reader's experience does not confirm your eligibility.
3. Do the amount, count and dates all work?
Separate the last date to enroll from the time allowed to complete the activity. Record the event that starts the clock; account opening, offer enrollment and the first eligible deposit are not interchangeable.
Capital One's reviewed promotion requires two qualifying deposits of at least $500 each within 75 days of opening. A single $1,000 deposit is not two deposits. SoFi instead starts its 25-calendar-day measurement period when it receives and recognizes the first eligible deposit of at least $1. Capital One terms ↗ · SoFi terms ↗
Wells Fargo's detailed bonus terms use 90 calendar days from account opening. Its Early Pay Day funds count when posted, not while pending. Official terms ↗
Your check: map expected pay dates against the bank's deadline, allow time for payroll changes, and choose an earlier personal target. A planning buffer does not extend the offer.
4. Are the bonus and fee-waiver rules different?
Read the fee waiver separately. In Chase's reviewed terms, a tax refund may count toward the electronic-deposit fee waiver, but it is excluded from the welcome bonus's direct-deposit requirement. Qualifying for one does not prove qualification for the other. Official terms ↗
Your check: write down the monthly fee, the exact waiver route you expect to use, and its measurement period. Include likely fees and interest you would forgo elsewhere in the bank bonus value calculator. A positive estimate is not proof that the offer fits your cash needs.
5. What happens after the deposits arrive?
Save the terms you accepted and reconcile them with posted activity. Check the payout window and account-standing conditions before deciding a payment is late or closing an account. Capital One's reviewed promotion allows up to 135 days from opening for payout and requires the account to remain open and in good standing. Official terms ↗
Your check: keep enrollment evidence, qualifying deposit dates and the expected payout window privately. If the bonus is missing after that window, ask the bank which requirement is unmet and keep the case reference. Share account documents only through its secure channels.
Common questions
Does a transfer from my own bank count?
Do not assume so. The table above identifies exclusions in the reviewed offers. Start with the promotion's definition of qualifying income, not merely whether the transfer uses ACH.
What if my employer's deposit is not recognized?
Ask the bank to review the actual payment details. SoFi specifically describes a support review for otherwise eligible income that its system does not recognize. Recognition and final eligibility remain the bank's decision. Official terms ↗
Does saving a checklist mean I have qualified?
No. The checklist records your progress; it is not connected to your bank. The bank determines eligibility and payment under the offer you accepted.
Sources and next steps
This guide compares selected requirements, not every exclusion or every bank offer. Recheck the current promotion before applying.