In light of this little tidbit, we put together a list of the top 3 new checking account bonuses that won’t end up paying off if you’re not considered a ‘high value account’ to them.

However, before we hop into the 3 account promotions, let’s analyze what makes up a high value client for the likes of Citibank, Bank of America, Chase or any other large national powerhouse.

1) Someone who has or will open multiple accounts with the bank (ie. credit cards, mortgage or home loan, auto loan, etc.)

2) Someone who regularly holds a high balance in their checking account. In fact, these are the would-be customers hit by the new fees that were so badly brutalized in the media. Anyone who regularly keeps under $500 in their checking account can consider themselves a ‘low value client’ to a big bank and should probably look into a credit union or online bank. Conversely, check out how one can earn 2% cash back on their checking account by keeping more than $5k as a balance.

3) Someone who plans on keeping their retirement account(s) with the bank’s investment arm. Obviously the larger your nest egg, the more valuable of a client you are.

So…for the littler guys just looking for a no fee’s checking account with a lucrative sign-up bonus, STAY AWAY from these tempting offers, which, by the way, will immediately pop up in Google when searching for “checking account bonuses.” Don’t believe me? Give it a try!

Stay Away From…

1) Key Bank’s Checking Account Bonus. Get $150 by opening one of their many checking account packages.

What they tell you: Get $150 when you switch to Key Bank.

What you’ll also need to know: You’ll need to open one of their various checking accounts and make 60 payments and or purchases within 3 months, plus, make 3 separate $500 deposits in 3 months. However, the most important thing to notice is that ALL of their checking account packages come with “maintenance fee’s” (besides one) unless you can keep a rather hefty $10 – $100k in them. Their most basic checking package is the “Key Express Checking Account” and you’ll still need to deposit at least $500 or initiate five account transfers per statement cycle to avoid fees.

2) Citibank’s Checking Account Bonus Offer. Open one of two checking accounts and earn between $50 and $100 in bonuses.

What they tell you: Get $100 after opening a Citi Gold Checking Account or $50 from their traditional Citi Checking Account.

What you’ll also need to know: There’s no monthly service fee if you maintain a $15,000 combined average monthly balance requirement in eligible products; otherwise $20.00 monthly service fee is applied. Eligible products are linked deposits, loans, mortgages, and investment accounts.

3) Chase Checking Account. Get $125 for opening a new account by using a promo code or getting one emailed to you. Google “Chase Checking Promotion” to find the promo code.

What they tell you: Get $125 for opening a new Chase Checking Account and making one direct deposit. As a quick disclaimer, we did mention this on our list of top checking account offers in 2012, however, we provided the disclaimer that this account bonus will only be worth it if you plan on making Chase your primary bank and moving larger sums over to their bank.

What you’ll also need to know: Chase’s checking account has no monthly service fee’s for those who can either make a monthly direct deposit of $500 or more or keep a daily average balance of $1,500. If you can’t you’ll get dinged with a $12 fee. So as you can see it’s the best of the three big bank checking account promotions, but still likely not worth it for the little guy.

If you’re a last minute shopper like myself, then luckily you’re still eligible to nab one of these cash bonus credit card offers but you’ll have to move fast. However, if you’re one of those people that like to take advantage of the post-holiday discounts many retail stores offer knowing consumers’ wallets (and credit limits) will be packed with funds from returned ugly socks, sweaters, and the like, then you may still want to consider one of these cash bonus credit cards to supplement the upcoming discounts.

Below are Credit Cards Offering Holiday Cash Bonuses for Signing-Up:

1) Get $150 Cash Back Bonus From Discover – Discover is one of our favorite cards for both cash back incentives and balance transfers, however, in our recollection they rarely dabble in the cash bonus realm until the Holiday’s roll around. Currently (and until December 30th) you can nab a $150 bonus after spending $1,000 in 90 days. (Our original report of this offer can be found here). Use the link above before the exp. date to get the offer and to read all the additional terms, conditions of features of the card. The above link will be removed Friday at 2:30pm CST and the cash bonus will no longer be on the table.

Just as a quick glimpse of the features of this card – It’s 5% cash back program on regular purchases and generous 0% balance transfer offer usually keep it amongst the most popular offers on the market. Just remember to factor in the up-front, one-time balance transfer fee that will be imposed before deciding on whether to transfer an existing card balance over to this one. The main drawback of the card being that it’s not widely accepted outside the United States and you may even have trouble using it in obscure shops or locations within the US as well.

2) Chase Freedom® Visa – $200 Bonus Cash Back – This offer, quite frankly, has been one of the best we’ve seen in a while in the cash bonus space and has surprisingly stayed on the market for a relatively long time when compared to other similar offers from competing card issuers. It’s “limited time offer” threat – if you will – has always been looming around since it’s inception but we haven’t received word of it being removed anytime in the immediate future, however, we do have a hunch it may be either taken off the market or the bonus may be reduced in the coming months following the New Year. It has an extremely similar reward structure to that of the Discover offer above, but the requirements to earn the $200 bonus are far less stringent. You can earn the $200 bonus after spending just $500 with the card! Pretty solid return on investment eh? So again, if you’ve got some last minute shopping to do or plan on taking advantage of the post-holiday blues discounts this extra 200 bucks Chase is throwing in your pocket could probably lend a helping hand!

Last week we noted that the popular Discover More Card is featuring a $150 cash bonus after spending $1,000 with the card (only available through November). And this week’s best holiday credit card special comes from Chase.

Currently the Chase Slate Mastercard is providing new card holders with a $75 statement credit after opening the card and spending $300 on it within the first 3 months. As with other holiday geared credit card offers this one also comes with a 0% APR on purchases for a whopping 15 months!

Apply for the card and get the $75 statement credit here!

Credit cards regularly come out with 0% APR intro periods to persuade consumers to spend, perhaps a little more than they can legitimately afford, during the holiday shopping season. So while this 0% APR for 15 months is a noteworthy feature of the card, we’d still like to remind you to keep your spending in check and always know what your current balance is before pulling it out of your wallet. After the intro period is over you’ll incur a standard APR of between 11.99% – 21.99% depending on your credit worthiness.

If you’ve read our review of the Chase Slate Mastercard, then you’re probably familiar with the Chase Blueprint feature. For those that are unfamiliar with this element of the card, it’s an online management tool that allows you to effectively manage your spending and borrowing. With the feature you can customize your payment plans, create financial goals and monitor their progress. There are no fees associated with this card nor the blueprint program.

Additional Features of Chase Slate Credit Card:

- 0% intro APR on balance transfers.

- 3% balance transfer fee.

- No annual fee.

According to this Associated Press article featured on Yahoo News, “The largest U.S. banks will be required to show regulators how they would break up and sell off their assets if they are in danger of failing.”

On top of this measure, these banks will need to rework their “wills” and send their revisions to the FDIC annually. These revisions will be kept on file and essentially treated as contracts should any of the FDIC-insured institutions begin to show signs of imminent bankruptcy in the wake of another financial crisis.

If the balance sheets and assets of the reported 126 financial institutions participating in this measure are compromised, regulators would then have the power to seize and dismantle the bank(s) that threaten the broader financial system.

Furthermore, the FDIC will also have the power to designate other financial firms as potentially threatening to the financial system and require them to submit plans.

The largest banks affected are Chase Bank, Bank of America, Citigroup and Goldman Sachs.

Currently when consumers sign up for the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card, they’re entitled to 50,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. We know spending $1k a month on a credit card is a little steep, so if you’re really after the bonus you may have to shift the majority of your monthly expenditures over to this card until the promotional period is over. Still not a bad return on investment – spend $3k to get back $665 in travel.

Get Bonus Here.

The other perks associated with Chase’s Sapphire Preferred Card are generous as well. You’ll earn 2 points for every dollar you spend on travel and dining related purchases as well as 1 point for every dollar you spend on all other purchases. Plus, if you book your traveling through Chase’s “Ultimate Rewards” center you’ll use 20% fewer points than you would through other online agencies and comparison shopping sites.

Some noteworthy perks regarding the Sapphire Preferred Card in which you might not be aware of are: 1) Chase drops a 7% annual dividend on points earned into your account every year, 2) you’ll pay no foreign transaction fees when traveling outside of the US and 3) the annual fee (which we’re not particularly fond of) is waived for your first year, after that it will be $95.

Want to learn more about Chase’s regular Sapphire Card? See our full review of the Chase Sapphire Credit Card.

The Chase

Chase Freedom® Visa – $200 Bonus Cash Back Here.

Along with the $200 cash bonus, you’ll also get an industry best 5% cash back on a set of purchases (whose categories rotate each quarter). The categories are made up of typical everyday-type purchases such as gas, groceries, travel (hotel, airlines, car rentals, etc) leisure and more.

While the categories rotate every quarter Chase does a decent job at attempting to line up the specific category currently providing the 5% cash back with the optimal time consumers will be spending money in this category. For instance, because people are generally traveling a lot via car in the summer months, going on family road trips etc., Chase has issued the 5% cash back  in the “gas” category during the summer months. And starting in October through the holiday season you’ll get 5% cash back on up to $1,500 spent on dining, department stores, movie theaters and charitable organizations.

The only setback of their 5% cash back structure is that it gets capped at $1,500 each quarter. However, you’ll also receive 1% cash back on all other purchases with absolutely no caps and/or minimum purchase requirements.

Annual Fee: $0

Chase Freedom® Visa Card APR: 15.99% – 22.99%* (Variable) depending on credit standing.

Bonus: $200 for limited time only.

Chase Freedom® Visa – $200 Bonus Cash Back Here.

UPDATE:

You can also review our favorite Chase Credit Cards of 2011.

The bank collapse of 2008 and following legislation made the loan side of banking significantly harder to obtain for the average consumer than the pre-2008 days. With many of the top credit card offers on the market made off limits to consumers with less than ideal credit scores, consumers have had to turn to secured credit cards as an alternative option.

Chase Bank’s line of credit cards usually feature rewards points and cash back and generally don’t cater to consumers with sub-par credit histories.

Chase Bank Secured Credit Card Review:

(Note this review has been removed, as Chase does not offer secured credit cards at this time.)

While Chase Bank at one point in time had a plethora of both credit cards for bad credit, credit cards for rebuilding or establishing credit and secured credit cards, they now have none. After Chase Bank’s acquisition of Washington Mutual following the free fall in their stock price, Chase has removed it’s secured credit card offers.

If you’re looking to rebuild credit or establish your credit, you many want to view our top credit cards for rebuilding credit. The top offers should report to the 3 major credit bureaus on a monthly basis, give you text or email alerts upon upcoming due dates and allow you to establish your credit limit based upon an initial cash deposit.

Why open a secured credit card?

When you apply for a new credit card, your desired lender will first review your credit rating. In today’s market if you have even one or two check marks in your file with the credit rating agency, your application will likely be denied. If the overall weakness in the economy has taken it’s toll on your credit rating (be it by loss of a job, mortgage or credit card payment delinquencies, or even an emergency that required you to leverage your savings) a secured credit card may be the type of account you need to get your finances back on track.

If you’ve come across any Chase secured credit cards online, these are likely older application forms. Chase Bank is no longer issuing them.

Have a favorite secured credit card? Tell us about it by leaving a comment!

Top Rewards Card from Chase Bank in 2011:

(Visit our credit card center for all updated card offers from every major issuer.)

1) Chase Bank’s partnership with Southwest Airlines lead to this fantastic offer earlier this summer which is currently no longer available.  As of August 15, 2011 here is their new offer:

- Now! Earn a Free Flight after your first purchase.

- Get 3,000 Points every year on your Card member Anniversary – that’s equal to $50 toward a Wanna Get Away® Fare

- Now you can redeem for International Travel, Hotels, Gift Cards and more.

- Earn unlimited Free Flights – 2 Points per $1 Spent on Southwest Purchases and 1 Point per $1 Spent on Everything else
- Your Bags Fly Free! No Blackout Dates, Points Don’t Expire, and Unlimited Reward Seats!

- No Change fees – if you need to change your flight, you won’t be charged a fee.

Apply Here for the New Offer!

2) The $200 sign-up bonus offered by the Chase Freedom® Credit Card is our second favorite card offer from Chase in 2011. Currently, after opening the Freedom Visa Card using the promotional link above, you’ll get a whopping $200 bucks after making $500 in purchases. How’s that for a return on investment? The card also features a plethora of additional ongoing rewards to take advantage of such as: 5% cash back on up to $1,500 on gas, airfare and hotel related purchases (good through September 30, 2011) as well as 5% cash back on a set of rotating categories and 1% cash back on all other purchases. There’s also NO ANNUAL FEE associated with this card.

3) The Continental One Pass Plus Card is our third favorite offer from Chase which is currently featuring up to 40,000 bonus miles, priority boarding privileges, free bag checking and no black out dates for earned miles. You’ll rack up miles at a rate of 2 per $1 spent on airline purchases from Continental 1 per $1 spent elsewhere. The $95 annual fee is also waived for your first year.

Have you opened a Rewards Credit Card from Chase in 2011? Leave us a review below by submitting a comment!

Apply Here for the United MileagePlus Explorer Card.

As of July, the United Mileage Plus Explorer Card offers the following features:

- Earn up to 40,000 bonus miles & first year free, a $95 value

- Check your first bag for free on United and Continental-operated flights, up to a $50 value round trip

- Board your flight before general boarding with priority boarding privileges

- Visit the United Club with two complimentary day passes every year, up to a $100 value

- Earn 2 miles for $1 spent on tickets purchased from United and Continental and 1 mile per $1 everywhere else

- Enjoy exclusive access to once-in-a-lifetime events through Inside Access from Chase

- Your miles don’t expire and there is no limit to the number of miles you can earn

What’s changed with the new card? The annual fee is $10 more than the old Continental card, although it’s the same price as the ancient United Select Card which was discontinued sometime back. Also, the United Signature Card was just $60 but didn’t feature nearly as lucrative of a rewards structure – offering just a handful of bonus miles as either sign-up bonuses or earned bonuses based on money spent with the card.

Get the 40,000 bonus miles here!

Compare this offer with the top frequent flier cards of 2011 below…

1) 2 free round-trip tickets after your first purchase with the Southwest Premier Card from Chase.

2) Snag up to 20,000 bonus miles with the best American Express Cards for travel in 2011.

3) Earn thousands of bonus airline miles with a Citi Premier Credit Card.

If you have excellent credit and you’re in the market for a new credit card, you’ll have to find out which category of credit card will supplement your daily life the best. For example, do you fly and/or travel regularly? Are you looking for a lucrative cash back or rewards structure with your card? Do you want to save some money at the gas pump? Are you looking for a low interest rate?

Below we’ve put together the top 5 credit card offers for those with excellent credit scores. These cards feature a combination of rewards, discounted flights, cash back and low APR’s.

Excellent Credit Cards for Excellent Credit Scores (Top 3):

The offers below are time sensitive in nature. For updated offers and information visit our credit card center for excellent credit scores.

– Chase Sapphire(SM) Preferred Card – The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card has been growing in popularity amongst consumers with good credit scores. Chase has not only increased the rewards structure with this card but has also been promoting it more aggressively throughout 2011. Currently you’ll earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months- that’s worth $625 toward airfare or hotel accommodations. This was recently bumped up from just 25,000 bonus points a few weeks ago.

Some other noteworthy benefits and features of the card:

• Points go 25% farther when you travel – For example, 50,000 points can be redeemed for two flights worth up to $312.50 each, which would usually cost 62,500 points. Just book your flight, cruise, or other travel through Ultimate RewardsSM
• Pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card on purchases made outside of the United States.
• Earn a 7% annual points dividend – even on points already redeemed
• Redeem your points at leading airlines and hotels at a 1:1 value
• 2X points earned on airfare & hotel accommodations booked through Ultimate Rewards and 1 point for every dollar spent on all other purchases
• When you call them, their phones are answered by people, not prompts
• No Annual Fee for your first year – A $95 value

– Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express – This card is also equipped with an excellent reward structure for those with good enough credit for approval. With this card you’ll earn up to 25,000 bonus miles — enough for a total of $250 off Delta flights. You can use miles to pay for any Delta seat, anytime – - no black out dates and no seat restrictions. 25,000 miles may also be redeemed for a domestic economy award ticket. You’ll rack up SkyMiles for every eligible dollar you spend. There is no annual fee for the first year, then $95: $45 if you are a qualified American Express Cardmember. Plus, you’ll get a decision in less than 60 seconds.

- American Express (R) Preferred Rewards Gold Card – With this card you’ll earn 10K Membership Rewards(R) points, redeemable for select gift cards valued at $100, when you spend $500 in your first 3 months of Card membership. You’ll get exclusive access to Gold Card Events – select concerts, shows, major sporting events, and more. You’ll receive “Purchase Protection,” which covers loss, theft, and damage of eligible items within 90 days of purchase. You can redeem Membership Rewards(R) points for an exclusive array of travel, shopping, dining and entertainment rewards. You’ll also get approved in 60-seconds.

The APR’s associated with the featured cards above vary slightly depending on precise credit card score. Visit the individual offers for more information regarding APR’s.