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Bitmo has launched a new rewards program called ‘Perk Points’. The program is relatively simple in that for every $1 you spend you receive 1 point and points are worth 0.1¢ each. The main interesting thing is some brands have boosted rewards (e.g Home Depot at 25x or 75x). The standard rewards program is basically an extra 0.1% back in rewards but the boosted rewards are as high as 2.5%

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This is the same as the SunTrust bonus. BB&T & SunTrust have merged to become Truist, but it looks like it might be possible to do both deals? Even if you can’t there are some differences in the states allowed so this should be useful for some.

Offer at a glance

• Maximum bonus amount: $1,000
• Availability: AL, DC, FL, GA, IN, KY, MD, NC, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV
• Direct deposit required: Yes, two direct deposits of $500+
• Hard/soft pull: Soft pull It seems like they are very persistent 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: $12, avoidable
• Early account termination fee: None
• Household limit: One
• Expiration date: March 31, 2021

The Offer

Direct link to offer (promo code should auto apply)

• BB&T is offering a bonus of up to $1,000 when you complete the following requirements:
  • Use promo code BCNGJ
  • Open a checking account and complete qualifying direct deposits totaling at least $500 within 90 days of account opening
  • Open any new BB&T savings or MMA, and deposit the balances below within 30 days and maintain for 90 days after account opening.  Amount you deposit and maintain determines the bonus you receive:
    • Less than $10,000 = $300
    • $10,000 – $24,999.99 = $400
    • $25,000 – $49,999.99 = $600
    • $50,000 -$99,999.99 = $800
    • $100,000 or more = $1,000

The Fine Print

• All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Monthly Fees

Checking account has a $12 monthly fee, this is waived if you do either of the following:

• Receive a direct deposit of $500 or more
• Have an average daily balance of $1,500 or more

Early Account Termination Fee

They used to charge a $25 fee if closed within 180 days of account opening, but looks like that isn’t charged anymore. Accounts must be open at the time of bonus posting

Our Verdict

Pretty sure the rates for these accounts are 0% or close to, so just assume you’ll earn no actual interest. BB&T has offered a $600 checking bonus in the past, but that did require $25,000 in deposits to keep fee free. This bonus does require a deposit of $100,000 for 90 days, that works out to be 4% APY. We will add this to our list of the best bank account bonuses.

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:

• A Beginners Guide To Bank Account Bonuses
• Bank Account Quick Reference Table (Spreadsheet) (very useful for sorting bonuses by different parameters)
• PSA: Don’t Call The Bank
• Introduction To ChexSystems
• Banks & Credit Unions That Are ChexSystems Inquiry Sensitive
• What Banks & Credit Unions Do/Don’t Pull ChexSystems?
• How To Use Our Direct Deposit Page For Bank Bonuses Page
• Common Bank Bonus Misconceptions + Why You Should Give Them A Go
• How Many Bank Accounts Can I Safely Open Within A Year For Bank Bonus Purposes?
• Affiliate Links & Bank Bonuses – We Won’t Be Using Them
• Complete List Of Ways To Close Bank Accounts At Each Bank
• Banks That Allow/Don’t Allow Out Of State Checking Applications
• Bank Bonus Posting Times

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The Offer

Direct Link to offer (affiliate link)

• Walmart.com has Lysol Disinfecting Wipes, Lemon & Lime Blossom, 240ct (3X80ct) available for $9.97.

Our Verdict

Looks like a pretty good price and immediate availability. Works especially well for those on Walmart+ who don’t have the $35 free shipping minimum.

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Spirit has announced a new frequent flyer loyalty program called ‘Free Spirit‘. The new program will officially launch on January 21, 2021 but you can join now and start earning points and status.

Elite Status

Free Spirit will have three status levels:

• Free Spirit Members. This is the basic level that everybody starts as and you earn 6x points per dollar spent on airfare and 12x points per dollar spent on Á La Smarte options (seats and bags)
• Silver Members. This requires earning 2,000 SQPs (status qualifying points).
  • Earns 8x points per dollar spent on airfare and 16x points per dollar spent on Á La Smarte options (seats and bags)
  • Free shortcut security and boarding, same-day standby, and seat selection at check-in
  • Dedicated guest care line, ability to create a points pool and no redemption fees
• Gold Members. This requires earning 5,000 SQPs (status qualifying points).
  • Earns 10x points per dollar spent on airfare and 20x points per dollar spent on Á La Smarte options (seats and bags)
  • All silver benefits (see above)
  • Free flight flex
  • First checked and carry-on bag
  • Seat selection at booking (including exit rows)
  • Free inflight beverage and snacks

Points Expiration

Points used to expire after 90 days, they will now not expire for one year and can be extended with activity. Spirit credit cardholders points will not expire.

Pool Your Points

You’ll now be able to pool points with up to 8 friends and family members. It looks like you need at least Silver status to do this (unclear if everybody needs Silver or just one person).

Points & Cash

It will be possible to use a combination of points & cash to pay for flights starting at 1,000 points + cash.

Our Verdict

It’s not clear what the redemption rates will be, but Spirit states that flights will start at 2,500 points per flight (same as current price). It looks like it’ll be tied to the cash rate, rather than the distance based award chart currently used. I can’t imagine most people spending enough with Spirit for Elite Status but points earned on the co-branded credit card do count towards status as well.

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The Offer

Direct link to offer (affiliate link)

• Amazon has a number of different subscription boxes and they are on sale for Black Friday. Discounts range from 10-75%

Our Verdict

Looks like the discount only applies to the first month. Personally I think the majority of these boxes are just a huge waste of money. Some of them look kind cool (e.g Bitsbox for kids) but most seem overpriced trash. As always you can view a full list of ways to save on Amazon purchases to make these boxes even cheaper by clicking here.

Hat tip to Deals We Like

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Update 1/23/21: Bonus is now $150. Direct deposit is now $500 instead of $250.

Offer at a glance

• Maximum bonus amount: $150
• Availability:You’re eligible for membership if you live, work, worship, or attend school in Hartford, Middlesex, Tolland, or New Haven County in Connecticut, and Hampden County, Massachusetts.
• Direct deposit required: Yes, $500+
• Additional requirements: None
• Hard/soft pull: Soft pull
• ChexSystems: Unknown
• Credit card funding: Unknown 
• Monthly fees: None
• Early account termination fee: $15, 180 days
• Household limit: None
• Expiration date: August 31st, 2020 November 7th, 2020

The Offer

Direct link to offer

• American Eagle Financial Credit Union is offering a bonus of $150 when you open a new checking account and complete the following requirements:
  • Direct deposit of $500+ required within 60 days of account opening
  • Sign up for eStatements within 60 days of account opening

The Fine Print

• Excludes the My Basic Checking and My First Checking accounts.
• Promotion valid for new personal Checking accounts through August 31, 2020.
• The member must not have an existing open Checking account with American Eagle Financial Credit Union (AEFCU) or have had a Checking account with AEFCU in the last 365 days.
• $5 Savings account required for AEFCU membership.
• The account holder will be eligible for a $100 payment for opening an eligible Checking account during the promotional period, and then signing up for eStatements and making ten (10) debit transactions (signature or pin-based) of $10 dollars or more within sixty (60) days
• . Account must be open and in good standing at time of payout to obtain cash bonus.
• Limit of one $100.00 payment per member.
• Please allow up to 120 days from account opening to receive the bonus deposit into your share Savings account.
• Amount of deposit will be reported to the IRS and member is responsible for any applicable taxes.
• Accounts closed within 180 days of opening will be charged a fee of $15.00.
• This offer can be withdrawn at any time without notice.
• Ask for details.
• All bank account bonuses are treated as income/interest and as such you have to pay taxes on them

Avoiding Fees

Monthly Fees

My Checking account has no monthly fees to worry about.

Early Account Termination Fee

Account needs to be kept open for 180 days otherwise a $15 fee will be charged.

Our Verdict

Last time it was offered a direct deposit wasn’t required but 10 x $10 debit card transactions were. Some people might prefer this offer but most would rather the no direct deposit option. We will add this to the best bank bonus page.

Hat tip to reader Brenden F

Useful posts regarding bank bonuses:

• A Beginners Guide To Bank Account Bonuses
• Bank Account Quick Reference Table (Spreadsheet) (very useful for sorting bonuses by different parameters)
• PSA: Don’t Call The Bank
• Introduction To ChexSystems
• Banks & Credit Unions That Are ChexSystems Inquiry Sensitive
• What Banks & Credit Unions Do/Don’t Pull ChexSystems?
• How To Use Our Direct Deposit Page For Bank Bonuses Page
• Common Bank Bonus Misconceptions + Why You Should Give Them A Go
• How Many Bank Accounts Can I Safely Open Within A Year For Bank Bonus Purposes?
• Affiliate Links & Bank Bonuses – We Won’t Be Using Them
• Complete List Of Ways To Close Bank Accounts At Each Bank
• Banks That Allow/Don’t Allow Out Of State Checking Applications
• Bank Bonus Posting Times

Post history:

• Update 10/4/20: Deal is back and valid until November 7th, 2020. Now requires a direct deposit

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The Offer

• Some Citi Sears cardholders have received a targeted spending bonus. Valid until 3/21/21. Some of the offers are as follows:
  • Spend $1,000 or more and earn $75
  • Spend $2,500 or more and earn $150 or 15,000 Citi ThankYou Points

Our Verdict

These deals stack and there is currently two other offers:

• [YMMV] Citi Sears Spend Offer: Earn Up To 20% On Gas, Grocery & Restaurants
• [YMMV] Citi Sears Spend Offer: Earn Up To 10% On Online Purchases

This is why we rank this as our top store credit card. More information on this card here.

Hat tip to reader Sam C

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BPme Rewards has launched something called price match. Users need to enroll and it costs $0.99 per month it then works like this:

• You must pump at least 8 gallons of gas to be eligible and must use BPme Rewards
• Price match looks at prices within a 1/2 mile radius and if eligible awards a discount to your account (if no competitor is found it will expand the search to 2 miles until a competitor is found)
• Discount applies to your next fill up and is capped at 5¢ per gallon

Price match uses GasBuddy to compare but it only includes the following brands: Exxon, Mobil, Shell, Chevron, and Marathon. Diesel fuel is excluded.

As they say the devil is in the detail and this program seems largely worthless with the mile radius, competitors confined to those brands. Even if it does find a discount it’s capped at 5¢ per gallon.

Hat tip to reader Jeff H & Mayer

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The Offer

• Apple is extending free trials of Apple TV+ that were given out with Apple hardware. These free trials are now good through July, 2021.

Our Verdict

Apple has already extended this free trial a number of times.

Hat tip to 9to5mac

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The Offer

Direct link to offer

• Prevail is offering free pad and a light liner

Our Verdict

These sort of things always make great donations to shelters/food banks if you don’t need them yourself.

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