topic Re: CHASE Freedom + Checking Combo Question... in Credit Cards

CHASE Freedom + Checking Combo Question...

mistabgeez — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 05:22:38 GMT

This forum is great. I have been reading up on this CHASE 10/10 combo through the various threads and have not found any answer to this situation. Hopefully, someone can help me. Before coming onto myFICO I never heard about this combo. Considering my Freedom and BCE are the two cards I use the most, I thought it most prudent to evaluate if this combo would be best for me. I think it would be. Most of my current banking is done locally. I examined the best way to keep a CHASE checking account open without incurring a monthly fee. So I arranged to have a set amount removed to be placed in a checking account to avoid the monthly fee.

I live in MD and the closest CHASE branch is in Delaware. No way I plan on driving to Delaware, just call and open it over the phone I thought. When I called CHASE, I was transferred 4 different times, from banking, to credit cards, back to banking...well you get the idea. One rep said she never heard of a 10/10 combo before. Another said that their department didn't deal with it. Everyone was just passing me along. It was becoming irritating to say the least. The final rep I spoke to said I probably just need to take the ride to Delaware. Oy vey!

Since my phone call was fruitless, I decided to send a message directly to CHASE through my Freedom account. Responses came back fairly quickly. The first rep gave me a written list of instructions for opening a CHASE checking account online. I did not try to use those instructions because my primary question had not been addressed: If I open a checking account, will the 10/10 combo be applicable? The next message I received back had this response in it:

Dear mistabgeez,

We apologize for any inconvenience you may have
experienced with finding out about this product, and we
understand your concern. I am happy to assist you today.

In response to your inquiry, I did some research on the
product you are referring to and in order to qualify for
this promotion, a checking account would have had to have
been opened within three months of your Chase Freedom Card
being opened.

Huh? I have not read anything about this on the forums and wanted to know if anyone had any insight into this. No one from CHASE mentioned this to me when I first opent the card back in 12/11 and that automatically disqualifies me if this is true. For all I know, this could be another misinformed rep. Anyone have any insight into this?!

Re: CHASE Freedom + Checking Combo Question...

CreditPacMan — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 06:20:26 GMT

I'll tell you my experience. They sent my a letter telling me that the upgraded my benefit because I have a checking account with them. But I opened my account back in 2009 and my Freedom card was only opened in May of this year! Maybe they go and check for current customers .. I don't know!

Re: CHASE Freedom + Checking Combo Question...

mmduluth — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 15:14:21 GMT

I too had my checking account open long before I got my Freedom card but I haven't heard of this rule before. I have dealt with chase before with issues I've had and while they have always been pleasant to deal with, their reps can be misinformed. I would call the Backdoor number and see if you can find out more about it from one of those reps.

Re: CHASE Freedom + Checking Combo Question...

mistabgeez — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:06:19 GMT

@mmduluth wrote:
I too had my checking account open long before I got my Freedom card but I haven't heard of this rule before. I have dealt with chase before with issues I've had and while they have always been pleasant to deal with, their reps can be misinformed. I would call the Backdoor number and see if you can find out more about it from one of those reps.

Thanks. I was considering this. But what number do I call? The sticky has different numbers for applications and recons, but I am unsure if this really qualifies as a recon per se.

Re: CHASE Freedom + Checking Combo Question...

Anonymous — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:15:41 GMT

I think the CSR is just wrong. I've never heard of that policy and it doesn't make any sense.

Re: CHASE Freedom + Checking Combo Question...

CreditPacMan — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 16:54:14 GMT

It's true. There is a policy for current Chase cardholders who also have checking accounts with Chase. I get 10 points extra for every dollar I spend!

Re: CHASE Freedom + Checking Combo Question...

stone — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 19:56:39 GMT

thanks for the input, i think i will apply for freedom asa there is a good deal

Re: CHASE Freedom + Checking Combo Question...

mistabgeez — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 03:57:33 GMT

Ok, so I log onto my Chase account and there is a link that says "What Can We Do Better. We're Listening." Maybe this link was there the entire time, maybe not. However, I saw it as an opportunity to get a definitive answer to my situation. Hopefully my inquiry would come across the screen of someone who could actually help me.

I explained my situation, again, in the pop up box that was created from clicking the link. The next day I get a response that says I cannot open a Chase checking account over the phone, that it must be done online. Opening an account was not my primary concern; being able to take advantage of the 10/10 combo was. I replied with my concern and the response was to contact the Credit Card Services Department to add the promotion to my account. Sounds good, let me open a checking account so I can make that call.

Now I take it upon myself to navigate the website and open up a checking account online. When I enter my zip code I get the following message:

"The Chase product or service you selected is not available in the Zip Code you entered."

Excuse me? It is a checking account. Everything is done online these days. Surely there is a problem with their system. I send another message explaining what happens and this is what Chase tells me:

"In response to your inquiry, at this time you will be unable to open a Chase checking account since you are
located in a state where there are no Chase branches."

Unbelievable. A big time bank such as Chase cannot open a checking account from someone who is not near an actual branch. I was taken by surprise at this limitation. Unfortunately, it seems as though the 10/10 combo has eluded me. I'm thinking of picking up a Citi card later this year to round out my rewards opportunities, cover all my bases so to speak. It would have been nice to make my Freedom the primary card in my stable, but cash back is cash back. I will take it anyway I can get it. If anyone has any way around this limitation, PLEASE let me know!

Re: CHASE Freedom + Checking Combo Question...

trumpet-205 — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 04:52:35 GMT

I suppose you can travel to a state where it does have a Chase branch and open a checking account in person. Other than that there is no way around it. Chase only serves ~24 states IIRC. Citibank is even less, only ~10 states.

This is not a Chase-exclusive policy though, many banks don't allow you to open a deposit account if you are not in their serving area. I suspect there is federal/state regulation behind it. Different state has different state regulation, which adds complexity to their operation.

Re: CHASE Freedom + Checking Combo Question...

gettnthere — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 00:40:38 GMT

i too went through this same ordeal. i called and they told me i would have to visit a branch but there arent any in my state lol so i guess im gonna have to take the 77.38 mile journey to the next state where the closest CHase branch is located. im gonna do it bc the deal is too good to pass up on. i just gotta get there before 9/1

Re: CHASE Freedom + Checking Combo Question...

navigatethis12 — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 02:04:35 GMT

It is like Chase does not tell any of the representatives anything at all. You do not have to do it within three months. It will do it on it's own after about three statements.

About not being able to open an account, there is noway around that if you do not have an address in a state where there is a branch. I opened one about two years ago here in Maryland but when I tried to open another there was no way each time I put in the zip code. I had to add a Michigan address to be able to open it. I am not sure what happened with them, but they will not open accounts out of state anymore.

@gettnthere wrote:
i too went through this same ordeal. i called and they told me i would have to visit a branch but there arent any in my state lol so i guess im gonna have to take the 77.38 mile journey to the next state where the closest CHase branch is located. im gonna do it bc the deal is too good to pass up on. i just gotta get there before 9/1

Please do not do that. In my opinion, it is an alright deal, but not worth a 45-60 minute drive. Unless you mean to open the chequing account aswell. That could be worth it for $200. If you just mean to link the card and account, it will do so on its own.

Re: CHASE Freedom + Checking Combo Question...

mistabgeez — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:49:56 GMT

@gettnthere wrote:
i too went through this same ordeal. i called and they told me i would have to visit a branch but there arent any in my state lol so i guess im gonna have to take the 77.38 mile journey to the next state where the closest CHase branch is located. im gonna do it bc the deal is too good to pass up on. i just gotta get there before 9/1
Please do not do that. In my opinion, it is an alright deal, but not worth a 45-60 minute drive. Unless you mean to open the chequing account aswell. That could be worth it for $200. If you just mean to link the card and account, it will do so on its own.

Could you tell me more about this additional $200? Since realizing I have to head to another state to open an account, my intention is to leave work early one day and take that trip to a branch. I wanted to open a checking account for the minimum amount so that there is no monthly fee. Are there bonuses for opening an account in addition to taking advantage of the 10/10 combo?

Re: CHASE Freedom + Checking Combo Question...

trumpet-205 — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:01:04 GMT

@mistabgeez wrote:

Could you tell me more about this additional $200? Since realizing I have to head to another state to open an account, my intention is to leave work early one day and take that trip to a branch. I wanted to open a checking account for the minimum amount so that there is no monthly fee. Are there bonuses for opening an account in addition to taking advantage of the 10/10 combo?

Chase routinely hands out $100 and $150 promotional code online for opening a checking account. $200 promotional code however is only available by mail (which you have to live near a branch to receive it). You usually need to deposit $100 to $500 initially to receive the bonus. Promotional bonus IS taxable income.

To waive monthly fee, either make direct deposit totaling $500 per month or maintain minimum daily balance of $1,500.

Re: CHASE Freedom + Checking Combo Question...

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:03:15 GMT

@mistabgeez wrote:
@gettnthere wrote:
i too went through this same ordeal. i called and they told me i would have to visit a branch but there arent any in my state lol so i guess im gonna have to take the 77.38 mile journey to the next state where the closest CHase branch is located. im gonna do it bc the deal is too good to pass up on. i just gotta get there before 9/1
Please do not do that. In my opinion, it is an alright deal, but not worth a 45-60 minute drive. Unless you mean to open the chequing account aswell. That could be worth it for $200. If you just mean to link the card and account, it will do so on its own.

Could you tell me more about this additional $200? Since realizing I have to head to another state to open an account, my intention is to leave work early one day and take that trip to a branch. I wanted to open a checking account for the minimum amount so that there is no monthly fee. Are there bonuses for opening an account in addition to taking advantage of the 10/10 combo?

There are coupons out there for $200-$300 Chase checking account sign-up bonuses. I was lucky to have one sent to me in the mail (targeted), but if you can't get your hands on one you can buy one off eBay/Craigslist. There are also $125-$150 signup bonuses for savings accounts.