US Bank Connect/Reserve Questions

[imaximous]

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@wasCB14 wrote:

If I'm not going to use the checking account much (if at all) I take it there's no meaningful difference between Easy and Gold checking?

For Easy I could mobile deposit a check to meet the minimum balance.

For Gold I'd be a little irked if they rejected me for AR and then billed me a monthly fee regardless of any balance. But OTOH I'd be unlikely to keep the checking account without an AR and could always transfer out all but $10 or so once I have the AR.

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I don't think it matters which checking account you open. Gold is free if you have a credit card, but you could start with Easy just to get the relationship going, then upgrade to Gold when approved for AR?

[imaximous]

I also suppose that once you get the AR, you could just close the checking account if you’ll never use it? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[longtimelurker]

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@imaximous wrote:
I also suppose that once you get the AR, you could just close the checking account if you’ll never use it? 🤷🏻‍♂️

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While I am all for closing unused credit cards, I would probably suggest keeping the checking account.   Back in the glory days of the Cash +, there were extra rewards for having a checking account (similar to what Chase used to do on the Freedom).   So on the off chance that that sort of thing comes back (yes, announced by a flying pig) just keep a minimal amount.

[imaximous]

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@longtimelurker wrote:

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@imaximous wrote:
I also suppose that once you get the AR, you could just close the checking account if you’ll never use it? 🤷🏻‍♂️

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While I am all for closing unused credit cards, I would probably suggest keeping the checking account.   Back in the glory days of the Cash +, there were extra rewards for having a checking account (similar to what Chase used to do on the Freedom).   So on the off chance that that sort of thing comes back (yes, announced by a flying pig) just keep a minimal amount.

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Good point. I wasn't even aware of any of those promos. Besides, the Gold checking account is not a bad product to keep. I just said that because @wasCB14 has no interest in it other than to get a foot in the door.

If they run offers, similar to Chase or BoA, it'd make sense to keep it in case something pops up. 

[summerterrace]

US Bank cards don't  pool points so you can't share points between the Connect/Go/AR.  When I got my AR I opened a checking account and did a couple direct deposits and then applied for the card.  I started with the easy checking and then once approved for the AR I switched to Gold.  I keep some money in that checking account and won't close it because in order to have the AR you have to be a customer.  Don't want to risk losing the card.  As for the points if redeemed for cash or any category other then travel it is 1cpp.  There are other categories of real time rewards but those only redeem at 1cpp.  The $325 travel credit can also be used to offset dining which confuses some people into thinking the multipliers on spend and rewards work on dining- they don't. Typical categories like cruises, hotels, airfare, rental care transportation count as travel.  Thr minimums for car rentals and hotels are somewhat annoying so I usually use my AR for flights.  I also find the portal for travel to be slightly more expensive then booking direct so I don't use the portal even with the 5x on hotels and car rentals. 

[longtimelurker]

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@summerterrace wrote:

 I keep some money in that checking account and won't close it because in order to have the AR you have to be a customer. 

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To APPLY for the card you have to be a customer.  With the AR you are now a customer, so it really is safe to close.  And fine to keep!

[xenon3030]

USBank pools the points due to Go and Connect and it reports the total for each card. It is the case for me.

Working with USBank CC is very simple and you can add external checking accounts to do the CC payment. Go and Connect applications do not require prior checking account but it is recommended. As a good customer with prior relationship, you may bypass 1/12 (I guess, it is not a hard rule like Chase 5/24). Sometimes I also receive calls from them to double check whether everything is fine with my checking/CC . The Gold checking account monthly fee gets waived, if you would have a CC/loan.

I am also looking for the best way to redeem points on Go/Connect without travel.