Author Topic: First niagra is currently running a promo where you can earn up to $250. Fund with a CC!  (Read 23541 times)

Offline ShlockDoc

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First niagra is currently running a promo where you can earn up to $250.

https://www.firstniagara.com/Landing_Pages/Campaign/Checking/2014/Checking250.aspx

How to get your $250 cash bonus**

It's as easy as using your Pinnacle or PinnaclePlus Checking account. You can earn the $250 when you complete all three of the following within the first 60 days of opening your account.
1. Make a direct deposit totaling $250 or more.
2. Make ten debit card purchases.
3. Make five bill payments using Online/Mobile Banking.

Complete Any One: Earn $50 total
Complete Any Two: Earn $100 total
Complete All Three: Earn $250 total

Fine print:

Quote :
Terms and Conditions
*Pinnacle and PinnaclePlus checking accounts include unlimited rebates of surcharges for transactions at non-First Niagara ATMs in the U.S. Choice checking does not include ATM surcharge rebates. Rebates are credited to your account at the end of each statement cycle. International ATM charges may apply for non-First Niagara ATMs outside of the United States and are not rebated.

**To qualify for a cash bonus, a new Choice, Pinnacle or PinnaclePlus checking account must be opened online through FirstNiagara.com. Criteria: Within 60 days of account opening you must complete at least one of the following with your new First Niagara account: direct deposits totaling $250 or more, or five (5) bill payments using Online/Mobile Banking, or ten (10) debit card purchases. Payment: $50 cash bonus for 1st completed criteria, additional $50 cash bonus for 2nd completed criteria, additional $150 cash bonus for 3rd completed criteria. Total cash bonus is up to $250. Timing: Applicable cash bonus will be deposited into your new checking account within 30 days from end of the month in which you satisfy offer criteria. Applicable bonus payments may be paid as one lump sum or as individual payments. Checking account must be open and maintain a positive balance in order to obtain the applicable cash bonus. Account must remain open for 180 days to avoid a $25 Early Account Closing fee.

Cannot be combined with any other promotional rate or reward/bonus programs. Primary owner on the account cannot be primary owner on another First Niagara checking account. Not available to Trust or Estate accounts. All accounts subject to approval and applicable fees. Bank employees and members of their household are not eligible for this promotion. Bonus is considered interest income and may be reported on IRS 1099-INT. Promotion runs through 3/29/2014 and can be withdrawn at any time.

Minimum opening deposit is $50 for Choice and Pinnacle checking and $500 for PinnaclePlus. Pinnacle checking is an interest-bearing account. Interest-bearing accounts are variable rate accounts, which means we may change rates at any time. Interest Rates will not be tied to any index but will be set by us at our discretion. There is no limitation on the amount by which Interest Rates may change. As of 2/1/14, Pinnacle and PinnaclePlus accounts earn an Annual Percentage Yield (APY) of 0.01% for all balances. Fees may reduce earnings on interest-bearing accounts.

One-Swipe Balance is a trademark of First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.

Information is a bit conflicting on whether the choice checking account counts or not, I'm just gonna go for the pinnaccle to make sure - need a minimum daily balance of $1,000 to keep it fee free.


Funding with a Citi is a cash advance
Chase isn't
Barclays varies

Offline emak

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Anybody did this successfully?

Offline wayfe

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What makes you think you can fund with a cc?
"I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers which can't be questioned."
— Richard Feynman

Offline ShlockDoc

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What makes you think you can fund with a cc?

Reading their website makes me think that.

Offline wayfe

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Reading their website makes me think that.

Ah, found it. Interesting. Thanks!
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Offline dirah

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Credit Pull?

Offline ShlockDoc

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Offline ShlockDoc

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You're likely to get a 10-99 INT for the $250. That finishes its value somewhat 

Offline dirah

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So, other than having to maintain balance of $1K to avoid monthly fee, any reason not to plunge?

Offline wayfe

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Aside from the initial funding, can you fund with a cc later on as well?
"I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers which can't be questioned."
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Offline wayfe

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$25 fee if you close the account within 180 days of opening
"I would rather have questions that can't be answered than answers which can't be questioned."
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Offline dirah

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Data point:
Citi card with CA of $0 gets rejected.
Chase card with CA of $0 gets accepted.

Moral: Tread carefully if you use Citi without zero-ing CA, you might get hit with fees.

Offline dovy2

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Data point:
Citi card with CA of $0 gets rejected.
Chase card with CA of $0 gets accepted.

Moral: Tread carefully if you use Citi without zero-ing CA, you might get hit with fees.
+1 with three other banks as well. Citi with a zero CA line always declined...

Offline ReadsTheT&C

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Will ACH from another bank work as DD?

Offline ShlockDoc

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Will ACH from another bank work as DD?

People on another board are reporting success with that.

Offline Kvending

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People on another board are reporting success with that.

What about amazon payments?

TIA.

Offline David R

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If you opt for paper statements, ask them to not print check images on the statement to avoid the $4 fee. You should still be able to view the check images on the web site.

Offline joey123

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Just getting in on this now. Thanks

I think I am going to have an account with almost ever major bank. ;) That's what the bonuses make me do.

Can someone confirm that opening this checking will only be a soft pull? Someone mentioned this above, but Dan once said, "opening a checking account is by default a hard pull". Of course, I am not applying for any overdraft protection--things that would necessitate hard pull.

TIA
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Offline hollawood24

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What about amazon payments?

TIA.

I would say Yes. Each month I use amazon payments to get the 10&10 checking bonus from Santander bank.  ;D

Offline joey123

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When you fund your accounts, will the CA stay a CA. Not really worth filling CC because there aren't any point for a CA
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