MoneysMyLife

Enjoy $300 as a new Chase checking customer, when you open a Chase Premier Plus CheckingSM account and set up direct deposit. This is our recommended Checking account for the added benefits. Full Review
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HSBC $750 Checking BonusGet a $750 Welcome Deposit for eligible new customers who open an HSBC Premier checking account with qualifying activities.
Get a $350 Welcome Deposit for eligible new customers who open an HSBC Advance checking account with qualifying activities.
Get 2.01% APY with the HSBC Direct Savings account, which is available online, nationwide. Member FDIC.
Chase Total Checking And Savings $350 CouponGet up to $350 when you open a new Chase Total Checking® account with Direct Deposit and/or open a new Chase SavingsSM account, deposit $10,000 or more in new money and maintain a $10,000 balance for 90 days. Full Review
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Chase Business Checking $200 Bonus 1Earn $200 when you open a new Chase Total Business Checking® account, deposit $1,000 in new money within 20 business days of account opening, maintain that balance for 60 days and complete five qualifying transactions within 60 days. Full Review
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Chase College Checking BonusGet $100 as a new Chase checking customer when you open a Chase College CheckingSM account, enroll in paperless statements and complete 10 qualifying transactions within 60 days of account opening. Full Review
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TD Bank $300 Checking Account BonusOpen a new TD Bank Premier CheckingSM account online to earn a $300 bonus. Or, open a new TD Bank Convenience CheckingSM account online to earn a $150 bonus. Both offers have a direct deposit requirement. Full Review
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Barclaycard Arrival Plus $600 BonusWith the Barclaycard Arrival® Plus World Elite Mastercard® you can earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 90 days and paying the annual fee. Redeem toward qualified travel purchases and these 60K points will be worth $600. See Terms. Full Review
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Barclays Arrival $250 BonusEarn 75,000 miles worth $750 each and every year with the Barclays Arrival® Premier World Elite Mastercard® when you spend at least $25,000 during the year. This card earns unlimited miles at the rate of 2 miles per $1 spent on all purchases. See Terms. Full Review
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CIT Bank Money Market PromotionOpen an online Money Market Account from CIT Bank (available nationwide) and earn a 1.85% APY rate on all balances. There’s no monthly service charge and the minimum opening deposit is just $100. Full Review
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Best Credit Card Sign Up Bonuses
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Century Bank $100 Checking Account Bonus [MA Residents]

By: | Last Updated: | This content is not provided or commissioned by the issuer. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of the issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer. This site may be compensated through the issuer’s Affiliate Program. Please visit our Advertiser Disclosure for additional details.

Find updated bonus offers and promotions from Century Bank here. Typical offers in the past have been for $100 to $200 cash.

Established in 1969 and headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts, Century Bank has a small footprint with just nearly 30 locations throughout Massachusetts. If you’re not a local resident, use the Bank Offers page to see offers with more availability, such as those from HSBC Bank, TD Bank, Chase Bank, Simple Bank and more.

Aside from the occasional CD rate special, rates from Century Bank don’t tend to compete well with the nations best. See the best Savings rates here and the best CD rates here.

I’ll review the current offers below.

Century Bank $100 Checking Bonus

Century Bank $100 Checking Bonus

Earn a $100 bonus with a new Checking account with this offer from Century Bank.

  • $100 bonus offer has no set expiration date
  • Available in Massachusetts only
  • Direct deposit is not required for the bonus
  • Application will trigger a Soft Pull, which does not affect your credit
  • No Monthly Fees

Learn More at Century Bank

How To Earn The $100 Bonus

  • To qualify for this offer, you must open a new Century Bank checking account.
  • Offer is not available if any account owner is a deposit customer of Century Bank within the previous 24 months.
  • One $100 reward per household for making a total of nine Debit Card purchases within sixty days of account opening (ATM transactions do not qualify).
  • Incentive coupon will be mailed to the address on file for the Century Bank checking account forty-five days following the completion of the qualified transactions.
  • Offer requires the customer to have an established Century Bank checking account in good standing.
  • Reward paid may be reported as income.
  • Any taxes are the responsibility of the account holder.
  • This promotion cannot be combined with any other offer.
  • Century Bank reserves the right to modify or withdraw this offer at any time without notice.

Bank Offers You May Like
Bank offers updated here.


Blooom Review: A Robo-Advisor For Your 401(k)

By: | Last Updated: | This content is not provided or commissioned by the issuer. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of the issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer. This site may be compensated through the issuer’s Affiliate Program. Please visit our Advertiser Disclosure for additional details.

Blooom’s robo-advisor service manages your 401(k) plan on your behalf.  It is relatively easy to use, working with any retirement accounts you hold that provide online access.  Overall, they are low-cost, charging just $10 per month in management fees. However, Blooom will not take into account your individual tolerance for risk.

They are a fully registered and reputable Investment Advisor business that specializes in both 403(b) and 401(k) plans. Blooom analyzed more than 25,000 401(k) plans, stating that after careful and intricate analysis, over 80% of these plans were not being managed correctly.  They won’t get involved where IRAs or taxable investments accounts are concerned.

Their standpoint is clear on what they offer, and they stand by their statement that through professional management, they can grow your 401(k) by twice as much compared with a self-managed approach. I think that’s a pretty bold statement, but one they can stand by firmly.

The business first started its operations in 2013, and they have offices in Leawood, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri.  The 401(k) market is not overly crowded, and one of the significant benefits of what they offer is their ability to manage almost any 401(k) plan, regardless of with who or where it is held.  Above all else, because Blooom is a fiduciary, they are obliged by law to always act in your best interests.

The challenge that their services resolve for clients is that the majority of employer-sponsored plans will be quite random in the range of investment options which can be a little bit challenging to understand. Investors are left confused and uninformed of what is happening with their funds.  Moreover, the likes of Betterment and Wealthfront will not manage plans that are provided by employers – enter Blooom.

With the majority of retirement assets being held in 401(k) plans, Blooom’s specialist approach to this sector of investment management has given them more than $500 million in assets in just four years.  Their attractive flat-rate fee of just $10 per month means they are also extremely affordable.

Learn More at Blooom

Earn A $10 Amazon Gift Card Per Referral

Blooom $10 Referral Bonus

Once you’re a member of Blooom, you can start making referrals to earn a $10 Amazon gift card per referral. Your referrals don’t even need to become clients, they just need to use Blooom’s service to analyze the health of their 401k. If your referrals signup, they’ll get the first 30 days of Blooom service at no charge.

You’ll be able to refer via Email, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or with your own personal referral link.

Start Referring

How Does Bloom Work?

Blooom Features

Using a combination of human advisors and automation, they deliver on their promise of maximizing a client’s plan.  Every 90 days they will check for opportunities to re-balance.  Customers of Blooom can access financial advisors at the company through a live chat function or contact them via email – you cannot contact them by phone.

Once you have signed up to the service, you retain absolute control of your account, but you give Bloom Legal power of attorney to act on your behalf. They will not be able to remove any funds from your retirement account, but they will be able to invest it on your behalf.  You do not need to transfer your account or open up new ones.  As long as your account has online access, they can manage it on your behalf.

Signing up is easy and straightforward.  After just 30 days, they will adjust your 401(k) as required for you.

So, how do they do this?

They will look at your expected retirement age and your current age. In the earlier stages of your retirement plan, they will weigh more heavily in favor of stocks. Then, as this plan matures and you come closer to your retirement, they will orientate this more towards bonds. They follow four key stages in order to analyze your 401(k) plan effectively:

  • Step 1 – Elimination of funds and the realigning of options within your 401(k) plan.
  • Step 2 – Preference is shown for the utilization of index funds, with occasional actively managed funds in order to get the desired investment exposure where required.
  • Step 3 – Identification of suitable funds to get you nearer to your target allocation.  Their algorithm will choose the optimum investments.
  • Step 4 – Results are checked by a human advisor at Blooom and are then cross-referenced with any allocations that have been recommended for your 401(k) plan.

The first three stages in this process are all fully-automated by Blooom, with the final one being manual and fully overseen by a fully licensed Blooom specialist.  All of the above stages can take place over a 30 day period. Blooom will keep you fully informed about any alterations that occur, even if these changes have been made by you.

How does Investment Selection Work?

As outlined above, Blooom tends to favor index funds with actively managed funds added where needed to give exposure.  A target allocation is created which is made up of the funds within your 401(k) plan that meets your desired allocation requirements.  The foremost proprietary algorithm is what determines this, and this is the robo-advisor element from Blooom working at its finest.

However, something you don’t often see with other robo-advisor services is the ability to make alterations to your mix of investments.  This means that even after your application has been put in place, you still retain control to make alterations as required.  Blooom makes this super-easy to do.  There is a button marked with ‘adjust allocation’ which you need to select in order to make any changes. It’s that simple. Any re-balancing that occurs in the future will be done in line with those changes.  Moreover, you can easily change your expected date of retirement too by selecting a button titled ‘adjust retirement’.

As mentioned earlier, Blooom with look to re-balance every 90 days and any changes they make are automated. This ensures that your account will be altered in line with any changes to market values.  Routine re-balancing has proven to add 0.5% to your return annually with Blooom.  I think that’s a very compelling reason to consider using Bloom’s robo-advisor service for your 401(k) plan.

Who Is Bloom Suitable For?

  • Ideal for investors who prefer a hands-off approach
  • Perfect for those who have employee-sponsored retirement plans
  • Those you prefer a greater than average tolerance to risk
  • Those who want a specialist and comprehensive approach to employee retirement plans

Pros and Cons of Using Bloom

PROS

  • Flexibility and Freedom. You can cancel the service at any time.  Moreover, as you retain full control over your investments, and as your 401(k) plan stays exactly where it is, it makes this process easy and straightforward.
  • Free-Analysis Tool. This clever little tool gives anyone the opportunity to take the service for a test drive first before committing to anything. It is easy to create a Blooom account for free and link your 401(k) plan up.  They use a symbol of a flower to depict the health of your plan and suggest ways in which you can improve it overall.  If you want to do it on your own, you can take their suggestions and implement them independently if you so wish.  However, if you can afford the $10 per month fee they are asking, why wouldn’t you let Blooom take over management of your 401(k) and while they are at it, take care of the re-balancing too?
  • Professional Investment Management of your 401(K). For the majority of individuals, their 401(k) plan is probably going to be their largest asset. Generally speaking, there isn’t always a lot of choice when it comes to who manages that asset on your behalf.  Blooom offers professional investment management specifically for your 401(k) plan.  Although there are services provided by Personal Capital and Vanguard Personal Advisor Services which offer guidance, they do not provide direct management.  The other important point to note here too is that you don’t need to inform your employer or get them involved in any way.
  • Predictable and Affordable Management Costs. Blooom is an exceptionally affordable option for your 401(k) plan.  They charge a flat rate of just $10 per month, which if we look at a base amount of $100,000 being managed for just $120 annually, that works out to be just 0.12%.  This fee is way below anything that you would see traditional investment businesses charging for their professional services.  All fees are taken from a credit or debit card and are not taken from your 401(k) funds.
  • No Minimum Requirements. With Blooom, there aren’t any minimum requirements for their services.  This allows anyone who has a 401(k) plan, at any stage, to enlist Blooom’s expertise to manage their employee retirement plan for them.
  • Accepts all Plan Providers with Online Access. Unlike other Investment Services, Blooom provides an all-encompassing approach to 401(k) management.  As long as you can manage your account online, they are able to manage this plan on your behalf.
  • Financial Advisor Support. Although normally, I wouldn’t view email and chat only support as a good thing, Blooom has actual financial advisors on the end of the line, and not just customer support personnel.   The other added bonus that they offer through these advisors is that they will offer support to their customers that generally falls outside of the 401(k) management realms.  So, if you need advice with regards to budgeting, debt repayments or anything else along those lines, for just $10 per month, you can also utilize these advisors help to provide guidance on a whole range of other financial areas.
  • Auditing of Investment Expenses. Generally speaking, 401(k) plans will provide limited options that often include above-average fees.  Blooom will carefully classify each of the investments into 1 of 14 different categories.  Their algorithm will then sort the funds in each of those categories with the lowest internal expense ratio.  Although there might be cases where there is only a single fund in each category – meaning expenses cannot be reduced. In many cases, this approach can enable an investor to reduce their overall expenses while keeping an appropriate allocation of their assets over a diverse portfolio.

CONS

  • Only Available with 401(k)s, 403(b)s, 457s, 401(a)s. Blooom’s service will cover a large proportion of plans with online access. However, it is important to highlight that at the time of this writing, their services are only available for employer-sponsored retirement accounts, such as 401k, 403b, 401a and 457 accounts. Currently, they do not work with taxable investment accounts or IRAs.
  • Basic Risk Profiling. Your overall asset allocation is only determined by using two metrics; these are your stock to bond ratio and your age.  This approach could be deemed as too simple because no consideration is given to your overall tolerance for risk.
  • Investment Assessment is Limited. Obviously, the overriding goal of any retirement plan is retirement.  The questions that Blooom asks with regards to your investment goals are therefore limited.  By only using your ideal retirement age and your date of birth, it reduces the overall investment assessment.

Bottom Line

Blooom provides a superb, hands-off solution for those who need help to manage their employee-sponsored retirement plan.  It makes it easy to sign-up and test the waters with a free, no obligation analysis tool.  They also provide clear and upfront pricing that is competitive with no surprises in terms of hidden fees or charges.

Overall, their approach to managing retirement plans is spot-on.  The algorithm they use places a particular emphasis of low-cost investments and diversification; both of these principles have been firmly supported by countless years of research.

With no minimum amount required to open an account, along with the added assurance that not only can you make your own adjustments, but you can cancel the service at any time without any penalties, I feel that Blooom has an excellent offering in a not so-crowded marketplace.

Learn More at Blooom

*My Investments Disclosure
I'm constantly tweaking my investment strategies as I gain more insight and as investment options evolve. Below is my current lineup.
  • Thinkorswim platform from TD Ameritrade. This is the desktop platform I currently use to trade Forex, Futures and Equities. I mainly swing-trade, entering and exiting positions over a period of days to weeks. For the most part, I base my trading on Technical Analysis, following the tips I've learned from the james16 Chart Thread on forexfactory. As this is a high-risk endeavor, I only use a small portion of my pot.
  • Vanguard funds. As the great Warren Buffet recommends, I invest a good portion into an S&P 500 index fund directly with Vanguard. Most of my investments here are in the VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. With an Expense Ratio of just 0.04%, this is a great way to diversify and save a great deal on fees. I've also decided to diversify further with the total stock market, investing in the VTI ETF with Vanguard.
  • Wealthfront. If you're a good number of years before reaching retirement, many finance experts suggest going with a robo-advisor. I've set my risk tolerance at high for now, and split a good portion of my investment funds between my Wealthfront and Vanguard accounts. With so many good reputable robo-advisors on the market, I decided on Wealthfront based on their track record, client reviews, and because I've been able to waive all management fees through their referral program.
  • Fundrise. I wanted to have an alternative to stocks and bonds, and decided to dip my toes in the private real estate arena with Fundrise. I'm not all-in on this strategy just yet, and only have a small account open.
  • Online Savings. This is how I store my emergency funds. The best online Savings accounts will provide much better rates than your traditional big banks will. You'll be able to make up to 6 withdrawals a month for emergency situations. Click the link to compare the nation's best rates.
  • Bitcoin and cryptocurrency. This is simply for fun and I can't recommend this option to anyone with all the unknowns. My investments in cryptocurrencies are minuscule, but it's fun following the madness.

More Reviews Of Robo-Advisors To Consider:

See the list of the current best Robo-Advisors here.

Pacific National Bank Online Savings, Money Market, CD Offers

By: | Last Updated: | This content is not provided or commissioned by the issuer. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of the issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer. This site may be compensated through the issuer’s Affiliate Program. Please visit our Advertiser Disclosure for additional details.

Stay up-to-date with new promotions, bonuses and special offers from Pacific National Bank here.

*Also be sure to check out our Bank Promotions page for a constantly updated list of the best sign-up offers.

Pacific National Bank (PNB) was established in 1985 and is headquartered in Miami, Florida. They have limited branch locations for traditional banking services, but they stand out among the small banks by offering online accounts with good rates.

PNB offers Online Special rates for their Savings, Money Market and CD (Certificate of Deposit) accounts.

Update History:
08/13/2018: Pacific National Bank raises rates on 12 and 17 Month CD terms.
05/24/2018: Pacific National Bank raises rates on 12, 15, 18 Month CD terms.
04/29/2018: Pacific National Bank raises online Money Market rate to 1.45% APY.
02/26/2018: 15 & 18 Month CD rates get a slight increase
02/26/2018: Money Market rate increases to 1.35% APY
More History
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PNB Online Money Market Rate Offer

Pacific National Bank Money Market Specials

Pacific National Bank Money Market Specials

PNB is also offering a special rate for their Money Market account online.

Update History:
09/25/2018: Pacific National Bank raises online Money Market rate to 1.90% APY.
04/29/2018: Pacific National Bank raises online Money Market rate to 1.45% APY.
02/26/2018: Money Market rate increases to 1.35% APY
More History
Hide History
  • Current Online Money Market Special Rate: 1.90% APY
    • Available online
    • $5,000 minimum balance
    • Maximum balance to earn highest rate: $240,000
Learn More

Compare With These Top Savings/Money Market Accounts

Also take a look the Money Market accounts from CIT Bank and BBVA Compass, and the online Savings offering from HSBC Direct. All top rates on our Savings/Money Market page here. Also see these Savings account bonuses, including a great offer from Chase Bank.

PNB Online CD Account Promotional Rate

Pacific National Bank CD Specials

Pacific National Bank CD Specials

Get special rates on CD Accounts from Pacific National Bank for select terms.

Update History:
09/25/2018: Pacific National Bank raises rates on 12 and 18 Month CD terms.
08/13/2018: Pacific National Bank raises rates on 12 and 17 Month CD terms.
05/24/2018: Pacific National Bank raises rates on 12, 15, 18 Month CD terms.
02/26/2018: 15 & 18 Month CD rates get a slight increase
More History
Hide History
  • Available online, nationwide
  • Minimum deposit to earn the rate is $1,000
  • Maximum deposit to earn the rate is $240,000
  • The following terms have special rates:
APY MIN MAX ACCOUNT NAME
2.50% $1k $240k 12 Month CD
2.65% $1k $240k 18 Month CD
Learn More

Compare With These CD Accounts:

CIT Bank and BBVA Compass offer popular CD accounts options. See all top rates on our CD Accounts page.



Marcus By Goldman Sachs Online Savings & CD Offers, Promotions

By: | Last Updated: | This content is not provided or commissioned by the issuer. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of the issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer. This site may be compensated through the issuer’s Affiliate Program. Please visit our Advertiser Disclosure for additional details.

Find the latest promotions and bonuses from Marcus by Goldman Sachs here.

In December of 2017, Goldman Sachs Bank USA was re-branded and is now known as Marcus by Goldman Sachs. The Marcus name was used for Goldman Sachs’ online lending business. Marcus now offers online Savings and Certificate of Deposit accounts as well, which Goldman Sachs Bank was previously known for.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs is owned by the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., which was established in 1869 and is headquartered in New York, NY.

Their online Savings and CD accounts offer very competitive rates, but be sure to compare all the best nationwide rates here: Savings Rates | CD Rates.

We’ll review the current offers below.

Marcus By Goldman Sachs Online Savings Offer

Marcus By Goldman Sachs Online Savings Offer

The High Yield Online Savings account from Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers a competitive rate and is available nationwide.

Update History:
09/25/2018: Marcus by Goldman Sachs raises Savings rate to 1.90% APY.
08/16/2018: Marcus by Goldman Sachs raises Savings rate to 1.85% APY.
06/24/2018: Marcus by Goldman Sachs raises Savings rate to 1.80% APY.
05/21/2018: Marcus by Goldman Sachs raises Savings rate to 1.70% APY.
04/24/2018: Marcus by Goldman Sachs raises Savings rate to 1.60% APY
More History
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  • Current rate offer: 1.90% APY
  • No minimum deposit to open
  • Minimum $1 to earn the stated Annual Percentage Yield
  • No transaction fees
  • The rate applies to balances up to $1,000,000
Learn More

Compare To These Savings Accounts

CIT Bank and HSBC Direct also offer great rates worth comparing with. Stay updated with all the best Savings rates here. Also, be sure to browse the current Savings account bonuses here, including a great offer from Chase Bank. The pages below are the banks with the best rates.

Marcus By Goldman Sachs CD Account Offers

Marcus By Goldman Sachs CD Account Offer

The CD Account rates from Marcus are also market leading for various terms.

  • Minimum to open and earn the stated APY is $500
  • Rate applies to balance up to $1,000,000
  • Terms available from 6 months to 6 years
Update History:
09/25/2018: Marcus by Goldman Sachs raises rates for 12 Month to 6 Year CD terms.
08/01/2018: Marcus by Goldman Sachs raises rates for 12 Mo, 18 Mo, 2 Year CD terms.
07/06/2018: Marcus by Goldman Sachs raises rates for 5 and 6 Year CD terms.
06/24/2018: Marcus by Goldman Sachs raises rates for 12 Month to 6 Year CD terms.
05/21/2018: Marcus by Goldman Sachs raises rates for 12 Month, 18 Month, 2 Year, 5 Year, and 6 Year CD terms.
04/24/2018: Marcus by Goldman Sachs raises rates for 1 to 6 Year CD terms.
03/09/2018: 12 Month to 6 Year CD terms get rate increases.
More History
Hide History

Rates

CD Term APY
6 Months 0.60%
9 Months 0.70%
12 Months 2.55%
18 Months 2.55%
2 Years 2.60%
3 Years 2.65%
4 Years 2.70%
5 Years 3.10%
6 Years 3.15%
Learn More

Compare To These CD Accounts

Other top rates can be found with CD Accounts from BBVA Compass and CIT Bank. Rates are constantly changing, so compare the best national rates here. See the pages below for other top CD Accounts.

You May Also Like These Bank Offers:

Find all the best bank bonuses here. including great offers from Chase, HSBC, Simple Bank and TD Bank.


Check back here for updated offers and promotions from Marcus By Goldman Sachs.

First Bank Financial Centre Review: $400 Promotion [WI Residents]

By: | Last Updated: | This content is not provided or commissioned by the issuer. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of the issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer. This site may be compensated through the issuer’s Affiliate Program. Please visit our Advertiser Disclosure for additional details.

Get the latest promotions and bonuses from First Bank Financial Centre (FBFC) updated here. Typical offers in the past have been for $200 and $300 bonuses.

Established in 1859 and headquartered in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, FBFC has a little under 20 locations in the state of Wisconsin. If you’re not a local resident, find other offers from banks like Chase, Wells Fargo, and TD Bank on our Bank Bonuses page instead.

Rates with First Bank Financial Centre are typical of traditional financial institutions and underwhelming. Use our Savings Rates and CD Rates guides for those accounts.

We’ll review the current offers below.

FBFC $400 Personal Checking Bonus

First Bank Financial Center $300 Checking Bonus

Personal Checking $300 Bonus

Open a new personal Checking account and earn up to a $400 cash bonus with this offer.

  • $400 bonus offer has no set expiration date
  • Offer available to WI residents
  • Direct deposit is an optional requirement for this offer
  • Application will trigger a Soft Pull, which does not affect your credit
  • Monthly fees can be waived

Learn More

Benefits With A FBFC Checking Account:

  • FREE Mobile Banking with Check Deposit
  • Over 600 FREE ATMs state-wide
  • Mobile Wallet (Samsung Pay, Apple Pay, etc…)

Account Features
Hide

How To Earn The $400 Bonus

  • Print out the offer page to bring into a nearby branch for the offer.
  •  This offer applies to new consumer checking and new consumer certificate of deposit account special(s) that must be opened on the same day with new money not currently on deposit at First Bank Financial Centre (FBFC).
  • Maximum incentive credit of $400.
  • Payout of $300 will be applied to qualifying new checking accounts (*) when eligibility parameters are met.
  • To receive additional incentive payout of $100, a new 15 month Certificate of Deposit Account (CD) or 15 month Individual Retirement Account (IRA) special (**) must be opened at the same time as the checking account.
  • The total accumulated cash reward will be deposited into the checking account within 135 days of account opening.
  • *Qualifying Checking Account Activity: Within 120 days of account opening, two (2) out of the following three (3) options must be met and posted to the account:
    • 1) Three (3) of the following deposit types to post in at least three (3) consecutive months; payroll, government or pension benefits (in a single amount not less than $250 each) using either direct deposit, mobile deposit or in-branch deposit. Online transfers (for example ACH transfers or PayPal transactions) and cash transactions are excluded.
    • 2) Twenty-five (25) signature based; not pin based or pin-less debit, debit card transactions ($5 minimum purchase each).
    • 3) Six (6) FBFC online bill pay transactions (excluding personal payments, minimum $25 each).

Fine Print

  • If any owner or signer on the account has previously been an owner or signer on a different FBFC consumer checking account within the past three (3) years, FBFC reserves the right to deny this incentive.
  • Accounts with an FBFC employee as primary owner and Student Checking accounts are not eligible.
  • This offer cannot be combined with any other offer.
  • If the new account becomes overdrawn within the first 135 days, FBFC reserves the right to deny this incentive.
  • If the checking account is closed by the customer or FBFC within 12 months after account opening, FBFC reserves the right to deny the incentive or deduct the cash reward for that account at closing.
  • **Qualifying CD/IRA Account Activity: A 15 month CD/IRA term must be opened with new money, not currently on deposit at FBFC.
  • Offer applicable to consumers only.
  • Business and Municipal money is not accepted.
  • FBFC will honor one (1) offer per household (physical, residential address).
  • Applicable to consumer accounts and Wisconsin residents only.
  • The value of this offer may be reported to recipient as income.
  • FBFC reserves the right to change or discontinue the offer at any time.

FBFC Business Checking $300 Bonus

First Bank Financial Centre Business $300 Bonus

$300 Business Checking Offer

Earn a $300 cash bonus for a new Business Checking account with this offer – available in-branch only.

  • $300 bonus has no set expiration date
  • Offer available to WI residents
  • Application will trigger a Soft Pull, which does not affect your credit
Learn More

How To Earn The $300 Bonus

  • Customer must have fifty (50) ACH, debit card or check transactions post to the account within 180 days of opening account to receive the $300 cash reward.
  • If any owner or signer on the account has previously been an owner or signer on a different FBFC business checking account within the past three (3) years, FBFC reserves the right to deny this incentive.
  • The $300 cash reward will be deposited into the checking account within 195 days of account opening.
  • If the account becomes overdrawn or is closed within the first 195 days, FBFC reserves the right to deny this incentive.
  • This offer applies to new business checking accounts that must be opened with new money not currently on deposit at FBFC and cannot be combined with any other offer.
  • This ad can be redeemed for one (1) $300 incentive only.
  • Accounts with an FBFC employee as primary owner are not eligible.
  • Applicable to Wisconsin residents only.
  • The value of this offer may be reported to recipient as income.

More Bank Offers You May Like


Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express $200 To $250 Bonus

By: | Last Updated: | This content is not provided or commissioned by the issuer. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of the issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer. This site may be compensated through the issuer’s Affiliate Program. Please visit our Advertiser Disclosure for additional details.

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express is the best in class for grocery buyers and is considered to be one of the best cash-back cards available right now.  In this article, we will look at both the good and the bad points of this card, and see exactly how it stacks up compared with others who offer similar benefits.

Offering a whopping 6% cash back at supermarkets and 3% cash-back at selected department stores and gas stations make this a really attractive cash-back card.  Additionally, there is also a further 1% cash back on everything else.   The annual fee for the card is no longer waived for the first year for new customers, and is a substantial $95.

However, if you know roughly what you spend on groceries, gas, and other products, it will be a relatively easy process to establish if it is going to be worth that annual fee and if you will get your costs covered with cash back.

The Blue Cash Preferred $200/$250 Bonus Offer

With the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express, you get an introductory offer when you spend $1,000 in purchases within your first three months.  The offers can differ depending on your market and when you apply and can range from $150 to $250. I’ve seen the $250 offer more often when going directly to the American Express website, while the $200 offer usually appears on referral sites.

Meeting the $1,000 spending requirement should be fairly easy within the 3 month time frame, but here are some ideas if needed:

MEETING CREDIT CARD BONUS SPENDING REQUIREMENTS

  • Use Plastiq to pay with your card. Plastiq is a service that will allow you to pay for expenses that you wouldn't otherwise be able to with your card, such as rent, tuition, auto lease, mortgage payment, and more. They charge a 2.5% processing fee for using your credit card, but this will likely be worth the card bonus you'll obtain. They also have a referral program where you can earn "Fee-Free Dollars" to use towards processing fees. Go to Plastiq.
  • Fund Checking accounts with your card. Many banks will allow you to fund the opening deposit with a credit card. To make the most out of this opportunity, you should consider opening Checking accounts that also offer a sign-up bonus. That way, you're working your way towards bonuses from two different sources. Big banks like Chase and TD Bank have great offers and allow credit card funding. You can often fund anywhere from $500 to $1,000 towards the opening deposit with a credit card, depending on the bank.
  • Buy gift cards with your credit card. Consider buying gift cards that you can then spend later at your leisure. Individual merchant cards (e.g. restaurant, gas station, supermarket) typically don't have purchase fees so this route won't cost you. On the other hand, American Express and Visa gift cards will incur purchase fees. Amazon gift cards are also wonderful if you shop there often (no purchase fees either). Get some gift card ideas here. *Be careful with Citi credit cards, as they tend to code gift card purchases as Cash Advances and you'll incur the fee. Call in to customer service and lower your Cash Advance limit to $0 before purchasing gift cards (it's a good idea to do this with any card in general). There are also options to buy discounted gift cards as well:
  • Other ideas. Be sure to always using your credit card for everyday spending, such as for dining, gas, groceries, etc. You can also use your credit card to pay for things like insurance bills, property taxes and income taxes, but you'll have to consider the convenience fees.

*More ways to meet the spending requirement

Blue Cash Preferred Card Pros & Cons

Pros

High Cash Back Rates. Offering 6% in supermarkets and 3% in gas stations makes the cash back from the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express one of the highest paying cash back cards available. However, there are limits in place that you need to be aware of.  You will earn 6% on your first $6,000 of supermarket purchases within a calendar year.  Once this cap is reached, you will then earn 1% on supermarket spend.

With your cashback rate for gas and department stores of 3%, there is no spending cap on this rate whatsoever, making this one of the best offerings you can get for cashback.

To see what qualifies as eligible supermarkets, gas stations and department stores, please go here.

Introductory APR Rates. 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months, then a variable APR will apply.

No Annual Fees for Additional Cards. You can get additional cards from the account without paying any annual fee on those extra cards.

American Express Account Benefits. American Express offers a wide-range of other benefits just for being a member of the Amex family.  These include a free ShopRunner membership, Roadside Assistance, Global Assist Hotline, Early access to tickets through Entertainment Access, Return Protection on all eligible purchases that are paid for in full with your Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express, along with a Travel Booking guarantee when you use their team to book travel.

We think this range of added benefits sets Amex aside from other cash back card offerings and when eligible purchases are made, there are some valuable cover options available to you at no extra cost that are well worth exploring.

Cons

Unpredictable APR. With the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express, you are unable to predict the APR in advance.  This is decided based on your individual credit profile, among other factors.

The Definition of a Supermarket. This is dictated by American Express as a store that is not classified as a wholesale club.  Exclusions in the Supermarket category include Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Target and other specialty stores.

American Express Acceptance. When compared with Mastercard, Discover, and Visa, American Express is accepted in fewer outlet stores, and you’ll especially notice this when traveling outside of the U.S.

What’s The Competition?

The Barclaycard Arrival® Plus World Elite Mastercard®is an excellent choice for a rewards credit card with a nice bonus offer and similar annual fee to the Blue Cash Preferred. For a cash back card with no annual fee and bonus offer, the Capital One Quicksilver is a popular choice. If you’re not a big credit card user (enough to justify an annual fee), the Citi Double Cash card earns up to 2% on all purchases without any regard to categories. You can also consider the Blue Cash Preferred’s little brother, the Blue Cash Everyday Card, with no annual fee and a bit less cash back earning potential in the same categories.

Barclaycard Arrival® Plus World Elite Mastercard®

Barclays Arrival Plus 60000 Bonus $630 ValueThe previously discontinued Barclaycard Arrival® Plus World Elite Mastercard® is now available again, and with a 60,000 bonus miles offer. If you're not a high spender or if you'd prefer a big initial sign-up bonus, this is a great alternative to the Barclays Arrival® Premier World Elite Mastercard®. The 60k bonus miles will be worth $600 when you redeem towards travel. If you take into account the 5% miles back every time you redeem perk, the 60k miles would then have a $630 value.

This card also earns unlimited miles at the rate of 2 miles per $1 spent on all purchases regardless of category, and doesn't have foreign transaction fees on international purchases either. Full Review
Learn More
  • Enjoy 60,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 90 days
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase
  • Book travel your way-no airline, seat or hotel restrictions-and redeem your miles for travel statement credits
  • Get 5% miles back to use toward your next redemption, every time you redeem
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • International Chip and PIN for use at self-service chip terminals around the world
  • Miles don't expire as long as your account is open, active and in good standing
  • See Rates & Fees
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Capital One Quicksilver

The Capital One® Quicksilver® Rewards card will earn a $150 bonus when you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months.The bonus offer is comparable to its top competitors, but this card earns a respectable 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no limit on how much you can earn. There are no spending categories to keep up with.

There's a 0% introductory APR on both Purchases and Balance Transfers for the first 15 months with this card; variable APR after that. The Balance Transfer fee is 3% on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months. People like this card because of the cash back rate, the flexibility to redeem your cash back for any amount, and there's no annual fee. Full Review 
  • One-time $150 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
  • No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how much you can earn
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months; variable APR after that
  • 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months; variable APR after that; 3% fee on the amounts transferred within the first 15 months
  • Pay no annual fee or foreign transaction fees
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Citi Double Cash

The Citi Double Cash Card earns up to 2% cash back on all purchases. You'll earn 1% cash back for all purchases charged to the card. You'll then earn an additional 1% cash back when you pay off those purchases, as long as you pay at least the minimum due. There are no spending categories to keep up with.

You'll also get a 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be based on your creditworthiness. There's no annual fee with this card. Full Review
Learn More

Blue Cash Everyday

The Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express has a special promotion when you go straight to their website (it may not appear for everyone and likely will not if you're applying through third party websites). Earn $250 Back after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership. You will receive the $250 back in the form of a statement credit. Sometimes a lower $150 or $200 cash back offer will appear instead.

This card earns 3% at U.S. supermarkets, up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1% after you reach the cap). You'll also get 2% at U.S. gas stations & select U.S. department stores. This is one of the best sign-up bonus offers for a card with no annual fee, and the ongoing cash back rate makes sense for those that spend heavy at supermarkets and on gas.
  • Earn $250 Back after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership.
  • Everyday Cash Back: 3% at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%); 2% at U.S. gas stations; 1% on other purchases. Terms and limitations apply.
  • No rotating reward categories. No enrollment required.
  • Cash back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit. You can only earn cash back on eligible purchases.
  • No annual fee. Plus, 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable rate, based on your creditworthiness and other factors.
  • Terms Apply.
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Bottom Line

One of the most negative aspects of this card, and a hurdle that many struggle with is the high annual fee. However, if we look at what you would need to spend in order to break even, it equates to around $30 per week on groceries, just to cover the annual costs.  This figure is more than attainable even for those without families to shop for. The  rewards program is easy to understand and straightforward to benefit from.

If the annual fee is a real sticking point for you, then you might want to consider applying for the Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express instead.  This card has no annual fee but does offer a little less in terms of the cash back rates, offering 3% on US supermarkets up to $6,000 annually.  Another cash back card with no annual fee is the Citi Double Cash card. This only pays 1% cashback initially, but offers an additional 1% when you pay the balance off. Two of the most popular cash back credit cards with no annual fee to consider are the Capital One Quicksilver (best for all-purpose cash back) and the Chase Freedom (best for category cash back) card.

With all of this taken into account, as long as you spend at least $31 per week on groceries, you will make back enough for this card to pay for itself and it does come with some attractive perks for being an American Express card holder that can help if something goes wrong with an item you purchase using the card.  If your family spends a lot on gas, this is a great card to use.  If you spend just $200 monthly on gas, then you would earn around $72 annually alone.


Heritage Credit Union $100 Checking Bonus [IL, WI Residents]

By: | Last Updated: | This content is not provided or commissioned by the issuer. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of the issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer. This site may be compensated through the issuer’s Affiliate Program. Please visit our Advertiser Disclosure for additional details.

Find updated promotions and bonuses from Heritage Credit Union updated here.

Established in 1978 and headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, Heritage Credit Union has a small footprint with just a little over 10 locations in the states of Illinois and Wisconsin. If you’re not near one of their branches, see our Bank Bonuses page for more suitable offers from Chase Bank, TD Bank, HSBC, Simple Bank and more.

Heritage Credit Union Membership Info:
Heritage Credit Union of Wisconsin is open to the residents and the people that maintain employment within the qualified counties of Illinois and Wisconsin that are listed on the credit union website, along with the employees and members of the credit union affiliated select employee groups and organizations that are listed on the credit union website and the family members of these eligible people. See current membership info.

Heritage Credit Union often offers good rates on their Money Market and CD account specials, but you’ll want to compare them with the nation’s best first. See the best Savings rates here and the best CD rates here.

I’ll review the current offers below.

Heritage Credit Union $100 Checking Bonus

Heritage Credit Union $100 Checking Bonus

Earn a $100 bonus for a new Checking account with this offer from Heritage Credit Union.

  • $100 bonus offer expires October 31, 2018
  • Offer available in Illinois and Wisconsin
  • Direct deposit required for the bonus
  • Application will trigger a Soft Pull, which does not affect your credit
  • No monthly fees with their Checking account
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How To Earn The $100 Bonus

  • Enter your email address on the offer page to receive your $100 bonus coupon.
  • Show your coupon when you open your Checking account at a local Heritage branch.
  • New members: subject to member eligibility and an initial deposit of $5 into a primary savings account, which must remain open for 12 months.
  • Coupon must be presented by October 31, 2018, and prior to opening the account.
  • Qualifying accounts must be opened within 30 days after presenting coupon.
  • $100 will be credited to your Heritage primary share account within 30 days of receipt of your first direct deposit of $100 or more into a new qualifying checking account.
  • Direct deposit must be received within 30 days of opening new checking account and cannot be transferred from another Heritage account.

Fine Print

  • Cannot use multiple offers on same product.
  • Promotions can change or end at any time.
  • Each coupon may be used once per individual member account.
  • Bonus may be taxable as income and reported on IRS Form 1099-INT.
  • Heritage employees and their immediate families are not eligible.
  • Void if expired, altered, reproduced or photocopied.
  • Must not have had an open Heritage checking account in the 6 months prior to opening new account.
  • Federally insured by NCUA.

See These Bank Offers
Bank Promotions updated here.

Barclaycard Arrival® Plus World Elite Mastercard® 60,000 Bonus Miles ($630 Value)

By: | Last Updated: | This content is not provided or commissioned by the issuer. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of the issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer. This site may be compensated through the issuer’s Affiliate Program. Please visit our Advertiser Disclosure for additional details.

The Barclaycard Arrival® Plus World Elite Mastercard® is currently offering a 60,000 miles sign-up bonus worth $630. In terms of value, this is one of the best credit card bonuses available.

If it weren’t for the $89 annual fee, this card and offer would be a no-brainer. Luckily, the annual fee is waived for the first year, giving you ample time to decide whether this card will fit your needs for the long haul.

Regardless of the annual fee after year one, the high rewards earning rate will likely make it valuable for you if you typically spend enough on credit card purchases annually. The Barclaycard Arrival® Plus card is one of the most popular options among frequent travelers.

I love bonus opportunities (bank bonuses are our specialty) and this one definitely caught my eye enough to write about. I’ll review the bonus offer for the Barclaycard Arrival® Plus card below.

Barclaycard Arrival® Plus World Elite Mastercard® FeaturesMore Details

Barclays Arrival Plus 60000 Bonus $630 Value

  • Enjoy 60,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 90 days
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase
  • Book travel your way-no airline, seat or hotel restrictions-and redeem your miles for travel statement credits
  • Get 5% miles back to use toward your next redemption, every time you redeem
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • International Chip and PIN for use at self-service chip terminals around the world
  • Miles don’t expire as long as your account is open, active and in good standing
  • See Rates & Fees
Learn More at Barclays

Intro Purchase APR & Duration: N/A
Ongoing Purchase APR: 17.74%, 21.74% or 24.74% variable based on your creditworthiness
Intro Balance Transfer APR & Duration: 0% intro for first 12 billing cycles following each BT that posts within 45 days of account opening
Ongoing Balance Transfer APR: 17.74%, 21.74% or 24.74% variable based on your creditworthiness
Balance Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Annual Fee: $89 (waived first year)
Foreign Transaction Fee: 0% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
Cash Advance APR: 26.99% Variable
Credit Needed: Good/Excellent

60,000 Bonus Miles Worth $630 With The Barclaycard Arrival® Plus

You’ll earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 90 days. When you redeem towards qualified travel purchases, these 60K points will be worth $600. Add to that the 5% in bonus miles you’ll get back after redemption, the bonus is effectively worth $630 in travel.

As an everyday spending card, you’ll earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all purchases. Taking into account the 5% miles back after redemption, you’re essentially getting back 2.1% in rewards with this card. This makes it one of the best rewards cards for everyday use, without any thought needed towards spending categories.

Keep in mind, if you don’t plan on redeeming towards travel, this may not be the right fit for you. Redeeming towards cash back, gift cards, or merchandise will make your miles worth much less. But, unlike airline or hotel branded credit cards, you have the flexibility to redeem towards travel purchased on any airline, hotel, or travel website. The Barclaycard Arrival® Plus card categorizes many different options as travel:

Travel Spending Categories
Airlines Hotels Car Rental Agencies
Motels Purchase & Travel Agencies Discount Travel Sites
Taxis Limousines Ferries
Timeshares Trains Cruise Lines
Campgrounds Buses The Account Annual Fee

You’ll have to reach at least 10,000 miles before you can start redeeming towards travel, which can be used towards travel purchases worth $100 or more within the last 120 days. If an airline ticket cost you $250, you can redeem 10,000 miles ($100) towards that purchase. In practicality, airfare and hotels will be redeemed for most often. There’s no rush to use your miles as they will never expire as long as your account is open, active and in good standing.

Learn More at Barclays

How To Get The 60,000 Miles Bonus

If you can spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening, then you’re set. Keep in mind, it’s 90 days from the time your account is approved, not from when you actually receive the card and activate it.

If you don’t know if you can spend $5,000 in 90 days, or if you are taking advantage of multiple card bonuses, below are some ideas to help you reach the minimum spending requirement.

MEETING CREDIT CARD BONUS SPENDING REQUIREMENTS

  • Use Plastiq to pay with your card. Plastiq is a service that will allow you to pay for expenses that you wouldn't otherwise be able to with your card, such as rent, tuition, auto lease, mortgage payment, and more. They charge a 2.5% processing fee for using your credit card, but this will likely be worth the card bonus you'll obtain. They also have a referral program where you can earn "Fee-Free Dollars" to use towards processing fees. Go to Plastiq.
  • Fund Checking accounts with your card. Many banks will allow you to fund the opening deposit with a credit card. To make the most out of this opportunity, you should consider opening Checking accounts that also offer a sign-up bonus. That way, you're working your way towards bonuses from two different sources. Big banks like Chase and TD Bank have great offers and allow credit card funding. You can often fund anywhere from $500 to $1,000 towards the opening deposit with a credit card, depending on the bank.
  • Buy gift cards with your credit card. Consider buying gift cards that you can then spend later at your leisure. Individual merchant cards (e.g. restaurant, gas station, supermarket) typically don't have purchase fees so this route won't cost you. On the other hand, American Express and Visa gift cards will incur purchase fees. Amazon gift cards are also wonderful if you shop there often (no purchase fees either). Get some gift card ideas here. *Be careful with Citi credit cards, as they tend to code gift card purchases as Cash Advances and you'll incur the fee. Call in to customer service and lower your Cash Advance limit to $0 before purchasing gift cards (it's a good idea to do this with any card in general). There are also options to buy discounted gift cards as well:
  • Other ideas. Be sure to always using your credit card for everyday spending, such as for dining, gas, groceries, etc. You can also use your credit card to pay for things like insurance bills, property taxes and income taxes, but you'll have to consider the convenience fees.

*More ways to meet the spending requirement

What’s The Competition?

The main competitor card bonuses for the Barclaycard Arrival® Plus World Elite Mastercard®are going to come from the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the Capital One Venture card. Both of these competitors have good bonus offers, with the Chase Sapphire Preferred edging out the rewards earning potential if you spend a good deal on Travel and Dining. You’ll have to redeem towards travel to maximize the rewards for both cards.

If you don’t think you’ll spend enough on your card to justify an annual fee, the Citi Double Cash card may be a better fit with its 2% maximum cash back rate on all purchases. It just doesn’t have a sign-up bonus offer to top it off.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® credit card currently has an offer for 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Redeeming the 50,000 bonus points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program, which is praised by users, will get you $625 in value towards travel.

The 50K bonus points are worth $625 because you get 25% more value whenever you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Ongoing rewards with this card include earning 2 points per $1 on Travel and Dining at restaurants. The annual fee is $95, but it is waived for the first year. Full Review
  • Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. That's $625 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
  • 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
  • No blackout dates or travel restrictions - as long as there's a seat on the flight, you can book it through Chase Ultimate Rewards
The information related to this card has been collected by MoneysMyLife and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
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Capital One Venture

The Capital One Venture card currently earns a 50,000 miles bonus when you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months. These bonus miles are equal to $500 in travel and are easy to redeem as a statement credit towards the cost of your travel purchases. This card will earn an ongoing 2 miles for every dollar you spend on all purchases. 100 miles is equal to $1 in travel rewards. If you don't redeem towards travel purchases, your miles will have less value. The annual fee is $95, which is waived for the first year. Full Review 
  • Enjoy a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months of approval, equal to $500 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
  • Fly any airline, stay at any hotel, anytime
  • Travel when you want with no blackout dates
  • Miles don't expire and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • $0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
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Citi Double Cash

The Citi Double Cash Card earns up to 2% cash back on all purchases. You'll earn 1% cash back for all purchases charged to the card. You'll then earn an additional 1% cash back when you pay off those purchases, as long as you pay at least the minimum due. There are no spending categories to keep up with.

You'll also get a 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be based on your creditworthiness. There's no annual fee with this card. Full Review
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The bonus offers available are going to be a big consideration for the first year or first few years, since the bonus will essentially cover the annual fee for that period of time. This is something you should keep mind before taking a card out of consideration just because it has an annual fee. After the first year or so, you’ll then have to weigh the annual fees and the ongoing rewards earning potential.

Learn More at Barclays

More At MoneysMyLife:

Barclays Arrival® Premier World Elite Mastercard®: Earn 75k Miles Yearly

By: | Last Updated: | This content is not provided or commissioned by the issuer. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of the issuer, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer. This site may be compensated through the issuer’s Affiliate Program. Please visit our Advertiser Disclosure for additional details.

The Barclays Arrival® Premier World Elite Mastercard® is a new luxury travel card offering for 2018. 

Quick Facts
Bonus No initial sign-up bonus. 25,000 loyalty bonus miles after spending $25,000 on purchases (available yearly).
Ongoing Rewards Unlimited 2X miles on every purchase – essentially 2% back minimum on all spending with this card.
Annual Fee $150 (waived first year)
Redemption Options Travel (*best value) or cash back statement credits, gift cards, merchandise. Travel purchases eligible for redemptions are defined as airlines, hotels, motels, timeshares, campgrounds, car rental agencies, cruise lines, travel agencies, discount travel sites, trains, buses, taxis, limousines, ferries and your account annual fee (“Travel Purchases”).
Foreign Transaction Fees No
Travel Credit(s) $100 automatic statement credit for the cost of one Global Entry application fee every five years

Unlike the Barclaycard Arrival® Plus World Elite Mastercard®, this new card from Barclays doesn’t offer a much sought after one-time sign-up bonus that is commonplace with all the top rewards cards. Rather, this product rewards loyal, long-term cardholders that are high spenders. Cardholders that spend at least $25,000 a year on purchases will earn a loyalty bonus of 25,000 miles (worth $250) each and every year. This is a bonus, so is in addition to the standard miles you’ve earned throughout the year. At 2 miles per $1 on all purchases, spending $25k a year will earn you the base 50,000 miles along with 25,000 bonus miles. That’s $750 worth of miles that can be earned every year.

This new approach from Barclays is getting some pushback from typical rewards seekers, who do their due diligence learning from all the popular travel blogs and forums on accumulating points efficiently. As it turns out, Barclays isn’t necessarily targeting these consumers with the Barclays Arrival® Premier World Elite Mastercard®. With consumer research knowledge in their hands, Barclays has found there is a large group of consumers who are mindful of the rewards benefits of using credit cards often, yet prefer not to spend much of their time taking consideration for every category of spending or switching cards yearly for the best bonus offers. These cardholders are high spenders that want a straightforward rewards structure, along with a card where they won’t feel as if they’re missing out in the long term with the same card for years moving forward.

Forming a strategy to close old card accounts and open new ones for bonuses will net you more bonus rewards year after year, but the entire process takes time to track and plan. This is especially true with many big issuers, like American Express and Chase, who place restrictions on how often you can earn a bonus for the same card product. For many, such as myself (I write about obtaining bonuses obviously), the time spent is well worth it. In reality, many cardholders who are spending in excess of $25,000 a year on card purchases may rather focus on the many other facets of their lives.

Another thing to point out is, many high spenders either don’t take advantage of all the perks of a premium credit card (i.e. American Express Platinum, Citi Prestige, Chase Sapphire Reserve®) or simply don’t feel the benefits are worth the $450 to $550 annual fee. With an annual fee of $150, the Barclays Arrival® Premier World Elite Mastercard® may fill that void for these individuals.

Let’s review the bonus structure.

How To Earn 75,000 Or More Each Year

Barclays Arrival Premier World Elite Mastercard Bonus

Earn bonus miles every year

Spend at least $25,000 on purchases during the year and you’ll earn at least 75,000 miles. Redeem these miles towards eligible travel spending and 75,000 miles will be worth $750. Here’s the breakdown of miles earned:

$25k spent during the year will net 75,000 miles as follows:

  • You’ll earn 50,000 base miles from the ongoing rewards rate of 2 miles per $1 spent
  • You’ll earn up to 25,000 loyalty bonus miles each year as follows:
    • Spend $15,000 on purchases and get the first 15,000 miles
    • Spend an additional $10,000 on purchases and get the additional 10,000 miles

Again, there is no initial sign-up bonus with the Barclays Arrival® Premier World Elite Mastercard®, but the trade off is the ability to earn 25,000 bonus miles every year for those interested in a long-term use credit card.

Barclays Arrival® Premier World Elite Mastercard®COMPARE: Barclaycard Arrival® Plus World Elite Mastercard®

Barclays Arrival Premier 75000 Bonus

  • 75,000 miles each year if you spend $25,000 on purchases
  • After that, keep earning unlimited 2X miles on every purchase
  • Global Entry – $100 automatic statement credit for the cost of one Global Entry application fee every five years
  • Book the best travel deal, no airline, seat or hotel restrictions, and redeem your miles for travel statement credits
  • Access to over 850 lounges worldwide with Mastercard® Airport Experience provided by LoungeKey, fees apply
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • International Chip and PIN for use at self-service chip terminals around the world
  • See Rates & Fees

Learn More at Barclays

Intro Purchase APR & Duration:  N/A
Ongoing Purchase APR:  17.74%, 21.74% or 24.74% variable based on your creditworthiness
Intro Balance Transfer Fee & Duration:  N/A
Ongoing Balance Transfer APR:  17.74%, 21.74% or 24.74% variable based on your creditworthiness
Cash Advance APR:  26.99% Variable
Intro Balance Transfer Fee:  Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Cash Advance Fee:  Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
Annual Fee:  $150 (waived first year)
Foreign Transaction Fee: 0% of each transaction in U.S. dollars

Credit Needed: Good/Excellent

Barclays Arrival Plus 60000 Bonus $630 Value

  • Enjoy 60,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 90 days
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase
  • Book travel your way-no airline, seat or hotel restrictions-and redeem your miles for travel statement credits
  • Get 5% miles back to use toward your next redemption, every time you redeem
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • International Chip and PIN for use at self-service chip terminals around the world
  • Miles don’t expire as long as your account is open, active and in good standing
  • See Rates & Fees

Learn More at Barclays

Intro Purchase APR & Duration: N/A
Ongoing Purchase APR: 17.74%, 21.74% or 24.74% variable based on your creditworthiness
Intro Balance Transfer APR & Duration: 0% intro for first 12 billing cycles following each BT that posts within 45 days of account opening
Ongoing Balance Transfer APR: 17.74%, 21.74% or 24.74% variable based on your creditworthiness
Balance Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Annual Fee: $89 (waived first year)
Foreign Transaction Fee: 0% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
Cash Advance APR: 26.99% Variable

Credit Needed: Good/Excellent

What’s The Competition?

If you believe the premium travel benefits are worth the $450 to $550 annual fee, consider reviewing these premium cards: Chase Sapphire Reserve, The Platinum Card from Amex and the Citi Prestige card.

Prefer a card with a sign-up bonus and lower annual fee? The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is one of the most popular cards for rewards on travel and dining.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire ReserveSM card is no longer offering 100,000 bonus points (worth $1,500 toward travel), but you can still earn 50,000 bonus points (worth $750 toward travel). You'll need to spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening to qualify for the bonus.This is a premium travel card with a premium annual fee of $450. But, you'll receive premium benefits such as a $300 Annual Travel Credit, access to 1,000+ airport lounges with Priority Pass Select, 3X points on travel and dining, and 50% more in travel redemption. MoneysMyLife picks this as the best premium travel credit card. Full Review
  • 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
  • Receive up to $300 in statement credits annually as reimbursement for travel purchases such as airfare and hotels charged to your card*
  • Earn 3X points on travel worldwide from airfare and hotels to taxis and trains*
  • Earn 3X points on dining at restaurants worldwide from fast casual to fine dining*
  • Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases*
  • Get 50% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.* For example, 50,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
  • No blackout dates or travel restrictions — as long as there’s a seat on the flight, you can book it through Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • Receive up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®*
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Access to 900+ airport lounges worldwide with complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership*
  • Special car rental privileges from National Car Rental, Avis and Silvercar when you book with your card*
  • Special benefits during your stay with The Luxury Hotel & Resort CollectionSM*
  • Pay no foreign transaction fees†
The information related to this card has been collected by MoneysMyLife and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
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The Platinum Card

The Platinum Card® from American Express has a special offer for 75,000 Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. The best options for redeeming these points would be by booking travel through American Express or by redeeming for gift cards. Using these options, the 75,000 bonus will be worth $750. You must go directly to the American Express website to find this offer. Typically, the bonus offer reverts back to a 60,000 or 40,000 points promo, so it's all about timing here.

The biggest drawback to this card is the $550 annual fee, which puts it in the premium class of credit cards. The card has a market because it offers premium travel benefits, such as 5X points for flights and eligible hotels, access to 1,000+ airport lounges, $200 in Uber credits yearly, and a $200 airline fee credit annually. For frequent travelers, the added benefits make sense in terms of value and added luxury. Full Review
  • Earn 75,000 Membership Rewards® points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases in your first 3 months.
  • New! Up to $200 Uber Savings Annually.
  • 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel.
  • 5X Membership Rewards® points on eligible hotels booked on amextravel.com.
  • As a Platinum Card Member, you can enjoy access to the Global Lounge Collection, the only credit card airport lounge access program that includes proprietary lounge locations around the world.
  • Receive complimentary benefits with an average total value of $550 with Fine Hotels & Resorts. Learn More. Terms Apply.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit, up to $200 a year in baggage fees and more at one airline. Terms Apply.
Learn More
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Citi Prestige

The Citi Prestige® Card is no longer offers a sign-up bonus (previously there were offers for 40,000 to 75,000 in bonus points). For the most value out of your points, redeem for flights through Citi, where your bonus will be worth 1.33 cents per point. This is another card that competes in the premium travel category, and the annual fee will signify that at $450. In effect, this card is only a good option for frequent travelers who can take advantage of the premium benefits : 3X points on air travel & hotels, 2X points on dining & entertainment, $250 Air Travel Credit annually, and free access to 1,000+ airport lounges with Priority Pass Select. For those in this niche market, this card will provide high perceived value. Full Review
  • $250 Air Travel Credit each year, and receive a statement credit, up to $100 every 5 years, as reimbursement for your application fee for Global Entry or TSA Pre Check
  • 4th night hotel benefit for any hotel stay at hotels booked through the Citi Prestige® Concierge
  • Transfer points to a variety of travel loyalty programs from airlines to hotels.
  • Earn 3x points on Air Travel and Hotels
  • Earn 2x points on Dining at Restaurants and Entertainment
  • 1 ThankYou® Point per $1 spent on other purchases
Learn More
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Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® credit card currently has an offer for 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Redeeming the 50,000 bonus points through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® program, which is praised by users, will get you $625 in value towards travel.

The 50K bonus points are worth $625 because you get 25% more value whenever you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Ongoing rewards with this card include earning 2 points per $1 on Travel and Dining at restaurants. The annual fee is $95, but it is waived for the first year. Full Review
  • Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. That's $625 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
  • 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
  • No blackout dates or travel restrictions - as long as there's a seat on the flight, you can book it through Chase Ultimate Rewards
The information related to this card has been collected by MoneysMyLife and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card.
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Bottom Line

If you’re after a quick miles grab via a sign-up bonus offer, the Barclays Arrival® Premier World Elite Mastercard® is obviously out of the running. Need all the best premium travel perks? Nope, you won’t get it here either.

How about the best choice for $5,000 to $10,000 spent on travel annually? A card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card will offer more value per point,at a lower annual fee, when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

Now, if you’re a high spender in excess of $25,000 yearly who’s looking for a simple, straight-forward rewards structure, then the Barclays Arrival® Premier World Elite Mastercard® may fit your needs. This is especially the case if your spending is evenly distributed throughout merchant categories. If you’re in this target consumer group, you’ll earn up to $250 worth of bonus miles yearly without much thought.

Learn More at Barclays

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First Bank Virginia $100 Checking Account Bonus [VA Residents]

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With a limited footprint in the state of Virginia, First Bank will sometimes offer sign-up bank account bonuses and I”ll update them here. Typical offers in the past have been for $100 to $200 cash.

If you don’t live near a local branch, see the Bank Bonuses page for offers with more availability from banks like Chase, HSBC, TD Bank, Simple Bank and more.

Let’s review the current offers below.

First Bank $100 Checking Account Bonus

First Bank Checking Bonus

Earn a $100 bonus for a new Checking account with this offer from First Bank.

  • $100 bonus offer has no listed expiration date
  • First Checking account eligible for the bonus
  • Available in VA only
  • Direct deposit is required for the bonus
  • Application will trigger a Soft Pull, which does not affect your credit
  • Monthly fees can be waived
Learn More

How To Earn The $100 Checking Bonus

  • Offer available to new First Bank checking account customers (those without current First Bank checking accounts) who open a new First Checking account online.
  • To receive $100, you must open a new First Checking account in our Online Application Center and sign up for a recurring $250 minimum direct deposit into this account.
  • This limited-time offer may end at any time.
  • Your reward will be deposited in your new First Bank checking account once the account has been open for 90 days, the first qualifying direct deposit has been received, and the account is in good standing.
  • Limit one per household.
  • The $100 will be reported on Form 1099-INT for tax purposes.

See These Bank Offers
Best bank offers updated here.