The 8 best checking account bonuses for May 2024: earn up to $3,000

Advertiser Disclosure: Content provided by Bankrate.com. Fox Business and its content partners earn compensation from the affiliate companies that appear below. This content does not include all available financial offers, and compensation may impact how and where links appear in the content.

Opening a new checking account can net you a nice chunk of cash. Most banks offer bonuses for simply opening a checking account and completing some requirements. 

In this guide, we found the top checking account bonuses available right now. We looked at the bonus amount, what you need to do to earn it, any fees, and the pros and cons of each account.

Best checking account bonuses 

• Chase Total Checking: $300 bonus 
• Citi Regular Checking: $300 bonus 
• Wells Fargo Everyday Checking: $300 bonus 
• Huntington Bank Platinum Perks Checking: up to $600 bonus 
• Chase Private Client Checking: up to $3,000 bonus 
• Axos Bank: $300 bonus 
• Chase Business Complete Checking: $400 bonus 
• Citi Streamlined Business Checking: up to $2,000 bonus 

Chase Total Checking: $300 bonus 

Bonus: $300 

Valid through: July 24, 2024 

You can earn a $300 bonus when you open a new Chase Total Checking account and make direct deposits of $500 or more within the first 90 days. 

This account comes with a $12 monthly service fee. You can waive that fee by receiving $500 or more in direct deposits and maintaining a $1,500 daily balance. Or, you can maintain a $5,000 daily balance across all your linked Chase accounts. 

This is an attractive bonus for a no-frills checking account. It could be especially smart if you have a credit card with Chase and want to manage your finances in one place. 

Citi Regular Checking: $300 bonus

Bonus: $300 

Valid through: July 8, 2024 

To earn the bonus, you’ll need to fund your account with at least two qualifying direct deposits (totaling at least $1,500) within 90 days of account opening. 

This account does come with a $15 monthly service fee that you can waive three months after account opening. You may also be able to waive it if you qualify for a relationship tier or receive $250 in direct deposits each month. 

This account also has no overdraft fees and comes with access to more than 65,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide.

Wells Fargo Everyday Checking: $300 bonus

Bonus: $300 

Valid through: June 25, 2024

 Wells Fargo is another major bank that offers a sizable welcome bonus. You’ll get a $300 bonus when you open an Everday Checking account, fund it with at least $25, and receive $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days. 

This account has a $10 monthly fee that you can avoid by maintaining a $500 minimum daily balance or receiving qualifying direct deposits of at least $500. You may also get the monthly service fee waived if you received a non-civilian military direct deposit through the Military Banking program or are a college student with a linked Campus Debit or ATM Card. 

Like most comparable checking options, you won’t earn interest on your balance.

Huntington Bank Platinum Perks Checking: up to $600 bonus

Bonus: up to $600

Valid through: June 7, 2024 

If you have a sizable amount to deposit, Huntington Bank is an excellent option. Their Platinum Perks checking account offers a $600 bonus when you deposit $25,000 or more within 90 days.

You must also keep your account opening for at least 90 days. You can also avoid the monthly fee if you carry $25,000 in total relationship balances. 

If that initial deposit is too steep, you can opt for the Perks Checking account. This account offers a $400 bonus if you receive a qualifying direct deposit within 90 days of account opening (and keep your account open for 90 days). 

You can avoid the $10 monthly maintenance fee if you have $1,000 in total monthly deposits or $5,000 in total relationship balances, respectively. 

Chase Private Client Checking: up to $3,000 bonus

Bonus: up to $3,000 

Valid through: July 24, 2024

This exclusive account offers premium perks tailored to high-net-worth clients. The bonus is tiered based on how much you deposit (within the first 45 days of account opening): 

• $1,000 bonus for deposits between $150,000-$249,999 
• $2,000 bonus for deposits between $250,000-$499,999 
• $3,000 bonus for deposits of $500,000 or more 

Chase waives the $35 monthly service fee if you carry a $150,000 average daily balance in all linked qualifying deposit accounts or investment accounts. Or, you can open a Platinum Business Checking account and link it to get a fee waiver. 

Axos Bank: $300 bonus

Bonus: $300 

Valid through: June 30, 2024

New Axos Bank customers can earn up to $300 by opening a Rewards Checking account, funding it with at least $5,000, and making direct deposits of at least $5,000 for the first seven months. 

You can use the promo code “AXOS300” to earn the bonus. You must also maintain an average daily balance of $7,000 in your checking account.

Check out our review of Axos here. 

Chase Business Complete Checking: $400 bonus

Bonus: $400 

Valid through: July 22, 2024

To earn the $400 bonus with Chase Business Complete Checking, all you’ll need to do is: 

• Open an account and make a $2,000 initial deposit within 30 days 
• Maintain a balance of $2,000 for the first 60 days 
• Complete five qualifying transactions within 90 days Keep your account open for at least 90 days 

This account does come with a $15 monthly service fee. You can waive the fee by maintaining a $2,000 balance, making $2,000 in deposits, or spending at least $2,000 with your Chase Ink Business card each month. 

Citi Streamlined Business Checking: up to $2,000

Bonus: up to $2,000

Valid through: July 8, 2024 

Citi pays new business checking account customers up to $2,000 as a welcome incentive, depending on how much you deposit. Here’s a breakdown: 

• $300 bonus on deposits between $5,000 and $19,999 
• $750 bonus on deposits between $20,000 and $99,999 
• $1,500 bonus on deposits between $100,000 and $199,999.99 
• $2,000 bonus on deposits of $200,000 and above 

You must also maintain your balance for 60 days to earn the welcome bonus. This account has a $15 monthly fee you can waive if you maintain a balance of $5,000 or more. 

How do checking account bonuses work? 

To score a checking account bonus, select an account that’s offering a bonus, open the account, and meet the eligibility requirements within the timeframe. Once approved, the bonus will be deposited into your new checking account. 

Banks outline specific terms you must fulfill to qualify for the bonus. It typically includes: 

• Making a minimum opening deposit within a set number of days 
• Maintaining a minimum balance for a certain period 
• Setting up direct deposits to the account 
• Leaving the account open for a period of time 

Some account bonuses are relatively simple to meet — others, not so much. It’s worth reading the fine print to ensure you understand the terms and conditions of the offer. Also, weigh the pros and cons before confirming opening a new checking account. 

You won’t want to go through the work of opening an account for the bonus only to pay monthly maintenance fees. 

What to consider when choosing a checking account bonus 

A bonus could be enough to entice you to pick a new checking account, but it’s not the only factor you should consider. Here are some questions to ponder: 

• Minimum deposit: Does the bank require a minimum opening deposit? If so, is it an amount you’re willing to invest upfront to receive the bonus? 
• Direct deposit requirements: Are you required to enroll in direct deposit to qualify for the account bonus? Is there a minimum amount needed to receive the welcome offer? 
• Qualifying account types: Which types of accounts qualify for bonuses? Are you interested in opening this type of account, or would another account be more beneficial? 
• Expiration date: Is the bonus offer time-sensitive? When does it expire, and is there ample time for you to meet the guidelines? 
• Early account closure: How long must the account remain open to keep the bonus? What are the monetary penalties if you decide to close it early? 
• Interest: Will you earn a return on your money? If so, how does the APY stack up to the competition? 

Review these factors to find an account that not only offers an attractive bonus but also aligns with your financial habits. 

The bottom line 

It’s not hard to find a bank or credit union offering a cash bonus. That doesn’t mean every option is worth your while. Do your research to find the right fit that complements your unique financial situation. Consider long-term benefits over short-term bonuses if you plan to keep the account for years to come.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.