You've probably seen the ads. Maybe you got a flyer in the mail that looked like a check, or you saw a glossy banner while scrolling through your news feed. It's the Chase Bank 300 offer, a classic "bribe" to get you to switch your banking.
Free money? Kinda. But honestly, most people dive into these bank bonuses without reading the fine print, and that’s where things get messy. Banking isn't a charity. Chase wants your business because they know if you set up your direct deposit there, you're likely to stay for years.
Is the Chase Bank 300 offer actually $300?
Here is the weird thing about how Chase structures their promotions. Depending on when you look at their site, the "standard" bonus for their Total Checking account might be $300, or it might be $400. Currently, in early 2026, many people are finding $400 offers for the same exact requirements that used to pay out three hundo.
But if you are specifically looking at the Chase Bank 300 offer, you’re usually looking at one of two things: the standard personal checking bonus or the Business Complete Checking bonus.
The business side is a different beast. To get that $300, you have to deposit $2,000 of "new money" within 30 days and keep it there for 60 days. Oh, and you have to do five qualifying transactions—think debit card swipes or mobile deposits. It’s a bit of a hoop-jump, but for a small business owner, it’s basically a free month of inventory or a few nice dinners out.
The Personal Side of the Deal
If we're talking about the personal Chase Total Checking account, the "300" version of this offer usually requires just one thing: a qualifying direct deposit.
🔗 Read more: United States Antimony Corporation Stock: Why This Critical Metal Play Is Getting Wild
No minimum balance to get the bonus.
No months of waiting.
Just a paycheck hitting the account within 90 days of you opening it. But wait—what counts as a direct deposit? This is where the "experts" on Reddit and finance blogs get into heated debates.
Technically, Chase defines it as an automated clearing house (ACH) credit. This means your salary, pension, or Social Security. If you try to "fake" it by transferring money from your Venmo or PayPal, it might work, or Chase might catch it and deny you the cash. In 2026, banks have gotten way better at spotting these "simulated" direct deposits. Stick to your actual employer payroll if you want to be safe.
The Fine Print That Usually Bites You
You can't just grab the money and run. Well, you can, but you'll lose the money.
If you close your account within six months of opening it, Chase will literally take that bonus back out of your account before closing it. They aren't playing around. You need to keep the account active for at least 180 days.
Then there's the monthly fee. The Chase Total Checking account has a $15 monthly service fee.
👉 See also: Finding a Sample of Cancelled Check: Why You Probably Can't and What to Do Instead
Wait. Why would you pay $15 a month to get a $300 bonus? That’s $180 a year, which eats more than half your profit. You have to waive that fee. To do that, you need to have at least $500 in total direct deposits coming in every month, OR keep a daily balance of $1,500.
Who Is Actually Eligible?
This is the biggest hurdle. If you currently have a Chase checking account, you're out. If you closed one in the last 90 days, you're also out.
Chase also has a "once every two years" rule. If you got a checking account bonus from them 18 months ago, you can't get this one yet. They track this stuff by your Social Security number, so there’s no way to "incognito" your way into a second bonus.
Real World Example: The "New Money" Trap
Let's say you have $2,000 sitting in a Chase savings account and you decide to open a business account to get that Chase Bank 300 offer. You move the $2,000 from your savings to the new business checking.
You will not get the bonus.
Chase requires "new money." This means the funds must come from outside Chase. It has to come from a Wells Fargo account, a Capital One account, or even a literal check you deposit from a different institution. Moving money between Chase accounts is a rookie mistake that costs people hundreds of dollars in lost promotional credit every single month.
Why This Offer Still Matters in 2026
With interest rates fluctuating and the economy feeling a bit "squishy," a guaranteed $300 or $400 return on a $500 direct deposit is a massive win. Mathematically, it's a huge percentage return on your "investment" of just changing where your paycheck lands.
💡 You might also like: Total Value of Stock Market US: What the 70 Trillion Dollar Milestone Really Means
Most high-yield savings accounts are paying maybe 4% or 5% right now. To make $300 in interest at 5%, you’d need to park $6,000 in an account for an entire year. With the Chase Bank 300 offer, you get that same $300 just for redirecting a single paycheck. It’s one of the few remaining "easy" wins in personal finance.
How to Actually Claim It
- Get the code. Don't just go to Chase.com. You need the specific landing page for the $300 or $400 offer. If you go to a branch, tell them specifically you want the "Total Checking coupon offer."
- Open the account. You can usually do this in 10 minutes on your phone. They’ll ask for your ID and SSN.
- Update your payroll. This is the step people forget. Go into your Workday or whatever payroll system your company uses and swap your direct deposit.
- Wait for the "Ping." Once the deposit hits, Chase usually deposits the bonus within 15 days. They are actually pretty fast about it once the system verifies the deposit.
The Verdict
Is the Chase Bank 300 offer worth the hassle? If you’re already looking for a new bank and you have a steady job, absolutely. Chase has one of the best mobile apps in the game and branches on basically every corner in America.
But if you’re a "bank hopper" who forgets to cancel accounts, the monthly fees will eventually turn your $300 profit into a loss. Be organized. Set a calendar reminder for 181 days after you open the account so you can decide if you want to keep it or move on to the next bonus.
Next Steps for You:
Check your recent banking history to ensure you haven't received a Chase bonus in the last 24 months. If you're clear, find the current "Total Checking" promotional link on the official Chase website to generate your unique coupon code before visiting a branch or applying online.