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Citi's back with some sweet checking account bonuses, and they've extended the deadline to April 13, 2026! You can snag up to $300 simply by setting up qualifying direct deposits. If you can swing larger deposits, you could grab a whopping $750 or even $1,500. The original offer was slated to end January 12, 2026, but you now have a few more months to take advantage. Note that the $425 direct deposit bonus is no longer available.
Here's the deal: For the smaller bonus, you need to deposit at least $3,000 in qualifying direct deposits within 90 days of opening the account. For the big bucks ($750/$1,500), you'll need to deposit and maintain a minimum balance ($30,000/$200,000 respectively) for a set period. "Enhanced Direct Deposits" (EDD) include payroll, pension, Social Security, government benefits, Zelle, and other P2P payments via ACH. So, no sneaking in with cash or ATM deposits!
Why does this matter to you? Free money! If you've been considering switching banks or just want to park some cash for a bit, this is a great way to get a nice bonus. Just make sure you haven't had a Citi checking account in the past year and that you meet the requirements to avoid the monthly fees (either $250+ in monthly direct deposits or an average balance). Also, be aware that bank bonuses are considered income, so you'll owe taxes on them. Finally, in certain states (NY, CT, NJ, DC, VA, MD, CA, or NV), you can juice this deal even more by pairing it with a high-yield savings account.
Why This Matters for Your Strategy
News in the points-and-miles world moves fast, and promotional changes often have a short window. If this announcement affects a card or program you hold, log into your awardtrail dashboard to check your current benefit usage, bonus progress, and whether a transfer or redemption makes sense right now — before terms change.
As a general rule: transfer points only when you have a specific redemption in mind — transfers are almost always one-way and non-reversible. If you're unsure of the value, check our redemption guides before acting.
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