Last updated: April 4, 2026
Chase vs Capital One 360 Checking Bonus
Chase pays $400 with a higher direct deposit threshold and a $15 monthly fee. Capital One 360 pays $250 with no monthly fee and no minimum opening deposit. Both are nationwide with no credit pull.
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Chase
Total Checking
$400
EasyWe may earn a commission if you open an account through the link above. This doesn't affect our recommendations. Learn more
Capital One
360 Checking
$250
EasyWe may earn a commission if you open an account through the link above. This doesn't affect our recommendations. Learn more
Side-by-Side Comparison
Chase
Total Checking
$400
EasyCapital One
360 Checking
$250
EasyWhich Should You Choose?
Best for the highest payout
Chase Total Checking
Chase pays $400 flat. Capital One pays $250. If your direct deposit can cover the Chase requirement, the extra $150 is worth it.
Best for no-fee banking
Capital One 360 Checking
Capital One 360 has no monthly fee and no balance requirement. You can hold the account open after the bonus posts without any ongoing cost.
Best for beginners
Capital One 360 Checking
No monthly fee means you cannot accidentally lose money while learning the process. The two-deposit requirement is straightforward and the account is easy to open online.
Best if you want a physical bank
Chase Total Checking
Chase has over 4,700 branches and 16,000 ATMs. Capital One has a smaller branch footprint. If in-person banking matters to you, Chase wins here.
Chase and Capital One are both major banks offering nationwide checking bonuses with no credit pull and no minimum opening deposit. Chase pays $400. Capital One pays $250. The gap is real, but so is the difference in what each bank asks for in return.
Chase has a $15 monthly fee that you need to waive by meeting the direct deposit requirement anyway. Capital One has no monthly fee at all. Chase needs $1,000 in direct deposits over 90 days. Capital One needs two separate $500 deposits within 75 days and a promo code applied at signup. For most people picking their first bank bonus, the right answer depends on whether the fee waiver is something they want to think about.
The Bottom Line
Both bonuses are worth doing. Chase pays more but has a fee to manage and a higher deposit threshold. Capital One is the simpler starting point if you want a no-fee account with no ongoing overhead. If you can only do one, match it to your direct deposit situation. Chase is the better play if your payroll easily clears $1,000. Capital One is the better play if you want to set it and forget it.
Related Articles
What is a direct deposit?
An electronic payment sent directly into your bank account, usually from an employer or government.
Why do banks give out free money for opening accounts?
Banks pay you sign-up bonuses because acquiring a new customer is expensive, and paying you directly is often cheaper and more effective than running traditional advertising campaigns.
What is ChexSystems?
ChexSystems is a banking history report that can affect bonus approvals. Here's how it works, which banks check it, and how to work around a bad record.
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