I went to my neighborhood Chase branch today and brought the coupon explaining that I wanted to close my checking account and open a new one for the promotion. They said that even if I did that, I wouldn't get the miles because the system keeps track that I received miles in 2008 and 2009 and that I would have to wait over 6 months to be eligible again. It seems like other people in this thread were able to close it and reopen one a couple of days later.

What should I have said in response? I opened my current account on 12/5/09, and it is still open today.