I was approved with a $8,000 limit as well. I have the card and I did register for online banking so it does work. The verification code took a while for it to reach my email, so I had to be patient but it did work and I was able to sign up for online banking and paperless statements. I don't have a checking account with them either nor do I want/need one. I need to find a place in the UK that takes Union Pay and see if the chip works.