spankytoes, not sure about Texas but in California....
 

I just went to sign up the 4th member of my family for this deal and see that the option isn't there anymore for the Continental Debit Card. You now need to call in after getting your account set up to get the Continental card.

Here is my Chat:

you: Hi, I am applying for a checking account. I am trying to get the one with the Chase Continental Debit card but I don't see it as an option.

Joshua: Hello. You are able to choose the continental card with any of the standard accounts. The Rewards cards have been removed from the online application recently, so you can choose the standard card and once your account is opened, you can order the Continental card at the branch or at 1-800-935-9935.

you: Thanks, I want to make sure I will get the 15K bonus miles for using the Continental Preferred Card. I am still eligible for that, correct?

Joshua: Yes, you would just need to enter the code from your offer and choose the Continental card, since it is no longer in the online application, you can choose the card once your account is opened.

you: OK, thanks for the info. Do I need the coupon code when I call in to get the Continental card, or just now when I apply for the account?

Joshua: You're welcome. You would just need the code when you are opening your account so you can enter it in the application.

you: I am all set then. Thanks!

I just received a letter from Chase that the direct deposit as of Feb 8th, I believe needs to be as I recall $400 in order to not be charged a monthly checking account fee. I had been doing $50 deposits. You can still use the card 5 times a month to not have a fee as well.

I have two personal checking accounts with Chase, one with my name and the other as a joint owner on my wife's checking account.

Is it too late to close my personal checking today and apply for the personal offer on Dec 31?

Also, if I am a joint owner on my wife's Chase checking, will I still get the 25,000 bonus for opening a personal accounting?

Thanks!

1. IF you did not open a new Chase personal checking account with a Continental Debit card in 2010 and you do not have an existing Chase personal account, you may open a new new Chase personal checking account with a Continental Debit card by 12/31/10 and get the bonus. Accounts opened in previous calendar years do not matter. Existing accounts need to be closed to open a new account.

2. IF you did not open a new Chase business l checking account with a Continental Debit card in 2010 and do not have an existing Business checking account, you may open a new new Chase business checking account with a Continental Debit card by 12/31/10 and get the bonus. Accounts opened in previous calendar years do not matter. Existing accounts need to be closed to open a new account.

3. You can open a personal and business account at the same time. For business, you list your business as a sole proprietorship and use your SSN

4. Provide your Continental Onepass number.

5. Your wife or anyone else can do the same (steps 1 -4) using their Onepass number.

This is great news for us! We never have business accounts. My wife opened her personal checking a long time ago without any bonus, and later added me as a joint account holder. I opened a personal checking account this February on the $100 promotion.

Just to confirm that both of us can open checking and business accounts without closing existing accounts by 12/31 and get 100,000 miles total, right?

Thanks so much!

Has anyone tried canceling the Chase Continental account via Chase online secure message? Thanks.

Yes, if your balance is under $50. Otherwise need to call.

deleted because my response was incorrect!

YMMV. According to the T&C, you cannot have an existing Chase checking account! Here it is under #1. When I opened this account in August, I called and they told me I had to cancel my current account, which included waiting 24 hours for the account to completely close in their system, then I could open a new account. In the past this wording was never in the T&C so it's up to you if you want to risk opening an account when it clearly states you are not eligible. Common sense would tell you the point of the offer is to generate new customers, not hand out miles to current customers. Since this is most likely the last time it will be offered decide for yourself whether it's worth not getting the miles because you didn't close your current account first.

What was I thinking?
 

swat16

Thanks, you are absolutely correct! Now that I think about it, I closed my existing accounts before I opened my new accounts. Now, I need to close my existing Chase checking accounts in anticipation (I hope) of a new 2011 offer.

Credit Card, yes only one secure message needed - "Please close my Chase Credit card account ending in xxxx." (confirmed, closed same day)

Checking, your balance must be under $50 and you must provide a mailing address to send the remaining balance. (confirmed closed after 3 secure messages over the past 2 weeks)

Savings, your balance must be zero and you must provide a reason for closing the account (un-confirmed, still in process, decreased account balance to $20, then told it needs to be zero)

how long do you have to wait before opening a new personal checking after closing an old account?

Also, if I took the $100 bonus when I open a checking earlier this year, am I still eligible for 25000 Continental miles? thanks!

1. Timeframe - I do not know. Another poster said a day. I closed my accounts weeks before my new account opening.

2. $100 bonus and another personal account - I think (?) that you can get only one bonus per year per type of account (business or personal).

My thought is that you are still eligible to get a business account in 2010. My suggestion is to close the personal now so that you will be able to apply for a new account in 2011 (assuming they offer a bonus again).

Yes. FYI, before I closed the account, I transferred all the funds out and left a $0 balance there to keep thing easy.