Frequently Asked Questions
What is a bonus dollar?
A bonus dollar is $1.00 deposited into your Bonus Savings Account for every qualifying non-PIN check card transaction you make as part of the First Citizens FreeMoney Bonus Program. [return to top]
Is there a limit to the amount of bonus dollars I can earn?
Yes, you can earn a maximum of $500 per checking account per calendar year. [return to top]
How do I earn bonus dollars?
You begin earning bonus dollars after you reach your monthly bonus qualifier. For new checking account clients, there is a special introductory offer. For the first 12 months, the monthly bonus qualifier is 5 non-PIN check card transactions. For existing checking account clients, the standard monthly bonus qualifier of 10 non-PIN check card transactions each month applies. These transactions can be for any dollar amount. Once you have met these monthly bonus qualifiers, you will earn one bonus dollar for every non-PIN check card transaction of $25.00 or more for the remainder of that statement cycle. Monthly bonus dollars are deposited into a special Bonus Savings Account. [return to top]
Can I earn bonus dollars for my monthly bonus qualifier transactions?
No. Monthly bonus qualifier transactions do not earn bonus dollars, regardless of the transaction amounts. They are qualifiers that you must complete before subsequent eligible transactions can earn bonus dollars. [return to top]
Will I need to reach the minimum monthly bonus qualifier each month to earn bonus dollars?
Yes. You must reach the monthly bonus qualifier each statement cycle in order to be eligible to earn bonus dollars for that statement cycle. [return to top]
Exactly which types of transactions/purchases are considered eligible for the First Citizens FreeMoney Bonus Program?
Check card transactions/purchases processed through the Visa network as credit or non-PIN transactions are eligible. You may or may not be asked to sign a receipt. Any time you enter your PIN, the transaction is not eligible. ATM withdrawals, for instance, would not be eligible as they require a PIN. [return to top]
Are purchases I make online eligible for the First Citizens FreeMoney Bonus Program?
Yes, typically. Online purchases are usually processed through the Visa network and therefore would be eligible. [return to top]
Are there any restrictions as to where I can use my First Citizens Visa Check Card to have the transactions qualify for bonus dollars?
No. As long as the establishment accepts Visa Check Cards as a form of payment, your non-PIN transactions will qualify as described in the Disclosure of Terms and Conditions. [return to top]
Can First Citizens credit cards be used in the FreeMoney Bonus Program?
No. Only personal First Citizens Visa Check Cards can be used in the program. [return to top]
Can First Citizens Visa Business Check Cards be used in the FreeMoney Bonus Program?
No. [return to top]
I don't have a check card. Can I participate in the FreeMoney Bonus Program?
You must have a personal First Citizens Visa Check Card to participate in the FreeMoney Bonus Program, since only non-PIN check card transactions earn bonus dollars. If you do not have a check card, talk to your First Citizens banker about acquiring one. [return to top]
What if I have more than one check card tied to my checking account?
Qualifying non-PIN transactions from all the check cards tied to your checking account will collectively count toward monthly bonus qualifiers and bonus dollars. [return to top]
Can multiple checking accounts be tied to one Bonus Savings Account for purposes of the FreeMoney Bonus Program?
Yes, as long as the accounts have common ownership. At least one person must be an owner on both the checking accounts and the Bonus Savings Accounts. [return to top]
I already have a regular savings account. Can I use it for the FreeMoney Bonus Program?
You must have a special, dedicated Bonus Savings Account in order to participate in the program. We can convert your existing regular savings account to a Bonus Savings Account, or you can elect to open a separate Bonus Savings Account and maintain your regular savings account. All bonus dollars earned will be deposited into a Bonus Savings Account. [return to top]
Can FreeMoney bonus dollars be deposited into my money market account instead of a Bonus Savings Account?
No. FreeMoney bonus dollars can only be deposited into a Bonus Savings Account. [return to top]
Can I withdraw the money out of my Bonus Savings Account at any time?
Yes. The bonus dollars that have been deposited into your Bonus Savings Account are your money and can be withdrawn at any time.[return to top]
Can I enroll in FreeMoney online?
If you are an existing First Citizens client, have a First Citizens personal checking account and savings account, and are enrolled in Personal Online Banking, you may enroll in FreeMoney online. If you don't meet these requirements, you can visit any First Citizens office to enroll, or sign up via phone by calling 1.877.5 FCB NOW (1.877.532.2669) between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday or 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Eastern time. [return to top]
I just used my check card at a restaurant. The server asked for neither a PIN nor signature. Does this transaction count toward my monthly bonus qualifier or bonus dollars?
Because it was a non-PIN transaction, it can count toward your monthly bonus qualifier if you haven't fulfilled your minimum. If you've already met your monthly bonus qualifier and the transaction was for $25 or more, you will earn a bonus dollar.[return to top]
Sometimes it takes a day or two for some transactions to show up in my checking account. Does this have a bearing on my participation in FreeMoney?
As it relates to the FreeMoney Bonus Program, non-PIN transactions are counted on the date they actually post to your checking account. Sometimes a transaction may take one or two days to post after you have made a purchase. If your statement period ends after a transaction but before the posting, that transaction will be counted in your next statement period.[return to top]
What will I see on my statements regarding the FreeMoney Bonus Program? Will I be able to tell which transactions count toward the monthly bonus qualifiers or bonus dollars?
On your checking account statement, the Transaction Detail section will indicate Bonus Transactions with three dollar signs followed by the word "Signature," like this: $$$ Signature. A FreeMoney Bonus Program summary section will show the total dollar amount of bonus dollars scheduled for deposit into your Bonus Savings Account the day after your checking statement cycle ends. On your Bonus Savings statement, the total bonus dollars earned will be reflected as separate transactions from each related checking account. [return to top]
I closed my account mid-statement. Will I still receive my bonus dollars?
Bonus dollars are not considered earned until they are actually paid. Therefore, if you close your checking or Bonus Savings Account before the monthly payment, you won't receive that statement cycle's bonus dollars. [return to top]
|
