Capital One 360 Bonus Calculator
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Bonus Details
This calculator helps you determine the net value of the Capital One 360 Performance bonus after taxes and compares it to alternative investments.
Bonus Value Analysis
If you’ve seen ads or forum posts talking about a $1500 bonus from Capital One 360, you’re not imagining things-but it’s not a free gift. This bonus isn’t something you get just for opening an account. It’s tied to a specific, high-bar promotion for the Capital One 360 Performance checking account, and it requires serious financial behavior to qualify.
What Exactly Is the Capital One 360 Performance Bonus?
The $1500 bonus is a promotional offer for new customers who open a Capital One 360 Performance Checking account and meet strict deposit and activity requirements within 90 days. It’s not advertised on the main Capital One website because it’s usually offered through targeted email invites or third-party financial comparison sites. You won’t see it unless you’re already in their marketing funnel.
Here’s how it works: you must deposit at least $25,000 into the new account within 90 days of opening it. Then, you need to keep that balance for another 90 days after the deposit. That’s a total of 180 days with $25,000 or more in the account. Only then does the $1500 bonus hit your account as a direct deposit.
It’s not a sign-up bonus like you get with credit cards. It’s a performance bonus-you’re being paid to keep a large sum of money in their system. For Capital One, that’s a win: they get to lend out your cash and earn interest. For you, it’s a one-time payout if you’ve got the cash to spare.
Who Actually Qualifies for This Bonus?
This offer isn’t for most people. If you’re trying to save up for a house, pay off student loans, or just cover monthly bills, $25,000 is a huge hurdle. But if you’ve recently sold a property, received a tax refund, inherited money, or have a high income with disciplined savings habits, this could make sense.
People who’ve successfully claimed this bonus typically fall into one of these groups:
- Home sellers who closed a deal and need a safe place to park proceeds before buying again
- Retirees with lump-sum distributions from pensions or 401(k)s
- Freelancers or contractors who received a large payment and want to earn interest while planning next steps
- High-income earners who use Capital One 360 as their primary checking account and can consistently maintain high balances
The key is timing. You need to be ready to move $25,000 quickly. If you wait until day 80 to deposit the money, you won’t have enough time to meet the 90-day hold requirement. Planning ahead is non-negotiable.
How Does It Compare to Other Bank Bonuses?
Most bank bonuses-like those from Chase, Wells Fargo, or Bank of America-offer $200 to $500 for opening an account and setting up direct deposit. Those are easy to get. The Capital One 360 Performance bonus is in a completely different league.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Bank | Offer | Deposit Required | Hold Period | Time to Receive Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One 360 Performance | $1500 | $25,000 | 180 days total | 3-5 business days after 90-day hold |
| Chase Total Checking | $300 | $500 | 60 days | Within 10 business days |
| Wells Fargo Way2Save | $200 | $500 | 60 days | Within 10 business days |
| SoFi Checking | $250 | $1000 | 30 days | Within 15 days |
| Ally Bank | $150 | $15,000 | 90 days | Within 10 business days |
Capital One’s offer is the only one that comes close to $1500. Ally Bank used to have a similar $1500 bonus, but they paused it in early 2025. As of now, Capital One 360 is the only major bank still running a bonus of this size.
What Are the Downsides?
There’s no free lunch. The biggest risk is tying up $25,000 for six months. If you need that money for an emergency, you can’t access it without losing the bonus. You also can’t withdraw more than $1000 per day from the account during the qualifying period without triggering a review.
Another catch: the bonus is taxable. Capital One will send you a 1099-INT form at the end of the year. That $1500 counts as interest income, and you’ll owe federal and possibly state taxes on it. If you’re in the 22% tax bracket, you’ll need to set aside about $330.
Also, you can only get this bonus once per lifetime. Capital One tracks your SSN and account history. If you’ve ever had a Performance Checking account before-even if you closed it-you won’t qualify again.
How to Actually Get the Bonus
If you think you qualify, here’s how to move forward:
- Wait for an email invite from Capital One. These are usually sent to existing customers with high balances or people who’ve visited their site multiple times.
- If you don’t get an invite, call Capital One customer service and ask if the $1500 Performance bonus is available. Sometimes, they’ll extend it if you mention you’re considering another bank.
- Open the account online. You’ll need your ID, SSN, and a funding source.
- Deposit $25,000 within 90 days. Use wire transfer or ACH from another bank. Don’t use cash deposits-they’re flagged.
- Don’t touch the balance for the next 90 days. No withdrawals over $1000 per day.
- After 180 days, the bonus should appear automatically. If it doesn’t, contact support with your account number and the dates of your deposit and balance history.
Pro tip: Open the account in late September or early October. That gives you the full 90-day window to deposit before the year ends, which helps with tax planning.
Is It Worth It?
Let’s do the math. You’re locking up $25,000 for six months. The Capital One 360 Performance account pays 0.50% APY on balances over $25,000. That’s $125 in interest over six months. Add the $1500 bonus, and you’re up $1625.
But you could’ve put that $25,000 in a 5.25% APY savings account and earned $656 in six months-without any strings attached. So the bonus isn’t about interest-it’s about a lump-sum payout.
If you have $25,000 sitting idle and don’t need it for the next six months, this bonus makes sense. It’s like getting paid to keep your money in one place. But if you’re stretching to hit the deposit threshold, or you’re worried about liquidity, it’s not worth the risk.
Most people who claim this bonus say it was worth it-not because they needed the money, but because they didn’t have a better place to park it. For them, Capital One 360 became a temporary holding tank with a big reward at the end.
What Happens After You Get the Bonus?
Once you get the $1500, you can do whatever you want with the account. You can close it, move the money, or keep it open. But you won’t get another bonus. The account still offers 0.50% APY, no monthly fees, and free ATM access nationwide-but that’s it.
Some people keep the account for the convenience. Others switch to a higher-yield savings account or investment platform. Either way, the bonus is a one-time event. Don’t expect it to come back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the $1500 bonus if I already have a Capital One 360 account?
No. The bonus is only for new customers opening a Performance Checking account for the first time. If you’ve ever had this account-even years ago-you’re not eligible. Capital One uses your SSN to track eligibility.
Do I need to set up direct deposit to get the bonus?
No. Unlike most bank bonuses, this one doesn’t require direct deposit. You just need to deposit $25,000 and keep it in the account for 180 days total. No payroll or recurring payments needed.
Can I deposit $25,000 in multiple transactions?
Yes. You can deposit the $25,000 in several transfers over the 90-day window. But the full amount must be in the account by day 90. You can’t deposit $20,000 on day 80 and $5000 on day 91 and still qualify.
Is the $1500 bonus taxed?
Yes. The bonus is treated as interest income by the IRS. Capital One will issue a 1099-INT form, and you’ll need to report it on your tax return. Plan to set aside 20-30% for federal and state taxes.
What if I withdraw money before 180 days?
If your balance drops below $25,000 at any point during the 180-day period, you’ll lose the bonus. Even a $1 withdrawal can trigger disqualification. Capital One monitors balances daily, and the bonus is automatically denied if the requirement isn’t met.
Can I open two accounts to get two bonuses?
No. Capital One limits this bonus to one per person, per lifetime, regardless of how many accounts you open. Attempting to open multiple accounts will result in all bonuses being denied and possible account closure.
Next Steps
If you’re considering this bonus, ask yourself: Do I have $25,000 I can afford to lock up for six months? Do I have a clear plan for what I’ll do with the money after the bonus hits? If the answer is yes, go for it. If you’re unsure, wait. There’s no rush.
Right now, this is the biggest cash bonus available from any major U.S. bank. But it’s not for everyone. It’s for people who are already financially stable and just need a smart way to earn extra without taking risks. If that’s you, the $1500 bonus is a real opportunity. If not, there are better ways to grow your money.