A summary of techniques for receiving BT money into your checking

This thread is supposed to quickly summarize the methods for getting cash from a BT. This is the method I have been using in order of the quickest methods:

(Edit: I'm also trying to get a thread started for when you must pay the BT back to avoid finance charges (exact period from when applied, or by payment due date), and if you can use statement date movements to extend the BT period: See here)

1) If you haven't received 0% checks you can use yet, call and try for direct deposit to checking.

2) If the checks are coming, verify terms and use them. Always make sure when writing it to yourself it is not a cash advance, or at least at the BT terms. Make sure you get the CSR's name and number you spoke to in case they should mislead you so you can rectify the situation.

3) If no checks are coming, request a 0% check be issued to you. Always call from a home phone for this request becuase it does influence the options the CSR's have for checks.

4) If you cannot use the check in your own name, such as with AMEX, ask if you can write it to a friend, have them DEPOSIT it, not cash it, then they can write you a check. You can even write the check to another person who is a joint account holder with you, as long as it is too another person. AMEX has told me this is a fine practice with them. DO NOT WRITE THE CHECK PAYABLE TO THE BANK AND WRITE DOWN YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBER (THIS WILL BE A CASH ADVANCE) (Make sure you call AMEX and tell them a you wrote a big check to a person and to clear it on your first BT check. Otherwise, until they get your signature on file, they will call you for authorization and deny the check if they can't contact you). Read point 4 above carefully so you don't mess up with AMEX and get cash advance or get your check voided!!!

5) If you cannot use the checks in any way to a person and cannot direct deposit to checking, send the BT money to accounts that you already have 0% no fee checks for so that you can immediately go to the bank with them when your card receives the funds. Make sure your checks are still valid. When transferring money to another card, first send to cards with no fees for BT that already have a high utilization on them so that you do not have a credit balance, which can annoy credit companies. When the money gets in, take it right back out with your checks.

6) Open a HELOC with a 16 digit card that is attached to it. Then, you can either draw from that account a few days in advance, and BT into it to avoid large credit balances, or just BT into it and request the credit balance or access it with a check if you have some for that account. This looks like a very good way to request large BT amounts and avoid lengthy delays and fraud investigations! (Thanks Kanosh)

When transferring to a savings account from your checking account, make sure to wait until the check has cleared before putting in a request to transfer the money.

These are my tactics, if I have missed any please advise and I will update the list. This should help those newbies starting the AOR game.

EDIT: Below is a detailed list of how I got the BT money from each card I applied for. If others post thier results or confirm mine, I will update this post. This is my data from my personal June 4th, 2007 AOR.

Discover More – Had to call in and request BT checks. They mailed them to me within 5 business days and I wrote it out to myself.

BoA Plat. Plus MC – Had them direct deposit into my checking over the phone. Took 3 business days to get the funds.

Citi AT&T Platinum Card – Never received welcome package with BT checks. Called in and had them mail me a check payable to me for deposit to checking. Took 5 business days to get. (Debited credit account immediately and you cannot cancel these checks once they are issued).

Citi Home Rebate Card - Never received welcome package with BT checks. Called in and had them mail me a check payable to me for deposit to checking. Took 5 business days to get. (Debited credit account immediately and you cannot cancel these checks once they are issued).

Barclays National Parks – Used included BT checks to make out to myself and deposit to checking. There was one check that came with the card, then I called in and asked for three more to be mailed to me for possible future use (watch expiration dates).

Chase VW Platnium – Used single BT check to deposit to checking. The check came with the card.

HSBC GM Flex Card – Used a BT check I got in the welcome package. These checks came seperate from the card in the welcome package about 5 days later.

RBS Kroger 1.2.3 – Used a BT check I got in the welcome package. These checks came seperate from the card about 5 days later.

GE Money Rewards Card – Note: This card had a straight 3% fee, but I did it anyway to help my slim credit history and make a little profit. Sent BT directly to my no fee BoA card which already a utilization from my BoA Bt on it, causing the entire balance to be paid off on BoA card. . Took 4 days to get $ on BoA card. Then called BoA and had them do another direct deposit over the phone to my checking, took 3 days to get to my checking from BoA.

PNC Bank Personal Platinum – Used single included BT check to deposit into checking. They included one check with the card and I called in for more. (When I applied for this card, I called in and they gave me a special capped BT fee promo, so try calling them.).

Citi Professional – After waiting two weeks for welcome package checks, called in and had them mail a check already made out and payable to me. Took 5 business days to get.

Advanta Business Rewards – Called in and did direct deposit over the phone to a personal checking account. Be careful of the checks they send you, most are at Cash Advance rate.

Citi Business Thank You – Actually received this welcome package and used a BT check. The welcome package came about 9 days after I received the card (Citi is very slow with welcome packages, I recommend calling and getting a filled out check that will come in 5-7 business days, (they tell you 7-9). Do not get the blank ones, b/c they are processed through the same place as the welcome package checks and take almost 30 days to get here!)

Chase Platinum Business Visa – Used single included BT check to deposit to checking. Check came with card. Called in and requested/got more mailed to me via expidited shipping.

Chase GM Business - Used single included BT check to deposit to checking. Check came with card.

National City Visa – Called in and had them mail a check to me payable in my name. I never received any BT checks without asking for them made out to my name from National City.

AMEX In: Chicago – Online CLI from 3.6k to 24.9k. Called in and requested BT checks be sent in mail. Took one week to get check booklet of 4 checks. Made check out to girlfriend for her to deposit to her account. Then she wrote me a check. (Note: AMEX will always call first about the first big check on a new account to verify. They denied my first check as they couldn’t reach me by the end of the business day about verifying my first check to another person. Therefore, make sure you call AMEX and tell them you are writing a large check to another person to prevent this. Once they have your signature on file, this shouldn’t be a problem anymore they said.)

AMEX In: NYC – Called in CLI from 2.3 to 10.3 (all I asked for). Had them mail me BT checks, took a week to get. Wrote check to girlfriend for deposit, she then wrote one back to me.

WAMU ESPN Card – Used included BT checks for deposit. These checks came in the welcome package within one week after receiving the card.

RBS Platinum – I’m actually not using this card as it only came with a 1k limit, but it did include BT checks in the welcome package which came 4 days after the card.

Most of my ideas for this page came from here. However, I think this single page should be a little more concise. Hope it helps and thanks to the others for posting thier experiences.

"This should help those newbies starting the AoR game."

Count me as one of the newbies. Thanks, MikeR397.

"This thread is supposed to quickly summarize the methods for getting cash from a BT."

#4 in your list mentions AMEX. Does it make any sense to discuss in this thread the big 5 (AMEX, BoA, Chase, Citicard, Discover) and the BT-to-cash procedures that each issuer typically will and will not do?

Mike R, good start but your list needs some work. For example:

4) If you cannot use the check in your own name, such as with AMEX, ask if you can write it to a friend, have them DEPOSIT it, not cash it, then they can write you a check. AMEX has told me this is a fine practice with them.
Why on earth would you involve friends in your personal finances? Instead, simply write the check to the order of your bank. In the Memo section, write "for account ######" and your name. The check will be deposited to your account.

and let's add another:

6) Open a HELOC. Draw from that account, then BT into it

Kanosh said:
6) Open a HELOC. Draw from that account, then BT into it

Yeah, it takes a few days to do this, but it works with all cards, you don't have to figure out what to do with each issuer.

Just curious as to what BT offer you have from AMEX? I am asking because I remember talking to an AMEX CSR last month and she told me that AMEX has almost stopped giving out 0% BT offers.

Speaking with a Chase CSR, the account must be opened for some time, (I think it was 90 days, or 6 months - can't remember). So, a newly aquired card from an AOR, they wouldn't let me do it.

RadagastMOD said: If you have USAA, you can transfer to your USAA credit card, call them on the phone and they will instantly transfer the negative balance to your bank account.

As far as USAA, be aware of this.

MikeR397 said: This thread is supposed to quickly summarize the methods for getting cash from a BT. This is the method I have been using in order of the quickest methods:

1) If you haven't received 0% checks you can use yet, call and try for direct deposit to checking.

2) If the checks are coming, verify terms and use them. Always make sure when writing it to yourself it is not a cash advance, or at least at the BT terms. Make sure you get the CSR's name and number you spoke to in case they should mislead you so you can rectify the situation.

3) If no checks are coming, request a 0% check be issued to you. Always call from a home phone for this request becuase it does influence the options the CSR's have for checks.

4) If you cannot use the check in your own name, such as with AMEX, ask if you can write it to a friend, have them DEPOSIT it, not cash it, then they can write you a check. AMEX has told me this is a fine practice with them.

5) If you cannot use the checks in any way to a person and cannot direct deposit to checking, send the BT money to accounts that you already have 0% no fee checks for so that you can immediately go to the bank with them when your card receives the funds. Make sure your checks are still valid. When transferring money to another card, first send to cards with no fees for BT that already have a high utilization on them so that you do not have a credit balance, which can annoy credit companies. When the money gets in, take it right back out with your checks.

6) Open a HELOC. Draw from that account, then BT into it. (Thanks Kanosh)

When transferring to a savings account from your checking account, make sure to wait until the check has cleared before putting in a request to transfer the money.

These are my tactics, if I have missed any please advise and I will update the list. This should help those newbies starting the AoR game.
Edit by Moderator: Thank you for your participation. Please note that there is also discussion about this topic Here.

When I BTd off my Premier Pass they wouldn't do it to my Checking Account or send me a check so I just transfered it to a card that had no balance on it and called them up to send me a check. 3 weeks later no check, they called me again like 5 times to confirm that I wanted a check sent to me. In the end it worked.

LordMike said: When I BTd off my Premier Pass they wouldn't do it to my Checking Account or send me a check so I just transfered it to a card that had no balance on it and called them up to send me a check. 3 weeks later no check, they called me again like 5 times to confirm that I wanted a check sent to me. In the end it worked.

Funny, I just went to my PP account and the option for requesting a check mailed to me at BT terms is still there.

Another thought...Has anyone successfully BT to their debit card (which is 16 digits) which caused the money to be deposited into checking? I've heard this is a possiblity, but I have not tried it and your experience may vary.

In the spirit of this being a summary thread, I suggest that people contribute concise experience of how they got the BT money from with bank. For example. AMEX: BT check written to friend. or Juniper: 0% BT check

And if we could get this posted by OP or in the Quick Summary section, that would be even better.

MikeR397 said: rainman01 said: In the spirit of this being a summary thread, I suggest that people contribute concise experience of how they got the BT money from with bank. For example. AMEX: BT check written to friend. or Juniper: 0% BT check
And if we could get this posted by OP or in the Quick Summary section, that would be even better.
Sure, I will add others comments to OP and add my own individual methods for getting the BT for each card.

Wow, this is great!!! Thanks for the detailed info.

I'm suprised at how many BT checks you got in the welcome package. Out of the 15 cards I was approved for, I only received checks for 1 card (Barclays National Parks). It seems to me that the CC companies are being more stringent about those BT checks. For example, for my Advanta Business, I asked for BT checks, but they only sent ones that are at the cash advance rate. Also, I have many of the same CC that you have but did not receive any checks in the welcome package. Mike, when did you apply for those CC? Could you also tell me if for the Advanta business card, did you call them and have them directly deposit it into your checking account with the routing and acct #?

TIA

Not any more Today 07/18/2007
In my case with ChaseFreedom Master card
BT money should be asked by phone and CSR is asking for a credit card # only
Update please

Thank you MikeR397
I just deed that
Called up CSR and asked for a BT check
Check is on the way
7-10 business days have to wait

Does anyone have any experience of getting BT money from FNBO (first national bank of omaha)? I got a decent sized CL from them and would like to take advantage of it, but there is no convenience check and the online BT option seems only to go to other CCs. Has anyone successfully BT directly to checking? I just called and they declined my request to BT into checking and the CSR told me "we are not sending out convenience checks anymore. But, they might be sent out with monthly statements." TIA

rainman01 said: mgbuz said: Thank you MikeR397
I just deed that
Called up CSR and asked for a BT check
Check is on the way
7-10 business days have to wait

Glad to hear that you were able to get a check from Chase. I called them for my sony card and they would not send me a check. For some reason or another I am having a really hard time getting check or consolidating credit lines. Did you call from your home phone number? If you called for a cell or other, often the check option will not show up in thier computer. You should be able to get blank checks from chase (they even offer free expedited shipping).

Also, try calling FNBO from home and asking for a BT check payable in your name be mailed from them. If this doesn't work, just send the $ to another card you have that alrady has a balance, no BT fees, and you already have checks for or allows quick direct deposit. I would not wait with FNBO, they are nororious for closing accounts soon after opening when they pull your credit report again, so get that BT before they close your account (they can't make you pay it back prematurely even if your account is closed).

Awesome thread MikeR397!!

Can you clarify if this line means you got the BT check in the same mailing as the card itself or if it came in a second mailing "welcome package"?
"Used a BT check I got in the welcome package"

Sometimes the "welcome package" comes after the card with a lot more pamphlets/info.
I know it's picky, but I think it deserves a mention/update in the OP. The reason why is that if we applied for a similar card and it did not come with BT check, then we know to call in to make a specific request.

Just found out that Citibank credit cards have an ONLINE option to request for a credit balance refund. As others have suggested in another thread, it is possible to BT from a CC that requires transfer to another credit card to BT to a Citibank credit card. Has anyone tried this? I'm wondering how long it takes to get the credit refund and also what is the largest refund they would issue without raising flags? Thanks!

On June 28th I transferred $13500 from AMEX to my USAA card. The next day called USAA and asked for the money to be transferred to checking. The CSR asked if I had received a balance transfer, I said yes. She instantly transferred the money to checking.

Some have said on the USAA topic that they won't do this or impose a seven day hold. But, it obviously worked for me.

Gotta love USAA cards -- worth their weight in gold, even without a 0% offer.

Is it possible to combine the credit refund strategy with the BT check strategy. That is, can you send all your BTs to a new Citi card that has 0% checks attached to it and then cash a BT check for more than the credit line of the account thereby using up the credit refund.

Example:

You have a citi card with 10k and then BT 50k from discover to it. You now have a 50k credit on a 10k credit line. Then you write a BT xfer check for 55k on it.

thanks

As far as I can remember, there has never been much success with trying to send BT's to debit cards. However, I have used a 16 digit HELOC check card to send BT's to that post as a credit on a HELOC line (and if you can do this, it is wise to draw on the line first a few days before to avoid a credit balance; I accidently created a credit balance on the HELOC for $40k when I was in the AOR game still and the bank (Fifth Third) did not like it). I've never had success BT'ing to a debit.

I doubt it will matter if your cc has a little activity or dormant if you are sending a huge BT. You can tell the issuing cc company that you accidently provided the sending card the wrong cc numbers and the BT went to the wrong card, so you need a check. Sounds innocent enough, but it won't save an account review, delays, and possible AA.

Anyway, to the best of my recollection, US Bank has always been inflexible with BT's, so unless you have a HELOC cc, you'll probably have to send it to a cc. If you do try a debit card, please update this thread and let us know if it works, I'd be very interested in your result. Who knows, it might work. It's been 2 years since I tried.