Continental Airlines is offering up to 25,000 bonus miles (plus free first checked bags) by opening a Chase checking account before December 31, 2010. When United Airlines offered the same promotion earlier in the year, I tried to sign-up, but was unsuccessful since Chase was only offering Washington Mutual products here in California. The branches here in Cali now offer all Chase products, so take advantage of this offer to boost your Continental/United account. I jumped on this last month & although I’ll have to wait until later in 2011 (or early 2012) for the mileage from both my OnePass and Mileage Plus programs merge, it’ll be worth the wait.

When opening the checking account, you have the option of getting the $25 annual fee debit card (earns 1 mile per $2 spent), or the $65 card (earns 1 mile per $1). I opted for the $65 card since I use my debit card for just about everything anyway, and don’t mind the higher fee. I’ll chock the extra $15 premium (why is it $65 and not $50?) up to the perk of earning miles vs. my previous checking account.

To earn the first 10,000 bonus miles, you need to open an account ($100 minimum), then set up a recurring direct deposit, or make at least 5 non-pin “credit†charges to your debit card per month. Earn the next 15,000 miles after you make a simple non-pin “credit†purchase using your card. The terms state it will take 6-10 weeks for the bonus miles to be credited to your account. I’m still waiting, but it has only been 3 weeks since I’ve opened mine.

Tip of the hat to One Mile At A Time.