Laurel Road's Savings Bonus: How to Earn Up to $200 by Stashing Cash

Looking for a little extra motivation to boost your savings? Laurel Road, the digital banking arm of KeyBank, has a straightforward promotion that pays you cash just for parking your money in their high-yield savings account. It's not a huge windfall, but it's a nice reward for doing something you should probably be doing anyway—building your emergency fund or saving for a goal. Let's break down exactly how it works and what you need to watch out for.

The Simple Path to Your Bonus

This promotion is refreshingly simple, which is a plus. There's no complex direct deposit requirement or a dozen hoops to jump through. The core idea is this: open an account, fund it, and keep a specific amount of money there for 90 days.

First, you need to open a Laurel Road High Yield Savings account using the official offer link before the deadline in early 2026. Once your account is open, the clock starts ticking. You have a 20-day grace period to make your first deposit—and it can be as little as a single dollar. This is just to get the account active.

The real action happens by the 90th day after opening. This is your 'snapshot' date. The bonus you earn depends entirely on your account balance on that specific day. It's tiered, so you earn more for saving more. If you have $5,000 to $14,999.99, you get $50. Save between $15,000 and $29,999.99, and you'll receive $100. To get the full $200, you'll need a balance of $30,000 or more sitting in the account on day 90.

Important Fine Print and Practical Advice

While the structure is simple, you need to pay close attention to the timing and eligibility rules to make sure you actually get paid.

The 90-day timer is crucial. Mark your calendar. If your balance dips below your target tier on day 89 or 91, it doesn't matter—only the balance on the exact 90th day counts for the bonus qualification. Plan your deposits accordingly. Don't assume an ACH transfer will land instantly; give yourself a buffer.

This offer is strictly for new customers. If you've had any Laurel Road account (checking, savings, loan) as the primary owner in the past 12 months, you won't qualify. They also verify that both the referrer (if you used a link) and the new account holder are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

One more thing: the bonus itself is considered interest income. Laurel Road will send you a 1099-INT form for tax purposes, so remember to account for it when you file.

• Set a calendar reminder for the 90th day after opening.
• Initiate any large funding transfers well in advance of day 90 to ensure they clear.
• Do not close the account before the bonus posts, which can take up to 60 days after you meet the requirements.
• Consider this a short-term parking spot for cash you already have, not a reason to take on debt.

Is This Bonus Worth Your While?

A couple hundred dollars for moving your savings is decent, but it's not life-changing. The real value of this account will come from its ongoing high-yield interest rate, which you should check on Laurel Road's official site as rates change frequently.

This bonus works best if you already have a lump sum sitting in a checking account or a savings account with a lower rate. It's a good opportunity to earn a little extra while you shop for a permanent home for your emergency fund. If you have to scramble to pull together $5,000 or $30,000, the hassle probably isn't worth the reward.

Also, don't forget to compare. While you're earning this bonus, make sure Laurel Road's regular savings rate is competitive with other top online banks. The bonus is a one-time perk; the APY is what pays you month after month.

Bottom Line

• The bonus is earned based solely on your account balance on the 90th day after opening.
• Timing is everything—plan your deposits to ensure funds are settled by day 90.
• This is a bonus for new money; existing Laurel Road customers from the last year don't qualify.
• Pair the bonus with a competitive ongoing interest rate for the best total value.

Common Questions