Just so that you don't spend time answering questions since you don't need to:
Tmmycat wrote:
QUOTE
To answer your questions:
1: There is a 30-day hold on bonuses. The money is in your account and it earns
interest during that time, you just can't withdraw it until the 30-day wait is over.
2a: Each link is only good for one person, but each person who has an account can "generate" up to 25 referral links (or referral emails, whichever you prefer).
2b: To get the URLs for the direct links, I sent referral emails to myself and then copied the URL from the email and posted it. Anyone with an ING Direct account can use this strategy. ING Direct doesn't actually use the first name and last name except to customize the e-mail and make it look personalized to the person who receives it. (In other words, the bank doesn't check to make sure the person who opens the account is the same person who received the referral email.)
So far, 5 people have used my direct links and they received a bonus. The only disadvantage to using a direct link (since the direct link is posted for everyone) is: you need to check to see whether or not the direct link has been used yet. The blue text above the application form will tell you if the link has been used.
3: You do need to wait a few days while your account is being opened and verified, before you can log in and start making referrals.
hope that helps.
-tmmycat
My reply:
Thanks, tmmycat!
1: Gotcha.
2a: Gotcha.
2b: Can you send all these referrals to the same email address, or do you have to create multiple email accounts. And, is this 100% flawless or is there some way that ING could think that you were referring yourself over and over again?
I know that you said that they do not check for name but maybe they could be
oncerned about the email addresses. I suppose not because as long as the sign ups all use different names and different checking accounts then everything should be fine. Please confirm.
***About checking to see whether a direct link has been used or not:
I tried a couple of people's referral links. I saw the difference between a valid link and a non valid one. Just for everyone else's info: when you click on the direct link, then you click on open now or complete application from phone call.
A valid link will say: To start saving with our great rates and receive your $25.00 bonus, open and fund your Orange Savings Account now! ... in bold blue letters at the top of the next page.
An invalid link that is expired or has already been used will say:
The link you’ve used to open a new Orange Savings Account has either expired, or has already been used. This is no longer a valid referral link. Blah blah. ... in bold blue letters at the top of the next page.
So, gotcha.
3: Understood about the wait to verify before refer. That's a bummer. But, no way around that as it seems.
So, thanks for answering my questions. Please let me know about 2b follow-up question asap. Looks like I will be signing up with you since you are being so helpful.
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Sorry that tmmcat beat you to answering. I tried to catch you while you were online, unsuccessfully.