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Aspiration Spend & Save Account review
A spend-and-save combo account with a focus on saving the planet.
finder.com’s rating: 4.8 / 5.0
★★★★★
With a focus on doing good, the Aspiration Spend & Save Account gives you free access to Allpoint ATMs nationwide, cash back on debit card purchases and up to a 1.00% APY on the first $10,000 in your Save account — if you spend at least $1,000 a month and you’re an Aspiration Plus member. But if you don’t meet the spend requirements, your APY drops to 0.25% and you won’t earn any interest if you’re not a Plus member.
From $0 per month
Fee
Up to 1.00%
APY
$10
Minimum deposit to open
Details
| APY | 1.00% on balances of $0 to $10,000 but you’ll need to be enrolled in Aspiration Plus and make at least $1,000 in debit card purchases a month 0.10% on balances of $10,000+ |
|---|---|
| Fee | From $0 per month |
| Minimum deposit to open | $10 |
| Intro or bonus offer | Deposits are fossil fuel-free and insured by the FDIC. Enjoy a spend and save combo account with unlimited cash back rewards and a $100 bonus when you spend $1,000 in your first 60 days. |
| ATMs | 55,000 free in-network ATMs |
| ATM transaction fee | $0 |
| Out-of-network ATM fee | $0 |
| Foreign transaction fee | 1% |
| Overdraft fee | $0 |
| Nonsufficient funds fee | $0 |
Expert review
Review by
Peter Carleton
peter.carleton@findercrew.comPeter Carleton is a writer that covers banking and investing, breaking down what you need to know about where you put your money. When Peter's not thinking about cutting-edge banking apps and robo-advisors, he runs a creative agency and spends his spare time cooking or reading.
Expert review
Aspiration is best for those looking for an account that is also socially conscience. This versatile cash management account comes with a large ATM network and almost no fees. Best of all, you’ll rest easy knowing you’re working with a socially-conscience firm. It’s rare to see any company commit to donating 10% of its earnings, and Aspiration sets an admirable example.
However, this company isn’t without its weaknesses — it doesn’t offer physical branches and you’ll need to be an Aspiration Plus member to earn interest on your savings. And if you are a Plus member, you’ll only earn the advertised 1% APY on the first $10,000 in your Save account — as long as you spend at least $1,000 a month. And if you want to take advantage of the one free ATM reimbursement a month, you’ll also need to upgrade to the Plus account.
Must read: Aspiration Summit account
As of August 2019, all Aspiration Summit accounts have been converted to Spend & Save accounts. If you had a Summit account, your debit card and routing number will remain the same, but you will have a new account number.
If you’re a new customer, you’ll be able to open a Spend & Save account instead of a Summit account.
How much does Aspiration cost?
Aspiration has two Spend and Save plan options:
| Plan | Monthly fee | APY | Cash back rewards | ATMs | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspiration | $0 | N/A | 3 to 5% cash back on Conscience Coalition purchases | 55,000 free in-network ATMs |
|
| Aspiration Plus | $7 or $5.75 a month if you pay annually | Up to 1% APY | 10% cash back on Conscience Coalition purchases |
| Everything in the basic plan, plus:
|
What are the benefits of the Aspiration Spend & Save Account?
The Aspiration Spend and Save account lets you support charities that change the world and has FDIC-insured deposits up to $2 million, as well as these benefits:
- Signup bonus. New customers get a $100 bonus when they open an account and spend $1,000 in the first 60 days.
- Aspiration Impact Measurement. Check the impact of your spending with its two ratings: a People Score and a Planet Score. The higher your score, the more confidence you have knowing your money is going toward improving the world.
- Minimal fees. Unless you opt for the Plus account, there’s no mandatory monthly fee. But Aspiration does accept donations or tips, ranging from $0 to $10. You also won’t pay anything for overdrafts and service charges are lower than its competitors. For example, wire transfers only cost you what Aspiration pays: $0.82.
- Earns interest. Earn up to 1.00% APY on your Save balance as long as you’re a Plus member and meet these requirements.
- Free ATM usage. Use any Allpoint ATM in the US for free. Aspiration doesn’t charge fees for using ATMs outside of this network, but you’re still subject to operator fees. And if you’re a Plus member, you’re entitled to one ATM reimbursement a month.
- Cash back rewards. Earn cash back whenever you use your Aspiration debit card at stores under the Conscience Coalition.
How can I earn 1% APY on my Aspiration Spend and Save account?
You’ll earn 1% APY on the first $10,000 in your account as long as you meet the following requirements:
- Enroll in Aspiration Plus
- Spend at least $1,000 or more with the Aspiration debit card
Otherwise, you’ll earn 0.10% APY on balances over $10,000. And if you don’t meet the spend requirement, the APY will drop to 0.25% or 0.10% for balances over $10,000. And if you don’t enroll as an Aspiration Plus member, you won’t earn any interest.
Daily spending and transfer limits
There is a $1,000 daily limit for cash withdrawals from an ATM and a $4,000 daily limit for PIN purchases or any charges requiring your signature.
You’ll also be limited to a $5,000 daily outgoing transfer limit and a $1,000 daily incoming transfer limit. These limits only apply to transfers made on the bank’s online platform.
For the first 30 days after you open your account, you’ll have lower limits on ATM withdrawals, debit card purchases and transfers. Once you’ve been with Aspiration for more than 90 days, your incoming transfer limit may change depending on your account type.
What to watch out for
Here are a few things to watch out for when opening an account with Aspiration:
- Must be Aspiration Plus member to earn interest. You won’t earn any interest unless you pay for the Aspiration Plus plan.
- No physical branches. Aspiration operates entirely online, meaning you’ll need to call or go online to contact customer service, and check deposits can only be made through your mobile app.
- Limited product selection. As an investment firm, Aspiration doesn’t offer savings accounts, money market accounts, CDs and other common accounts, so you might want to keep looking if you want all your accounts at one institution. This also means you can’t link your account for overdraft protection.
- Required bank account. To complete your application, you’ll need to link to your existing bank account. You don’t have the option of skipping this application step and connecting your account at a later time.
If you’re looking for an account with more branch locations, you’ll want to keep looking. As always compare your options when choosing a checking account.
Compare the Aspiration Spend & Save Account to other digital bank accounts
How do I apply?
You can apply for the Aspiration Spend & Save Account online within minutes:
- Enter your email address and click Get Started.
- Create your password, read and agree to the terms and conditions and click Next.
- Enter your full name and date of birth and click Next.
- Enter your Social Security number and click Next.
- Enter your address and phone number and click Next.
- Choose whether or not you want to round up your purchases, then click Continue.
- Connect to your existing bank account through Plaid, by finding your bank and signing in.
- Follow the prompts to complete your application, fund your account with an opening deposit. Then review your deposit and submit your application.
Eligibility
Sign up for the Spend & Save Account when you meet these requirements:
- US citizen or permanent resident
- At least 18 or older
- Have a Social Security number
- Have a permanent US address
- Initial deposit of $10
Required information
Be prepared to give the following information when you sign up:
- Personal information like your name and birthday
- Contact details including phone number and address
- Social Security number
- Employment information
- Exisiting bank account
How do I make deposits or withdrawals?
Despite being online-only, it’s easy to access money in the Aspiration Spend & Save Account:
Deposits
- Mobile check deposit
- Direct deposit
- Online transfers
- Wire transfers
Withdrawals
- Visit any ATM worldwide
- Bill pay
- Wire transfer
- Online transfers
How do I contact customer service?
To get in touch with Aspiration customer service you can:
- Call: 800-683-8529
- Tweet: @Aspiration
- Email: Fill out the form on the Aspiration contact page
What other products does Aspiration offer?
Aspiration Financial is an investment broker-dealer and can help you grow your investments or save for retirement, all while donating to charity.
Investing
With a $10 minimum deposit, you can get started with Aspiration’s managed funds:
- Redwood Fund. Invest in companies that support sustainable environmental policies.
- Flagship Fund. Invest in multiple mutual funds at once to spread your risk.
Retirement
Open an IRA with a $10 minimum deposit. Choose between the Redwood IRA and Flagship IRA.
Frequently asked questions
Checking account ratings
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