USAA Classic Checking Review
USAA Classic Checking isn't available on Finder right now.
- Fee
- $0 per month
- APY
- 0.01%
- Minimum deposit to open
- $25
Our verdict
A free checking account for military members and their families that earns a little bit of interest.
The USAA Classic Checking account is a great everyday, interest-earning option for military members and eligible families. The account has no monthly fees and useful features like personal budgeting tools, Zelle integration and free standard checks. However, its limited branch access and lengthy deposit holds may be drawbacks for some users.
Best for: Military members and their families seeking a no-fee, interest-earning checking account.
Pros
-
No monthly service fees
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Low minimum deposit and free transfers
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Includes free budgeting and money management tools
Cons
-
Limited physical branch access
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Long hold times on certain deposits
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Eligibility is limited to military members and families
What we like about the USAA Classic Checking account
The USAA Classic Checking account is one of the many personal accounts that USAA offers. The Classic Checking account has a range of benefits that make it a convenient and flexible option for military members and their families. It’s also an interest-bearing account with no monthly service fees or minimum balance requirements.
You can open an account with as little as $25, and that minimum is waived for new military recruits.
Free modern perks
Account holders can do free transfers, including bill payments. Depositing funds is also simple and fast, whether you use a USAA-preferred ATM, the mobile app or receive money via direct deposit. Early direct deposit is also available, meaning you can get paid up to two days sooner.
You can also manage your money using the mobile and online banking functions. The account has helpful budgeting tools that let you track balances and spending, set alerts and create spending plans. You can also get free standard checks with this account.
To help avoid overdraft fees, you can link another USAA account for overdraft protection, offering added peace of mind.
USAA works with Zelle
For sending money, users can choose from several options, including Zelle, bill pay and mobile wallets. Zelle is automatically integrated in USAA’s banking app, so there’s no need to download another app — you just need to verify your information.
Fee-free ATM access and rebates
Enjoy no fee when you withdraw cash from one of over 100,000 USAA-preferred ATMs. If you use a non-network ATM, USAA doesn’t charge ATM service fees, but sometimes the out-of-network ATMs may charge fees. However, USAA will automatically refund up to $10 each statement cycle in fees.
If you travel abroad, you will pay 1% for debit card or ATM transactions at a merchant or ATM in a foreign country, which is pretty cheap compared to other banks and credit unions.
Where it falls short
While the USAA Classic Checking account offers valuable features, there are a few important limitations to consider.
While the account earns interest, it’s only a modest 0.01% APY. Plus, to earn this rate, you must maintain a minimum daily balance of $1,000. This relatively high threshold may be difficult for some account holders, especially given the low interest rate.
Another drawback is the potential for long deposit holds. Deposits made using Deposit@Mobile and Easy Deposit may be held for up to seven business days, which can delay access to your funds.
If you prefer in-person banking, it’s worth noting that USAA is a predominantly online bank. It only has five financial centers nationwide, located in Colorado Springs, CO, West Point and Highland Falls, NY, Annapolis, MD and San Antonio, TX.
Limited eligibility and overdraft fees
First, eligibility is restricted to those with military ties, which means not everyone will qualify.
Additionally, although overdraft fees are lower than many other banks, they still apply — you’ll be charged $29 for an overdraft, once per day per account. The same $29 fee also applies to any check or withdrawal returned due to insufficient funds.
USAA Classic Checking account’s fees and access.
| Type of fee | Fee details |
|---|---|
Monthly service | $0 |
Opening deposit | $25 (waived for new service members) |
ATMs |
|
Debit card fees |
|
Overdraft or nonsufficient funds | $29 (once per day, per account, if overdrawn more than $50) |
Wire transfers |
|
Other fees |
|
Compare USAA Classic Checking to other checking accounts
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How we picked theseWhat is the Finder Score?
The Finder Score crunches over 300 checking accounts from hundreds of financial institutions. It takes into account the product's monthly fees, overdraft fees, opening deposit, customer support options, ATM network and features — this gives you a simple score out of 10.
To provide a Score, Finder’s banking experts analyze hundreds of checking accounts against what we consider is the best option: no monthly fees, no overdraft fees, a large ATM network of 50,000 or more, additional features outside of typical banking services, and the optional perk of earning interest. Accounts that are nearly free to maintain and use are scored the highest, while accounts with costly fees and few features are scored the lowest.
How to open a USAA Savings account
You can open this account online, but you’ll first need to be a USAA member, which you can also sign up for online.
Remember that you must be either an active or former member of the US military or an eligible family member. You will be asked to prove this when you apply for membership.
Customer reviews and ratings
| BBB accredited | No |
|---|---|
| BBB rating | A+ |
| BBB customer reviews | 1.16 out of 5 stars, based on 2382 customer reviews |
| Trustpilot score | 1.2 out of 5 stars, based on 3,366 customer reviews |
| App Store Score | 4.8 out of 5 stars, based on 2,000,000 customer reviews |
| Google Play Score | 4.7 out of 5 stars, based on 314,300 customer reviews |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 02 June 2025 |
USAA is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), but it currently holds a strong A+ rating. However, despite this high score, the company has received a significant number of customer complaints on its BBB profile. Most of these complaints are directed at USAA’s insurance services rather than its banking operations.
Additional concerns involve how USAA manages fraud and scams that affect its members. Many complaints come from long-standing customers who have experienced recent issues with customer service or dispute resolution. To its credit, USAA typically responds quickly and makes an effort to resolve concerns raised through the BBB.
On Trustpilot, USAA receives similarly low marks, with a low star rating. As with the BBB, most negative reviews focus on dissatisfaction with the insurance side of the business.
Frequently asked questions
Are there withdrawal limits on this account?
Yes. You’ll be limited to $610 per day for ATM cash withdrawals and can make 20 withdrawals in a 24-hour period. You can make up to $1,000 per day for credit card cash advances (varies), up to $3,000 per day for signature-based purchases on your debit card and up to $3,000 per day for PIN-based purchases on your debit card.
You may be able to request a temporary increase on these limits if needed.
Does USAA work with Zelle?
Yes, you can use Zelle with USAA accounts. Zelle only allows US-based banks and credit unions to participate in its program, with over 2,000 institutions currently working with the service. Compare other top banks that support Zelle.
Finder Scores: What they mean
If you want peace of mind, this rating will give it to you. These products offer the best value and outcomes considering various product features, terms, conditions and price.
Well-balanced products that provide what you need, offering a healthy mix of competitive features at a good price. However, they're not quite the best in class.
Bottom line: You can find better, but these products still offer reasonable value and have the basics sorted.
These products may not offer much value in the long run, and there are better options available.
USAA Classic Checking is not currently available on Finder
Have you considered SoFi Checking and Savings?
Earn up to 3.80% APY on savings by meeting deposit requirements or by paying the SoFi Plus subscription fee every 30 days, and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Members without deposit requirements will earn 0.50% APY on both savings and checking balances. Turn on automatic savings or use the Roundups feature to help you reach your savings goals faster. Get up to $2M of additional FDIC insurance through a network of participating banks.
- 0.50% APY on checking balance
- Up to 3.80% APY on savings
- $0 account or overdraft fees
- Get up to a $300 bonus with direct deposits of $5,000 or more
Your reviews
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