USAA checking accounts have no monthly maintenance fee, but you can still pay fees for specific actions

USAA does not charge a monthly fee just for having a checking account open. However, you will pay fees if you overdraw your account, use an out-of-network ATM repeatedly, or request certain services like a cashier's check or wire transfer. The fees that do exist are the same whether you have a basic checking account or a premium one.

Because USAA is an online-only bank with no physical branches, it keeps costs lower than banks with buildings and staff in every town. That savings gets passed to you as no monthly charge. But USAA still charges for the specific transactions that cost them money to process or that represent a choice you make about how to use your account.

Key Takeaways

  • USAA checking accounts have no monthly maintenance fee, regardless of your balance or account type.
  • Overdraft fees explore when you spend more than you have, and USAA charges a fee each time this happens.
  • Using ATMs outside the USAA network repeatedly will cost you per transaction, though USAA reimburses some out-of-network fees.
  • Services like wire transfers, cashier's checks, and stop payments each carry their own one-time fee.
  • USAA does not charge fees for common actions like deposits, transfers between your own accounts, or customer service calls.

Overdraft fees and how they work

An overdraft happens when you spend money you do not have in your account. USAA charges a fee each time this occurs. The fee amount varies depending on whether the overdraft is caused by a debit card purchase, an ATM withdrawal, or a check you wrote, so you should check your account agreement or call USAA directly for the exact amount.

USAA offers overdraft protection, which means you can link your checking account to a savings account or money market account. If you overdraw checking, USAA automatically transfers money from the linked account to cover it. This transfer usually has a smaller fee than an overdraft fee, or sometimes no fee at all, depending on your account type. You can set up overdraft protection through your USAA online account or by calling them.

You can also choose to decline overdraft protection entirely. If you do, USAA will straightforward decline transactions that would overdraw your account — your debit card will be rejected at the store, for example. This means you cannot accidentally spend money you do not have, but it also means your transaction will not go through.

ATM fees and USAA's reimbursement policy

USAA does not own ATM machines, so using an ATM that is not part of the USAA network will normally cost you a fee charged by that ATM's owner. However, USAA reimburses many of these out-of-network ATM fees automatically, which means you pay nothing out of pocket.

The reimbursement is not unlimited — USAA reimburses a certain number of out-of-network ATM transactions per month before you start paying the fees yourself. The exact number depends on your account type, so check your account agreement or log into your USAA account to see your limit. If you use ATMs frequently, you may want to find USAA partner ATMs in your area instead, which have no fee.

USAA partners with the Allpoint network, which has thousands of ATMs worldwide. You can search for Allpoint ATMs on the USAA website or through the Allpoint app to find free machines near you.

Wire transfer and check-related fees

If you send money to another bank using a wire transfer, USAA charges a fee for this service. A wire transfer is faster than a regular bank transfer but costs more because it requires manual processing. Domestic wire transfers (sending money within the United States) cost less than international wire transfers (sending money to another country).

Requesting a cashier's check — a check that USAA writes on its own account and guarantees with its own funds — also costs a fee. This is useful when you need to send a large amount of money and the recipient wants the security of a check backed by the bank rather than by you personally. Placing a stop payment on a check you wrote (telling USAA not to pay it if it comes in) also carries a fee.

Regular checks that you order to write yourself have no fee — USAA provides them as part of your account. Depositing checks, whether by mail, mobile app, or in person at a USAA branch, is free.

What USAA does not charge for

USAA does not charge fees for the everyday actions that most people do regularly. Transferring money between your own USAA accounts is free. Moving money to or from another bank through an ACH transfer (a standard electronic transfer that takes one to three business days) is free. Depositing money into your account, whether by direct deposit, mobile check deposit, or transfer from another account, costs nothing.

Calling USAA customer service, using online banking, setting up automatic bill pay, or receiving paper statements are all free. If you close your account, USAA does not charge a closing fee. These are the transactions that happen most often for most people, so USAA keeps them free to make basic banking affordable.

How USAA's fees compare to other online banks

Most online banks, like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover, also have no monthly maintenance fee because they operate without physical branches. The fees that do exist — overdraft, wire transfer, out-of-network ATM — are similar across these banks, though the exact amounts and reimbursement policies vary.

USAA's main difference is that it is restricted to military members, veterans, and their families, so you cannot open an account unless you meet that requirement. If you do meet it, USAA's fee structure is competitive with other online banks. If you do not, you would need to look at other online banks or a traditional bank with branches.

How to avoid fees or minimize them

The easiest way to avoid overdraft fees is to keep a small cushion of extra money in your checking account — even $50 or $100 — so you do not accidentally spend everything. You can also set up account alerts through USAA's app or website to notify you when your balance drops below a certain amount.

To avoid ATM fees, use USAA's ATM locator to find Allpoint machines near your home, work, and places you shop regularly. If you travel frequently or live in an area with few Allpoint ATMs, overdraft protection linked to a savings account can be cheaper than paying ATM fees repeatedly.

Wire transfers and cashier's checks are one-time fees for services you do not use often, so they are not worth changing your banking habits to avoid. If you need to send money regularly, ask the recipient whether they will accept an ACH transfer instead — it is free and takes a few days instead of one day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does USAA charge a fee just for having a checking account?

No. USAA checking accounts have no monthly maintenance fee. You only pay fees when you perform specific actions like overdrawing your account, using an out-of-network ATM beyond your reimbursement limit, or requesting services like wire transfers.

What happens if I overdraw my account?

USAA charges an overdraft fee each time you spend more than you have. You can avoid this by setting up overdraft protection, which links your checking account to a savings account and automatically transfers money to cover the shortfall, usually for a smaller fee or no fee.

Can I use any ATM for free with USAA?

USAA reimburses out-of-network ATM fees up to a certain number of transactions per month, depending on your account type. For unlimited free ATM access, use Allpoint network machines, which USAA partners with. You can find Allpoint ATMs through the USAA website or app.

Are there fees for transferring money between banks?

No fee for ACH transfers, which are standard electronic transfers that take one to three business days. Wire transfers, which are faster and processed manually, do cost a fee. Ask the recipient whether they can wait for an ACH transfer instead.

What fees does USAA charge for checks?

Ordering regular checks to write yourself is free. Depositing checks is free. You only pay a fee if you request a cashier's check (a check USAA writes and guarantees) or place a stop payment on a check you already wrote.