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I was wondering if anyone uses their airline credit unions. I see Alliant credit union services our airline . Don't have plans in joining them but from the folks that do have them, seem quite satisfied banking with them. They are based out of Chicagoland area and been around since 1935.
I've had Alliant in the past (USAIR) and they are pretty good. They only pay .25% though. You can do better with LSG or Schwab.com. Schwab charges no fees and they reimburse you internationally. I was in MAD and they credited me back fees from Royal bank and Banco Popular.
I use mine. Easy access to my money and low interest rates make a great combination.
I use mine for years (more than 15) very happy with it even if there is no local branch anymore. You can use the credit union banking network to go to ATM or to see a teller.
I just transferred in to Alliant and have been very happy with them. I know quite a few of my coworkers have them as well. The wife has been a little wary ("why can't we get a normal joint bank account") but seems to be pretty happy with them now.
Alliant seems to be catchin on like wildfire through the ranks. Continental Federal Credit Union got absorbed along with the merger (Cal/Ual) to Alliant. I hear CFCU was garbage, and most are happy to have been absorbed by Alliant. Credit unions kick a banks butt! There is no reason for me to run to Alliant. I've got NFCU and PENFED for decades.
Oh yeah, if you've already got an account that's one thing. I just love that they have a branch across the street from work. I'm on a first-name basis with one of the tellers there, and sometimes if I'm a little busy I'll send him an email. If something will take some time, he'll take care of me and call back 15 minutes later with a follow up. Couldn't ask for better service than that! And I also got a car loan from them, 1.99%. Awesome rate!
I went via PENFED for a zero percent car loan for 4 years. You heard me right. ZERO!!! You can't beat PENFED for the car loan rates. That was the main reason I carried them, just for the car loans. Navy Federal is classified a military credit union. Not just anyone can join. No back door here. You have to be military or DOD personell and family. Penfed is the same give or take though there is a back door and anyone here can join them. And I highly recommend them. I use USAA for P&C insurance. Not for banking. I don't do banks.
Here are some credit unions anyone can join that are very good. Pays to bounce them around with Alliant or any other airline affiliated credit union. Note that Alliant has a wide range of membership and not only confined to airlines. Most of Chicago residents can join.
Nasa Federal Credit Union
Pentagon Federal Credit Union
State Department Federal Credit Union
PS. NFCU car loan rate is at 1.79% for new cars up to 60 months and late model cars. (Note, with 25 years membership, I can knock out another .25% but Penfed still better rate here).
PENFED car loan new and used at 1.49% up to 60 months. They have a car buying online only promotion of .49% and the Zero percent 48 months for the Enterprise car.
The great thing too was that I thought the car insurance would get jacked up pretty much higher, and it wasn't. Great combo to have. Penfed fianancing at zero percent with USAA coverage and a great car/cars.
Here is a great NFCU documentary about 6 minutes long.
Navy Federal Credit Union - YouTube
29Palms, do I have to be former or current military to join PENFED?
NO YOU DON'T. Not for PENFED. Go to that web site, and click on to how you can join. You can even call them and they will hook you right up. If you are not government, nor military (Army Air Force, Coast Guard), nor work in the DC area for certain stated employers, you can join via joining some association. For civilians there are two you can join a one time fee of maybe 15 bucks. You don't have to continue to be a member of this charity organization to keep your membership in Penfed. Once you're in, you're in. I recommend them over any airline credit union but that is just ME! I was winged in credit unions, govenments, military so that's my take.
Navy Federal is specifically tailored to the needs of the military since they constantly get deployed and spend alot of time overseas. For the average Joe working in the USA, any close by sound credit union is sufficient enough. What makes NFCU special is the special needs the service members need. One time I was going to the Philippines, but had some issue with Navy Federal. I called them up, told them I was on my way to Philippines to please transfer over some money from Savings to Checking or vice versa, and against policy, they did it for me over the phone. (Pre-internet days.) Also, like USAA, was designed by military officers that couldn't get insurance elsewhere because they were considered a "High risk" group. If you are a civilian living in locality of anytown USA, you can use the one that will serve you best.
I'm with PACU back in the Carolinas. Piedmont Advantage Crecit Union....awesome service and rates. I use a credit union service center down the road in San Bruno if I need to deposit something.