Individual bank account bonuses and rewards programs come and go. But it’s basically a given that dozens of online banks (and brick-and-mortar banks and credit unions) offer enticements to new and longtime account holders at any given time.
The same is true for opportunities to earn high yields (high-interest payouts) and generous rewards on other account types: high-yield savings accounts, money market accounts, and CDs.
If you’re in the market for a new bank account or expect to be soon, this is all good news. The hardest part is finding the best rewards checking accounts, but I’ve done the hard work for you. Check out the list below to see which account is right for you.
1. SoFi Checking and Savings
- Best Overall
- APY: 0.5% (with at least $5,000 in monthly direct deposit)
- Monthly fee: $0
- Minimum deposit: $0
SoFi offers 7x the national average APY on its checking account for members with at least $5,000 directly deposited monthly. With the same application, you can also open a savings account and earn 4.6% APY on balances you’re saving for later.
There are no account fees or minimum balance requirements. This includes overdraft coverage of up to $50. Plus, your direct deposit amount can be between your checking and savings accounts to qualify for both APYs.
New members can also earn up to a $300 bonus when opening an account. The amount you earn depends on the amount of your direct deposit. Up to $4,999 in direct deposit earns a $50 bonus and $5,000 or more earns $500.
Additional features:
- Access to direct deposit up to 2 days early
- Automatic roundups on debit card purchases that are transferred to your savings account
- Up to 15% cash back on purchases made with your debit card on local purchases
- Robust mobile app with remote deposit and the ability to send money
2. Chase Total Checking®
- Best for In-Person Banking
- APY: 0%
- Monthly fee: $12 (waivable)
- Minimum deposit: $0
Chase Total Checking® is a super convenient checking account with one of the biggest networks of branches and ATMs, making Chase Total Checking one of the best checking accounts for people who prefer in-person banking.
To top it off, Chase Total Checking® offers an unusually generous account opening bonus, which makes it the absolute best rewards checking account for the brick-and-mortar set.
To earn the $200 account opening bonus, simply open your account using the links above or below. If you prefer, you can enter your email here and take the coupon to your local Chase branch.
Then, once your account is open, set up a direct deposit of $500 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment. You’ll receive a $200 bonus within 15 business days. You must apply by July 16, 2025, to qualify.
Additional features:
- Zelle
- Online bill pay
- Account alerts
- Chase Overdraft Assist℠ (no overdraft fee if it’s less than $500)
3. Rewards Checking Plus via Upgrade
- Best for Everyday Spending
- APY: 0%
- Monthly fee: $0
- Minimum deposit: $0
Rewards Checking Plus via Upgrade has one of the best cash-back programs of any free checking account. It’s perfect for everyday spending as you can earn 2% cash back2 on all everyday purchases and 1%2 on everything else. The 2% cash back2 applies to convenience stores, drugstores, restaurants, bars (including delivery), utility bills, and certain monthly subscriptions.
If you combine your Rewards Checking Plus with a Performance Savings account and have a $1,000 minimum monthly direct deposit, you can earn up to a 4.69% APY³ on your savings.
Additional features:
- Early access⁴ to direct deposit
- No overdraft fees⁵
- ATM reimbursements with active account
4. Axos Bank Basic Business Checking
- Best for Freelancers and Solopreneurs
- APY: 1.01%
- Monthly fee: $10 (waivable)
- Minimum deposit: $100
Axos Bank Basic Business Checking is the best rewards checking account for folks in business for themselves. If you have fewer than 50 transactions per month (credits, debits, and deposits), your transactions are free, plus you get up to 60 free remote deposit items.
The account has tiered interest rates, paying its highest rates on balances up to $49,999.99. From there, the rate drops to 0.10% – 0.20% depending on your balance.
New customers can also earn up to a $400 bonus if you fund it within 30 days. The bonus is earned through the first five monthly cycles with four payouts total. You can earn $75 per month each month you have a balance of $25,000 – $49,999 and $150 per month each month you have a balance over $50,000, make at least 10 point-of-sale transactions with your debit card monthly, and set up and use online bill pay.
Additional features:
- Unlimited ATM reimbursements in the U.S.
- Free debit card
- Remote deposit
- Online bill pay
5. TD Bank Beyond Checking
- Best Account Opening Bonus
- APY: 0.01%
- Monthly fee: $25 (waivable)
- Minimum deposit: $0
TD Bank Beyond Checking has 1,100 branches and offers many benefits, including an overdraft grace period, giving you until 11 P.M. the next business day to deposit enough funds to cover the overdraft. You can also waive the monthly fee with $5,000 in direct deposits, a $2,500 average daily balance, or a $25,000 combined balance across all TD Bank accounts.
The opening bonus for the TD Bank Beyond Checking account is a massive $300. New customers who apply online for a TD Beyond Checking account can earn a $300 cash bonus after receiving direct deposits of $2,500 or more within 60 days. To qualify for this offer, you must be a U.S. resident and apply for the offer online. Offer is available in these states: CT, DC, DE, FL, MD, ME, MA, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC, VT, and VA.
Additional features:
- Reimbursed non-TD Bank ATM fees with at least a $2,500 daily balance
- Mobile deposit
- Instant-issue debit card for lost or stolen cards (visit your local branch)
- Live customer service 24/7
- Online bill pay
- Reverses up to two overdraft fees annually
FAQs
Still have questions about rewards checking accounts? We have answers.
What Is Rewards Checking?
“Rewards checking” describes any checking account offering a direct return on investment (your account balance), spending, or both.
That means, the accounts offer cash or points bonuses for new account holders, the accounts earn interest on held balances, and the accounts earn rewards on eligible debit card transactions. The best rewards checking accounts offer all three.
How Much Does Rewards Checking Cost?
In a perfect world, nothing. Many rewards checking accounts have no monthly maintenance fees and make it easy to avoid other types of account fees, such as overdraft fees and ATM withdrawal fees.
Before signing up for any bank or investment account, be sure to read the fee disclosure and any associated fine print. You don’t want to find out too late that you’ve signed up for an account that costs more than it rewards you.
How Do You Get Checking Account Rewards?
You generally have to receive direct deposits or spend a certain amount during the qualification period to earn new account bonuses.
What Are the Best Banks for Rewards Checking Accounts?
The short answer: the banks on this list. We’re constantly on the lookout for high-quality rewards checking accounts, and we’re not shy about cutting loose accounts that no longer make the grade.
How to Choose the Best Rewards Checking Account
These are among the best rewards checking accounts from U.S.-based financial institutions, including banks, credit unions, and online brokerages. As you narrow down your options, consider:
- Whether you’re targeting high yield, spending rewards, or both
- How important an account opening bonus is to you
- Whether the account has an annual fee, and what, if anything you can do to avoid it
- The account’s other fees and what, if anything you can do to avoid them
- Other perks and benefits, such as fee-free ATM access and high-dollar deposit insurance
When you find an account that ticks as many of these boxes as possible, be prepared to pounce.
Be advised that many of these accounts also appear on our roundups of the best free checking accounts, best checking accounts with monthly service fees, and best new bank account promotions. Check those roundups for more great banking ideas.
One last thing. Because account opening promotions, yields, and rewards programs are all subject to change without notice, check back here often — and those other “best of” roundups, too — for the latest information. And always confirm specific details with the relevant banks or credit unions themselves.