10 Best Rewards Checking Accounts for 2026 (Unlock a $300 Bonus)

Ten percent of consumers stay with their bank simply because switching sounds annoying. But the truth is switching could literally put more money in your pocket.

Rewards checking accounts don’t just store your cash. They grow it. The right account can give you cash back, ATM fee refunds, high interest rates, and other perks just for using your debit card.

And these accounts aren’t exclusive or hard to get. Opening one is the same process as a normal checking account. You just get way more value for doing it.

If you’re ready to upgrade how your money works for you, here are the top two rewards checking options for 2026.

10 Best Rewards Checking Accounts

1. SoFi Checking and Savings

SoFi Checking and Savings is one of the strongest rewards-style accounts available today.

You can earn up to 4.30% APY on savings and 0.50% APY on checking when you set up direct deposit, which already puts it ahead of most traditional banks.

There are no account fees, no minimum balance, and SoFi reimburses ATM fees at more than 55,000 Allpoint ATMs nationwide.

You can also get paid up to two days early, earn cashback rewards on everyday purchases with select partners, and access a suite of financial tools in the SoFi app.

New customers may also qualify for a $300 welcome bonus when they set up direct deposit, making it one of the easiest accounts to start earning more with right away.

SoFi is built for people who want a simple, modern account that gives more value than a regular checking account without the hoops or high requirements.

2. Axos Bank: Rewards Checking

Axos Rewards Checking doesn’t rely on gimmicks or short-term bonuses. It simply lets you earn up to 3.30% APY, which is almost unheard of for a checking account.

To get the full rate, you just need to make ten small debit purchases a month, keep $2,500 in an Axos Invest account, receive $1,500 in direct deposits, and use the account to pay an Axos loan. Do all four and you unlock the full 3.30% on your balance.

There’s no minimum balance, no monthly fee, and no opening deposit required. You also get unlimited ATM fee reimbursements, no overdraft or NSF fees, and $20 for every friend you refer.

You get a high APY, zero fees, and real perks, which makes it one of the few checking accounts that’s actually worth switching to.

3. Current

If you want a checking account that actually gives you something back, Current is an easy win. It stays completely fee free while offering perks like up to 4.00% APY on Savings Pods (up to $6,000) and paycheck advances up to $750 when you need extra breathing room.

You earn points on everyday purchases like groceries and restaurants and redeem them for cash back. Direct deposit hits up to two days early, there are no monthly fees or minimums, and there are zero hidden costs. It’s simple, transparent banking.

Current also removes gas station holds instantly, so your money isn’t locked up. With over 40,000 fee free ATMs, cash access is easy. And if you want to build credit without the stress, the Current Build Card does it with no credit check.

The app is clean, fast, and makes managing your spending, savings, and rewards effortless. If you want a no hassle account that actually benefits you, Current is worth a look.

4. Citibank: Account Package

Citibank has been named one of the best digital banks and offers account holders a variety of perks. You can apply for the “Thank you from Citi” program to earn points for your banking activities. 

Once you enroll and complete the criteria, you’ll earn points on qualifying direct deposits and bill payments. You can redeem these points for:

• Shopping rewards
• Gift cards
• Cash
• Charity donations
• Travel rewards

Keep a $10,000 monthly balance across your linked eligible Citibank accounts, and you can waive the $25 monthly fee. Citibank doesn’t charge you to use out-of-network ATMs if you meet specific minimum balance requirements, and you can also earn 0.01% APY on your balance. 

5. Consumers Credit Union: Rewards Checking

If earning up to 5% APY on your rewards checking account balance sounds like a great perk, check out Consumers Credit Union (CCU). You must meet eligibility requirements to open an account with this credit union, but your funds are insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

When you open a Rewards Checking account with CCU, your base APY starts at 3%. However, you can up the rate to 5% APY by meeting the following requirements: 

• Enroll in eDocuments
• Make 12 monthly debit card purchases 
• Receive at least $500 in monthly direct deposits, ACH credits, or mobile check deposits
• Spend $1,000 or more with your CCU Visa credit card

The 5% APY only applies to balances below $10,000 or less. The APY decreases significantly the higher your balance grows. 

6. Discover Bank: Cash Back Debit

Among online banks, Discover is best known for offering rewards credit cards. However, you can open a Discover online checking account that comes with a cashback debit card. 

You can earn up to 1% cashback on up to $3,000 in eligible monthly purchases. That gives you a potential savings of $30 monthly or $360 annually. 

The Discover online checking account also has no minimum balance requirements, opening deposit, or monthly fees. You can also avoid NSF fees and receive free debit card replacements if your card gets lost or stolen. 

Discover is one of the best national banks that dominates the online space. You can also access 24/7 customer service to help with your banking needs. 

7. Level Bank

Want to get paid up to two days early? With Level Bank, you can open a checking account to access this perk and obtain an interest-free cash advance of up to $500. 

Level Bank offers its Perks program, which rewards you with increased cashback when you buy from select merchants. You can view your Perks status through the mobile app available for Android and Apple devices. 

You must pay for the Plus or Premium membership to qualify for up to 5% APY and the cash advance. Plus accounts are $5 monthly, while Premium accounts cost $15. 

Level Bank also offers refunds on ATM fees up to $4 per transaction and no overdraft fees. You also get 1.5% cash back on everyday purchases in addition to this bonus.  

8. TD Bank Beyond Checking

Open a TD Bank Beyond Checking account with no minimum opening balance or minimum balance requirements. You can also waive the $25 monthly fee by: 

• Receiving direct deposits of $5,000 or more each month
• Have a $25,000 combined balance across your eligible TD Bank accounts
• Maintain a $2,500 daily balance

You can also earn 0.01% APY on your balance with Payback Plus. TD Bank also refunds your ATM and overdraft fees if you maintain a $2,500 average daily balance. 

Your TD Bank checking account may also be eligible for overdraft payback, which refunds your first two overdrafts each year, up to $70. Give TD Bank a look to see if this checking account perks align with your banking needs. 

The best checking accounts make banking a breeze, but the best rewards checking accounts offer something more. Keep reading to see which perks you can access with a new checking account.

9. Chase Total Checking® 

Chase offers a $300 welcome bonus, no minimum balance requirements, and low requirements to waive monthly fees. With over 4,700 branches, Chase has the largest branch network in the U.S. plus access to more than 15,000 ATMs.

The Chase Total Checking® account is among the most popular checking accounts. You can waive the $12 monthly fee by:

• Receiving at least $500 in monthly direct deposits
• Maintaining a $1,500 minimum daily balance
• Maintaining a $5,000 minimum balance across your eligible accounts

Your new Chase Total Checking® account comes with the full suite of services that Chase offers, including credit cards, investment accounts, CDs, and savings accounts. Chase also offers various business banking services to support your small business. Plus, there are no overdraft fees if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less.

If you refer a friend to Chase, you can earn a $50 bonus. You can earn up to $500 in referral bonuses annually. 

10. Varo Bank Account

Varo offers several checking and savings accounts you can open to manage your money. These accounts include a free checking account and a high-yield savings account that earns up to 5.00% APY on balances up to $5,000.

You can also make ends meet with several cash advance apps that work with Varo. These cash advance apps make accessing extra funds before your paycheck arrives convenient during stressful times. 

If you want to deposit cash into your Varo bank account, visit a Green Dot Reload location, like those found in Walmart, Walgreens, Kroger, and Safeway. You can also withdraw money from over 55,000 Allpoint ATMs for free. 

The Varo no-fee checking account has no minimum balance requirements. Varo also doesn’t charge you fees for foreign transactions or transfers. 

What to Look For in a Rewards Checking Account

When choosing a rewards checking account, it’s important to consider key factors that maximize both benefits and convenience. A competitive APY can help your money grow faster over time, while the right rewards program should align with your spending habits to ensure you’re earning meaningful perks.

Fees can quickly eat into your earnings, so look for an account with low or no monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, or ATM charges. Some accounts also require a minimum balance to qualify for rewards, while others may have transaction requirements that boost your earning potential when met.

Accessibility is another crucial factor—online banking, mobile apps, and a wide ATM network make managing your money easier. Additionally, reliable customer service is essential, especially with digital banks where in-person support isn’t an option. Always check that the account is FDIC or NCUA insured to protect your deposits.

Finally, read the fine print to understand any restrictions on rewards or account usage. A rewards checking account should enhance your financial goals—not push you to overspend just to qualify for perks. Choose one that fits seamlessly with your lifestyle and spending habits.

More Rewards Checking Accounts

1. What are rewards checking accounts?

A rewards checking account is a type of bank account that offers consumers benefits, often in the form of cash back, interest earnings, or other perks, based on certain qualifying activities like debit card purchases, setting up direct deposits, or maintaining a minimum balance.

2. How do rewards checking accounts work?

Typically, account holders need to meet certain requirements each statement cycle, such as making a certain number of debit card transactions, to earn the full rewards or the highest APY (annual percentage yield) offered by the financial institution.

3. How do I earn cash back with my debit card?

Debit card transactions, including eligible debit card purchases, may earn cash back rewards based on the rewards program of the bank. For instance, Discover Cashback Debit account provides cash back on qualifying purchases.

4. Are there monthly maintenance fees associated with these accounts?

Monthly maintenance fees vary between banks. While online-only banks like Axos often waive these fees, other financial institutions might charge a monthly service fee unless certain requirements, such as a minimum balance or qualifying direct deposit, are met.

6. How do ATM fee rebates and reimbursements work?

Many rewards checking accounts offer unlimited ATM fee rebates or reimbursements for out-of-network ATM fees. This means if you’re charged a fee for using an ATM outside your bank’s network, the bank may refund that fee back to your account.

Reward Yourself with the Best Rewards Checking Accounts 

Checking accounts help us manage our funds, pay our bills, and transfer money to our friends and family. The best rewards checking accounts, however, offer an extra set of features to make banking even more rewarding. 

We hope this article helps you find the best checking accounts with perks to suit your needs. When you find an account that lets you earn cashback, interest on your balance, or even receive ATM fee reimbursements, banking suddenly doesn’t seem as tedious. 

With several checking accounts to choose from, you have the luxury of comparison shopping to find the best deals. You can also open a rewards checking account to test-drive it and see if you want to switch over completely. 

Which of the best rewards checking accounts piqued your interest? 

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