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Alliant Credit Union is back with another enticing offer for new customers, and this is a deal you don't want to miss! Right now, you can snag up to $200 just for opening a new Alliant Credit Union checking account through Rakuten. The basic offer gets you $150 (or 15,000 Rakuten points) when you open a new account and set up a direct deposit of $500 or more within 30 days.
Why should you care? Well, free money is always a win! Alliant Credit Union is known for having pretty solid online banking, and the account itself has no monthly fees as long as you're okay with e-statements. It's a soft pull (meaning it won't affect your credit score), but be aware they do use ChexSystems, so some people might have issues getting approved.
There's also a similar offer via Swagbucks, which gives you $75 without the direct deposit requirement – an easier option if you don't want to change where your paycheck goes. However, the Rakuten deal is a better payout if you can swing the direct deposit. Keep an eye on the expiration date (currently showing November 2nd), but these deals have been known to get extended.
Just remember to read the fine print! You need to be a new Alliant member, and the direct deposit has to come from your employer or a government agency (no Venmo transfers allowed!). Also, be sure to keep the account open for at least 90 days to avoid a small early closure fee. Happy earning!
Why This Matters for Your Strategy
News in the points-and-miles world moves fast, and promotional changes often have a short window. If this announcement affects a card or program you hold, log into your awardtrail dashboard to check your current benefit usage, bonus progress, and whether a transfer or redemption makes sense right now — before terms change.
As a general rule: transfer points only when you have a specific redemption in mind — transfers are almost always one-way and non-reversible. If you're unsure of the value, check our redemption guides before acting.
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