Shell Federal Credit Union is offering a $250 bonus for new checking accounts opened by December 31, 2026! This is only available if you live, work, worship, attend school, or regularly conduct business in Harris County, Texas. To snag the bonus, you'll need to open a new checking account (your first with Shell FCU), deposit at least $5, and jump through a few hoops within 90 days.

The requirements include receiving at least $2,000 in direct deposits via ACH (like your paycheck), enrolling in eStatements, and accessing your account through digital banking. The fine print specifies that the ACH deposits must be prearranged and not something you initiate yourself through Shell FCU. Also, make sure to mention the promotion when you open the account, which might mean you need to go into a branch.

Why should you care? A $250 bonus is a decent chunk of change for a relatively simple set of requirements. Plus, the account has no monthly fees, so it's a fairly low-risk way to boost your travel fund. Just remember that the bonus will be reported as income, so you'll owe taxes on it next year. Also, there's a referral bonus for existing members!