Sacramento Credit Union is offering a $300 bonus for opening a new free checking account, and this is great news for award travelers looking to pad their travel funds. To snag the bonus, you need to live or work in specific California counties (El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Solano, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba). The key requirement is setting up a direct deposit within 60 days of opening the account.

Here's why it matters to you: this is basically free money! While $300 might not fund a whole vacation, it can definitely cover some travel expenses. There are no monthly fees on the required checking account, which is a huge plus. You will have to pay a $5 fee to join the Credit Union. Plus, Sacramento Credit Union might let you fund the account with a credit card (up to $500), which could help you hit minimum spending requirements for a new credit card bonus! The offer is valid until December 31, 2024.

Bank bonuses are one of the easiest ways to make money. Be aware that the bonus will be reported to the IRS as interest earned, so you'll need to factor that into your tax planning.