Best Bank for pilots?

[enigma]

I need to find a bank that has nationwide no fee cash machines, online no fee bill paying, etc. In other words, the perfect bank for an underpaid pilot.

regards,
8N

 

[KingAirer]

Bank of America. Ive gotten good service from them, and you can find on almost anywhere. Ive been living in NC, TN, and Florida in the bast 5 years and have been able to find B of A's all over the towns ive lived in. I think its the largest one.

 

[Aviator]

I've been using netbank.com for several years now and have been very satisfied. This is only bank that I know of that has a free bill pay service. The interest rates on the checking and money market accounts are among the best in the US. Instead of using ATM's, I just get cash back at the grocery store or post office. For a local bank, I use Washingtons Mutual's free checking.

 

[bin LAAidoff]

Bank of America is the biggest by far, after merging with Nations Bank. I would guess that means they have the most ATMS, and that's who I bank with. They do %^#$ you if you use a non BOFA ATM ($1.50 + whatever machine owner charges-- Wells Fargo ATM costs me $3.50, total, nudie bar ATM costs me $450.00)

I've heard lots of credit unions charge nothing for ATM, and even reimburse for fees from other ATMS. Never got aaround to checking on it.

 

[bobbysamd]

Banks

Whatever you do, stay away from Wells Fargo!! Horrendous service!!

 

[flywithruss]

I'll go ahead and agree with BofA. I've used them in North Carolina and Texas and been very happy. Being so large, you can find their branches and ATMs in most areas of the country. My account has no monthly fee since I have direct deposit, and lots of convenient online features ... I don't use the online bill pay service, so I can't comment on that but I do know that BofA offers it.

Bobby is right about Wells Fargo. I had used them for a while but have had a massive disagreement with them over the last couple of years and would rather use a mayonnaise jar than bank with them again.

The best way to avoid ATM fees is to get cash at POS terminals. When you go to Wal-Mart or the grocery store, pay with your debit card and get cash back. You won't be charged a fee there, whereas if you walk up to the "Bank of Podunk" ATM ten feet away, you probably will be.

Good luck!

R

 

[jetpilotcrj700]

B OF A!!!!

I use BoA here in Washington State and used to use them in Nevada and have had no problem with them at all. I pay all my bills through thier FREE bill paying service and FREE online Access. I have had only one problem in 5 years with paying my bills online with BoA. And they corrected the problem FAST!!! and made the merchant reverse the late fee.

I Vote for BOA. It works for me.


73's

 

[Jetsnake]

For every bank, theres an Unhappy
Customer, I used to bank with Norwest,
now Wells Fargo and have had great
success with them. I used to bank with Bank of
America and have nothing positive to say.

I would suggest carrying as little cash with
you that you can afford to loose. And if you
go somewhere always put it on a credit card.
If your extremely fruggle(or need to be),
this is a good way of keeping track of what,
and why you spent; what you did.

The other advantage to putting things on your
credit card is this, try to get awards for
whatever card you use; that you can utilize
down the road, free hotel rooms, free tickets
rather than Space Available, car rentals, ect.
etc. etc.

I put everything, including groceries on mine.

It'll add up in perks if you do. And if your on the
road and use your credit card for cash advances
or Debit card. You can write it off at the end of the
year. I don't recommend it though.

Another tip is this, get reward cards for every place
that you RON at. If the person at the front desk says
they aren't allowed to give you points for your stay
because your airline crew. Just ask them for a receipt
the next morning showing you owe nothing, this will
not only cover your butt if some charges come back to
haunt you such as room service or movies. But you
can keep those receipt's and fax them to the rewards
office to credit your account for points. It'll have your name
on it.

Just last year, I amast enough points to stay free of charge
for 10 days in San Diego, 6 of those where at a nice place
with a ocean view, and the rental car was free except for
the taxes and gas. It's like carrying coupons in your wallet.
It takes very little work and is well worth the trouble.

Jetsnake

 

[414Flyer]

USAA has a great bank if you are eligible. They actually rebate your ATM surcharges, up to 1.50 I believe.

 

[Jetsnake]

USAA has a great bank if you are eligible. They actually rebate your ATM surcharges, up to 1.50 I believe.

USAA is excellent, they have a few bugs to work out of
as of yet, they could be the SWA banker of the airline
industry.

To be eligible, you need to be a prior service, or a dependant
of such. There insurance rates are unbeatable, car and
homeowners, renters.

www.usaa.com

1-800-531-8080

 

[darien]

BoA

Bank of america all the way
I use them and due to the fact that i travel a lot I need the access to free banking They are on every other corner in florida I have withdraws on my acct from all over the US.
I was once in LA got pulled over the cop asked me where I lived I told him Fla He went to the car came back then being the perseptive police officer noticed my bank of america card. Seeing my card and thinking they were only in Cali He asked me again where I lived and I told him again Fla. He asked me why I have a bank of america card. So I told him hence the name Bank of America they are everywhere..... small town mentality man. Ouch one of those things not to say when trying to avoid a ticket.

Anyway the online Free features work great and is easy to use If there is not a BoA around you could use the tactic of going in to eckerd drug store and buying a soda and getting cash back to avoid the fee At least you get something for your 1.50.

PS never use the ATMs in Atlantic City $5.00 Atm charge + your bank fee

 

[Rush Limbaugh]

USAA is definately the way to go. Like Jetsnake said, their insurance is absolutely the best out there and their bank is pretty darn good too.

Before I was older and wiser, I used Bank of America. Since my pay is electronic transfer, my check went straight into the account. All of the sudden, I start bouncing checks. After a little investigating, I found that they decided to debit one of my paychecks instead of crediting it to the account. The result was a couple thousand dollars difference in the account. I called them and they said they needed to do an internal investigation which could take up to 20 business days. I had to take out a loan to cover what they stole until they got off their fat a$$es and figured out they screwed up (and by the way, they charged me interest for the loan). They credited the entire check and the bounced check charges but only THEIR charges. I had to pay the penalties from the businesses I wrote the checks too. I promptly closed the account and opened an account at USAA, where I have yet to pay an ATM fee and I get cash back for using their check card.

To make matters worse, it was a full 5 years later and Bank of America showed up on my credit report saying I owed them money. After another short investigation on my part, I found that they had decided to "undo" the credit they gave me for the bounced check charges and charged me $25 per check. It took over 8 months for them to waive the charges (again) and get their fraudulent, piece of sh!t bank removed from my credit report.

 

[hmflyer]

I have to weigh in with First Internet Bank of Indiana. Their customer service is excellent. They have a free bill paying service, they pay among the highest interest rates for checking accounts, and they rebate up to $6.00 per month for using ATMs. Furthermore they always rank among the highest whenever there is a comparison among banks. They also don't charge any fees when you use the ATM/debit card overseas.

However it is an internet bank and has limitiations, ie you can't go into a branch. But you call an 800 number and the representatives are always helpful.

Check out Gomez.com for a comparison of banks. First Internet's website is firstib.com

 

[Chunk]

BofA sucks....has never treated me well and has huge fees....

USAA is the best bank/insurance company on the planet! Friendly, great rates, refunds up to 10 ATM fees a month. I compared my auto/renter's plan with GEICO, Progressive, et al, and no one came lower than 20% greater than USAA's quote.

If you are prior service (or your parents are former *I think*) definately sign up!

Chunk

 

[rightrudder]

I know of several people who have had some pretty messed up experiences with Bank of America. I personally would not use them based on what i've seen happen to others.

Washington Mutual is a really good bank if you want free checking, and they do have locations in most of the U.S. If I am somewhere where there is no branch closeby, I go to a store, buy a pack of gum, and get cash back.

 

[Beechnut]

I had several problems with BoA a few years ago. I still have a credit card with them and that too has brought more headaches than it's worth. I look forward to soon ending my relationship with Bank of America.

S.

 

[mikecanfly]

usaa

Hey chunk,

You're right. My dad's retired Navy and all my insurance is through USAA, although I haven't looked into the banking yet.

I'm still finishing up college and dad still likes to do the paperwork himself (fine by me), so I don't know the exact details of how it works...I probably should find out one of these days.

Mike