Navy Federal Credit Union is offering a $250 checking bonus when you open a checking account and complete qualifying deposits (no direct deposits required).
There are also a $300 sign-up bonus for their cashRewards credit card and a $250 bonus to refinance an auto loan of $5,000 or more from another lender with Navy Federal.
For more current bank offers, see our bank bonuses page. The most popular offers are from Chase Bank, SoFi, U.S. Bank, KeyBank, and Chime.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission at no cost to you if you decide to make a purchase through my links. Visit this page for more information. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.
Get $250 when you join Navy Federal online or in-branch, open a checking account, and complete qualifying direct deposit transactions.
Availability: Nationwide (but must be eligible for membership; see below on how to join)
Expiration: 07/31/2026
Household Limit: None
Direct Deposit Required: No
Soft/Hard Pull: Unknown
Early Account Termination Fee: None listed
Bonus Requirements:
- Open a new Navy Federal checking account online this link.
- Enter promo code AM250CHK during account registration.
- Make deposits totaling at least $500 and recurring for at least 3 out of 4 consecutive months by 11/30/2026.
Deposits can be from any of the following deposit methods, with 3 out of 4 consecutive months of the same deposit type:
- a recurring ACH from employer, military pay, or certain government agency pay or benefits in your name
- mobile deposits, ATM deposits, branch deposits, or payments from the FedNow® Payment network, the Real Time Payment network, or third-party services that facilitate payments to your debit card
- monthly non-payroll ACH or payroll allotment totaling at least $500
Bonus will be deposited to the new member’s Membership Share Savings Account by 2/26/2027.
Terms & Conditions:
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- $5 minimum balance is required to open and maintain Membership Share Savings Account and to obtain bonus.
- If you have not funded your new Membership Share Savings Account at the time the bonus is credited, we will hold the minimum $5 share required for your membership.
- Accounts opened by phone through Member Services are not eligible.
- Limit one (1) checking direct deposit bonus per member.
- New member must be the primary account owner of the checking account to qualify.
- Checking account must remain open and with a positive balance at the time of bonus crediting.
Avoiding Fees:
Navy Federal’s Free Everyday Checking account is open ot all members and there are no monthly service fees to worry about. This account is requirement-free, fee-free account.
There are other checking accounts like Free Active Duty Checking and Free Easy Checking, but they require direct deposits.
Another account called Flagship Checking pays interest, but it requires a minimum daily balance of $1,500 or more to avoid the $10 monthly service fee.
The interest is small though (0.35% APY on $1,500 to $9,999; 0.40% APY on $10,000 to $24,999; and 0.45% APY on $25,000+). You’re better off keeping the minimum needed to pay off your bills in your checking account and saving the rest in a high-yield savings account.
2. cashRewards Credit Card – $300 Sign-up Bonus
Earn up to $300 in bonuses when you open a cashRewards credit card.
Availability: Nationwide (but must be eligible for membership; see below on how to join)
Expiration: 07/31/2026
Soft/Hard Pull: Unknown
Bonus Requirements:
- Get $50 bonus when you join Navy Federal and open a cashRewards card using this special link.
- Get an additional $250 when you spend $2,500 within 90 days of account opening.
3. Auto Refinance Bonus – $250 Bonus
Earn a $250 bonus when you refinance your auto loan of $5,000 or more from another lender with Navy Federal Credit Union.
Availability: Nationwide (but must be eligible for membership; see below on how to join)
Expiration: 07/31/2026
Soft/Hard Pull: Hard
The Bottom Line
Navy Federal membership is open to members of the Coast Guard, all Department of Defense uniformed personnel, Reservists, Active Duty, retired, Veterans, Army and Air National Guard, DoD civilian employees, contractors, and their immediate family.
Many members join by stating that their relative is a veteran or service member. Navy Federal doesn’t verify this part. I’m not telling you whether you should select this option or not – merely sharing what I’ve heard from multiple sources.
Navy Federal is an extremely popular and positively-reviewed credit union, mainly stemming from their competitive products and outstanding customer service.
This is a great checking offer because it doesn’t require a direct deposit. I’ll add this to my list of the best bank bonuses.
