Ascend Checking

Enjoy checking simplified with checkless banking that helps you stay in control of your finances.

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Earn $25

Depositing your paycheck directly into your checking account can earn you $25.

See offer details.

This is a good choice if you don’t write checks and want to avoid the possibility of overdraft fees. Manage your finances easily with a debit card and convenient online services. Features include:

Ascend Checking Features

  • No monthly service fees with direct deposit of $250 or more each month*
  • Paperless – no paper checks
  • Stay in control – no overdraft protection
  • Mobile deposit access
  • Explore what our Financial Wellness Program can do for you.

*See our Rate & Fee Schedule for more information.

Think about an Emergency Savings Fund account

Tools & Resources

We also provide additional tools and resources to help you manage your finances and learn as you go.

Learn more

Access our calculators

Ascend Checking Features

  • No monthly service fees with direct deposit of $250 or more each month*
  • Paperless – no paper checks
  • Stay in control – no overdraft protection
  • Mobile deposit access
  • Explore what our Financial Wellness Program can do for you.

*See our Rate & Fee Schedule for more information.

Tools & Resources

We also provide additional tools and resources to help you manage your finances and learn as you go.

Checking Account Features

  • Mobile & Online banking
    • Mobile check deposit
    • Mobile wallet payment options
    • Free bill pay
  • Online Card Management
    • Set up travel notifications
    • Temporarily turn cards on and off when misplaced
    • Report a card lost or stolen
    • Request a credit limit increase
  • Visa® debit card with contactless and chip-enabled technology
Checking Comparison



Monthly Service Fees
$0 with direct deposit of $250 or more‡
$0 with $750 minimum daily balance‡
$0
$0
Dividend Bearing
No
.25% APY‡
.05% APY or .40% APY‡
No
Overdraft Protection
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Unique Product Benefits
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Foreign Transaction Fee (purchases only)
1%
No§
No§ (with qualifications)
1%

APY = Annual Percentage Yield

‡ Qualifications required. See our Rate & Fee Schedule for more information.

§ Receive a monthly foreign transaction fee rebate when you use your debit card for international purchases. 

Checking Comparison

APY = Annual Percentage Yield

‡ Qualifications required. See our Rate & Fee Schedule for more information.

§ Receive a monthly foreign transaction fee rebate when you use your debit card for international purchases. 

ADVICE, TIPS & NEWS

How to Sign up for Online Statements 

Whether you’re accessing your American Airlines Federal Credit Union accounts on the go with your laptop, smartphone, tablet or desktop computer, our digital banking experience provides you with quick and convenient services.

Learn how to sign up for online statements

Determining if you are ready for retirement

Very often, life doesn’t play out like we planned it. Your master plan may have been to be totally debt free, retire at age 62 and use some of your savings to travel the world. But let’s face it, life can throw us some curve balls and 2020 threw one at the entire world.

Maybe you’re 55 years old, still have a mortgage, a child in college and haven’t reached your retirement savings target. If the opportunity to take early retirement arises, you might not be sure if the timing is right. So what are your best steps forward?

Read about the best steps to prepare

Visit Our Blog

“When buying a new car recently, the branch manager told me of the various ways to shop for the best deal. I got pre-approved, found the perfect dream car and it was delivered to my local branch in three days flat. All paperwork was ready, and it was the easiest transaction of my life.”

Michael, member since 1980

Read More Member Stories

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† Visa's Zero Liability Policy covers U.S.-issued cards and does not apply to ATM transactions, PIN transactions not processed by Visa, or certain commercial card transactions. Cardholder must notify issuer promptly of any unauthorized use on their card. Consult issuer for additional details or visit Visa.com/security.

Visa is a registered trademark of Visa International Service Association.