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2025-12-01
Checking
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What Are the Benefits of a Perks Checking Account?
2017-04-24
- Perks checking accounts bundle everyday services and memberships into one low fee.
- Most people already pay at least $50 per month on similar services.
- Added benefits like shopping discounts and fuel rewards lower expenses further.
- Perks can protect your identity, monitor your credit, and save you money.
When selecting a checking account, most people gravitate toward what they know—basic accounts to deposit money, pay bills, and withdraw cash when needed. These traditional checking accounts provide fundamental financial services, but they often stop there.
Perks checking accounts go a step further as they help you save on services you may already be paying for.
What Is a Perks Checking Account?
Perks checking is a type of checking account that includes built-in benefits such as:
- Early direct deposits
- Cell phone protection
- Roadside assistance
- Identity theft monitoring
- Fuel rewards
- Discounts on shopping, dining, and travel
- Health savings on prescriptions and exams
- Travel accidental death insurance
- Buyers protection and extended warranty
A Texas Bay Credit Union’s Perks checking account, for example, includes these benefits for a monthly fee of just $6.
While you might hesitate to use a checking account with a monthly fee, the value of the benefits included can easily surpass $50 each month, delivering real savings directly to your wallet.
Cell Phone Protection
Cell phone insurance is something most people pay for each month, often without thinking twice about the cost. Major carriers and third-party protection plans typically charge between $10 and $18 per line per month. For a family with two or more lines, that cost quickly adds up.
Perks checking accounts are available with cell phone protection at no additional cost beyond the account’s base monthly fee. When you pay your cell phone bill through your perks checking account, your phone is covered for accidental damage or theft, up to a set limit.
This coverage could easily replace a paid insurance plan, helping you eliminate a recurring expense that averages $15 monthly per line.
Roadside Assistance
Roadside assistance memberships like AAA can cost anywhere from $50 to $100 per year. This covers services like towing, battery jumpstarts, flat tire changes, and lock-out assistance. While valuable, it’s another line item in your monthly budget.
If you’re already paying for this, look for a perks checking account that offers nationwide roadside assistance. You’ll keep your peace of mind on the road while saving up to $10 per month, depending on your current roadside plan.
Combined Monthly Savings
Together, cell phone insurance and roadside assistance can cost $50 or more each month. Texas Bay Perks checking provides both and more for $6 per month. That’s a potential monthly savings of at least $44 , or more than $500 per year—but the savings don’t stop there.
Additional Benefits That Add Value
Beyond the featured savings, perks checking accounts can include several other benefits designed to improve your financial life and provide peace of mind, including:
Fuel Rewards
If you live in the Greater Houston area, chances are you do a lot of driving. That’s why we recommend finding a perks checking account with fuel rewards, like Texas Bay Perks checking.
Making 15 eligible transactions per month with your TBCU Perks checking account earns you at least 10¢ per gallon for up to 20 gallons per fuel purchase. And as you continue to use your checking account to reach higher benchmarks beyond the 15 transactions per month, you can potentially earn more per gallon at the pump.
Buyers Protection and Extended Warranty
An extended warranty usually costs at least 10-30% of an item’s purchase price. If you spend $1,000 on a big-ticket item, it could cost hundreds more to protect it. If purchased with the right perks account, however, it can be replaced or reimbursed within 180 days of purchase in the event of an accident or theft—and it would be covered by your $6 monthly payment.
Identity Theft Monitoring and Resolution
Identity theft is a growing threat and resolving it can be both time-consuming and costly. Some identity protection services charge $10 or more per month. However, some perks checking accounts, such as ones offered by Texas Bay, include monitoring and resolution assistance.
Shopping and Dining Discounts
Perks checking accounts often come with access to exclusive deals and discounts at thousands of retailers, restaurants, and service providers. Whether you’re shopping online or dining out, these savings can add up quickly.
Travel and Entertainment Savings
Planning a trip or looking for a weekend activity? Perks account holders get discounts on hotels, rental cars, amusement parks, and more. These savings make your money go further without having to sign up for travel clubs or third-party programs.
Health Savings
Discounts on prescriptions, dental, and vision services are included in your account benefits. Although not a replacement for insurance, these discounts can reduce out-of-pocket health costs for individuals and families.
Why the Monthly Fee is Worth It
Compared to the real-world costs of included services, the monthly fees associated with perks checking accounts are nominal. In fact, the fee is a financial advantage. Take Texas Bay’s $6 Perks checking fee, for example.
Rather than spending $50 or more across multiple services, you can consolidate your financial benefits under one affordable account while earning additional savings on your daily purchases.
Designed with Your Financial Wellness in Mind
Texas Bay Credit Union is committed to the financial success of its members so our Texas Bay Perks checking accounts aren’t designed to generate profits through hidden fees.
They are designed to deliver value. Every feature, benefit, and service is carefully chosen to help members save money, stay protected, and enjoy everyday convenience.
The perks are not promotional offers. You can rely on them month after month, knowing that your checking account is working as hard as you do.
Additionally, minors (17 and under) and seniors (65 and over) enjoy the benefits of Perks checking with no monthly fee.
Who Should Consider a Texas Bay Credit Union Perks Checking Account?
A Texas Bay Perks checking account is a strong fit for:
- Budget-conscious consumers looking to save each month
- Individuals or families paying for cell phone insurance
- Drivers with paid roadside assistance plans
- Anyone paying for identity theft monitoring
- People who enjoy travel, shopping, and dining discounts
No matter what your spending habits are, these perks make your money go further. By consolidating services and eliminating redundant costs, your checking account becomes more than just a place to store money. It becomes a financial tool that actively supports your lifestyle.
Start Saving Smarter Every Month with a Texas Bay Perks Checking Account
For just $6 per month, you get access to a wide array of benefits that can save you over $50 monthly. From cell phone protection and roadside assistance to identity theft monitoring and lifestyle discounts, our checking accounts are designed to meet the modern consumer’s needs.
If you want a smarter, more valuable way to manage your finances, consider a checking account that gives back. With Texas Bay Credit Union, you’re not just banking—you’re building value every month.
Ready to save more each month? Explore the full list of benefits and open your Texas Bay Credit Union Perks checking account today.
Perks Checking FAQ
Do perks checking accounts affect my credit score?
No. Opening or using a checking account does not affect your credit score, meaning you can earn rewards on your purchases without the drawbacks of a credit card.
Do I have to be over 18 to open a perks checking account?
No. Members 17 years old or younger can open a Texas Bay Perks checking account with the fee waived, meaning they can save on fuel, dining, and shopping without paying the monthly $6.
Do perks checking benefits work nationwide?
Yes. All Texas Bay Perks including roadside assistance, fuel rewards, cell phone protection, savings on dining and shopping, and identity monitoring services generally apply across the U.S.
Can a perks checking account help me budget better?
It can, but indirectly. It can consolidate some of your recurring expenses into a single fee—$6 in the case of Texas Bay Perks checking—and simplify your overall monthly bills.
Does perks checking require a minimum balance?
Some do, but Texas Bay Perks checking does not. Texas Bay Premium Perks checking, on the other hand, does require a minimum balance in return for added benefits such as earning dividends and your monthly fee waived.
Can I earn dividends on a perks checking account?
Usually, you cannot. However, there are some specialized accounts like Texas Bay Premium Perks checking that offer this.