topic Re: Does anybody belong to Air Academy Credit Union? How Chex sensitive are they? in Personal Finance

Does anybody belong to Air Academy Credit Union? How Chex sensitive are they?

IcyCool7227 — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 09:46:09 GMT

I am planning on applying to Air Academy Credit Union in the next day or so. How Chex sensitive are they? I think on the phone earlier this year that their limit was no more than 3 Chexsystems inquiries in a year including the one they put on. But I'm not sure as last week they told me they don't give that info out (strange). I certainly don't want to apply and be denied as then If have to wait until almost the end of next January to reapply and then couldn't open some other accounts I have my eye on.

Re: Does anybody belong to Air Academy Credit Union? How Chex sensitive are they?

CaneVariant — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 16:36:46 GMT

They are sensitive. I went to a phone interview review. They did ask why I had opened over 5 accounts in the last year. Asked me to explain why I was eligible to be a member (home is CA) and why I wanted to join. Provided all info and was approved. So far they have been great.

Re: Does anybody belong to Air Academy Credit Union? How Chex sensitive are they?

ptatohed — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:07:06 GMT

What is special about this CU?

Re: Does anybody belong to Air Academy Credit Union? How Chex sensitive are they?

Vinjints — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:24:00 GMT

*Gasp* Does the potato not know?

Cash Back Rewards Checking

Get 10.00% cash back on every purchase up to $250 per month with no category restrictions! This means up to $25 back into your account each month.

Re: Does anybody belong to Air Academy Credit Union? How Chex sensitive are they?

ptatohed — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:51:49 GMT

@Vinjints wrote:
*Gasp* Does the potato not know?

Cash Back Rewards Checking
Get 10.00% cash back on every purchase up to $250 per month with no category restrictions! This means up to $25 back into your account each month.

Holy Cow!!!!!!!!!

Re: Does anybody belong to Air Academy Credit Union? How Chex sensitive are they?

FicoMike0 — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 18:59:46 GMT

10% gets my attention too!

Re: Does anybody belong to Air Academy Credit Union? How Chex sensitive are they?

ptatohed — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 19:13:47 GMT

What is a pre-authorized ACH?

Is their direct deposit easy to spoof (think USB) or are they strict and it needs to be an employer (think BMO)?

1 Qualifications: (a) Post and clear at least one direct deposit or pre-authorized ACH (b) post and clear twelve or more purchase transactions using your debit card and (c) enroll to receive your periodic statements electronically during the monthly periodic statement cycle.

Re: Does anybody belong to Air Academy Credit Union? How Chex sensitive are they?

ptatohed — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 00:25:55 GMT

I just realized Affinity has 10% as well.

10% CB up to $150 max spend/mo. 12 min transactions. $250 DD/ACH/mo.

Re: Does anybody belong to Air Academy Credit Union? How Chex sensitive are they?

ptatohed — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 01:34:57 GMT

@IcyCool7227 wrote:
I am planning on applying to Air Academy Credit Union in the next day or so. How Chex sensitive are they? I think on the phone earlier this year that their limit was no more than 3 Chexsystems inquiries in a year including the one they put on. But I'm not sure as last week they told me they don't give that info out (strange). I certainly don't want to apply and be denied as then If have to wait until almost the end of next January to reapply and then couldn't open some other accounts I have my eye on.

@IcyCool7227 , did you apply? Are there geographical or other requirements for membership? And, if so, a work around?

Re: Does anybody belong to Air Academy Credit Union? How Chex sensitive are they?

CaneVariant — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 02:54:53 GMT

It is any ACH transfe, 12 debit transactions and e-statements. Super easy. Geo-fenced but there are organizations and jobs that can get you in. They also have a bank bonus. Great little card. Way better than the Kroger or Custom Cash imo.

Re: Does anybody belong to Air Academy Credit Union? How Chex sensitive are they?

IcyCool7227 — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 09:11:52 GMT

@ptatohed wrote:
@IcyCool7227 wrote:
I am planning on applying to Air Academy Credit Union in the next day or so. How Chex sensitive are they? I think on the phone earlier this year that their limit was no more than 3 Chexsystems inquiries in a year including the one they put on. But I'm not sure as last week they told me they don't give that info out (strange). I certainly don't want to apply and be denied as then If have to wait until almost the end of next January to reapply and then couldn't open some other accounts I have my eye on.
@IcyCool7227 , did you apply? Are there geographical or other requirements for membership? And, if so, a work around?

I am going to apply Saturday after the oldest Chex inquiry falls off though it probably won't make much of a difference if their only looking at the first year. But I'm curious to see how many points my Chexsystems score will be boosted once that comes off.

Also, Eagle Community CU offers 10% up to $100 spend each month getting $10 monthly but is limited to Orange and Riverside counties only. Same number of debits too as the other 2.

If you aren't military or are out of state you would have to apply by a donation to the Air Force Athletic Association. They also have other select employee groups but most of those are based in CO.

https://www.eaglecu.org/rewards-free-checking

Re: Does anybody belong to Air Academy Credit Union? How Chex sensitive are they?

ptatohed — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 09:26:34 GMT

@IcyCool7227 wrote:
@ptatohed wrote:
@IcyCool7227 wrote:
I am planning on applying to Air Academy Credit Union in the next day or so. How Chex sensitive are they? I think on the phone earlier this year that their limit was no more than 3 Chexsystems inquiries in a year including the one they put on. But I'm not sure as last week they told me they don't give that info out (strange). I certainly don't want to apply and be denied as then If have to wait until almost the end of next January to reapply and then couldn't open some other accounts I have my eye on.
@IcyCool7227 , did you apply? Are there geographical or other requirements for membership? And, if so, a work around?
I am going to apply Saturday after the oldest Chex inquiry falls off though it probably won't make much of a difference if their only looking at the first year. But I'm curious to see how many points my Chexsystems score will be boosted once that comes off.

Also, Eagle Community CU offers 10% up to $100 spend each month getting $10 monthly but is limited to Orange and Riverside counties only. Same number of debits too as the other 2.

If you aren't military or are out of state you would have to apply by a donation to the Air Force Athletic Association. They also have other select employee groups but most of those are based in CO.

https://www.eaglecu.org/rewards-free-checking

I'm in Riverside!

Re: Does anybody belong to Air Academy Credit Union? How Chex sensitive are they?

IcyCool7227 — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 01:44:23 GMT

I started the process of applying over the phone with a woman last Saturday and sent her my driver's license. On Monday she ran my Chex into and called me back to say that the reviewers were asking what about my past 9 inquiries were all about. I said they were checking and savings accounts and that one was denied. (I actually realized later after the call after looks bf a the report again that 2 were denied - one not being able to attend a branch visit at account opening that was on the other side of the country and the other one with Blue FCU for having too many inquiries even though it was down to 3.) I was approved for Blue FCU nearly a year a later with no new inqs. I said I had been shopping around for a better savings rate and the repeat transactions were because of a new product offering.

I have not heard back from that woman either yesterday or today. So I have no update yet. I will post my Chex injuries below. I'm worried because then with their new inquiry I probably can't be eligible until after Jan. 26 next year.

Quick summary

Total current inquiries showing: 10 (includes AACU 10/20/2025) - they saw 9 of these.

Past 12 months (as of 10/22/2025): 3 — Affinity 11/18/24, Falcon 01/26/25, AACU 10/20/25.

Note: ONPATH (10/11/24) is just over 12 months, so it now falls into the 12–24 month bucket.

12–24 months: Blue FCU 4/24/24; Affinity FCU 5/02/24; St Marys Bank 5/02/24; OnPath 10/11/24.

>24 months: Primis Bank 3/31/23; Blue FCU 7/14/23; Educators CU 10/28/22 (due to come off shortly entirely).

Summary:

Total current inquiries: 10 including AACU's

Past 12 months: 3 (Affinity 11/18/24, Falcon 1/26/25, AACU 10/20/25)

12–24 months: 4 (Blue 4/24/24, Affinity 5/02/24, St. Mary’s 5/02/24, OnPath 10/11/24)

Older than 24 months: 3 (Educators, Primis, Blue 7/14/23)

I'm thinking if it's denied then wait and garden until after Jan 26 next year.

Re: Does anybody belong to Air Academy Credit Union? How Chex sensitive are they?

IcyCool7227 — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 23:40:05 GMT

Well after an extremely stressful week of waiting along with weight loss challenges and other stresses in life, patience is certainly a virtue here! Guess who's the newest member of Air Academy CU? I can't tell you how much I consulted Chat GPT about what to do and as a result my patience was rewarded! In all my banking relationships, I don't think I ever had one that took 6 days to get the green light to open!

The risk team understood my reasons for the multiple inquiries and the lady helping me was very polite and helpful - actually all of them were. I am only planning on opening one more bank account that is local (has an amazing savings interest rate) so I can apply in branch next month and then I'm done for awhile.

I get to DocuSign the account openings on Monday!

Re: Does anybody belong to Air Academy Credit Union? How Chex sensitive are they?

crystal626 — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 03:19:26 GMT

Wow. This place should be called Fee Fee Credit Union.

https://www.aacu.com/policies-and-disclosures/fees.html

Being charged $10 to replace your card because of rampant fraud and BIN attacks (I had my NFCU Platinum compromised back to back in less than a month because of BIN attacks so it definitely happens) is especially crazy but seriously, their fee schedule reads like they would charge you for the oxygen in their branch if they could...

The 10% on $250 in debit transactions each month is definitely appealing and the highest I've ever seen in terms of lower spend requirements to max out the $25 return though and if I was eligible, I might think about joining now that places around me are starting to charge for using a credit card. That's like half-ish of my monthly spend for an effective rate of 5% or so if I had to use my debit card for all my regular local spend.

Congrats on your approval. Crazy that it took that long lol.