How I Earned Almost $1,300 in Cash Rewards on My Checking Account

For Financial Literacy Month, we're hearing from one of our own. Digital Marketing Manager Sharon Vallar breaks down how she earned nearly $1,300 last year through her Kasasa Cash checking account, which earns 5.25% APY on balances up to $25,000.

As the Digital Marketing Manager here at Andrews Federal, I spend my days building campaigns and talking about our financial products. But today, I'm sharing something personal.

Big banks dangle flashy bonuses, like a $1,500 reward, if you deposit $100,000. Not exactly realistic for most of us.

But last December, I had $1,284 in extra cash for holiday shopping. No side hustle. No extreme couponing. Just a simple move I made with money I already had.

The Strategy: Putting Idle Cash to Work

In December 2024, I had a $25,000 CD that was finally maturing at another bank. Usually, I'd just roll it over into another one, but I took a closer look at my own Kasasa Cash checking account that I've been using for a while.

Kasasa Cash offers 5.25% APY on balances up to $25,000. For context, that beats out almost every high-yield savings account and CD I could find at the time of this writing. So I started doing the math. If I could keep the full $25,000 in the account all year and meet the qualifications each month, the rewards would add up to almost $1,300 annually.

The Execution: A Seamless Transition

Since I was already an active Kasasa user, I already had the foundations in place:

• The Essentials: My direct deposit was already hitting the account, and I was already enrolled in Digital Banking and eStatements.
• The Move: I simply transferred the maturing $25,000 from my old bank directly into my Kasasa checking.
• The Mindset: I decided to treat that $25,000 as my "new CD." By keeping it untouched and letting my regular direct deposits cover my monthly bills, I ensured I was maxing out those 5.25% rewards every single month.

The Routine: Living My Life

To get those rewards, you just have to meet the monthly qualifications. Since I already used this as my primary account, I didn't have to change my habits at all:

1. 1 The 15-Purchase Rule: I use my debit card for everything. I have it added to my mobile wallet for quick taps at the grocery store, the gas station, and my morning coffee runs. Between those and a few DoorDash or Uber rides, I usually hit my 15 transactions by the middle of the month.
2. 2 The Tracking: I keep an eye on the Kasasa Dashboard in the Andrews Federal app just to make sure I'm green-lit for the month. To access the Kasasa Dashboard simply Log in to your online banking account > Account Services > Kasasa Rewards.

Why I'm Sharing This

I work here because I believe in our mission, and honestly, this is one of the smartest financial hacks available if you have a chunk of savings sitting in a low-interest account.

If you're interested in trying this, here is the quick "fine print" to keep in mind:

• Keep it Digital: Ensure you're enrolled in Digital Banking and eStatements.
• The Transaction Mix: ATM withdrawals and transfers don't count toward your 15. Stick to everyday purchases like gas and groceries.
• Stay Timely: Transactions must process by the end of the month to count.
• The Safety Net: Even if you miss a month, the account is still free and earns a base rate (0.05% APY*). You just pick back up with the high rewards the next month you qualify!