Update on 4/28/26: $150 back through Kudos. Hats off to him YoMomsMeta
Reduced to $100/10,000.
Reduced to $150/15,000
Update 2/19/26: It rose again to $200.
Update 1/28/26: Reduced back to $100. Will repost once up to $200.
Update 1/21/26: Rakuten $200 is returned. This time it requires an initial deposit of $500 and a subsequent direct deposit of $500.
Update on 12/27/25: Rakuten $200 is returned. This time it requires an initial deposit of $500 and a subsequent direct deposit of $500.
Update 8/20/25: Available again
Update 12/27/24: Available again.
Update 12/12/24: Available again.
Update 11/3/24: Raised on Rakuten from $100 to $150 now (ht reader Hit). Update: Readers note that the fine print still shows the November 2nd expiration; apparently it just hasn’t been updated yet.
Offer at a glance
- Maximum bonus amount: $150/15,000 points
- Availability: On a national scale
- Direct deposit required: Yes, $500 ($75 Swagbucks offer does not require direct deposit)
- Additional requirements: ANY
- Hard/soft pull: Soft
- ChexSystems: Yes, some reports of chex systems sensitivity in the comments, but many approved as well
- Credit card financing: ANY
- Monthly fees: None with eStatements
- Early account closure fee: $10, 90 days
- Family boundary: ANY
- Expiration date: November 2, 2024
Offers
100 dollars Rakuten offer of $150 | $75 Swagbucks Offer
- Rakuten is offering a $100 bonus (or 10,000 Rakuten Points) if you click through Rakuten and open a new Checking Union Credit Alliant account. Must complete a Direct Deposit of $500+ into the new Alliant Checking account within 30 days of clicking the Rakuten link.
- Swagbucks has a similar $75 offer with no requirements and no direct deposit requirements other than completing the signup.
Fine Press
- Cash Back is provided by Rakuten, not Alliant Credit Union (“Alliant”).
- Cash Back is only available to new Alliant members (one Cash Back offer per account) who click on the Rakuten link and apply for and open a new Checking Union Credit Alliant account and complete a Direct Deposit of $500+ into the new Alliant Checking account within 30 days of clicking the Rakuten link.
- Existing Alliant Credit Union members, customers who are joint owners of an existing Alliant Credit Union account, and former Alliant Credit Union members or co-owners who closed an Alliant Credit Union membership within 180 days of establishing a new membership are not eligible. Only one $100 cash back offer for a new Alliant member.
- Alliant checking accounts will be reviewed on or about December 3, 2024 to determine eligibility. If the requirements are met, Cash Back will be automatically added to your Rakuten account within 45 days.
- Direct Deposits are defined as income from an employer or government agency. The following do not constitute Direct Deposit activity: check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH fund transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-tax refundable in nature (e.g., I).
- The Alliant Checking Account is offered through Alliant Credit Union. All account applications are subject to approval by Alliant Credit Union. Alliant reserves the right to modify the terms or suspend this promotion at any time and without prior notice.
- This promotion begins on October 26, 2024 and ends on November 2, 2024 (“Promotion Period”). This promotional offer is not transferable. Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application and a legal resident or US person (including a US resident alien) to qualify. This promotion is subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations and is governed by Illinois law. Provided by NCUA
- Cash Back will be automatically added to your Rakuten account within a few weeks.
Avoidance of fees
Monthly fees
This account has no monthly fees as long as you opt for eStatements.
Early account termination fee
There is a $10 fee if you close within 90 days.
Our verdict
Once we saw $100 bonus on an Alliant checking account (and once a limited offer of $200), although bonuses are not common in the current account. We’ve never seen a direct deposit request with Alliant before, so we don’t know yet what will count as direct deposit.
Most people probably won’t find it worthwhile to deal with a real direct deposit for $100, and so we may not add this to Our Best Bonus Site. The Swagbucks offer is lower at $75, but easier without the direct deposit requirement.
Similar, we have seen a (live) Offer over $100 in Alliant savings account and a (now expired) $200 Alliant CD offer via Rakuten.
Hats off to him Worldly_Guest3198
