Yes, you can convert your USAA savings account to a checking account
USAA lets you change a savings account into a checking account through their website, mobile app, or by calling their member service line. The conversion is not the same as closing one account and opening another — USAA keeps the same account number and routing number, so any automatic deposits or payments tied to that account will keep working without interruption.
The process takes a few minutes if you do it online, and there is no fee to convert. However, once you convert, the account follows checking rules instead of savings rules, which means the Federal Reserve's limits on transfers no longer apply, but you may lose any interest rate the savings account was earning.
Key Takeaways
- USAA converts your savings account to checking by changing the account type while keeping the account number and routing number the same.
- Automatic deposits and bill payments linked to the account will continue without any action on your part.
- You will stop earning the savings account interest rate once the conversion takes effect, usually within one business day.
- You can convert back to savings later if you change your mind, though USAA may require you to wait a certain period before switching again.
How to start the conversion online or through the app
Log into your USAA account on their website or open the mobile app. Go to the accounts section and select the savings account you want to convert. Look for an option labeled "Account Settings," "Manage Account," or "Account Details" — the exact wording varies depending on whether you are using the website or app.
From there, you should see an option to change the account type. Select "Checking" from the dropdown menu and confirm the change. USAA will show you a summary of what will happen: the account number stays the same, the routing number stays the same, and the conversion takes effect within one business day. Confirm again, and the request is submitted.
If you cannot find the option in your account settings, call USAA member service at the number on the back of your card. A representative can convert the account over the phone in about five minutes and will confirm the new account type before hanging up.
What happens to your automatic deposits and payments
Nothing changes for direct deposits, automatic bill payments, or transfers you have already set up. Because USAA keeps the account number and routing number the same, your employer, creditors, and any other organizations sending money to or pulling money from that account will not notice any difference.
You do not need to update your employer's payroll system, your mortgage lender, your insurance company, or anyone else. The conversion is invisible to them. If you had set up a transfer from another bank to this USAA account, that transfer will continue to work as well.
Interest and fees after conversion
The savings account interest rate stops applying once the conversion is complete. If your USAA savings account was earning interest, you will no longer earn that rate on the balance once the account becomes checking. The interest you earned up to the conversion date will be paid out normally, but no new interest accrues after that.
USAA checking accounts do not charge a monthly maintenance fee, and there is no fee to convert. However, checking accounts do not have the Federal Reserve's transfer limits that savings accounts do, so you can make as many withdrawals and transfers as you want each month without hitting a regulatory cap.
Converting back to savings later
You can convert the checking account back to savings through the same online or app process. Go to account settings, select the account type option, and choose "Savings." The conversion back takes about one business day, just like the original conversion.
USAA does not publicly state a waiting period between conversions, but some banks do require you to wait 30 days before switching an account type again. If you want to convert back and forth frequently, call member service first to ask whether there are any restrictions on how often you can change the account type.
When conversion makes sense
Convert to checking if you need unlimited monthly transactions, want a debit card for the account, or plan to use the account for regular spending rather than saving. Checking accounts are designed for frequent deposits and withdrawals, so the lack of transfer limits matters if you move money in and out often.
Keep the account as savings if you are trying to set aside money and want the interest rate to keep working. Some people open a separate checking account for spending and leave their savings account alone, rather than converting. That approach lets you earn interest on the savings balance while having a checking account for daily use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my debit card still work if I convert to checking?
If the savings account already has a debit card, it will continue to work after conversion. If it does not have a debit card, you can request one after the conversion is complete. USAA checking accounts come with debit card access, but savings accounts typically do not.
What if I have pending transactions when I convert?
Pending transactions will process normally after the conversion. The account type change does not affect transactions that are already in progress. Once the conversion is complete, new transactions will follow checking account rules instead of savings rules.
Can I convert just part of the balance to checking?
No, the conversion changes the entire account type. If you want to split the money between checking and savings, you would need to open a separate checking account and transfer the amount you want to keep in savings to that new account, then convert the original account.
How long does the conversion take?
The conversion usually takes one business day to complete. If you submit the request on a weekday before the cutoff time, it will be done by the next business day. Requests submitted on weekends or holidays will process on the next business day.
Do I need to update my online bill pay setup?
No, your bill pay setup will continue to work without any changes. Because the account number and routing number stay the same, USAA's bill pay system will not need any updates from you.