Alliant's $100 Savings Bonus: A Simple, Year-Long Savings Challenge

Looking for a little extra motivation to build your savings? Alliant Credit Union, in partnership with Suze Orman, has a promotion that pays you $100 just for sticking to a simple savings plan for a year. It's not a get-rich-quick scheme, but it's a solid, straightforward way to earn a bonus while developing a good financial habit. Let's break down whether this 'Ultimate Opportunity' is right for you.

How This Savings Challenge Works

The mechanics are refreshingly simple. You open a new High-Rate Savings account, often called the Ultimate Opportunity Savings Account for this promo. Once it's open, you need to move at least $100 into it every single month for a full year. That's it.

The deposits can be transfers from another bank, mobile check deposits, or even a direct deposit split from your paycheck—whatever works for you. The key is consistency: you can't skip a month. At the end of those twelve months, if your account balance is at least $1,200 and you've kept an average daily balance of $100, Alliant drops a $100 bonus right into your account. Think of it as an 8.33% return on your disciplined saving, on top of any interest the account earns.

The Fine Print You Really Need to Read

This offer has some very specific gates, so pay close attention to avoid disappointment.

First and foremost, this is exclusively for brand new Alliant Credit Union members. If you've ever had an Alliant savings account, or if you're a joint owner on someone else's, you won't qualify. They even exclude people who closed an Alliant savings account in the last six months.

Timing is also critical. Your first $100 deposit must hit the account within 30 days of opening it. After that, each subsequent monthly deposit must be completed before the final day of that calendar month. Mark your calendar or set up a recurring transfer—missing that monthly cutoff could void the bonus.

Finally, the account must stay open and in good standing the entire time. If you close it early, you lose the bonus.

• You must apply online through the official offer page.
• The offer is not valid for retirement accounts (IRAs), trust accounts (UTMAs), or other tax-advantaged accounts.
• Alliant employees, board members, and their immediate families cannot participate.
• You'll receive a 1099 for the $100 and are responsible for any taxes.

Is This a Good Deal For You?

For the right person, absolutely. If you're already looking for a new savings account and know you can reliably set aside $100 a month, this is essentially free money for doing what you planned to do anyway. The lack of a direct deposit requirement is a huge plus, making it accessible to more people.

However, it's a long-term commitment. Your money is essentially locked into this account for a year if you want the bonus. If you might need to tap into those savings for an emergency, you could jeopardize the reward. Also, while Alliant often has competitive savings rates, always check the current APY to ensure it aligns with your goals beyond just the bonus.

A major practical note: there are reports that this promotion might technically be intended for employees of certain partner organizations, though the public offer page doesn't heavily emphasize this. The official terms state it's for new members, and the application path is open. Just be aware that your eligibility as a 'new member' could be subject to their final review during the application process.

Steps to Get Your $100

Ready to take the challenge? Here's your action plan.

• Check your eligibility: Confirm you are not a current or recent Alliant savings account holder.
• Apply through the official offer page before June 30, 2026.
• Fund your account: Deposit your first $100 within 30 days of approval.
• Set a monthly reminder: Arrange for a $100 transfer to occur before the last day of each month for the next 11 months. Automate this if possible!
• Don't touch the core balance: Try to leave the accumulated savings untouched to ensure you hit the $1,200 target.
• Wait for the bonus: After your 12th successful deposit, Alliant will review your account and deposit the $100 within about four weeks.

Bottom Line

• This is a patience-and-discipline bonus, not a quick cash grab. It rewards consistent saving over a full year.
• Perfect for someone opening their first Alliant account who wants a structured savings goal.
• Crucially, you cannot have any existing relationship with an Alliant savings product to qualify.
• Automate your monthly $100 transfer immediately after opening the account to avoid missing a deadline.

Common Questions