Does USAA have any loopholes?

[ShawnPY1972]

I really want to join USAA.

 

I have family that served in the military but they are all deceased.  My grandfather was WW2.  My brother was Navy during Vietnam.  My step father was Army.  I have an uncle who was Navy.  I have two other brothers who were Navy.  None of them had accounts with USAA 

 

Any ideas how I could join?

[MarvBear]

It's great that you're interested in joining USAA! While having family members who served in the military doesn't automatically qualify you for membership, it could potentially lead to eligibility in a few ways:

Direct lineage:

• Children of active-duty or veterans: If your father (biological or adoptive) served in the military with an honorable discharge, you may be eligible to join USAA. This applies regardless of whether your father had a USAA account himself.
• Grandchildren of veterans: Eligibility can extend to grandchildren of veterans with an honorable discharge, but only if the grandparent's child (your parent) also served with an honorable discharge.

Other potential avenues:

• Stepchildren: If your stepfather served with an honorable discharge and was married to your biological or adoptive parent while on active duty or as a retiree, you may be eligible.
• Sibling relationships: If you have a sibling (full, half, or step) who is currently serving or is a veteran with an honorable discharge, you may be eligible.

Here are some steps you can take to explore your eligibility:

• Contact USAA directly: Call their membership hotline at 800-531-8722 and explain your situation. They can verify your family members' service records and determine your eligibility.
• Use the online eligibility tool: USAA has a quick eligibility checker on their website: https://www.usaa.com/membership/about/. Just answer a few questions about your family members' service.
• Gather documentation: Having documentation such as military discharge papers, marriage certificates, and birth certificates can help verify your family ties and expedite the process.

Additional things to keep in mind:

• It's important to note that eligibility requirements can be complex and subject to change. USAA may ask for additional information or documentation to verify your family's service.
• Even if you're not currently eligible, things could change in the future. If other family members join the military or become USAA members, it could open up new pathways for you.

[ShawnPY1972]

16 minutes ago, MarvBear said:

It's great that you're interested in joining USAA! While having family members who served in the military doesn't automatically qualify you for membership, it could potentially lead to eligibility in a few ways:

Direct lineage:

• Children of active-duty or veterans: If your father (biological or adoptive) served in the military with an honorable discharge, you may be eligible to join USAA. This applies regardless of whether your father had a USAA account himself.
• Grandchildren of veterans: Eligibility can extend to grandchildren of veterans with an honorable discharge, but only if the grandparent's child (your parent) also served with an honorable discharge.

Other potential avenues:

• Stepchildren: If your stepfather served with an honorable discharge and was married to your biological or adoptive parent while on active duty or as a retiree, you may be eligible.
• Sibling relationships: If you have a sibling (full, half, or step) who is currently serving or is a veteran with an honorable discharge, you may be eligible.

Here are some steps you can take to explore your eligibility:

• Contact USAA directly: Call their membership hotline at 800-531-8722 and explain your situation. They can verify your family members' service records and determine your eligibility.
• Use the online eligibility tool: USAA has a quick eligibility checker on their website: https://www.usaa.com/membership/about/. Just answer a few questions about your family members' service.
• Gather documentation: Having documentation such as military discharge papers, marriage certificates, and birth certificates can help verify your family ties and expedite the process.

Additional things to keep in mind:

• It's important to note that eligibility requirements can be complex and subject to change. USAA may ask for additional information or documentation to verify your family's service.
• Even if you're not currently eligible, things could change in the future. If other family members join the military or become USAA members, it could open up new pathways for you.

I was under the understanding that siblings didn't qualify.  I'm going to give them a call if I have time this weekend.  Thank you for the information.

[shifter]

Forget USAA and go for NFCU. USAA is like a lousy CU without the benefits. 

[hdporter]

There's a clear impression conveyed that USAA auto insurance products are very desirable.  Unfortunately, they restrict eligibility only to immediate family members of a current USAA member.

[Burgerwars]

It's hard for me to believe it's been 10 years already, but for a period of time before August 2013, anyone could open a USAA bank account and credit card (assuming they qualify). On a whim, I joined in June 2013. My timing was perfect, because shortly afterwards they changed things. I do have a savings, checking and credit card with them. There's nothing special about these accounts, but I'll keep them. If I close them all I won't be able to re-join. I'm not eligible for their insurance products, but that's OK.

 

There's always the possibility they'll open membership again in the future, but we've gone 10 years under their current rules for joining, so I'm not hopeful.  

[Flyingifr]

I am USAA and have never in my life found any of their "benefits" to benefit me by being of lower cost than what I would have paid by buying the product or service directly from their "preferred" vendor. Apparently USAA upcharges everything with their name on it Their Amex card has a prominent back row place my sock drawer.

[marqedsade]

Just checked.  I am a "member" but they restrict all banking products to those who have lineage.  Being a member does not qualify unless you have full membership.

[greendeh]

On 12/15/2023 at 3:48 PM, MarvBear said:

It's great that you're interested in joining USAA! While having family members who served in the military doesn't automatically qualify you for membership, it could potentially lead to eligibility in a few ways:

Direct lineage:

• Children of active-duty or veterans: If your father (biological or adoptive) served in the military with an honorable discharge, you may be eligible to join USAA. This applies regardless of whether your father had a USAA account himself.

 

I am not sure where this came from.

 

Everything that came up in my search was the opposite. Perhaps I am missing or misunderstanding something.

"For children to be eligible, the parent must join USAA while living."

 

and

 

"Note: For a child to be eligible, the parent must join USAA while they're living. Once the parent's USAA membership is established, membership eligibility can be passed on to the member's children. USAA membership cannot be established posthumously for deceased parents."

 

[hegemony]

ho hum credit cards and second class citizenship. I closed my card years ago and never looked back.

[ShawnPY1972]

On 12/15/2023 at 12:48 PM, MarvBear said:

It's great that you're interested in joining USAA! While having family members who served in the military doesn't automatically qualify you for membership, it could potentially lead to eligibility in a few ways:

Direct lineage:

• Children of active-duty or veterans: If your father (biological or adoptive) served in the military with an honorable discharge, you may be eligible to join USAA. This applies regardless of whether your father had a USAA account himself.
• Grandchildren of veterans: Eligibility can extend to grandchildren of veterans with an honorable discharge, but only if the grandparent's child (your parent) also served with an honorable discharge.

Other potential avenues:

• Stepchildren: If your stepfather served with an honorable discharge and was married to your biological or adoptive parent while on active duty or as a retiree, you may be eligible.
• Sibling relationships: If you have a sibling (full, half, or step) who is currently serving or is a veteran with an honorable discharge, you may be eligible.

Here are some steps you can take to explore your eligibility:

• Contact USAA directly: Call their membership hotline at 800-531-8722 and explain your situation. They can verify your family members' service records and determine your eligibility.
• Use the online eligibility tool: USAA has a quick eligibility checker on their website: https://www.usaa.com/membership/about/. Just answer a few questions about your family members' service.
• Gather documentation: Having documentation such as military discharge papers, marriage certificates, and birth certificates can help verify your family ties and expedite the process.

Additional things to keep in mind:

• It's important to note that eligibility requirements can be complex and subject to change. USAA may ask for additional information or documentation to verify your family's service.
• Even if you're not currently eligible, things could change in the future. If other family members join the military or become USAA members, it could open up new pathways for you.

 

I contacted USAA finally and I was told that I am not eligible.  The only way was for my grand father to have sponsored my father before he died.  My brother cannot sponsor me because siblings are not eligible.  I am very disappointed in this news.  They even gave it to me in writing.

[MP80]

5 hours ago, ShawnPY1972 said:

My brother cannot sponsor me because siblings are not eligible.  I am very disappointed in this news. 

USAA has become a pariah in recent years. @PotO, a long-time CB member and a military senior officer, quit doing business with USAA citing continued incompetence and harassment with requests for irrelevant documents.

 

Many members have recently closed their USAA accounts and memberships, saying the financial institution is no longer the USAA it once was, offering low rates, quality insurance, and always caring about military families.

 

Navy Federal has great products that no one can refute, Platinum card rates around 11% to 12%, SSL loan hacks, and many other great products to suit your needs.

 

You don't need USAA now or ever; they are not as good as they used to be.

Edited June 22 by MP80
ETA

[Flyingifr]

On 12/15/2023 at 3:19 PM, ShawnPY1972 said:

I really want to join USAA.

 

I have family that served in the military but they are all deceased.  My grandfather was WW2.  My brother was Navy during Vietnam.  My step father was Army.  I have an uncle who was Navy.  I have two other brothers who were Navy.  None of them had accounts with USAA 

 

Any ideas how I could join?

Tell them about your deceased relatives. My wife and I both got USAA cards and neither of us served, but my father and his two brothers served and her father served - all 4 of them in WW2 and all deceased when we got the cards, and NONE of them had any USAA products that we knew of.

 

BTW, I have found that there is absolutely NOTHING to be gained with a USAA card - not benefits worthwhile, no points you can use, and whenever I price any other USAA products, like Insurance, they were typically priced at the high end of the spectrum. YMMV. Needless to say, our USAA cards are used once a year to fill up the gas tanks on our cars. Other than that they hold a place of honor in our sock drawers.

Edited June 22 by Flyingifr

[Burgerwars]

8 hours ago, ShawnPY1972 said:

 

I contacted USAA finally and I was told that I am not eligible.  The only way was for my grand father to have sponsored my father before he died.  My brother cannot sponsor me because siblings are not eligible.  I am very disappointed in this news.  They even gave it to me in writing.

 

There's plenty of other financial institutions out there. I wouldn't say it's a great loss. I have a small checking, savings and credit card from when they had open membership over a decade ago. Nothing different from other banks. Read this article. Many customers have lost money to fraud with USAA dragging their feet about it.

 

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/just-nightmare-more-more-usaa-102500500.html

 

 

[MP80]

14 hours ago, Burgerwars said:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/just-nightmare-more-more-usaa-102500500.html

I think there are different levels of management corruption within USAA, and some employees are colluding with their accomplices to defraud members of their money. The problem of unfair treatment of customers within USAA is similar to the negative impact of the previous Wells Fargo scandal.

 

"Murrah contacted USAA and convinced the institution to conduct an investigation — but USAA allegedly told him there was no evidence of fraud, despite a $14,174 loss across two of his accounts, including his emergency savings. Then, the bank unexpectedly closed his account."

 

USAA like every financial institution only afraid of a lawsuit to litigate the allegations and upon public pillory pressure they're not as behemoth as Wells' asset which is 10 times bigger than USAA, they probably fold to a settlement when it comes to a creative lawsuit.

Edited June 23 by MP80
ETA

[Krish]

We have 4 memberships acquired 15 years ago with a merger. We were always treated as redheaded step child and we closed them almost 7 years ago.

 

NFCU or Alliant are far better than what USAA does to non-military folks. Lately the military folks are moving away from USAA for auto insurance as their rates have sky rocketed.

[Pam]

My only issue with NFCU vs USAA on regular, every day banking products is the fees.  NFCU is ridiculous with the ATM fees, particularly.

 

Yes, I know, I know, cash is terrible.  But hubs likes to have some cash on hand, so he uses it.  I frequently get stabby that he ends up paying out like $20-$40/mo to get access to cash. 

[ShawnPY1972]

On 6/22/2024 at 5:54 AM, Burgerwars said:

 

There's plenty of other financial institutions out there. I wouldn't say it's a great loss. I have a small checking, savings and credit card from when they had open membership over a decade ago. Nothing different from other banks. Read this article. Many customers have lost money to fraud with USAA dragging their feet about it.

 

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/just-nightmare-more-more-usaa-102500500.html

 

 

 

I wanted USAA because they give higher limits than the average financial institution.  Oh well.  I'll move on.  I've got really good credit.  I'm just waiting for inquiries to age at this point.

[hegemony]

48 minutes ago, ShawnPY1972 said:

 

I wanted USAA because they give higher limits than the average financial institution.  Oh well.  I'll move on.  I've got really good credit.  I'm just waiting for inquiries to age at this point.

higher limits? maybe. but not compared to BOA, Chase, Amex, UNFCU, NASA, PENFED, etc etc etc

[hdporter]

3 hours ago, ShawnPY1972 said:

 

I wanted USAA because they give higher limits than the average financial institution.  Oh well.  I'll move on.  I've got really good credit.  I'm just waiting for inquiries to age at this point.

 

Active use will typically garner higher limits, and card utility best drives activity.  So the best way to secure high limits is to pursue credit cards that have benefits that will prompt your active use of them.

[MP80]

18 hours ago, ShawnPY1972 said:

I wanted USAA because they give higher limits than the average financial institution.

Many people disagree with your assertion that USAA offers a high credit limit.

 

It's fallacious to believe that USAA will offer high credit limits to most initial applicants. Over the years I have seen people get $5K to $7.5K, except those with FICO scores over 800 who were issued credit limits over $10K.

 

For those showing USAA credit limits, those $25K, $30K, and $35K or more that you see were generated by increasing credit limits over time by calling in or requesting credit limit increases online over the years.

[Momof5]

I still bank with USAA, but I fired them for auto insurance last year after they doubled our rates 2 yrs in a row with no accidents, claims, or tickets.  USAA's CEO is no longer a veteran, so the dipwad runs it like a civilian institution. This is why you now see USAA sponsored ATMs and advertisements.  Previously, USAA kept rates low by NOT advertising or having ATMs.  They dumped Florida for homeowners/renters insurance years ago and now they are charging obscene auto rates in FL.  They simply no longer want our business. 😡