Bask Bank is a relatively new player in the world of online banking. It’s a division of Texas Capital Bank, a bank with a long history of providing financial services to customers in the Lone Star State. But Bask Bank is different from its parent company in that it is focused entirely on rewards-based savings accounts.
Bask Bank offers customers the ability to earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles for every dollar they save in a Bask Savings Account. This is a unique approach to banking, and one that has generated a lot of buzz since Bask Bank launched in 2019.
But is Bask Bank worth your time and money? In this review, we’ll take a closer look at what Bask Bank has to offer and help you decide if it’s the right choice for your savings needs.
Bask Bank Basics
Bask Bank is an online-only bank, which means it doesn’t have any physical branches. This may be a drawback for some customers who prefer to do their banking in person, but it also means that Bask Bank can offer some competitive rates and rewards without the overhead costs of maintaining brick-and-mortar locations.
To open a Bask Savings Account, you’ll need to deposit at least $5,000. This is a high minimum deposit compared to some other online banks, but it’s also necessary to qualify for the American Airlines AAdvantage miles rewards program. You’ll earn one AAdvantage mile for every dollar you save in your Bask Savings Account, up to a maximum of 60,000 miles per year.
Bask Bank also offers a checking account option, called the Bask Checking Account. This account doesn’t offer any rewards, but it does come with a debit card and free access to more than 55,000 ATMs worldwide.
Bask Bank Fees
One of the benefits of using an online bank is that they often have lower fees than traditional banks. Bask Bank is no exception. Here are some of the fees you can expect to encounter with Bask Bank:
- Monthly maintenance fee: $0
- Overdraft fee: $0
- ATM fees: Bask Bank doesn’t charge any fees for using ATMs, but the ATM owner may charge a fee.
It’s worth noting that Bask Bank does charge some fees that you won’t find with other online banks. For example, if you close your account within 180 days of opening it, you’ll be charged a $25 fee. And if you want to wire money out of your account, you’ll be charged $20.
Bask Bank Savings Account Features
Here are some of the features you can expect with a Bask Savings Account:
- Competitive interest rates: Bask Bank offers a competitive interest rate on its savings accounts. As of the time of this writing, the rate is 0.65% APY, which is higher than what many traditional banks offer.
- FDIC-insured: Your deposits with Bask Bank are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor.
- AAdvantage miles rewards program: As mentioned earlier, Bask Bank offers American Airlines AAdvantage miles for every dollar you save in your Bask Savings Account. This can be a great way to earn miles if you’re a frequent flyer.
- No monthly maintenance fee: You won’t be charged a monthly maintenance fee to keep your Bask Savings Account open.
- Limited withdrawals: You’re allowed to make up to six withdrawals from your Bask Savings Account per month. If you go over this limit, you’ll be charged a $10 fee for each additional withdrawal.
Bask Bank Customer Service
Bask Bank doesn’t have any physical branches, but it does offer customer service through phone and email support. Customer service is available from Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm ET, and on Saturdays from 9am to 5pm ET. There’s also a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section on the Bask Bank website that can help answer some common questions.
Overall, Bask Bank’s customer service seems to be responsive and helpful, with many customers reporting positive experiences with the bank’s support team.
Pros and Cons of Bask Bank
Here are some of the pros and cons of using Bask Bank:
Pros:
- Earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles for every dollar you save in your Bask Savings Account.
- Competitive interest rates on savings accounts.
- No monthly maintenance fees.
- FDIC-insured deposits up to $250,000.
- Responsive and helpful customer service.
Cons:
- High minimum deposit of $5,000 to open a Bask Savings Account.
- Limited withdrawals (only six per month).
- Some fees that you won’t find with other online banks, such as a $25 account closing fee and a $20 wire transfer fee.
Is Bask Bank Right for You?
Whether or not Bask Bank is the right choice for your savings needs depends on your personal preferences and financial goals. If you’re a frequent flyer and want to earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles, Bask Bank could be a great option for you. The bank’s competitive interest rates and lack of monthly maintenance fees are also attractive features.
However, if you don’t have $5,000 to deposit, or if you need more flexibility in terms of withdrawals, Bask Bank may not be the best choice for you. It’s also worth considering the bank’s fees, which may be higher than what you’ll find with some other online banks.
Overall, Bask Bank is a solid choice for savers who are looking for a unique rewards program and competitive interest rates. The bank’s lack of physical branches may be a drawback for some, but if you’re comfortable doing your banking online, Bask Bank is definitely worth considering.
