Hey there! Need to send money to another USAA member? You've come to the right place. It's surprisingly straightforward once you know the steps. Let's get that money where it needs to go!
USAA offers a few convenient ways to send money to another member, primarily through Zelle® for quick, everyday transfers, and internal transfers directly between USAA accounts. We'll explore both in detail, so you can choose the method that best suits your needs.
Method 1: Sending Money with Zelle® (Recommended for Most Transfers)
Zelle® is a fast, free, and easy way to send money to friends, family, and others you trust directly from your USAA mobile app. If the recipient is also enrolled with Zelle® through their bank, the money usually arrives in minutes.
Step 1: Get Ready to Send! (And Engage!)
Are you ready to make a quick and secure transfer? Great! Before we dive in, make sure you have the USAA Mobile App installed on your smartphone and are logged in. This is crucial for using Zelle®. If you don't have it, now's the perfect time to download it from your app store!
Step 2: Accessing Zelle® in the USAA Mobile App
Once you're logged into the USAA Mobile App, navigate to the Zelle® section.
- On iOS (Apple devices): Look for "Zelle®" directly on the main menu or dashboard.
- On Android devices: You might find "Zelle®" on the main menu or within a "Transfers" or "Move Money" section.
Step 3: Initiating a New Send Request
Within the Zelle® interface, you'll see options to send or request money.
- Select the "Send" option. This will typically lead you to a screen where you can choose a recipient or add a new one.
Step 4: Adding Your Recipient's Information
You'll need to provide the recipient's information. Zelle® works with either their U.S. mobile number or their email address.
- Option 1: Select From Contacts: If the person you're sending money to is in your phone's contacts, you can often select them directly from your contacts list within the Zelle® interface. This helps prevent typos!
- Option 2: Add New Recipient Manually: If they aren't in your contacts or you prefer to enter it, select "+ Add New Recipient" or a similar option.
- Carefully enter their U.S. mobile number or email address. Double-check this! Money sent via Zelle® to an enrolled user is typically instant and cannot be canceled.
- Choose the appropriate recipient type, "Personal" or "Business," if prompted.
Step 5: Entering the Amount and Reviewing Details
Now, input the amount of money you wish to send.
- After entering the amount, select the USAA account you want to send the money from.
- Review all the details carefully: Recipient's name (if displayed), their mobile number/email, the amount, and the sending account. Ensure everything is accurate.
Step 6: Confirming and Sending!
Once you've verified all the information, you'll typically confirm the payment.
- Tap "Send" or "Confirm Sending."
- USAA may require additional authentication, such as a security code sent to your phone, to complete the transfer.
Important Notes for Zelle®:
- Availability: Zelle® is generally available to USAA members who are at least 18 years old, have an active USAA Federal Savings Bank checking or savings account open for at least 10 days, and have the USAA Mobile App installed for at least 30 days with Quick Logon usage.
- Limits: Zelle® has daily and monthly limits, which can vary. As of the latest information, typical limits are 3 payments or $1,000 per 24 hours, 21 payments or $2,500 per 7 days, and 90 payments or $10,000 per 30 days. These limits are subject to change by USAA.
- No Protection Program: Neither USAA nor Zelle® offers a protection program for authorized payments made with Zelle®. Only send money to people you know and trust.
Method 2: Internal Transfer to Another USAA Member's Account
If you have the recipient's USAA account details, you can initiate a direct internal transfer. This is particularly useful for larger amounts or if the recipient isn't enrolled in Zelle®.
Step 1: Log In and Navigate to Transfers
Similar to Zelle®, start by logging into your USAA account, either through the USAA Mobile App or the USAA.com website.
- Look for a "Transfer" or "Move Money" option.
Step 2: Selecting the Transfer Type
You'll need to indicate that you're transferring funds between USAA accounts.
- There might be an option like "Transfer between my accounts" or "Transfer to another USAA member." Look for the option that allows you to add an external USAA account.
Step 3: Adding the Recipient's USAA Account Information
This is where you'll need specific details from the other USAA member.
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You'll typically need:
- Account Type: (e.g., Checking, Savings)
- Account Number: The full account number of the recipient's USAA account.
- Account Holder Name: The full name of the recipient as it appears on their USAA account.
- USAA Routing Number: The standard USAA routing number (314074269).
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Carefully input this information. Any incorrect detail could cause delays or the transfer to fail.
Step 4: Specifying Transfer Details
Enter the amount you wish to transfer and select the USAA account you're sending the money from.
- You can often choose between a one-time transfer or setting up a recurring transfer if you need to send money regularly.
- Select the transfer date. For immediate transfers, choose today's date.
Step 5: Reviewing and Confirming the Transfer
Before finalizing, review all the transfer details one last time.
- Verify the recipient's account information, the amount, and the date.
- Confirm the transfer. You may need to enter your password or a security code for authentication.
Important Notes for Internal Transfers:
- Availability: Transfers between USAA Federal Savings Bank accounts are generally available immediately if made on weekdays before 9 p.m. CT. Transfers made after 9 p.m. CT, on weekends, or federal holidays might be available for ATM withdrawals and one-time purchases until the next business day.
- Linking Accounts: While you can manually enter another USAA member's account details for a one-time transfer, for frequent transfers, it's generally best for the recipient to share their account information with you so you can link it directly in your USAA profile. However, direct linking to another person's USAA account (if it's not a joint account) might require a call to USAA customer service to ensure proper setup and security.
Choosing the Right Method
- For quick, smaller amounts to friends/family: Zelle® is almost always the best choice due to its speed and simplicity.
- For larger amounts or if the recipient isn't using Zelle®: An internal transfer using their account and routing number is the more suitable option.
- For very large, time-sensitive transfers (typically over $10,000): You might consider a wire transfer. USAA offers domestic wire transfers, but they typically incur a fee ($20 for outgoing domestic wires) and have a cutoff time of 4:00 p.m. CT Monday through Friday for same-day processing. For amounts over $10,000, you'll generally need to contact USAA by phone to initiate a wire transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to check if my USAA account is eligible for Zelle®?
To be eligible for Zelle® at USAA, you typically need to be at least 18 years old, have an active USAA Federal Savings Bank checking or savings account open for at least 10 days, and have the USAA Mobile App installed for at least 30 days with Quick Logon usage. You can also check the Zelle® section within your USAA mobile app for enrollment status.
How to add a new recipient for Zelle® in the USAA app?
Log in to the USAA Mobile App, select "Zelle®," then choose "Send." You'll usually see a "+" or "Add Recipient" option where you can manually enter their U.S. mobile number or email address, or select from your phone's contacts.
How to know if the recipient has Zelle®?
When you send money via Zelle® using their mobile number or email, if they are already enrolled with Zelle® at their bank, the money will typically go directly into their account in minutes. If they are not enrolled, they will receive a notification (email or text) with instructions on how to enroll to receive the money.
How to cancel a Zelle® payment sent to another USAA member?
If the recipient is already enrolled with Zelle®, the money is sent directly to their bank account and cannot be canceled. This is why it's critical to verify the recipient's information before sending. If the recipient is not enrolled, they will have a chance to enroll to receive the money, and if they don't enroll within 14 days, the payment will expire.
How to find my USAA routing number for internal transfers?
The USAA routing number for Federal Savings Bank accounts is 314074269. This is a standard routing number for all USAA Federal Savings Bank accounts.
How to send a large amount of money (over Zelle® limits) to another USAA member?
For amounts exceeding Zelle® limits (typically $10,000 within 30 days), you can initiate a direct internal transfer by adding their USAA account details (account type, account number, account holder name, and USAA routing number) through the "Transfer" or "Move Money" section in your USAA online banking or mobile app. For very large amounts (e.g., over $10,000), a wire transfer might be necessary, which often requires calling USAA.
How to track a money transfer to another USAA member?
For Zelle® transfers, you can check the "Activity" section within the Zelle® feature of your USAA Mobile App. For internal transfers, your account activity or transfer history within your USAA online banking or mobile app will show the status of the transfer.
How to receive money from another USAA member?
If someone wants to send you money via Zelle®, ensure your U.S. mobile number or email address is enrolled with Zelle® through your USAA Mobile App. If they are making an internal transfer, provide them with your USAA account type, account number, and full name.
How to set up recurring transfers to another USAA member?
When initiating an internal transfer (not Zelle®) through the USAA website or mobile app, you will typically have an option to set it up as a "recurring" transfer instead of a "one-time" transfer. You can then specify the frequency (e.g., weekly, monthly) and duration.
How to contact USAA customer service for transfer issues?
You can contact USAA customer service by calling their main number, often found on the back of your USAA debit or credit card, or by visiting the "Contact Us" section on USAA.com or within the USAA Mobile App. They can assist with any transfer-related inquiries or issues.
