Some members of the $5.3 billion American Airlines Credit Unionwho overdraw their accounts now face a much lower charge.

The 226,000-member Fort Worth, Texas, credit union announced theimplementation of Bounce Protection/Plus, which limits overdraftfees to one penny per overdraft provide the member either coversthe gap before 10 p.m. Central Time the same day or if theoverdraft threw the account into the red by less than $10.

“We believe this new member-friendly approach to overdrafts willallow members to skip the embarrassment of being declined and alsofeel reassured that they have funds available at any time,” saidNancy Crouch, AACU's director of card services.

“We know that our members occasionally have an emergency or makea small error when balancing their checking account,” Crouch added.“And we believe that a small mistake shouldn't result in a bigpenalty, which is why we believe that Bounce ProtectionPlus takesoverdraft protection to the next level.”

Overdrafts that linger past the 10 p.m. deadline and are formore than $10 will still be assessed the standard $25 fee.

But the credit union pointed out that it has several differentways a member would be able to cover the shortfall before thedeadline if they need to do so.