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USAA credit cards are a solid choice for those who qualify for membership. They offer a range of benefits, including no foreign transaction fees and travel insurance.
The USAA Cashback Rewards American Express Card offers 1.5% cashback on all purchases, which can add up quickly. This is a great option for those who want to earn rewards on their everyday spending.
One of the standout features of USAA credit cards is their low interest rates. The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card has an APR of 12.15% - 20.15%, which is lower than many other credit cards on the market.
If you're looking for a credit card with no annual fee, the USAA Rewards American Express Card is a good choice. This card offers 1.5% cashback on all purchases and no foreign transaction fees, making it a great option for travel or everyday spending.
Benefits
The USAA credit cards have some benefits to consider, despite being relatively light on perks. The USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card has a few benefits to be aware of.
Travel and shopping protections, such as travel accident insurance and extended warranty protection on U.S. manufacturers' warranties, are standard on some USAA credit cards.
You won't find many lavish benefits on the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card, but it does offer some useful protections, including cellphone protection that reimburses up to $500 for a stolen or damaged eligible cellphone. To be eligible, you must charge your monthly phone bill to your USAA credit card.
Earning Back on Gas and Groceries
You can earn cash back on gas and groceries with both cards, which is a great perk for frequent shoppers and commuters.
Both cards offer cash back on gas and groceries, so you can maximize your rewards by using them for these everyday expenses.
This is a great way to save money and get something back for your spending, which can add up over time.
What We Like
We like that the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, with no category restrictions or cap on cash back.
One of the standout features of this card is its cellphone protection, which reimburses cardholders up to $500 if an eligible cellphone is stolen or damaged.
No foreign transaction fees is another perk that's hard to beat, making it a great option for international travelers.
The card also comes with standard travel and shopping protections, including travel accident insurance and extended warranty protection on U.S. manufacturers' warranties.
This card is a great choice for current or former military members or their families, who can take advantage of its benefits and rewards.
Right for You?
The USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card is a solid choice for those with a large amount of debt that will extend beyond the intro period.
If you're an active duty military member, you'll benefit from the lower interest rate USAA offers on qualifying debt. This can save you money in the long run, despite a higher balance transfer fee.
However, if you don't qualify for a USAA membership or don't have a lot of debt to transfer, you might want to consider alternative cards with more benefits. The U.S. Bank Visa Platinum Card offers intro APRs on both purchases and balance transfers, making it a more versatile option.
Low Interest
USAA credit cards are known for their competitive interest rates, but let's take a closer look at what that means for you.
The USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card has a low interest rate, but it's not the only factor to consider. You'll also want to think about the fees associated with the card.
One of the benefits of this card is that it doesn't charge an annual fee. That's a significant savings, especially if you're carrying a balance.
However, there are some other fees to be aware of. Here are a few to keep in mind:
- Balance transfer fee: 3% of the transfer amount (minimum $5)
- Cash advance fee: 3% of the advance amount (minimum $5)
- Late payment fee: up to $35
- Returned payment fee: up to $35
These fees can add up quickly, so it's essential to understand what you're getting into before you apply for the card.
Rewards and Earning
USAA credit cards offer flexible rewards options. You can earn cash back on purchases with no category restrictions or cap on cash back, as seen with the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card.
The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 1.5% cash back on purchases, while the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus offers travel benefits. Both cards also offer cash back on gas and groceries, allowing you to maximize your rewards.
Here are some key earning options for USAA credit cards:
- USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card: 1.5% cash back on all purchases
- USAA Cashback Rewards Plus: 2 points per dollar on gas and groceries, 1 point per dollar on other purchases
These rewards can be redeemed in various ways, including as a statement credit, deposit into a USAA checking or savings account, or even for gift cards or charitable contributions.
0% Apr Offer
The 0% APR offer is a great perk for those looking to save on interest charges. This offer is available on balance transfers and convenience checks that post to your account within 90 days of account opening. You'll get 0% intro APR for 15 months, which is a significant savings opportunity. This intro APR does not apply to purchases, so be aware of that when using your card. The regular APR of 11.40% - 25.40% variable APR will kick in after the intro period ends.
Travel Insurance Coverage
Travel insurance coverage is a valuable benefit that comes with the USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card. This card offers several types of insurance to protect you during travel.
One of the benefits is auto rental coverage, which means you're protected in case something happens to the rental car.
You also get travel accident insurance, which provides financial assistance if you're involved in an accident while traveling. This can be a huge relief if you're injured or your belongings are damaged.
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance is another benefit that helps if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to unforeseen circumstances. This can be due to illness, injury, or other reasons.
Baggage delay reimbursement is also included, which can be a lifesaver if your luggage is delayed or lost.
Here's a breakdown of the travel insurance benefits:
- Auto rental coverage
- Travel accident insurance
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
- Baggage delay reimbursement
Earning Back
The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases.
You can earn cash back with no category restrictions or cap on cash back, making it a great option for everyday spending.
Redeeming
Redeeming your rewards can be a bit tricky, but don't worry, I've got you covered. Cash back earned with the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card never expires, meaning you can redeem cash back on your own schedule.
You can redeem cash back as a statement credit or deposit it directly into a USAA checking or savings account. You could also redeem for gift cards, charitable contributions, and travel purchases.
The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card offers redemption options, but it's less clear about the methods of redemption, which may affect the card's utility depending on your preferences. On the other hand, the Discover it Cash Back provides a variety of redemption options, from statement credits to direct deposits, with the flexibility to redeem rewards at any time and in any amount.
You can redeem cash back in increments of $1 with the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus, but it's worth noting that this may limit your flexibility. In contrast, the Discover it Cash Back allows you to redeem rewards in any amount.
Comparison
USAA credit cards offer a range of benefits, but it's essential to compare them to other options to determine their value. The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus card has a lower starting APR of 17.15% compared to the Discover it Cash Back card's 18.24%.
The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus card also has a more favorable penalty structure, charging a lower maximum late fee of up to $35 compared to the Discover it Cash Back's up to $41 after the first late payment. This can help avoid additional fees and interest charges.
If you spend frequently on gas, the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus may be advantageous, offering 5% cash back on gas station purchases with a yearly cap. However, the Discover it Cash Back card offers 5% cash back on rotating categories, including groceries and online shopping, which may be more beneficial for adaptable spenders.
Here's a comparison of the rewards categories for both cards:
Wells Fargo Active
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card is a solid choice for those who want a 0% intro APR for balance transfers. New cardholders get 0% intro APR on purchases and qualifying balance transfers for 12 months from account opening.
This card also offers an exceptional rewards rate of 2% cash rewards on purchases. Members can earn even more with a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first three months from account opening.
There's no annual fee for this card, making it a great option for those who want to avoid extra costs. The card's rewards rate and bonus make it a worthwhile choice for those who can meet the spending requirement.
Compare the
The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus and Discover it Cash Back cards are two popular options for those looking to maximize their cash back rewards. The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus offers 5% cash back on gas and military base purchases, making it a standout for military families or those with high fuel expenses.
Both cards offer 1% cash back on general purchases, but the Discover it Cash Back may provide more potential cash back for adaptable spenders willing to track and activate bonus categories. This is especially true for those who can maximize the 5% rotating categories offered by Discover it Cash Back.
Here's a comparison of the rewards categories offered by both cards:
The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus is more accessible to a broader range of credit scores, making it the better option for those with varying credit histories. This is a key consideration for those who may not have an excellent credit score.
The Discover it Cash Back card offers a unique match of cash back earned at the end of the first 12 months, which can effectively double your rewards in the first year. This makes it an attractive option for those who want to maximize their cash back rewards.
Citi Double
The Citi Double Cash Card is a great option for those looking for a simple cash back rate. You can earn 2% on every purchase, with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
To earn cash back, you just need to pay at least the minimum due on time. This is a great feature, as it means you can earn cash back without having to worry about complicated rewards structures.
The Citi Double Cash Card also offers a special travel offer, earning 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals, and attractions booked on the Citi Travelâ„ portal through 12/31/25.
You can also earn a sign-up bonus of $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Here's a breakdown of the Citi Double Cash Card's cash back rates:
The Citi Double Cash Card also offers a balance transfer option, with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. However, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do you need for a USAA credit card?
To be approved for a USAA credit card, you'll typically need a credit score of 700 or higher. Good credit scores are just one factor in the approval process, so check the full requirements for more details.
Does USAA do a hard credit pull?
Yes, USAA performs a hard credit pull when you request a credit limit increase on your credit card. This is a one-time inquiry that appears on your credit report.
What is the max credit limit for USAA?
The maximum credit limit for USAA is $50,000 across all cards. You can request an increase online for most USAA credit cards.
Sources
- https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/best-usaa-credit-cards
- https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/usaa-rate-advantage-visa-platinum-card-review
- https://www.lendingtree.com/credit-cards/review/usaa-rate-advantage-visa-platinum-card/
- https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/reviews/usaa-preferred-cash-rewards-visa-signature-credit-card-review/
- https://www.moneygeek.com/credit-cards/compare/discover-it-cash-back-vs-usaa-cashback-rewards-plus/
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