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USAA Credit Cards & Rewards Program – How To Earn & Redeem Points [2024]

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Table of Contents

What is usaa rewards, usaa rewards points cards, usaa cashback rewards cards, how to redeem usaa rewards points, how to redeem usaa cashback rewards, final thoughts.

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USAA is most famous for offering military members and their family members state-of-the-art financial products and services.

Oddly enough, however, USAA actually stands for United Services Automobile Association, which is somewhat of a misnomer (you might think this was some sort of credit union for car owners).

Founded in 1922, this San Antonio-headquartered company boasts a full suite of services, including banking, investment, and even insurance!

In this guide, we’ll be examining a sub-section of USAA’s banking services: its rewards credit cards.

Let’s begin!

As you can probably imagine, USAA Rewards is the name given to the bank’s loyalty program.

It’s important to note that you must be from a military family to become a free member of USAA and qualify for a USAA Rewards card, which includes:

• Active duty, National Guard and Reserve officers, and enlisted personnel
• Veterans with an Honorable discharge
• Spouses, former spouses/widows/widowers, and adult children of USAA members
• Officer candidates in commissioning programs and contracted cadets and midshipmen

The points you earn and redeem are called USAA points . As long as your account is open and in good standing, your USAA points will not expire. However, if your account is closed (either voluntarily or involuntarily), then you have 90 days to redeem your rewards before they are forfeited. You can also transfer USAA points to any other cardholder with a USAA Rewards credit card.

USAA uses both  Visa  and  American Express  cards within its portfolio of credit cards. You can earn rewards on all qualifying purchases, which excludes balance transfers, cash advances, ATM cash disbursements, money transfers, truck stop transactions, gaming transactions, tax payments, finance charges, fees, and cash equivalents.

Hot Tip: If you’re active military, see our guide to the best credit cards for active military as many issuers do not charge annual fees and you can use still use the benefits that come with those cards. The Platinum Card from American Express is the most popular choice for military members given the perks and benefits that come with it. See our in-depth guide on the American Express Platinum military benefits that are available.

USAA points can be earned with either of the 2 USAA Rewards credit cards. Both of them are personal credit cards — USAA doesn’t have a business credit card in this realm.

USAA Rewards™ American Express ® Card

The flagship USAA credit card is the USAA Rewards Amex card that offers big benefits with no annual fee .

This credit card usually comes with a small welcome bonus after your first purchase — to sweeten the deal, you’ll earn as per the following structure:

• 3x points per $1 spent on dining out
• 2x points per $1 spent on gas and groceries
• 1x points per $1 spent on all other purchases

Your earning is uncapped, which means that are no limits to the bonus spending you can earn points on.

This credit card offers primary rental car coverage if renting outside of your country of residence and secondary rental car coverage if renting within your country of residence; it also comes with trip cancellation and interruption insurance , baggage delay reimbursement , travel accident insurance , and travel/emergency assistance.

Furthermore, you’ll enjoy extended warranty coverage , identity theft resolution services, personal identity theft reimbursement, zero fraud liability, and access to a 24/7 concierge.

As we mentioned above, the USAA Rewards Amex card doesn’t have an annual fee and also doesn’t incur foreign transaction fees!

All information about the USAA Rewards™ American Express ® Card have been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature ® Card

The second (and last) USAA Rewards product is the USAA Rewards Visa card, which has plenty to love, too!

To start, you’ll almost always find an identical welcome bonus to what’s offered to new cardholders of the Amex version.

But you’ll notice that the rewards structure is reduced :

• 2x points per $1 spent on dining out
• 2x points per $1 spent on gas

In comparison to the USAA Rewards Amex card, this card will earn you 1 point per dollar less on dining out and groceries.

You’ll enjoy all of the same benefits, including rental car coverage (secondary if renting inside your country of residence, primary elsewhere), trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay reimbursement, travel accident insurance, a 24/7 concierge, extended warranty, and more.

Notably, this credit card also comes with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

Bottom Line: The USAA Rewards Amex card earns 1 more point per dollar spent on dining out and groceries, but the USAA Rewards Visa card is more widely accepted around the world. See our comparison of Amex vs. Visa for more details on the differences, acceptance, and perks.

USAA has a different set of credit cards for those interested in stable, cash-back rewards.

In total, there are 2 USAA credit cards that deliver cash-back, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.

Let’s take a look at our options.

Cashback Rewards Plus American Express ® Card

The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus card is the best cash-back credit card USAA offers.

Although you won’t typically get access to a welcome bonus, what you  will get is access to up to 5% cash-back in rewards:

• Earn 5% cash-back on your first $3,000 in combined gas station and military base purchases yearly
• Earn 2% cash-back on your first $3,000 in grocery purchases yearly
• Earn 1% cash-back on all other purchases

As you can see, this is our first credit card with bonus category limits , so just be sure you keep track of that when making purchases.

With the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus card, you’ll get all the same benefits as the USAA Rewards cards above, including rental car coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, baggage delay and reimbursement, identity theft resolution, zero fraud liability, and 24/7 concierge service.

There’s no annual fee or foreign transaction fees with the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus card.

All information about the Cashback Rewards Plus American Express ® Card have been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature ® Credit Card

Our last credit card product is the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card , which has a different appeal.

Just like the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus card above, you’ll rarely find an introductory welcome bonus on this card.

What’s special about this card, however, is that instead of bonus categories like military base purchases, you’ll earn a flat 1.5% cash-back on all qualifying purchases with no category restrictions.

Your potential rewards are infinite because there aren’t any caps on spending.

Of course, you’ll also get travel perks such as baggage delay coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, auto rental coverage, and more.

Just like every other card above, there are no annual fees or foreign transaction fees.

So after you’ve earned your points, the next thing to do is redeem them! You can currently redeem USAA points in the following ways:

• Airline travel
• Merchandise
• Charitable contributions
• Cruise travel

The most you’ll get from your redemptions will be 1 cent per point when booking cruises and airfare .

You’ll get around 0.9 cents per point when redeeming for cash-back, around 0.8 cents per point when redeeming for charity, and around 0.7 cents per point when redeeming for gift cards.

Sadly, this isn’t a competitive redemption rate. Nonetheless, you can redeem your points by logging into your online USAA account or calling the USAA Rewards Service Center at 800-980-8722 (to redeem points for a cruise, you’ll need to call 800-571-4208).

It’s much simpler to redeem your cash-back because there’s just 1 redemption option: cash-back!

You must redeem your cash-back in increments of $1.

To use or check your cash-back rewards balance, log into your online account or call 800-980-8722.

All in all, USAA offers a great incentive structure and schedule of fees, considering a total absence of any annual fees.

If you happen to be an eligible military member, you can enjoy no foreign transaction fees, annual fees, and a decent rewards structure on a few different bonus categories like dining and grocery.

Hopefully, you found this guide useful in learning more about USAA’s credit cards and rewards program.

The information regarding the USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature ® Card, Cashback Rewards Plus American Express ® Card, and Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature ® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

The information regarding the USAA Rewards™ American Express ® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

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UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation  calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

• Why You Should Trust Us

USAA Eagle Navigator Visa Signature Credit Card Review 2024

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Introduction to USAA Eagle Navigator Credit Card

The USAA Eagle Navigator™ Credit Card is a travel rewards card issued by USAA, which is a financial services firm that offers products and services to military members, veterans and eligible family members. Not only is this card the first travel-specific credit card from this issuer, but it's also the first credit card from USAA to charge an annual fee.

Right now, new cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening.

Earn 10,000 bonus points every year - applies after you complete eligible hotel or car booking. Earn 3X points on travel purchases. Earn 2X points on everyday purchases.

20.15% - 28.40% variable

Earn 30,000 bonus points

Good, Excellent

• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Simple rewards structure
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Good annual bonus
• Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Up to $100 TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry® statement credit
• con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Limited to current or former military and eligible family members
• Must be a USAA® member, or become a member, to apply. USAA proudly offers membership to current and former military, as well as their spouses and dependents.
• Intro Offer: Earn 30,000 bonus points ($300 travel value) after spending $3,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening.
• 3X points on travel purchases - triple your points on tolls, rideshares, hotels, vacation rentals, flights and more.
• 2X points on everyday purchases - double your points on groceries, gas, dining, bills and more.
• Earn 10,000 bonus points every year - applies after you complete eligible hotel or car booking. That's equal to a $100 travel value.
• Up to $100 credit towards TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry® fee every four years.
• Enjoy valuable travel benefits and protection, including Auto Rental Coverage, Travel Accident Coverage, Trip Interruption Coverage, Baggage Delay Reimbursement, Purchase Security and Cell Phone Protection.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Points never expire for the life of the account and there are no spend caps on point earning.
• Redeem points your way, on your schedule.
• A fee of 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, cash advance and convenience check applies.
• 20.15% to 28.40% variable regular APR.
• $95 annual fee.
• See Rates and Fees for details.
• Terms and Restrictions apply. See the Guide to Benefits and Reward Terms and Conditions on USAA’s website for details.

USAA Eagle Navigator Visa Signature Credit Card Review

Quite a few features help the USAA Eagle Navigator card stand out, including its included travel benefits and travel insurance protections and exceptional rewards rate for everyday spending. Note, however, that the high APR on this card makes it a poor option for carrying a balance — especially when you compare it to other top USAA credit cards that feature $0 annual fees and introductory APR offers.

Also keep in mind that your options for redeeming points will be more limited with this card than with other top rewards credit cards . You can't transfer points to travel partners; the best-value option is simply to redeem points for travel directly through USAA.

As USAA serves military members and their families, not everyone will be eligible for this card. If you don't qualify, consider the picks on our list of the best travel credit cards — there are plenty of excellent options.

USAA Eagle Navigator Visa Card Rewards

It's not surprising that the USAA Eagle Navigator™ Credit Card offers more rewards on travel-related purchases than on regular spending. That said, rewards are redeemable for several flexible options in addition to travel purchases.

Earning Rewards

The USAA Eagle Navigator™ Credit Card keeps rewards relatively simple by offering:

• 3x points on travel including air, hotel, car and vacation rentals, rideshare, tolls, and more
• 2x points on other purchases

Note that, when it comes to earning rewards for travel through this card, quite a few purchases qualify and they don't have to be made through USAA. The fine print on the card says the following purchases can qualify for 3x points per dollar spent: "Airlines, hotels, motels, timeshares, vacation rentals, cruise lines, travel agencies, third party travel websites (including the USAA Rewards Center), car rental agencies, taxis, rideshares, limousines, buses, ferries, boat rentals, parking lots, parking meters and garages, tolls and bridge fees, passenger trains, campgrounds, recreational trailer parks, motorhome and recreational vehicle rentals, truck and trailer rentals."

Redeeming Rewards

You can redeem rewards from the USAA Eagle Navigator™ Credit Card for the following options:

• Travel booked through USAA
• Merchandise
• Statement credits
• Electronic deposits for eligible USAA accounts
• Charitable contributions

When it comes to redeeming rewards, a major downside of this card is the fact that points are only redeemable through the card issuer. This may not be a big deal if you plan to redeem your points for flexible options like gift cards or statement credits, but it makes rewards points considerably less flexible among those who want to redeem their points for travel. 

Also be aware that reward values can vary depending on the redemption made. For example, points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for travel, yet the value will be only 0.7 cents per point for cash back. This means you can redeem 10,000 points for $100 in travel but you'll only get $70 in rewards value if you redeem for statement credits.

USAA Eagle Navigator Card Benefits and Features

The USAA Eagle Navigator™ Credit Card comes with a handful of benefits that make it more valuable for consumers, especially considering its $95 annual fee. 

Welcome Bonus 

Right now, there is a welcome bonus of 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening, worth $300 if redeemed for travel through USAA or $210 if redeemed as cash back. 

Annual Points Bonus for Booking Travel

This card gives you an annual bonus of 10,000 points when you book a hotel or car rental through the USAA Rewards Center.

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

This coverage is good for eligible car rentals worldwide for up to 31 consecutive days. You can decline insurance offered through a rental car company but still get protection through this benefit (when you pay with this card).

Baggage Delay Coverage

Get coverage worth up to $100 per day for up to three days when your bags are delayed and you paid for travel with a common carrier with your card.

Cell Phone Protection

 This coverage is worth up to $500 when you pay your cell phone bill with your credit card.

Concierge Services

Get complimentary concierge services when you need help with travel arrangements, concert tickets, and more.

Extended Warranties

Get an additional year of warranty coverage on items purchased that come with a manufacturer's warranty of three years or less.

Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck  

Get a credit worth up to $100 toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership every four years.

Purchase Protection

Get coverage against damage or theft for eligible items for 90 days from the purchase date. Coverage is worth up to $1,000 per claim and up to $10,000 per cardholder.

Travel Accident Insurance

This coverage applies to loss of life or limb and is worth up to $500,000 depending on the loss. 

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

Get coverage for eligible trip cancellations and interruptions worth up to $1,500 per person when eligible travel is charged to the card.

USAA Eagle Navigator Card Annual Fee and Other Costs

The USAA Eagle Navigator™ Credit Card has an annual fee of $95. The card also has other common fees and charges found on most credit cards.

USAA Eagle Navigator Card Comparison

Even if you're a military member or veteran who wants to use products from USAA, you should still look at cards from other issuers. Not only can the rewards value be higher for some purchases, but rewards may also come with more flexibility overall — especially when it comes to travel. 

Consider how the USAA Eagle Navigator™ Credit Card compares to the following card options:

USAA Eagle Navigator vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card also charges a $95 annual fee, yet it has a unique rewards rate and more valuable rewards overall. First off, this card starts new members off with 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening, whereas the USAA Eagle Navigator™ Credit Card offers 30,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card also earns 5x points on travel booked through Chase, 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases and select streaming services, 2x points on other travel, and 1 point per dollar on other purchases.

Cardholders get benefits like 25% more value for points when redeeming for travel through Chase, a $50 annual hotel benefit, and ample travel insurance protections. More importantly, Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for flexible options like cash back, statement credits, merchandise, gift cards, travel through Chase or 1:1 point transfers to Chase airline and hotel partners.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Review

USAA Eagle Navigator vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card also charges a $95 annual fee ( rates and fees ), yet it starts new cardholders off with 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening, plus receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit in your first cardholder year. Regular purchases earn a flat rate of 2x miles, and cardholders get 5x miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One.

Like the USAA Eagle Navigator™ Credit Card, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership. Cardholders get to redeem their miles for flexible options, however, including statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, travel through Capital One Travel, or point transfers to Capital One airline and hotel partners .

This means that, just like with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, miles earned with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card are considerably more flexible when redeemed for travel and other options.

Capital One Venture Rewards Card Review

USAA Eagle Navigator Card Frequently Asked Questions 

The points you earn from the USAA Eagle Navigator™ Credit Card won't expire as long as your account is open and in good standing.

Point values vary based on how you redeem. For example, 10,000 points earned with the USAA Eagle Navigator™ Credit Card are worth $100 in travel or $70 in cash back.

The USAA Eagle Navigator™ Credit Card is a good option for international travel since it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees on overseas purchases. This is also a Visa credit card, which means it benefits from high acceptance rates among merchants around the world. 

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed the USAA Eagle Navigator Card

When reviewing the USAA Eagle Navigator™ Credit Card, we followed our credit card rating methodology . This determines a card's star rating out of 5, and it assigns equal weight to five key categories.

These five important categories include a card's welcome bonus offer (20%), annual fee (20%), rewards rates (20%), using rewards (20%) and benefits (20%). Note that we compare a given credit card to other similar cards, so we wouldn't expect the same perks on a no-annual-fee credit card and a premium credit card.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

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The best USAA credit cards

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

If you are a USAA member, you know it offers competitive pricing for many of its financial services. For example, my husband and I haven't found other car insurance, personal property insurance or renter's insurance policies that offered a better value than what we could get through USAA.

But, what about USAA credit cards? Today, I take a closer look at these cards to determine whether they can compare to the top travel rewards credit cards and cash-back credit cards on the market.

New to The Points Guy? Sign up for our TPG daily newsletter and check out our beginner's guide .

Best USAA credit cards for 2020

• USAA Rewards™ American Express® Card : Best for travel rewards
• USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card : Best for travel rewards on a Visa
• Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card : Best for cash-back rewards
• Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card : Best for flat-rate cash-back rewards
• USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card : Best for low APR rates
• USAA Military Affiliate American Express® Card : Best for supporting a military charity while earning rewards
• USAA Military Affiliate Visa Signature® Card : Best for supporting a military charity while earning flat-rate rewards

To start our analysis, here's a comparison of the best USAA credit cards currently available.

Comparing the best USAA credit cards

The information for the USAA cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Who is eligible for a USAA credit card?

You must be a member of USAA to use USAA's insurance and banking products and services, including credit cards. USAA membership is free and USAA's website states that the following people can become a member:

• Active duty, guard or reserve : Individuals who are currently serving in the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, National Guard and Reserves
• Veterans : Those who have retired or separated from the U.S. military with an honorable discharge
• Eligible family : Widows, widowers and un-remarried former spouses of USAA members who joined USAA before or during the marriage and individuals whose parents joined USAA
• Cadets and midshipmen : Cadets and midshipmen at U.S. service academies or affiliated academy preparatory schools, in advanced ROTC or on ROTC scholarship, plus officer candidates within 24 months of commissioning

Related reading: The best travel perks and discounts for members of the military

More details on the best USAA credit cards

Let's take a look at the details of each of these USAA credit cards and offers, including rewards rates, bonuses and fees.

USAA Rewards American Express Card: Best for travel rewards

Why this is the best for travel rewards : You'll earn three USAA rewards points per dollar spent when dining out and 2x points on gas and groceries.

Current bonus : 2,500 bonus points after your first purchase

Rewards rate : 3x points on dining out; 2x points on gas and groceries; 1x points on everything else

Annual fee : None

Is this card worth it? The points you earn can be redeemed:

• Toward the purchase of an airline ticket
• For available merchandise and gift cards
• For cash credited to your account or deposited to your USAA checking or savings account
• For a donation to a participating charity
• Toward the purchase of a cruise ticket

However, USAA is not transparent regarding the value of the rewards points earned by this card. Instead, the issuer notes:

The value of each Reward Point may vary depending on the type of reward benefit you select when you redeem your Reward Points. Reward Points may have a greater redemption value (and be worth more) for certain reward benefits.

So, it's impossible to compare this card against other travel rewards credit cards or cash-back rewards credit cards because the value of USAA rewards points is unclear until you are a cardholder and can access the USAA Rewards Service Center.

Related reading: Best no-annual-fee credit cards for international travel

USAA Rewards Visa Signature Card: Best for travel rewards on a Visa

Why this is the best for travel rewards on a Visa : You'll earn two USAA rewards points per dollar spent on gas and dining out.

Rewards rate : 2x points on gas and dining out; 1x points on everything else

Is this card worth it? The USAA Rewards Visa Signature Card may be a decent option if you're looking to earn USAA rewards points and want a Visa credit card instead of an American Express card . But I have the same issue with this card as I did with the USAA Rewards American Express Card: USAA gives no information on the value of USAA rewards points.

Related reading: Everything you need to know about Visa Signature card benefits

Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card: Best for cash-back rewards

Why this is the best for cash-back rewards : You'll earn 5% cash back on up to $3,000 in combined gas station and military base purchases each year, plus 2% cash back on up to $3,000 in grocery purchases each year.

Current bonus : None

Rewards rate : 5% cash back on your first $3,000 in combined gas station and military base purchases yearly; 2% cash back on your first $3,000 in grocery purchases yearly; 1% cash back on all other purchases

Is this card worth it? The Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card may easily be worth having, especially if you make purchases on a military base and prefer earning cash back. If you spend $3,000 in combined gas station and military base purchases each year, you'll earn $150 cash back on this spending alone. Redeeming cash back is straightforward and can be done at any time as long as you redeem in increments of $1.

Related reading: The best cash-back credit cards for each bonus category

Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card: Best for flat-rate cash-back rewards

Why this is the best for flat-rate cash-back rewards : You'll earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, which means you never have to worry about how much you'll earn on a particular purchase.

Rewards rate : 1.5% cash back on all purchases

Is this card worth it? If you're looking for simplicity and want a USAA credit card, the Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card is the one for you. You'll earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases while getting access to all of the benefits that come with a USAA credit card. As with the Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card, redeeming cash back is straightforward and can be done at any time as long as you redeem in increments of $1.

Related reading: The best cash-back credit cards

USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum Card: Best for low APR rates

Why this is the best for low APR rates : This card offers the lowest APR rates available on currently available USAA credit cards.

Rewards rate : No rewards are offered on this card.

Is this card worth it? If you are carrying a balance on your credit card -- which we don't recommend if at all possible -- the USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum Card may allow you to pay less interest. It features variable APR rates of 6.90% to 23.90% based on your creditworthiness.

Related reading: Are you paying enough attention to your credit card's APR?

USAA Military Affiliate American Express Card: Best for donating to charity while earning rewards

Why this is the best for supporting a military charity while earning rewards : You'll earn 2x points on gas and groceries as well as 1x points on everything else while supporting a military affiliate charity.

Current bonus : 2,500 points after your first purchase

Rewards rate : 2x points on gas and groceries; 1x points on everything else

Is this card worth it? The USAA Military Affiliate American Express Card is similar to the USAA Rewards American Express Card, just with fewer rewards and support to a military charity of your choice. However, in reading publicly available material about the card, I was unable to determine how much support is provided to the charity of your choice. So, in the absence of this information, I'd recommend simply earning rewards on a different card and then making a monetary donation to the charity of your choice.

Related reading: Best credit cards to use for charitable donations

USAA Military Affiliate Visa Signature Card: Best for donating to charity while earning flat-rate rewards

Why this is the best for supporting a military charity while earning flat-rate rewards : You'll earn 1x points on all purchases while also supporting a military charity of your choice.

Rewards rate : 1x points on all purchases

Is this card worth it? The USAA Military Affiliate Visa Signature Card is similar to the USAA Rewards Visa Signature Card, just with fewer rewards and support to a military charity of your choice. As with the USAA Military Affiliate American Express Card, no information is publically available as to how much support is provided to the charity you choose. So, I'd recommend signing up for a card with higher rewards and then making a monetary donation to the charity of your choice.

Related reading: 14 ways to give back during the coronavirus outbreak

How we chose the best USAA credit cards

USAA currently only offers seven credit cards to its members, so I included all seven cards in this guide. There is no one best USAA credit card. In fact, each of these seven cards could be the best USAA credit card for a particular consumer. Which card is best for you depends on what type of rewards you want to earn , what spending categories you use most frequently, whether you need a low APR and whether you want to give up some rewards in exchange for supporting a charity of your choice.

Related reading: The best credit cards for active-duty military

What benefits are offered on USAA credit cards?

USAA credit cards provide an impressive slate of benefits, especially considering that all of the USAA credit cards currently available don't charge any annual fees. You can see the full guide to benefits online , but here is a quick summary of the benefits.

Auto rental collision damage waiver

When you use your USAA credit card or its associated rewards to reserve and pay for your rental car, you can get up to 31 days of protection for physical damage, theft, reasonable and customary towing and loss-of-use charges. You'll automatically be covered as long as you decline the collision damage waiver coverage offered by the rental agency and you're listed as the primary renter on the rental contract. Coverage is secondary when renting in your country of residence and primary when renting outside your country of residence.

Related reading: Best credit cards for rental car coverage

Trip cancellation and interruption

You're covered for up to $1,500 per covered person for nonrefundable prepaid passenger fare when you buy at least part of your fare with your card or its associated rewards and your travel is interrupted or canceled due to a covered reason. Covered reasons include an illness or accident affecting you or another family member that prevents you from traveling or a change in military orders. Covered people include you, your spouse and dependent children.

Related reading: The best credit cards that offer trip cancellation and interruption coverage

Baggage delay reimbursement

If your checked baggage is delayed on a common carrier trip, you may be reimbursed for essential items you buy while your baggage is delayed for four or more hours. Covered items include toiletries, clothing and device chargers. To be eligible, you must pay for at least part of your passenger fare with your credit card or its associated rewards and report delayed baggage to your travel supplier. You, your spouse and your dependent children may each be reimbursed up to $100 a day for up to three days.

Related reading: Which credit cards cover baggage delays?

Extended warranty protection

Extended warranty protection doubles the period of warranty coverage for up to one additional year on original eligible warranties of three years or less. Coverage is limited to the original price of the purchased item less shipping and handling, up to a maximum of $15,000 per claim and a maximum of $50,000 per account.

This protection applies to purchases made both inside and outside the U.S. But items must have a valid original manufacturer's U.S. repair warranty of three years or less, a store-purchased dealer warranty or an assembler warranty. To have protection, you must have used your card or its associated rewards to pay for at least part of the purchase.

Related reading: Best credit cards for extended warranties

No foreign transaction fees

None of the USAA credit cards charge foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases outside the U.S.

Related reading: Best cards with no foreign transaction fees

4% APR rate on debt incurred before active military duty

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act stipulates that qualifying military service members pay no more than 6% APR on credit card and other loan debt incurred before qualifying military service. But, if you have a balance on your USAA account at the time you enter active military duty, you can get 4% APR on that existing balance for the remainder of your qualifying period of active duty.

Related reading: The top no-annual-fee credit cards with a 0% intro APR

Travel accident insurance

When you purchase a common carrier fare in full or in part with your USAA card or its associated rewards, you, your spouse and your dependent children may be eligible to receive coverage for loss of life, limb, hearing, speech or sight that occurs related to this common carrier travel. This coverage may provide up to $500,000 depending on the loss.

Related reading: What's covered by credit card travel accident and emergency evacuation insurance?

Travel and emergency assistance

If you experience an illness or emergency while away from home you can call the benefits center for help. The benefits center may be able to provide medical and legal referrals, prescription assistance, travel planning and other services. But, you'll be responsible for any costs related to these services.

Related reading: 3 crucial mistakes to avoid if you have a medical emergency abroad

Concierge services

The concierge service associated with USAA credit cards can assist when you're making restaurant, hotel, entertainment or travel plans.

Related reading: TPG Lounge poll: What's the toughest credit card concierge request you've made?

Identity theft resolution services

Identity theft resolution services work with you if you're a victim of identity theft. Best of all, there's no additional cost.

Related reading: The difference between credit card fraud and identity theft

Personal identity theft

The personal identity theft benefit may provide reimbursement for covered expenses that you incur while restoring your identity. This benefit may provide reimbursement up to $1,000. You must reside in the U.S. or Canada to take advantage of this benefit.

Related reading: 5 steps to take when your personal information is compromised

Frequently asked questions about USAA credit cards

Which USAA credit card is easiest to get?

USAA isn't currently offering cards designed for members with bad or poor credit . Currently, the USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum Card will likely be the easiest card to be approved for since it doesn't offer rewards and it advertises a low APR rate.

Related reading: The best secured credit cards for building or repairing credit

What credit score do you need for a USAA credit card?

It's unclear what type of credit score is needed for these other cards.

Related reading: 6 things to do to improve your credit

Is a USAA credit card worth it?

All seven USAA credit cards currently available have no annual fee. So, assuming you pay your statement balance in full each month and use your credit card responsibly , using a USAA credit card should be better than using a debit card or cash .

Related reading: Why you should get (and keep) a no-annual-fee credit card

The benefits provided by the USAA cards are solid, especially considering none of the cards charge an annual fee . But, the rewards rates on these cards aren't necessarily best-in-class. For example, the no-annual-fee Citi® Double Cash Card earns 2% cash back on all purchases -- divided into 1% cash back when you buy and 1% cash back as you pay -- compared to the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card's 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

Another aspect to consider is that some issuers waive annual fees for active-duty military . This means you may be able to get excellent benefits and rewards at no cost when you apply for some of the top travel rewards credit cards .

Related reading: Why the Amex Platinum card is best for active-duty military

Does USAA offer credit cards?

USAA currently lists seven credit cards on its website. USAA members can apply for these cards after signing into their account.

Related reading: The best Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits for active-duty military

Will USAA automatically increase your credit limit?

USAA offers automatic credit limit increases on USAA Rewards, Cash Rewards, Cashback Rewards, Rate Advantage and military affiliate credit cards. However, you can opt out of automatic credit limit increases by going to "My Accounts," selecting your credit card account and then going to the Account Services menu at the bottom of the page and selecting "Stop Automatically Increasing My Credit Limit" in the "Services" column.

You can also request a credit limit increase online if you have a USAA Rewards, Cash Rewards, Cashback Rewards, Rate Advantage or military affiliate credit card.

Related reading: What happens if you go over your credit limit?

Bottom line

USAA currently offers seven credit cards, each with no annual fee and useful travel, shopping and identity theft benefits. If you are a USAA member, these cards are worth considering -- especially if you don't have strong enough credit to be approved for the best cash back credit cards and top travel rewards credit cards .

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USAA offers a suite of credit cards, all charging no annual or foreign transaction fees. However, other rewards credit cards may have more point-earning potential, especially since some USAA credit card cards don’t offer a sign-up bonus.

But the cards make up for the lower rewards with high customer satisfaction and travel benefits such as reimbursement for trip cancellation or interruption and coverage for delayed checked bags. Typically you have to pay a high annual fee for a premium travel rewards card to get perks like that.

You must qualify as a USAA member to get a USAA credit card. Membership is open to current and former military members, their spouses and children.

» MORE: Best credit cards for active-duty military

Top USAA credit cards

Usaa® rate advantage visa platinum® card, usaa cashback rewards plus american express® credit card, preferred cash rewards visa® signature credit card, usaa rewards™ american express® credit card, usaa rewards™ visa® signature credit card, our pick for: a low interest rate.

Card details

Rewards: None.

Sign-up bonus: None.

Annual fee: $0

APR: Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers and convenience checks that post to your account within 90 days of account opening. After this time, a variable regular APR will apply. (As of August 2022).

Why we like it

As of May 2022, the average credit card annual percentage rate among accounts assessed interest was 16.65%, according to the Federal Reserve — but you may qualify for an interest rate well below that average with the USAA® Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card . Add to that a no-interest promotion for balance transfers and you have a card whose main purpose is to lower the cost of credit card debt.

» MORE: Review of the USAA® Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card

Our pick for: Gas station spending

Earn 5% cash back on up to $3,000 per year in combined gas station and military base purchases.

Earn 2% cash back on up to $3,000 in grocery store spending per year.

Earn 1% cash back on other purchases.

Annual fee: $0.

APR: Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers and convenience checks that post to your account within 90 days of account opening. After this time, a variable regular APR will apply. (As of August 2022.)

Few cards earn such a generous cash-back rate on gas , making the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card a solid option for anyone looking to save on commuting costs. Plus, it offers 5% cash back on military base purchases, including commissaries, exchanges and shoppettes.

» MORE: 0% APR and waived fees: Credit card benefits for active-duty military

Our pick for: Simple cash back

Rewards: Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

If you don’t want every purchase to turn into a “which card should I use?” dance at the register, a flat-rate card like the Preferred Cash Rewards Visa® Signature Credit Card keeps things hassle-free. If USAA’s other cardholder benefits aren’t as important to you as earning rewards, other no-fee cards earn 2% cash back on all purchases and offer a sign-up bonus.

» MORE: NerdWallet’s best cash-back credit cards

Our pick for: Flexible rewards and a bonus

Earn 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants and fast food establishments.

Earn 2 points per dollar on gas and groceries.

Earn 1 point per dollar on other purchases.

Redeem points for airline tickets or cruise bookings purchased through USAA, cash back as a statement credit or direct deposit to your USAA checking or savings account, merchandise, gift cards, or contributions to participating charities. Point values differ depending on how you decide to redeem.

Sign-up bonus: Earn 2,500 bonus points after your first qualifying purchase.

You’ll earn elevated rewards in the big three spending categories — dining out, gas and groceries. Plus, there’s a modest sign-up bonus. And since rewards are in the form of points instead of cash back, there are a greater variety of redemption options, including travel. There’s no foreign transaction fee, but note that international acceptance may be limited as it is an American Express card.

» MORE: NerdWallet’s best no annual fee travel credit cards

Our pick for: Worldwide acceptance

Earn 2 points per dollar on gas and dining, including restaurants and fast food establishments.

Like the USAA Rewards™ American Express® Credit Card, you can redeem points for airline tickets, cruise bookings, cash back, merchandise, gift cards or charitable donations. Point values vary.

The USAA Rewards™ Visa® Signature Credit Card doesn’t quite match the point-earning potential as its sibling card, the USAA Rewards™ American Express® Credit Card. But if you’re taking an international trip, a Visa card will be more widely accepted than one on the American Express payment network.

» MORE: If you’re traveling abroad, take 2 credit cards

Read about other USAA products

USAA auto insurance .

USAA Bank .

USAA homeowners insurance .

USAA life insurance .

USAA Medicare Supplement Insurance .

USAA travel insurance .

On a similar note...

Find the right credit card for you.

Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

"USAA Bank" means USAA Federal Savings Bank.

Bank products offered by USAA Federal Savings Bank, Member FDIC. Credit card, mortgage and other lending products not FDIC-insured.

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USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Card: Earn Unlimited 1.5% Cash Back on Purchases

Reviewed by Erik Paquet

AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. Terms Apply to the offers listed on this page. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers .

Offers for the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card are not available through this site. All information has been independently collected by AwardWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Some offers may have expired. Please see our card marketplace for available offers.

The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 1.5% cash back with no annual or foreign transaction fees. The bank and its respective credit card products are only available to active military, veterans, and their eligible family members. In addition to credit cards, USAA also offers checking and savings accounts, mortgages, auto loans, and more.

Earning and redeeming cash-back rewards is straightforward, but the card does come with some worthy perks, including select travel benefits. Here's what you need to know about the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card to help you decide if it's right for you.

• Must be a USAA ® member, or become a member, to apply. USAA proudly offers membership to current and former military, as well as their spouses and dependents.
• Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, no category restrictions, no caps on cash back.
• Intro Offer: Earn a $200 reward bonus when you spend $1,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening.

Page Contents

USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Pros

Usaa preferred cash rewards cons, cash back welcome offer, unlimited 1.5% cash back, auto deductible reimbursement, travel protections, cell phone protection, purchase protections, usaa preferred cash rewards earning rates, redeeming rewards from the usaa preferred cash rewards, application restrictions, cards that compete with the usaa preferred cash rewards, bottom line.

• $0 annual fee.
• No foreign-transaction fees.
• You will receive a $200 reimbursement of your auto insurance deductible for a covered loss when you make at least eight purchases in the previous calendar month.
• The card is only available to USAA members (current and former military, their spouses, and children).
• No bonus cash back earning categories.
• Minimum cash-back amounts vary depending on the type of cash-back redemption selected.

As a new applicant for the card, you can earn $200 cash back after spending $1,000 on the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards   in the first 90 days of account opening.

In other words, you'll enjoy a 20% return on the first $1,000 you spend on the card. The return plus the comparatively low spending requirements make this one of the better cash back credit card offers available now.

USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Benefits

The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card has several benefits courtesy of its Visa Signature designation. However, it also offers additional perks that are unique to USAA.

Earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases made with the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card. There are no category restrictions or caps on the cash back you can earn, and there is no minimum to redeem your cash back. Even better, the rewards you earn never expire.

Related: Best Credit Cards for Everyday Purchases

The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card will reimburse cardholders up to $200 of your auto policy deductible when you experience a covered loss, if you make a minimum of eight (8) purchases in the prior calendar month. This is a unique benefit that you won't find on other cards.

The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card offers valuable travel protections starting with an auto rental collision damage waiver for 31 days worldwide. Travel and emergency assistance provides 24/7 help if you experience an illness or emergency while traveling or working. This service also provides medical and legal referrals, prescription assistance, and travel planning.

The card provides up to $1,500 per covered person for non-refundable prepaid passenger fares when travel is interrupted or canceled, provided you purchase the ticket with your card.

Travel accident insurance provided by the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card   covers you for loss of life or limb when you use the card to buy your ticket.

And, finally, you'll receive baggage delay reimbursement of up to $100 per day for up to three days.

Related: Best Credit Cards With Free Travel Insurance

When you use your USAA Preferred Cash Rewards to pay your monthly cell phone bill, the card will reimburse you up to $500 if your eligible cell phone is lost or damaged.

With the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards, you can protect your new retail purchases for the first 90 days from the date of purchase. The benefits include replacements, repairs, and reimbursements of up to $1,000 per claim and $10,000 per cardholder in the event of theft or damage.

You'll also receive extended warranty protection, up to one additional year, on an original U.S. manufacturer's warranty of three years or less.

Related: The Best Credit Cards for Purchase Protection

The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. There are currently no bonus categories or opportunities to earn more than the standard 1.5% back, though the card's terms and conditions state that USAA may offer ways to earn additional cash back from time to time.

Cash back is not earned on balance transfers, cash advances, or money orders.

You can redeem the cash back earned with the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card through the USAA Rewards Center for travel rewards, merchandise, and gift cards from select merchants, and as a charitable contribution to a participating charity.

You can also elect to receive your cash back as a statement credit to your eligible USAA account either as a one-time redemption, to cover a purchase, or as a recurring redemption.

You must be a USAA member to apply for the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card. The following people qualify to become a member:

• Active and veteran members of the U.S. military
• Their spouses, children, and grandchildren
• Pre-commissioned officers are eligible to join USAA.

USAA offers bank accounts, home, auto, and life insurance, auto loans, and more. If you're unsure about whether you qualify for a USAA membership, click here to learn more .

Related: Understanding Credit Card Application Rules and Restrictions

USAA Preferred Cash Rewards may not be the right card for you, and that's okay. Here are some other great options to consider:

• If you prefer a USAA card that earns rewards instead of cash back, check out the USAA Reward Visa Signature Credit Card . This card earns 2x points on dining and at gas stations and 1x on everything else. You can redeem USAA points for air travel, cruises, merchandise, cash back, charities, or gift cards.
• If you prefer to earn travel rewards that you can transfer to partners , consider the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card . Hands down, this is one of the best cards for everyday purchases. You can redeem miles directly through Capital One Travel or maximize value by transferring them to a partner loyalty program. This card has a $95 annual fee. Learn more in our full Capital One Venture review .
• If you want a premium travel card with tons of perks , the Chase Sapphire Reserve ® might be the card for you. This is a premium card with the perks and annual fee to match. For a $550 annual fee, you get a $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge access, and more. Ultimate Rewards earned from the Sapphire Reserve can be redeemed for travel either directly through the Chase Travel portal or transferred to various travel partners. Check out our Sapphire Reserve review for more details .

• 5X miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2X miles per dollar on all other purchases

• 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025
• 10X points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 10X points on Chase Dining (including prepaid reservations and prepaid takeout purchased through Chase)
• 5X points on airfare purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3X points on all other travel
• 3X points on dining at restaurants
• 1X points on all other purchases

Related: Best Rewards Credit Card Offers This Month

USAA members have a good cash-back credit card option in the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards. The earning structure is simple without any bonus categories. And you also get an auto deductible reimbursement and travel protections with the card as well. For the right person, this credit card can make a lot of sense; you'd be wise not to overlook this solid cash back card and its competitive welcome offer for new cardmembers.

The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

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