USAA offers competitive credit cards for military members, as well as their spouses and dependents, that address most financial goals, such as low APR, cashback, or travel rewards.
I’ve reviewed the USAA credit cards to help you determine which suits your family the most.
6 Best USAA Credit Cards of May 2024
Comparing the USAA credit cards side-by-side can help you see the big picture. Sometimes, a low APR is better than high rewards, or vice versa.
Here’s everything to consider when choosing the right card.
- USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card: Best for straightforward rewards
- USAA Eagle Navigator® Credit Card: Best for travel rewards
- USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card: Best military base spending
- USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card: Best for low APR
- USAA Secured Card® American Express® Credit Card: Best secured card
- USAA Rewards™ American Express® Credit Card: Best for rewards on dining out and groceries
1. USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $0
- Intro APR: 0% for 15 months
- Variable Regular APR: 17.15% – 31.15%
- Reward Rates: 1.5% cash back on most purchases
- Recommended Credit Score: Excellent
The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a flat cash back percentage, making it an easy card to have in your wallet.
You don’t have to worry about monitoring categories or activating offers; most purchases earn 1.5% cash back.
Pros
- Cash back rewards don’t expire
- Zero liability for unauthorized transactions*
- There are no limits to rewards or categories to track
- Auto rental, travel accident, and trip cancellation coverage
Cons
- No sign-up bonus
- 5% balance transfer fee
- High variable regular APR
Is the Card Worth It?
If you’re looking for a straightforward card with no thinking and plenty of redemption options, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card can be worth it.
You can redeem all your rewards at once or in increments, putting you in control of your rewards.
- Keep Reading: Best Cash Back Credit Cards
*Zero Liability Policy: You are not liable for unauthorized use that is reported to us. Unauthorized use means the use of a credit card by someone other than you who does not have actual, implied, or apparent authority for such use and from which you do not receive a direct or indirect benefit. We will follow the requirements of the federal Truth in Lending Act and Nevada law to determine if a charge is unauthorized.
2. USAA Eagle Navigator™ Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $95
- Intro APR: N/A
- Variable Regular APR: 20.15% to 28.40%
- Reward Rates: 3x points on travel purchases, 2x points on everyday purchases
- Bonus Offer & Details: Earn 10,000 Bonus Points every year – applies after you complete eligible hotel or car booking. That’s equal to a $100 travel value.
- Travel Benefits: Up to $100 credit towards TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry® fee every four years.
- Recommended Credit Score: Excellent
If you love to travel, you could earn 3x the points per dollar spent, helping you earn faster rewards.
All other purchases earn 2x points. The card also offers a pretty great bonus offer of 10,000 Bonus Points every year after completing an eligible hotel or car booking.
Pros
- Earn rewards faster with 3x points on travel purchases
- All other everyday purchases earn 2x points
- Healthy bonus after a single qualifying purchase
Cons
- High regular APR
- No introductory APR
Is the Card Worth It?
If you travel often, the USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature® Credit Card may be beneficial thanks to its many travel perks, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay and reimbursement, and auto rental coverage.
You can also use your points for travel rewards. But if your spending focus isn’t on dining and gas, you’ll find better rewards elsewhere.
- Keep Reading: Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards
3. USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $0
- Intro APR: 0% for 15 months available on balance transfers and convenience checks
- Variable Regular APR: 16.90% – 30.90%16.90% – 30.90%
- Reward Rates: 5% cash back on gas and military base purchases annually up to $3,000; 2% cash back on up to $3,000 in grocery purchases annually, 1% cashback on everything else
- Recommended Credit Score: Excellent
The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card has its benefits, but it may only be worth it for some.
It offers high rewards on gas, military base, and grocery store purchases, but with a strict annual limit.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Attractive travel rewards
- Attractive APR on balance transfers
- High cashback percentage on military base purchases, which is rare for credit card rewards
Cons
- High APR
- Low cap on balance rewards
- Low overall cashback reward (1%)
Is the Card Worth It?
The category limits significantly inhibit the reward potential of this card.
Unless you only plan to spend $3,000 on military purchases and won’t use a rewards credit card for anything else, you’re better off with a rewards card without category limits.
4. USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $0
- Intro APR: 0% APR for 15 months available on balance transfers and convenience checks that post within 90 days of account opening
- Variable Regular APR: 12.15% – 29.15%
- Reward Rates: n/a
- Recommended Credit Score: Good, Excellent
The USAA Rate Advantage Visa® Platinum Credit Card is for rate-conscious consumers.
It doesn’t include many other benefits or rewards, but the lower APR may benefit you more if you carry a balance.
Pros
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers
- No annual or foreign transaction fee
- Low regular variable APR if you qualify
- Pay the same APR on purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances (after the intro period).
Cons
- No rewards
- No guarantee you’ll qualify for the lowest APR
Is the Card Worth It?
If you focus on a card’s APR and have great credit, the USAA Rate Advantage Visa® Platinum Credit Card may suit your purposes.
Don’t be on the lookout for rewards, minus an introductory APR on balance transfers; this card has no bells and whistles.
5. USAA Secured Card® American Express® Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $0
- Intro APR: n/a
- Variable Regular APR: 28.15%
- Reward Rates: n/a
- Recommended Credit Score: Fair
Military members trying to build or overcome bad credit can use the USAA Secured Card® American Express® Credit Card to restore their credit without paying an annual fee.
As a bonus, you earn interest on your security deposit, which isn’t something most secured credit cards offer.
Pros
- No annual fee
- No penalty APR
- It may help you build credit
- Earn interest on your security deposit
Cons
- No rewards
- 5% balance transfer fee
- Your security deposit could be tied up in a CD
Is the Card Worth It?
If you have bad credit or have never built credit, the USAA Secured Card® American Express® Credit Card offers the opportunity with few costs and the chance to earn interest.
USAA reports the card to all three credit bureaus. This allows you to build your credit score while taking advantage of the card’s benefits.
6. USAA Rewards™ American Express® Credit Card
- Annual Fee: $0
- Intro APR: 0% APR available on balance transfers and convenience checks, but only for the first 15 months
- Variable Regular APR: 15.15% – 31.15%
- Reward Rates: 3x on dining, 2x on grocery and gas, and 1x on all other purchases
- Bonus Offer & Details: 2,500 points after your first purchase
- Recommended Credit Score: Excellent
If you spend a lot on dining, grocery, and gas, you’ll enjoy unlimited rewards in these categories with the USAA Rewards™ American Express® Credit Card.
Plus, you get 2,500 bonus points for making your first qualifying purchase.
Pros
- No penalty APR
- Many options for redemption
- Easy to earn purchase bonus
- No annual or foreign transaction fees
Cons
- High regular APR
- 5% balance transfer fee
- Low rewards on purchases other than dining out, grocery, and gas
Is the Card Worth It?
If most of your credit card spending falls under the dining out, grocery, or gas categories, you’ll earn great rewards with no limit on this card.
However, don’t look to it for high rewards on travel or everyday purchases.
Who Is Eligible For USAA Credit Cards?
To qualify for a USAA credit card, you must first be a member or apply to be a member of USAA. The organization is open to all current and former military members, and their spouses and dependents. This includes children of military members.
However, just being a USAA member isn’t enough. You must also have a credit score and income to qualify for a USAA credit card. Each card has different requirements, but most require good to excellent credit.
Benefits Offered On USAA Credit Cards
USAA credit cards offer various benefits, such as different APRs, cashback rewards, and balance transfer options.
However, all USAA credit cards offer the following benefits:
Frequently Asked Questions
USAA credit cards help military families earn well-deserved rewards. Here are some common questions about the cards.
Is USAA Better Than Other Banks for Credit Cards?
USAA credit cards are competitive compared to other credit card offerings., but none of their cards have an annual fee, which is different from all other credit cards.[BM2]
Plus, if you’re in the military, you may realize other benefits, including a lower APR for debt incurred before active military duty.
Like any credit card, you should always look at the big picture to ensure you’re maximizing your rewards when using a credit card.
Which USAA Credit Card Is Best?
There isn’t one USAA credit card that’s best because each cardholder has different needs or qualifies for different cards. However, if you want a straightforward card with flat-rate rewards, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card is the best choice.
Which USAA Credit Card Is Easiest To Get?
The USAA Secured Card® American Express® Credit Card is the easiest to get because you must put down a security deposit. But you can qualify with the lowest credit score.
How Hard Is It To Get a USAA Card?
USAA isn’t transparent about the required credit score for its credit cards, but good to excellent credit is always a good idea when applying for a credit card.
What Credit Score Is Needed for USAA?
USAA doesn’t disclose the required credit score for their credit cards.
Which USAA Credit Card Has the Highest Limit?
The USAA Rewards and Cashback credit cards have the highest limits. Credit card holders with a secured or low-rate credit card cannot ask for credit line increases.
Does USAA Do a Credit Check?
Yes, USAA pulls your credit when you apply for a new card and if you request a credit line increase.
Does USAA Verify Income?
Yes, USAA ensures you have enough income to cover the payments you incur when using your USAA credit card.
How Long Does It Take To Get a USAA Credit Card?
USAA sometimes offers immediate approval on its credit cards, but an answer may take longer. The credit card takes 7 to 10 business days to arrive if approved.
Is USAA Open To Non-Military Personnel for Membership?
The only non-military personnel eligible for a USAA credit card are spouses or children of military personnel.
Will USAA Automatically Increase Your Credit Limit?
USAA will consider a credit limit increase every 180 days. You can request an increase if they don’t offer one, but there’s no guarantee you’ll receive it.
How Do I Increase My USAA Credit Limit?
You can request a credit limit increase once every six months, but there’s no guarantee you’ll receive it.
Does USAA Give High Credit Limits?
The credit limit you get approved for varies based on your income and credit score.
Can I Upgrade or Downgrade My USAA Credit Card?
It’s usually easier to downgrade rather than upgrade, but depending on your credit card type, you may qualify to upgrade it to a different card. The answer varies by the cardholder and their qualifications.
Conclusion
Check out your options for a USAA credit card and decide how you’d use it. A low APR is only sometimes the answer if you’re looking for rewards or other USAA benefits.
Compare your options side-by-side and decide which provides you with the greatest rewards!
Methodology
When selecting which USAA credit card is best for each category, I looked at the big picture, including the card’s APR, rewards, annual fee, and category limits.
USAA offers credit cards for almost any use or rewards, but finding the card that suits your spending and financial goals is the best option.
