USAA credit cards 2022: Which one is best for you?

Best USAA credit cards

The best USAA credit card is the one that offers the biggest value for the lowest cost, whether that’s cash back, welcome offer size, or perks for military members and their families. We compared a variety of factors across USAA credit cards, including: rewards options, earning potential, interest rates, fees, introductory APR offers and other common credit card features.

The USAA cards that stood above the others when it came to performance were selected for our best list in their respective category. Without any enormous changes to speak of across the USAA credit card line in 2021, our top USAA choices for 2022 remained largely the same.

• Why trust us? Unlike our competitors, Finder’s credit card experts research and write about all credit cards, including those from providers who aren’t partners on our site. Our trustworthy, unbiased evaluations are solely meant to help you choose the best credit card for your financial needs.

USAA® Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card

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This card is a good choice for most individuals and families, as it offers a simple flat cashback rate on all purchases. The only potential drawback is the relative lack of card benefits, but this isn't a problem if you value simplicity.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Annual fee. None.
  • Rewards. 1.5% cash back on all purchases. A simple, solid rate for most families.
  • Deployment and PCS rate. Receive a 4% fixed APR on all balances for up to 12 months when you're on deployment or PCS. After that, receive an ongoing APR on all balances of 13.4% to 27.4% variable.
  • SCRA Rate. If you have a balance when you enter active military duty, you'll receive a 4% fixed APR on the balance until one year after you complete active duty. After that, receive an ongoing APR on all balances of 13.4% to 27.4% variable.
  
  

  Cons

  • Intro APR period. This card is not for you if you’re looking to transfer your balance from another account or to make a large purchase and carry the balance for months without paying any interest.
  • No signup bonus. You won't find a signup bonus with this card.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	13.4% to 27.4% variable
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 13.4% to 27.4% variable)
  Welcome Offer	N/A
  Rewards	Up to 1.5% cash back

Pros

• Annual fee. None.
• Rewards. 1.5% cash back on all purchases. A simple, solid rate for most families.
• Deployment and PCS rate. Receive a 4% fixed APR on all balances for up to 12 months when you're on deployment or PCS. After that, receive an ongoing APR on all balances of 13.4% to 27.4% variable.
• SCRA Rate. If you have a balance when you enter active military duty, you'll receive a 4% fixed APR on the balance until one year after you complete active duty. After that, receive an ongoing APR on all balances of 13.4% to 27.4% variable.

Cons

• Intro APR period. This card is not for you if you’re looking to transfer your balance from another account or to make a large purchase and carry the balance for months without paying any interest.
• No signup bonus. You won't find a signup bonus with this card.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	13.4% to 27.4% variable
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 13.4% to 27.4% variable)
  Welcome Offer	N/A
  Rewards	Up to 1.5% cash back

Welcome Offer	n/a
Rewards	Up to 1.5% cash back
Annual Fee	$0
Minimum Credit Score	670

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USAA® Rewards™ American Express® Card

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This card offers strong rewards for everyday bonus categories like dining, gas and groceries. And unlike some everyday cards, your rewards points aren't capped. Redeem points for airfare, merchandise, cash and more.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Annual fee. None.
  • Bonus points. Get a relatively easy-to-earn signup bonus of 2,500 points with your first purchase.
  • Rewards. More for everyday purchases. Earn 3x points for dining out, 2x points for gas and groceries and 1x points on all other purchases.
  • Deployment and PCS rate. Receive a 4% fixed APR on all balances for up to 12 months when you're on deployment or PCS. After that, receive an ongoing APR on all balances of 12.15% to 28.15% variable.
  • SCRA Rate. If you have a balance when you enter active military duty, you'll receive a 4% fixed APR on the balance until one year after you complete active duty. After that, receive an ongoing APR on all balances of 12.15% to 28.15% variable.

  Cons

  • No intro APR period. You won’t get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers or purchases with this card. If that’s what you want, look into a credit card with an intro APR period.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	12.15% to 28.15% variable
  Balance transfer APR	12.15% to 28.15% variable
  Welcome Offer	2,500 points with your first purchase
  Rewards	Up to 3x points

Pros

• Annual fee. None.
• Bonus points. Get a relatively easy-to-earn signup bonus of 2,500 points with your first purchase.
• Rewards. More for everyday purchases. Earn 3x points for dining out, 2x points for gas and groceries and 1x points on all other purchases.
• Deployment and PCS rate. Receive a 4% fixed APR on all balances for up to 12 months when you're on deployment or PCS. After that, receive an ongoing APR on all balances of 12.15% to 28.15% variable.
• SCRA Rate. If you have a balance when you enter active military duty, you'll receive a 4% fixed APR on the balance until one year after you complete active duty. After that, receive an ongoing APR on all balances of 12.15% to 28.15% variable.

Cons

• No intro APR period. You won’t get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers or purchases with this card. If that’s what you want, look into a credit card with an intro APR period.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	12.15% to 28.15% variable
  Balance transfer APR	12.15% to 28.15% variable
  Welcome Offer	2,500 points with your first purchase
  Rewards	Up to 3x points

Welcome Offer	2,500 points
Rewards	Up to 3x points
Annual Fee	$0
Minimum Credit Score	670

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USAA® Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card

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If you have excellent credit and plan on carrying a balance on your card, the USAA® Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card might be perfect for you. That's because it offers an APR on all balances as low as 6.9% variable depending on your creditworthiness. That's an excellent rate considering the average credit card APR is around 16%.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Annual fee. None.
  • Potentially low APR. You may qualify for an APR on all balances as low as 9.15% variable.
  • Deployment and PCS rate. Receive a 4% fixed APR on all balances for up to 12 months when you're on deployment or PCS. After that, receive an ongoing APR on all balances of 9.15% to 26.15% variable.
  • SCRA Rate. If you have a balance when you enter active military duty, you'll receive a 4% fixed APR on the balance until one year after you complete active duty. After that, receive an ongoing APR on all balances of 9.15% to 26.15% variable.

  Cons

  • No grace period for balance transfers and cash advances. You’ll accrue interest immediately if you take out a cash advance or initiate a balance transfer.
  • No intro APR period. The card doesn’t come with an intro APR period on purchases or balance transfers. But some card members report they received offers for an intro APR period that lasts up to 18 months.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	9.15% to 26.15% variable
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 9.15% to 26.15% variable)
  Welcome Offer	N/A
  Rewards	None

Pros

• Annual fee. None.
• Potentially low APR. You may qualify for an APR on all balances as low as 9.15% variable.
• Deployment and PCS rate. Receive a 4% fixed APR on all balances for up to 12 months when you're on deployment or PCS. After that, receive an ongoing APR on all balances of 9.15% to 26.15% variable.
• SCRA Rate. If you have a balance when you enter active military duty, you'll receive a 4% fixed APR on the balance until one year after you complete active duty. After that, receive an ongoing APR on all balances of 9.15% to 26.15% variable.

Cons

• No grace period for balance transfers and cash advances. You’ll accrue interest immediately if you take out a cash advance or initiate a balance transfer.
• No intro APR period. The card doesn’t come with an intro APR period on purchases or balance transfers. But some card members report they received offers for an intro APR period that lasts up to 18 months.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	9.15% to 26.15% variable
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 9.15% to 26.15% variable)
  Welcome Offer	N/A
  Rewards	None

Welcome Offer	n/a
Rewards	None
Annual Fee	$0
Minimum Credit Score	670

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Best for rebuilding credit

USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card

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This card offers a terrific 5% cash back on gas and military base purchases on your first $3,000 in purchases annually, and a solid 2% back on groceries on your first $3,000 in purchases annually. Plus, this card doesn't require an annual fee to use.

• Pros and cons

  Pros

  • Cash back. Earn 5% cash back on gas purchases and purchases made at military bases on up to $3,000 annually in combined purchases. You also earn 2% cash back at supermarkets on up to $3,000 annually. On both the 5% and 2% cashback categories, you earn 1% back once you reach the $3,000 cap. All other purchases also earn 1% cash back.
  • No annual fee. Enjoy the card and its benefits without paying an annual fee.
  • Deployment, PCS and SCRA rates. Get a low 4% fixed APR on all balances for 12 months if you're on deployment or in a permanent change of station. If you enter active military duty, you'll receive the same 4% fixed APR on all current balances until one year after you complete active duty. After that, your rate reverts to a variable APR of 14.15% to 28.15%.

  Cons

  • Cap on cash back. You’re limited to $3,000 in combined purchases for the 5% rate and $3,000 for the 2% cashback categories. After reaching the cap for either, you earn 1% back.
  • No intro APR period. You start off with a variable APR of 14.15% to 28.15%. If you’re looking to transfer your balance from another account, or if you want to make a large purchase and to pay it off interest-free for a prolonged period of time, check out 0% intro APR cards.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	14.15% to 28.15% variable
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.15% to 28.15% variable)
  Welcome Offer	N/A
  Rewards	Up to 5% cash back

Pros

• Cash back. Earn 5% cash back on gas purchases and purchases made at military bases on up to $3,000 annually in combined purchases. You also earn 2% cash back at supermarkets on up to $3,000 annually. On both the 5% and 2% cashback categories, you earn 1% back once you reach the $3,000 cap. All other purchases also earn 1% cash back.
• No annual fee. Enjoy the card and its benefits without paying an annual fee.
• Deployment, PCS and SCRA rates. Get a low 4% fixed APR on all balances for 12 months if you're on deployment or in a permanent change of station. If you enter active military duty, you'll receive the same 4% fixed APR on all current balances until one year after you complete active duty. After that, your rate reverts to a variable APR of 14.15% to 28.15%.

Cons

• Cap on cash back. You’re limited to $3,000 in combined purchases for the 5% rate and $3,000 for the 2% cashback categories. After reaching the cap for either, you earn 1% back.
• No intro APR period. You start off with a variable APR of 14.15% to 28.15%. If you’re looking to transfer your balance from another account, or if you want to make a large purchase and to pay it off interest-free for a prolonged period of time, check out 0% intro APR cards.

• More details

  Annual fee	$0
  Purchase APR	14.15% to 28.15% variable
  Balance transfer APR	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.15% to 28.15% variable)
  Welcome Offer	N/A
  Rewards	Up to 5% cash back

Welcome Offer	n/a
Rewards	Up to 5% cash back
Annual Fee	$0
Minimum Credit Score	670

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How to apply for a USAA card

To apply for a USAA card:

1. Visit the USAA website at USAA.com and select Products on the top menu bar.
2. Choose Credit cards under the Banking column of the drop-down menu.
3. Browse USAA credit cards by feature. When you find one you’re interested in, hit the Get started button.
4. If you have an account, enter your username and password. If not, select Join online. USAA will verify your eligibility for its products.

How many USAA cards can I have?

USAA doesn’t advertise a credit card limit on their website. However, some users on the MyFICO forums suggest that you can have multiple credit cards, but only up to a cap of $50,000 in total credit.

Types of USAA cards

USAA offers a wide range of credit cards for eligible USAA members: rewards, APR and military affiliate credit cards. USAA rewards credit cards allow you to earn points when you use your card to make purchases on eligible products. Redeem these points on travel, gift cards and more.

With a USAA cashback card, you’ll get a percentage of your eligible purchases as cash back. You’ll often receive this as a statement credit.

USAA also offers one credit card designed for those looking for a low APR. Strangely, this card doesn’t offer cardholders an intro APR period. Additionally, USAA offers a few cards that let you choose a particular military affiliate for your design. Make purchases with this card and USAA will make a small donation to your chosen affiliate.

USAA rewards program

USAA rewards cards offer either cash back or points. If your card offers points, redeem them for rewards that include:

How do you redeem rewards?

To redeem rewards, log in to your credit card account on the USAA website. Then navigate to the USAA Rewards Service Center. Or, call 800-900-8722 to redeem your rewards.

How much are rewards worth?

USAA points are worth 1 cent apiece, which is standard across the credit card industry. For some rewards, points might be worth less than that rate. Depending on your choice of reimbursement, points might be worth less than that rate. For example, 6,000 points may be worth only $50 in cash rewards instead of $60.

Full list of USAA Bank credit cards

Frequently asked questions

How does USAA keep my credit card information secure?

USAA employs several of the standard issue security features for its card accounts, including fraud alerts, a zero liability policy and encryption software for its website.

Are there fees associated with my USAA credit card?

Depending on the card, there are annual, balance transfer, late payment and cash advance fees. There are also particular cards that charge a foreign currency conversion fee. Have this in mind before you decide.

How can I increase my USAA secured card credit limit?

For secured cards, you may be able to increase your limit as your credit score increases. Develop a history of paying bills on time to build your credit limit.