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USAA balance transfer credit cards

Here's how to transfer a balance to your USAA credit card.

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Kevin Joey Chen
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Name Product Amount saved Balance transfer APR Balance transfer fee Recommended minimum credit score Filter values
The American Legion USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card
The American Legion USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card
0% intro for the first 12 months (then 10.9% to 25.9% variable)
3%
670
Earn 2x points on dining and gas and 1x points on all other purchases.
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None of the USAA credit cards come with a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers. This makes USAA cards a poor choice for consolidating debt. However, you could get a low ongoing APR with USAA, and electronic balance transfers are generally processed relatively quickly.

How to complete a USAA balance transfer

  1. Become a USAA member. You can’t apply for a USAA credit card unless you’re a USAA member. You’ll need to be an active, retired or separated military member with honorable discharge or an eligible family member.
  2. Choose a USAA credit card and verify its details. On the card page, you’ll see the range of ongoing APRs you might receive depending on your creditworthiness.
  3. Apply for the card. Click Apply now to start your application. Log in to your USAA account or sign up as a USAA member.
  4. Request the balance transfer. During the application process, you can request up to five balance transfers. You can also do this over the phone after you’ve opened your account or online at USAA’s dedicated balance transfer page.
  5. Wait for your balance transfer to finish. Electronic balance transfers typically complete relatively quickly, usually in five or so business days, though this may take longer. You can check the status of your balance transfer online while you wait. In the meantime, keep paying creditors to avoid late fees and hits to your credit score.

Eligibility requirements

You can apply for a USAA credit card if you:

  • Are an active or former military member, an eligible family member, a cadet or a midshipman.
  • Are at least 18 years old.
  • Are a US citizen or permanent resident of the US.
  • Have a valid Social Security or taxpayer identification number.

What do I need to apply?

Have the following information on hand before you apply for a USAA card:

  • Full name
  • Mailing address
  • Email address and phone number
  • Date of birth and Social Security number
  • Employment information and total annual income

Details you need to know before getting started

Although requesting a balance transfer is a straightforward process, you have to know the fine print to avoid surprises.

  • Balance transfer fee. All USAA credit cards come with a 3% balance transfer fee of the amount. This means a $7,500 balance transfer will cost you $225.
  • Balance transfer amount. USAA limits your balance transfers to 95% of your available credit limit. USAA may refuse to process transfers above your credit limit.
  • Originating bank. Balance transfers from another USAA credit card aren’t eligible. You can only transfer your balance from another bank.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Support a military organization. USAA partners with almost 60 military organizations for its cobranded cards. You can get a card emblazoned with your organization’s logo.
  • You could qualify for a low ongoing APR. With strong credit, you could receive a low ongoing purchase, balance transfer and cash advance APR.
  • Earn rewards. Both USAA Military Affiliate Card and Wounded Warrior Project USAA Rewardsâ„¢ Visa Signature Card offer 1x points on every purchase.
  • Quick balance transfers. Allow three to five business days for electronic balance transfers to complete. For all other transfers, allow seven to 10 business days. With other providers, it could take up to four weeks.

Cons

  • You’ll find 0% intro APRs elsewhere. You can find a card with a 0% intro APR period of 15 to 20 months with another provider.
  • You’ll find 0% intro APRs elsewhere. You can find a card with a 0% intro APR period of 15 to 20 months with another provider.
  • You might get a very high ongoing APR. With poor credit, you could receive a high ongoing purchase, balance transfer and cash advance APR.
  • There’s no card that offers an intro APR and $0 promotional transfer fees. You’ll find this combo with just a few products — notably, the BankAmericard® Credit Card.
  • USAA eligibility is limited. You must be an eligible military affiliate to apply for a USAA card.

Top alternative to USAA balance transfers

As of February 2021, some of the best balance transfer cards are the Citi® Double Cash Card and Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card. With these cards, you’ll get one of the longest intro APR periods offered for balance transfers.

Citi Simplicity® Card
A top alternative for a balance transfer
Citi Simplicity® Card

I got the card. Now what?

  • Check that your balance transfer has posted. Log in to your USAA account and click to the Balance transfer history page to see if your status is In progress, Completed or Unsuccessful.
    Consider calling USAA to confirm your transfer is complete. Afterward, you might want to close accounts with other creditors.
  • Make timely payments. Keeping up with payments helps you maintain your intro APR. You may want to set up automatic payments.
  • Contact customer support. Call 800-531-8722 if you have issues with your card. You can also tweet the bank @USAA_Help.

Bottom line

None of USAA’s cards currently offer intro APRs on balance transfers. Electronic transfers usually complete relatively quickly — within five business days.

If you’re not sure a USAA card is best for your balance transfer, consider balance transfer cards from other providers.

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