finder.com
US
AU
NZ
UK
CA
SG
More
Advertiser Disclosure

Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our content.

USAA Cash Rewards® American Express® review

Megan Horner
Megan Horner
Last updated:  

Please note: This card has been discontinued, and it is not available on our site.

The basics

The USAA Cash Rewards® American Express® card is backed by American Express®, which offers an impressive suite of world-class benefits. You’ll enjoy 24/7 concierge service for dining, entertainment, assistance with travel planning, rental car insurance, and shopping benefits like price protection and extended warranties.

Every time you use the card, earn 2.25% cash back on groceries and gas, saving you money on things you buy anyway. There’s no limit on your points and they never expire. Military service members on deployment will especially like the card’s lenient interest rates and fee reimbursements.

Your interest rate depends on your credit, at 13.65% to 27.65% variable. Regardless of your interest rate you’ll always enjoy a $0 annual fee, cash rewards redeemable at any time, and no foreign transaction fees.

The perks

  • Cash back rewards.
    Earn 2.25% cash back on groceries and gas, and up to 1.25% cash back on everything else.
  • Cash rewards redeemable anytime.
    USAA’s cash back policy lets you cash out anytime.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
    Use your USAA Amex card outside of the US with no fees.
  • Rental car insurance.
    You’re covered with collision insurance when you rent a car with your USAA Amex card.
  • Amex security.
    Includes identity theft protection, price protection and extended purchase warranties.
  • Concierge service.
    Access Amex’s concierge service for travel, dining, entertainment and more.
  • Travel perks.
    Offers assistance for when you travel like medical and legal services, roadside assistance, baggage delay coverage, trip cancellation insurance and more.

You’ll also like…

    • Special 4% SCRA rate.
      You’ll get 4% APR on your existing balance when you enter active duty.
    • Deployment/PCS Rate.
      Get 4% APR on all balances for up to 12 months during deployment or PCS. After 12 months, the regular APR, currently between 10.65% to 26.65% variable, will apply. This rate will vary with the market, based on the prime rate.
    • Military Campaign Benefit.
      You’ll get a rebate on all finance charges accrued while you served in a qualified military campaign.

    What to watch out for

    • Only for members of the military and their family members.
      To qualify for the card, you need to be an active military member, a veteran who was honorably discharged, or an eligible military family member.
    • Late and returned payment fees.
      Late payment comes with a $25 fee for the first transgression in six billing periods; otherwise, the fee is $35. The same fee structure applies for returned payments.
    • Balance transfer and cash advance fee.
      When transferring balances and taking out cash advances, remember to factor in the fee of 3%.

    What do I need to know before I apply?

    Eligibility criteria

    In order to apply for the USAA Cash Rewards® American Express®, you must be a member of the military, a veteran who was honorably discharged or an eligible family member of military personnel. You also must be:

    • A US citizen or permanent resident
    • At least 18 years old

    Always consider your options and your financial situation before you apply for a credit card.

    Required documents & information

    • Full name and address
    • Marital status
    • Birthdate
    • Contact information
    • Proof of employment and income

    Compare other cash back credit cards

    Name Product Filter values Rewards Purchase APR Annual fee
    Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
    Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
    6% on select US streaming services, 3% on transit and US gas stations, 6% at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 annually, then 1% after that and on all other purchases
    0% intro for the first 12 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)
    $0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)
    Apply now
    View details
    Perfect for families: Get up to 6% on everyday purchases and a welcome offer worth $300. This heavy-hitter rewards card has uncontested value. Rates & fees
    Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
    Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
    20% at Amazon.com up to $200 back in the first 6 months, 2% at US gas stations and select US department stores, 3% at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year, then 1% after that and on all other purchases
    0% intro for the first 15 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)
    $0
    Apply now
    View details
    This everyday cashback card is ideal for Black Friday and holiday shopping with 20% back at Amazon.com up to $200 back in the first 6 months. Rates & fees
    Chase Freedom Flex℠
    Chase Freedom Flex℠
    5% back in rotating categories up to $1,500 combined each activated quarter (then 1%), 5% on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on all other purchases
    0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.99% to 23.74% variable)
    $0
    Apply now
    View details
    Get up to 5% cashback in rotating and newly added everyday categories. The refreshed Freedom Flex card has lots of earning potential.
    Citi® Double Cash Card
    Citi® Double Cash Card
    Up to 2% cash back on purchases (1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay)
    13.99% to 23.99% variable
    $0
    Apply now
    View details
    Earn up to 2% on every purchase with no annual fee. This is the highest flat-rate cashback card on the market.
    Chase Freedom Unlimited®
    Chase Freedom Unlimited®
    5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 5% on Lyft, 3% on dining and drugstores and 1.5% on all other purchases
    0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.99% to 23.74% variable)
    $0
    Apply now
    View details
    This solid 1.5% cashback card gets even better with the addition of up to 5% back in categories like travel, drug stores and dining.
    Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
    Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
    4% at gas stations on up to $7,000 annually (then 1%), 3% at restaurants and on travel, 2% at Costco and 1% on all other purchases
    15.24% variable
    $0
    Apply now
    View details
    An impressive cashback card that offers up to 4% back on everyday purchases like gas, travel and dining all for the cost of a Costco membership.
    American Express Cash Magnet® Card
    American Express Cash Magnet® Card
    1.5% cash back on all purchases
    0% intro for the first 15 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)
    $0
    Apply now
    View details
    With 1.5% back on everything and a 15 months intro APR on purchases, this no-annual-fee rewards card makes it simple to earn more rewards. Rates & fees
    Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card
    Petal® 2
    Up to 10% cash back from select merchants, on other purchases earn 1% back, 1.25% after six on-time payments and 1.5% after 12 on-time payments
    12.99% to 26.99% variable
    $0
    Apply now
    View details
    Build your credit with rewards and no fees: Apply if you're new to credit or have a fair to good score of 600 or higher. See if you prequalify with no impact to your score.
    TD Cash Credit Card
    TD Cash Credit Card
    3% on dining, 2% at grocery stores and 1% on all other eligible purchases
    0% intro for the first 6 months (then 12.99%, 17.99% or 22.99% variable)
    $0
    Apply now
    View details
    3% on dining and 2% on groceries make this a valuable card for food purchases. Use it while traveling, too, with no foreign transaction fees. Available in: CT, DC, DE, FL, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC, VA, VT
    CardMatch™ from creditcards.com
    CardMatch™ from creditcards.com
    See terms
    See issuer's website
    See terms
    See offer
    View details
    Use the CardMatch tool to find cards you're likely to qualify for with your credit score, without a hard pull on your credit.
    Credit One Bank® Visa® with Free Credit Score Access
    Credit One Bank® Visa® with Free Credit Score Access
    1% cash back on all purchases or in categories based on Credit One Bank’s discretion
    17.99% to 23.99% variable
    $0 to $99
    Apply now
    View details
    Get 1% cash back on all purchases or in categories based on Credit One Bank’s discretion.
    Credit One Bank® Unsecured Visa® with Cash Back Rewards
    Credit One Bank® Unsecured Visa® with Cash Back Rewards
    1% cash back on all purchases or in categories based on Credit One Bank’s discretion
    17.99% to 23.99% variable
    $0 to $99
    Apply now
    View details
    Earn 1% cash back on all purchases or in categories based on Credit One Bank’s discretion.
    Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
    Credit One Bank® Platinum Visa® for Rebuilding Credit
    1% cash back on all purchases on eligible purchases
    17.99% to 23.99% variable
    $0 to $99
    Apply now
    View details
    Earn 1% cash back on all purchases or in categories based on Credit One Bank’s discretion.
    Official NASCAR® Credit Card from Credit One Bank®
    Official NASCAR® Credit Card from Credit One Bank®
    Up to 1% cash back on eligible purchases determined by Credit One and double cash back at the NASCAR Shop
    17.99% to 23.99% variable
    $0 to $99
    Apply now
    View details
    Get up to 1% cash back rewards on eligible purchases determined by Credit One and double cash back rewards at the NASCAR Shop.
    loading

    Compare up to 4 providers

    Back to top

    Ask an expert

    You are about to post a question on finder.com:

    • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
    • finder.com is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
    • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
    • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

    Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our finder.com Terms of Use and Privacy and Cookies Policy.
    Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our finder.com Terms of Use and Privacy and Cookies Policy.
    Go to site