The top USAA credit cards for March 2024.

USAA offers a range of financial services to military members, veterans, and their families, including homeowners and car insurance, checking accounts, auto loans, mortgages, and credit cards. It's worth considering USAA when shopping for financial products as it may provide better rates or benefits for eligible members.

Best for cash back

The American Express® Cashback Rewards Plus Credit Card provides substantial rewards for frequent spending in categories such as gas stations, military bases, and groceries.

The card offers a competitive 5% cash back on gas station and military base purchases up to $3,000 annually, with an additional 2% cash back on grocery purchases up to $3,000 annually.

Best for everyday purchases

This credit card is perfect for those who value simplicity. It provides an exceptional return on every purchase without the need to navigate complex bonus categories.

Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no limit, and 50% more cashback than a typical card for non-bonus category spending with this card.

Best for travel

This credit card is designed for USAA members who are interested in travel, as it offers bonus rewards on travel purchases and a range of travel-related perks and protections.

Earning a single card benefit can offset the $95 annual fee of this card. Once a year, you can earn 10,000 bonus points (worth $100 in travel) when booking a hotel or rental car through the USAA Rewards Center. The booking must cost at least $100 and you'll have to redeem at least 100 points on the qualifying booking.

Best for bad credit

This credit card is suitable for individuals who do not meet the requirements for other rewards credit cards and are looking to enhance their credit history.

Secured credit cards may not be renowned for their rewards, but they are simpler to obtain because you must make an initial security deposit. This deposit influences your credit limit, which can range from $250 to $5,000. The money you deposit in your refundable deposit is held in a certificate of deposit (CD) that earns interest, ensuring that your funds are not idle while improving your credit score.

Best for low interest rate

If you're looking for a low interest rate, the USAA Rate Advantage Visa® Platinum Credit Card may be worth considering. It offers a potentially lower APR than the average credit card and a great intro APR.

New cardholders receive a 0% intro APR on balance transfers and convenience checks that post to the account within 90 days of account opening, followed by a variable APR of 12.15%-29.15%. However, there is a 5% fee on each balance transfer and convenience check, which should be considered when deciding whether to use the card to save on credit card interest.

Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card

The American Express Cashback Rewards Plus Credit Card is a no-cost card that provides high rewards rates for frequent purchases, along with several travel and shopping safeguards.

Rewards

Each year, customers receive a 5% discount on the first $3,000 spent at gas stations and military bases.
3% back on the first $3,000 in grocery purchases each year
1% back on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

None

Annual fee

Notable perks

USAA cardholders enjoy a robust set of travel and shopping safeguards, including:

Purchase security
Rental car insurance
Travel and emergency assistance
Trip cancellation and interruption
Travel accident insurance
Baggage delay reimbursement
Terms apply

This card is suitable for international purchases as it does not charge any foreign transaction fees.

Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card

The Visa Signature® Credit Card offers a cash-back rate and an intro APR without an annual fee.

Rewards

1.5% back on all purchases

Welcome bonus

None

Annual fee

Notable perks

Cell phone insurance
Rental car insurance
Travel and emergency assistance
Trip cancellation and interruption
Travel accident insurance
Baggage delay reimbursement
Extended warranty protection
Terms apply

This card also has no foreign transaction fees.

USAA Eagle Navigator™ Visa Signature® Credit Card

The USAA Eagle Navigator™ Visa Signature® Credit Card has an annual fee, but it's easy to offset, and it offers the best welcome bonus among all USAA cards.

Rewards

Travel expenses, including airfare, hotels, rental cars, tolls, and vacation rentals, are eligible for 3X points.
2X points on all other purchases

Welcome bonus

After opening an account and spending $3,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days, you will earn 30,000 bonus points.

Annual fee

$95

Notable perks

Cardholders can earn $100 in travel annually by booking an eligible hotel or rental car through the USAA Rewards Center. Additionally, every four years, cardholders can receive a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry application fee credit worth up to $100.

This credit card offers no foreign transaction fees and includes valuable insurance benefits such as cell phone insurance, purchase security, rental car insurance, travel and emergency assistance, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, travel accident insurance, baggage delay reimbursement, and extended warranty protection.

USAA Secured Visa® Platinum Credit Card

USAA offers two secured credit cards: the USAA Secured Visa® Platinum Credit Card and the USAA Secured American Express® Credit Card. Both cards have similar benefits and can help build credit, but neither earns rewards.

Rewards

None

Welcome bonus

None

Annual fee

Notable perks

USAA cardholders enjoy many built-in protections, including no foreign transaction fees.

Cell phone insurance
Purchase security
Travel and emergency assistance
Trip cancellation and interruption
Travel accident insurance
Baggage delay reimbursement
Extended warranty protection
Terms apply

USAA Rate Advantage Visa® Platinum Credit Card

Those seeking to pay off credit card debt faster will benefit from the features of the USAA Rate Advantage Visa® Platinum Credit Card.

Rewards

None

Welcome bonus

None

Annual fee

Notable perks

USAA offers a comprehensive range of credit card insurance coverages for eligible purchases, in addition to waiving foreign transaction fees. This card includes:

Cell phone insurance
Purchase security
Rental car insurance
Travel and emergency assistance
Trip cancellation and interruption
Travel accident insurance
Baggage delay reimbursement
Extended warranty protection
Terms apply

How to qualify for a USAA credit card

To be eligible for a USAA credit card, you must first become a USAA member. Membership is free and open to individuals who are members of the U.S. military or military veterans, including those who have served in the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard, as well as cadets and midshipmen. For more information on eligibility, refer to USAA's guidelines.

The application requirements for the card issuer, aside from the military affiliation, are similar to other card issuers. To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and at least 18 years old. Additionally, you'll need to have a source of income and your credit history will be reviewed during the application process.

Bottom line

USAA provides a variety of financial products to current and former U.S. military members and their eligible family members, including credit cards that offer travel rewards or cash back and additional features such as cell phone protection. To determine the best fit for you, compare all USAA credit card options with those not issued by USAA.

Why trust CNBC Select?

Our methodology

We analyzed all USAA credit cards and compared them based on various features such as rewards, welcome bonuses, APR, balance transfer fees, and foreign transaction fees.

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