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USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card basics
| Card type | Cash Back |
| Credit card issuer | USAA |
| Annual fee | $0 |
| Rewards rate | unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day |
| Welcome offer | Earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 within 90 days of account opening |
| Intro APRs | N/A |
| Recommended credit score | Excellent, Good |
| Foreign transaction fee | None |
Who should get the USAA Preferred Cash?
If you're looking for hassle-free cashback earnings as a USAA member, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card could be a great fit for your needs. Additionally, if you're a current military member looking at active duty in your future, you might also benefit from the extra-low interest rate on any debt you incur prior to going on active duty — even lower than the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) requirement.
This card is worth it for the respectable cashback rate, along with having no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee. However, this card requires the applicant to have good-to-excellent credit, which is typically above 670.
USAA Preferred Cash card benefits
- Unlimited cash back on every purchase: You'll earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. Not having to track rotating categories or which purchases earn you different interest rates makes this cashback card much less complex than many.
- SCRA interest rate benefits: The SCRA provides active duty service members a reduced interest rate of 6% on credit card debt incurred prior to active duty. However, USAA offers an even lower rate of 4%. This benefit is just one way military members can save big on credit cards.
- No foreign transaction fees: When spending abroad, you won't incur any foreign transaction fees.
- Rental car protection: With the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card, your rental car is protected with complimentary collision damage waiver insurance if you're in an accident.
- Extended warranty protection: Your purchases on this card may be eligible for extended warranty protection.
Earning and redeeming rewards
It's simple to score cash back with the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card. You'll earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. As such, this card is best used as an "everyday" card for purchases that wouldn't fall into another card's special rewards category (like a card with a specific rate for groceries or gas).
If you want to maximize your cashback earnings, consider using this card in conjunction with a second card that has specialty categories, like the Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card. If you like going out, this card will be perfect for you as you'll earn 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services; 5% back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases; and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Other cards to consider
If the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card doesn't sound like it will suit your needs, consider the following credit cards for your spending:
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card earns the same rate of cash back but includes more perks than the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card. You'll earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day; and 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy a $100 credit to use towards flights, stays and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first cardholder year. Plus, earn a $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening (limited time offer). And like the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card charges no foreign transaction fees.
That's a really easy welcome offer to qualify for, compared to many cash back cards like it.
Read our full Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card review.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is another great cashback card, especially if you're planning on making large purchases within the first year of holding the card. With the Chase Freedom Unlimited, you'll earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, it offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months (then 18.74% - 28.24% Variable).
Its earning is a bit more complicated than the USAA Preferred Cash card, but its high base rate on all purchases makes it easy to justify reaching for it on a lot of your spending, and you only stand to earn more if any of that spending happens to coincide with the bonus categories.
Read our full Chase Freedom Unlimited® review
FAQs
How do I redeem USAA cash rewards?
You may redeem the cash back you have earned with your account at any time by accessing the USAA Rewards Service Center at USAA.org or by calling 800-980-8722. You can redeem any particular amount of your cash back, but you must redeem it in increments of $1.00.
Is a USAA credit card good?
USAA credit cards are good cards designed with servicemembers in mind. That said, there are other credit cards out there that are also great credit cards for military members.
Which USAA credit card is easiest to get?
None of the USAA cards are easier than others to be approved for. All of them require good-to-excellent credit. For the best chance of being approved for the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card, you'll need to have a FICO score of 670 or higher.
Can I get a USAA credit card if I'm not in the military?
You can qualify for a USAA credit card if you are one of the following:
- Active duty or former service member (discharged honorably) in the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, National Guard, or Reserves
- A widow, widower, or un-remarried former spouse of a USAA member who joined USAA prior to or during the marriage
- An individual whose parents joined USAA
- A cadet or midshipman at a U.S. service academy in advanced ROTC or on ROTC scholarship
- An officer candidate within 24 months of commissioning
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Current Offer
Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases
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