USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express^® Card Review [2025]: Rewards for Your Service

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus card basics

Should you get the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus?

The perfect candidate for this card is someone stationed on a military base or who spends a large amount of money on gas — or both.

With 5% cash back on gas and at military bases (combined first $3,000 annually), 2% cash back on groceries (first $3,000 annually), and unlimited 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases, you can earn a respectable return on your spending. Cash back arrives in the form of a statement credit.

In addition, you must meet USAA's membership qualifications.

According to USAA, you can qualify for membership if you meet any of the following descriptions:

• Active duty or former service members (discharged honorably) in the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy National Guard, and Reserves
• Widows, widowers, and un-remarried former spouses of USAA members who joined USAA prior to or during the marriage
• Your parents joined USAA
• Cadets and midshipmen at U.S. service academies in advanced ROTC or on ROTC scholarship
• Officer candidates within 24 months of commissioning

When this card doesn't make sense

There are more lucrative offers specifically for spending at supermarkets and grocery stores. The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card, for instance, lets you earn 3% on grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services.

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus card benefits

• Generous cashback rewards: You'll earn 5% cash back on gas and at military bases (combined first $3,000 annually), 2% cash back on groceries (first $3,000 annually), and unlimited 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. When spending on military bases, you're also saving money since your purchases will be sales tax-free, making your savings even larger. Cash back is in the form of statement credits.
• No foreign transaction fees: When spending abroad, you won't incur any foreign transaction fees.
• SCRA interest rate benefits: The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides active-duty service members a reduced interest rate of 6% on credit card debt incurred prior to active duty. USAA takes that even further by offering an even lower rate of 4%.
• Rental car protection: With the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card, your rental car may qualify for collision damage waiver insurance. This insurance is activated when you pay for the car rental using the card.

Earning & redeeming

Earning cash back with the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card is quite simple. And you can redeem your cashback at any time in $1 increments.

Best ways to earn

Maximizing your redemptions

With the bonus categories of 5% cash back on gas and at military bases (combined first $3,000 annually), 2% cash back on groceries (first $3,000 annually), and unlimited 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases, your maximum redemption after a year of spending in the two higher categories will be $210. This return on spending isn't all that high, but it could be a great supplemental card in your wallet if you're frequently spending at gas stations or military bases.

Other cards to consider

If the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card isn't right for you, we have other recommendations. 

Here are a few of the best credit cards for military members and their families to earn valuable cash back or rewards on their purchases.

USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card

You may want to check out the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card. This is basically a more flexible version of the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express. With the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Credit Card, you'll earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day. If you're not spending on base or purchasing a significant amount of gas, this card may fit your overall spending habits better.

Chase Freedom Flex^®

The Chase Freedom Flex^® card could also be a great fit. This card doesn't have an annual fee, and you'll earn 5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories you activate (on up to $1,500 spent) and travel purchased through Chase Travel℠; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery service); and 1% cash back on all other purchases. New members can also earn a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.  

FAQs

Cash Back on Military Bases

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express^® Card

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USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express^® Card

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Current Offer

Earn 2% cash back on your first $3,000 in grocery purchases every year

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

5% cash back on gas and at military bases (combined first $3,000 annually), 2% cash back on groceries (first $3,000 annually), and unlimited 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits

• Earns cash back on military base spending
• $0 annual fee
• No foreign transaction fees

Drawbacks

• No 0% intro APR offer on new purchases
• Only offered to USAA members
• Low spending limits for elevated cash back earning categories

Card Details

• Earn 2% cash back on your first $3,000 in grocery purchases every year
• 5% cash back on gas and at military bases (combined first $3,000 annually), 2% cash back on groceries (first $3,000 annually), and unlimited 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases
• Intro balance transfer 0% APR offer: 0% for 15 months then 16.15% to 28.15% (variable)