Best USAA credit cards

At a glance 

The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card is the card to get when you are living on base because you are rewarded for the purchases you make on base. Rewards start with a 0% introductory APR for all balance transfers and convenience checks that you make within the first 90 days of having the account. You will still have to pay a 3% fee, but the introductory APR offer can still save you some extra bucks each month. There are regular rewards, too. You will receive 5% cash back on gas and purchases made on military bases, up to $3,000 per year. You also earn 2% gas back on groceries, also up to $3,000 per year. 

There is also unlimited 1% cash back on all other qualifying purchases with no category restrictions. Another way you can save money is through fees, with USAA charging no annual fees or foreign transaction fees to trouble you during your service. The starting APR is higher than many of USAA’s best credit cards, but the rewards make it well worth it for many. 

Pros:

• Introductory APR
• No annual or foreign transaction fees
• On-base cashback

Cons:

• No intro rewards
• Spending caps apply

At a glance 

The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa® Signature Card gives flat rewards with unlimited 1.5% cash back on every qualifying purchase with no category restrictions. It is not as generous with the rewards as other cards, but there is something to be said for flat rewards that have no caps or category restrictions. You still get the 0% introductory APR for balance transfers and convenience checks, lasting for 15 months, with a 3% fee. There are also few fees with no annual fee or foreign transaction fee, plus there is no penalty APR. It is an extra way to save money on your credit card bill every month, especially since the rewards are limited with this card.

Pros:

• Intro APR offer
• No categories
• Few fees

Cons:

• Low cash back rate
• Excellent credit recommended 

At a glance

The USAA Rate Advantage Visa® Platinum Card also shares the same offer as the other cards, giving you a 0% introductory APR for balance transfers and convenience checks lasting your first 15 months of having the card. After that, you transition to a competitive APR starting at less than eight percent. In order to benefit from a low APR, you only have to carry a balance each month to receive the same rate on your purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances. Like the other cards before, there are no annual fees or foreign transaction fees.

Pros: 

• Intro balance APR
• Few fees
• No annual fee

Cons:

• No cashback rewards
• Balance transfer fee 

At a glance

The USAA RewardsTM American Express® Card gives you the same introductory 0% APR for balance transfers and convenience checks made within the first 90 days. A 3% fee applies. You also get regular rewards, too, with 3x the points when you dine out. You also get 2x the points when you fill up your car at the gas station or go shopping at your neighborhood grocery store. 

All other purchases earn 1x the points. The APR is reasonable, too, falling within the middle of USAA’s three rates. Plus, when you first sign up for the card, USAA will give you 2,500 bonus points with your first qualifying purchases, giving you a healthy head start on your earnings. 

Pros: 

• Intro balance transfer APR 
• Unlimited rewards
• Few fees

Cons:

• No intro purchase APR
• Fee applies for balance transfers

At a glance

When you stay on the move, the USAA RewardsTM Visa® Signature Card could be the perfect card for you. You start with 2,500 bonus points with your first qualifying purchase. You also get 2x the points on gas and dining out, with 1x the points on all other qualifying purchases. Points are unlimited, so you do not have to worry about any caps. There are no foreign transaction fees to save you extra money, as well as no annual fee or penalty APR. It is just another way you can save money with USAA.

Pros:

• Intro APR for balance transfers
• Bonus rewards
• Unlimited rewards

Cons:

• No intro purchase APR 
• The balance transfer fee applies

There are several factors we consider in our search for the best USAA credit card. 

• APR: The annual percentage rate, or APR, determines how much interest you will pay on your purchases and balance transfers. The lower the APR, the less interest you pay.

• Fees: Fees can quickly add up, so we consider fees like annual fees, foreign transaction fees, and balance transfer fees.

• Rewards: One of the best things about a credit card is the amount of rewards you can receive, from cash back to bonus points. 

• Credit score: There are often credit requirements in order to qualify for a new credit card. Most USAA often looks for good to excellent credit for its credit cards.

Before you apply for a USAA credit card, consider which features, fees, and factors are the best fit for you. 

The best USAA credit cards can all blend together over time, so these are our expert suggestions to help you find the right card for your family.

Founded in 1922, the United Services Automobile Association, or USAA, serves the military community including active-duty military, veterans, and their families. Today, it has 13 million members with 48.8 million total products. 

Services include not only credit cards but also insurance and investment opportunities. 

The APR for USAA credit cards all depends on the one you choose. For example, the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card starts at 12.65% but the USAA® Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card is significantly lower with a 7.65% starting APR. Overall, the best USAA credit cards range from 7.65% to 26.65% variable APR. 

The best USAA credit card all depends on what you are seeking in a credit card. Some are best for life in base, giving you discounts on purchases you make on base. Others may favor rewards, offering generous sign-up bonuses and introductory offers. 

Our list of the best USAA credit cards is an excellent place to begin your search for the best USAA credit card for your needs.

USAA only offers five credit cards, as demonstrated above.