USAA
Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card
Key Features
| Annual Fee | $0.00 |
| Sign-up Bonus | $200 reward bonus |
| Rewards Rate | 1%-5% Cash Back |
| Intro APR | Get a 0% Intro APR through your March 2028 billing cycle on balance transfers and convenience checks that post to your account by November 30, 2026. After your March 2028 billing cycle, the variable regular APR of 15.40% to 27.40% will apply to these introductory balances. There is a fee of 5% of the amount of each balance transfer and convenience check from account opening. |
| Regular APR | 15.40% to 27.40% Variable Regular APR |
| Other Fees | Balance Transfer and Cash Advance fee is 5% of each transaction amount. |
| Network | American Express |
About this card
The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card earns an overall rating of 3.3 out of 5.0, categorizing it as a 'Good' credit card. This rating reflects a blend of significant strengths and notable weaknesses. Its primary appeal lies in the absence of an annual fee and foreign transaction fees, making it a cost-effective option for everyday spending and international travel. The card offers highly competitive cashback rates of 5% on gas and military base purchases (up to annual caps) and 3% on groceries (up to an annual cap), along with a respectable $200 sign-up bonus. USAA's strong reputation for customer service and reliability further adds to its value proposition, particularly for its target audience of military members and their families. However, several factors prevent it from achieving a higher rating. The most significant drawback is the wide-ranging regular APR, with the upper end reaching an exceptionally high 27.40% variable, which is poor for a 'Very Good' credit tier card. While an intro APR for balance transfers is offered, it's undermined by a high 5% balance transfer fee that applies immediately, and the caveat that interest will accrue on new purchases. Additionally, the attractive bonus cashback categories are subject to restrictive annual spending caps, after which earnings revert to a standard 1% — a rate that is below average compared to many flat-rate cashback cards. This limitation reduces its effectiveness as a primary card for general spending. In summary, the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express card is a solid choice for USAA members who can consistently maximize its capped bonus categories and are diligent about paying their balances in full to avoid the high regular APR. Its fee structure (no annual, no foreign transaction) is excellent, but its rewards program is constrained by caps, and its APR, particularly the higher end, is a significant concern. It performs well as a niche or supplementary card but falls short of being an exceptional all-around rewards card.
Pros & Cons
What's great
- No annual fee
- Intro APR period
- Generous sign-up bonus
- High cashback rewards rate
- Cashback on purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Travel and purchase protections
Things to consider
- High regular APR
- Limited bonus rewards categories
- High balance transfer fee
What this card offers
Sign-up bonuses
- Earn a $200 reward bonus after spending $1,000 on qualifying purchases by November 30, 2026.
Rewards
- 5% cash back on your first $3,000 in gas station purchases yearly
- 3% cash back on your first $3,000 in grocery purchases yearly
- Unlimited 1% cash back on other purchases
- 5% cash back on your first $5,000 in military base purchases yearly
Other features
- No Penalty APR
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Rely on us — from secure logons to zero liability for unauthorized transactions.
- Set up a variety of alerts on your mobile device to stay informed.
- Report a lost or stolen card online or in the app.
- Auto Rental Coverage
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage
- Baggage Delay and Reimbursement
- Access USAA customer service 24/7 online.
- Take advantage of extended warranty protection on U.S. manufacturers' warranties.
- Add your card to your phone for fast mobile payments or checkouts.
Additional Notes
Important information: If you transfer a balance or write a convenience check to take advantage of the introductory rate offer, you will immediately incur interest on purchases until you pay your balance in full, including any transferred balances.