Navy Federal Credit Union Visa Signature cashRewards Card
vs. USAA® Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card

Updated: June 18, 2024

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Both the Navy Federal Credit Union Visa Signature cashRewards Card and the USAA® Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card offer enticing cash back rewards without the burden of annual fees or foreign transaction costs. The Navy Federal cashRewards edges out with a higher cash back rate for those with direct deposit and a generous introductory offer. It is more accessible to those with fair credit, making it a versatile option for a broader audience.

However, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card is still a strong contender, especially for those who can benefit from its introductory APR offer.

Credit Card logo for Navy Federal Credit Union Visa Signature cashRewards Card
Navy Federal Credit Union Visa Signature cashRewards Card
Credit Card logo for USAA® Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card
USAA® Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.1/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
3.5/ of 5
On Issuer's Site
On Issuer's Site

Which Card Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Navy Federal cashRewards if you're looking for a card with a competitive cash back rate and a valuable welcome bonus. With a lower APR range and the potential to earn 1.75% cash back on all purchases with direct deposit, it's a strong choice for those who want to maximize their rewards.

You might prefer the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards if you prioritize security features and travel benefits. While it doesn't offer a welcome bonus, it provides unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases and an introductory APR offer. These features make it a solid option for those who value consistent rewards and added protections on their spending.

Head-to-Head Comparison: Card Details and Features

Evaluating APRs, fees, credit requirements, rewards, introductory offers and other features will clarify which card aligns with your financial needs. Review subtle differences, like Navy Federal cashRewards' higher cash back rate with direct deposit vs. USAA Preferred Cash Rewards' broader eligibility for rewards. Specifics, such as the variable APR range for each card, will guide your choice.

    discount icon

    Regular APR: Navy Federal cashRewards

    The Navy Federal cashRewards card is better for regular APR, offering a lower APR range of 14.90% to 18.00% variable, compared to the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card's 17.15% to 31.15% variable.

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    Annual Fee: Tie

    Both the Navy Federal cashRewards and the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards cards offer the advantage of a $0 annual fee, making them equally appealing for those looking to avoid extra costs.

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    Introductory 0% APRs: Tie

    Neither the Navy Federal cashRewards nor the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards offer introductory 0% APRs on purchases or balance transfers. Consider exploring the best cards with 0% introductory APRs for other options.

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    Rewards: Navy Federal cashRewards

    The Navy Federal cashRewards card is better for rewards, offering up to 1.75% cash back if you enroll in direct deposit and a $300 bonus for spending $3,000 within the first 90 days. In contrast, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card offers a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases.

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    Welcome Offers: Navy Federal cashRewards

    The Navy Federal cashRewards is better for welcome offers, providing a $300 cash back bonus when you spend $3,000 within the first 90 days of account opening, compared to the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards, which offers no welcome bonus.

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    Recommended Credit Score: Navy Federal cashRewards

    The Navy Federal cashRewards card is better in terms of the recommended credit score. It requires credit scores from fair to excellent, making it more accessible than the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card, which requires an excellent credit score.

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    Penalties and Fees: USAA Preferred Cash Rewards

    The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards is better for penalties and fees, as it does not impose late fees or penalty APRs. The Navy Federal cashRewards has a late fee of up to $20 and a penalty APR of 18.00%.

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    Issuer Satisfaction: USAA Preferred Cash Rewards

    The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards is slightly better, with a higher issuer satisfaction rating of 4.8 for USAA Bank than Navy Federal's 4.7.

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    Other Features & Perks: Tie

    The Navy Federal cashRewards has a Zero Liability policy, which doesn't make you liable for unauthorized transactions. It also gives you access to your credit score and 24/7 assistance from its U.S.-based member service team. The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards offers a broad range of perks, including comprehensive travel insurance, enhanced security features and account monitoring alerts.

Rewards Comparison

The Navy Federal cashRewards offers a competitive edge with a potential 1.75% cash back on all purchases for those who enroll in direct deposit. The cash back rate without direct deposit matches the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards at 1.5%.

The USAA card maintains simplicity with a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases, without caps or category restrictions.

While both cards offer similar rewards for general spending, the Navy Federal card can provide greater value for those who meet the direct deposit requirement. The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card's most compelling feature is its straightforward, no-fuss cash back on every purchase, making it a consistent earner for those who prefer simplicity over maximizing rewards. Review the table below for a comparison of the bonus categories for each card.

Category
Navy Federal cashRewards
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards

All Purchases

1.75% with direct deposit/1.5% without direct deposit

1.5%

Redeeming Rewards

The Navy Federal cashRewards card allows you to redeem cash back at any time, with no minimum redemption amount, ensuring you can use your rewards as soon as you earn them.

Similarly, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card offers unrestricted access to your cash back, with no expiration date, allowing you to redeem rewards on your own schedule.

Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like the Navy Federal cashRewards and USAA Preferred Cash Rewards using a tailored scoring system for various use cases. These cards score highest in the cash back use case.

The evaluation considers factors such as the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. These elements, among others, contribute to a comprehensive score that reflects the card's value in specific scenarios. For a deeper understanding of our scoring process, you can review our ranking methodology.

FAQ: Navy Federal cashRewards vs. USAA Preferred Cash Rewards

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About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.


*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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