What is the average credit score needed to get approved for USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card?

Generally, USAA requires a good credit score for applicants to be approved for its credit cards. Depending on your overall credit history and income, your credit score should be approximately 670-700.

Does USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card report to all three credit bureaus?

Yes, USAA reports to all three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.

Is the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card application process lengthy? Can you prequalify?

To become a USAA member and be eligible for their credit cards, you must be a current or former military member or a family member of one. To qualify, you may still need to prove that you have an adequate credit score and a respectable payment history. The USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card application procedure, which only takes a few minutes to complete, requires you to be a USAA member and provide personal information and details about your military service.

What information is needed to apply for USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card?

The first step in joining USAA is supplying information about your military service, followed by personal information such as your name, address, and social security number. Following this, you can apply for USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card by providing additional information like your credit score and income.

Does USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card have good customer service or satisfaction?

According to the J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study , USAA ranks first in customer satisfaction with a score of 860 out of 1000. This demonstrates the company's superior customer service record.

Does USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card have a mobile app or the option to pay or manage your account online?

Yes, USAA's Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card account may be managed via a mobile app, available for both iOS and Android devices. You can make payments, block or unblock your card, view monthly statements, receive alerts and contact customer service using the mobile app or online account.

Does USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card raise credit limits automatically or charge for limit increases?

No. You must place a request for an increase in your USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card credit limit using your USAA online account. To approve the request, the company considers your account performance, credit bureau report regarding your account, income before taxes and any debts or commitments that you have.

Does USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card offer the option to freeze your credit/account or have other security features?

If your credit card or credit account is lost or stolen, USAA gives the option to freeze or lock it. You can do this by contacting customer support or by using their internet portal or mobile application. The card also comes with zero liability protection.

Does USAA Savings Bank offer other credit cards besides, USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card?

Yes, USAA offers various credit cards like Rewards American Express card, USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card, Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature card and Rate Advantage Visa Platinum card.

MoneyGeek’s Take

USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card Review

The USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card is a cash back card for military members that offers 1% to 5% cash back on qualifying purchases. The card has no annual fee or foreign transaction fees.

Advertising & Editorial DisclosureLast Updated: 1/20/2023

Reviewed By

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

The USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card might work best for those spending on gas, grocery and military base purchases. Each year, members can earn 5% cash back on their first $3,000 in the combined gas station and military base purchases, 2% cash back on their first $3,000 in grocery purchases and 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases. It doesn’t have an annual fee, nor does it charge fees on foreign transactions, allowing you to continue earning while traveling abroad.

Our MoneyGeek USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card review will help you decide if this card is right for you.

Card Details to Know Up Front

Bonus, Fee or Feature
Has or Not
Has Annual Fee
Has Balance Transfer Offer
Has APR Offer
Cash Back Rewards
Travel Rewards
Hotel Benefits
Airline Benefits
Has Rewarding Welcome Offer
Has Foreign Transaction Fee
Recommended Credit
Excellent

Click to see this card’s rates, fees and how they compare to other cards in our dataset.

OUR REVIEW AT A GLANCE

Credit Card Details at a Glance
Pros & Cons Explained
Bonuses & Rewards Explained
Our Verdict: Is This Card for You?

USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card at a Glance

With the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card, every dollar you spend at gas stations and on military bases earns you 3% cash back on purchases up to $3,000 per year. On the first $3,000 you spend on groceries, you earn 2% cash back. Every other eligible transaction gets you 1% cash back, and there’s no spending limit.

Additionally, there are no yearly or international transaction fees or penalty APRs. The latter means that your interest rate does not go up if you make a late payment.

USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card
A good cash back card with no annual fees and a 0% APR balance transfer offer
- ExcellentRecommended Credit
- $0Annual Fee
- 1% – 5% Cash backRewards Rate
- None at this timeBalance Transfer Duration
Pros
No annual fees
Up to 5% cash back
No foreign transaction fees
Purchase and travel protection

Cons
No welcome bonus offer
Balance transfer fees
No annual or foreign transaction fees
3% fee for each balance transfer/convenience check
Earn 5% cash back on combined spending of up to $3,000 at gas stations and military bases each year
Earn 2% cash back on up to $3,000 spent grocery stores each year
Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
Redeem part or all your cash back in increments of $1
Complimentary auto rental coverage, travel accident insurance, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, and baggage delay and reimbursement
Access to identity theft resolution specialists
Access to a concierge service
Zero liability
Extended warranty
Disclaimer: Credit card offers are constantly changing. We work hard to stay updated with the latest information, but the offers listed on our site may no longer be available.

Pros & Cons Explained

The USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card comes with a slew of benefits, but there are some downsides to be aware of.

Pros

Benefits
Description
No Annual Fee
USAA does not charge an annual fee to maintain your credit account, which can save you a considerable sum if you keep the card for a long time.
Good Rewards Rate
You can earn cash back of between 1% and 5% for each dollar spent on qualified transactions.
No Foreign Transaction Fee
There are no fees associated with making foreign transactions with this card, so you can earn the same benefits while traveling abroad.

Cons

Drawbacks
Description
Only Available to Military Families
The card is exclusive to current or former military personnel, as well as their family members.
Balance Transfer and Cash Advance Fee
All balance transfers and cash advances are subject to a 3% fee.
Potentially High APR
Your creditworthiness determines the APR on this card, which ranges from 16.15% – 30.15%. Balance transfers and convenience checks carry the same APR.
Imposes a Late Fee
Late or returned payments have a fee of $25 for the first within six billing periods and $35 for each subsequent late or returned payment.

LOOKING FOR THE BEST CREDIT CARDS OF 2022?

MoneyGeek didn’t include the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card in our ranking of best rewards credit cards. This is because the card is exclusive to military members.

You can review our choices for the best rewards credit cards or for the best cash back credit cards for 2022 to see if there’s a card that is a better fit for you.

Bonuses & Rewards Explained

You may want to learn about the following benefits associated with the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card:

Earning Rewards

You'll get at least 1% cash back on all qualifying purchases if you use the card. You can earn 5% cash back for up to $3,000 in total yearly costs at military bases and gas stations. There's also a 2% cash back on grocery purchases for spending up to $3,000 in a year. All other qualifying purchases earn you 1% cash back with no spending limit.

Rewards Redemption

You can begin redeeming cash back after you have earned at least $1.00 in rewards and can continue redeeming in increments of $1.00 as long as your account remains in good standing.

Other Features Explained

There are other USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card benefits that you might want to know about, such as:

Card Feature
Description
Customer Service
The company provides 24-hour online customer service to address any complaints or queries that you may have.
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
For a period of 31 days, the auto rental collision damage waiver on your card covers cars that you rent using this card.
Baggage Delay Reimbursement Coverage
This pays up to $100 a day for up to three days for checked baggage delays, so you can buy essentials like clothes and toiletries.
Identity Protection
This offers solutions to the victims of identity theft. After a covered identity theft event, you will be reimbursed up to $1,000 for identity restoration services.
Shopping Benefits
The card’s shopping benefits enable you to gain more from your card purchases. For example, the extended warranty protection extends the manufacturer's guarantee on products purchased with your card. Concierge services are available all year round to assist with reservations for entertainment, dining, hotel and travel.
Travel Accident Insurance
When you buy an airline, rail, bus, ferry or cruise ticket using your USAA card, you get coverage for loss of life or limb in the case of an accident.
Travel Emergency Assistance
The travel emergency assistance that comes with this card provides round-the-clock customer service for several kinds of emergencies, including medical. Prescription medicine advice, medical and legal referrals and travel planning are some of the services offered.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage
For canceled trips, you will be reimbursed up to $1,500 per covered person, but only if it's a non-refundable prepaid passenger ticket purchased using the card.
Mobile App
The USAA mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices and allows you to access your credit card account, pay bills, receive alerts and automatic updates, report lost or stolen cards and contact customer care.
Zero Liability Protection
If you promptly notify USAA of any unauthorized use of your card, you will bear no responsibility for the charges that result from the fraudulent transaction.

MONEYGEEK QUICK TIP

While there may be better cash back cards on the market, military families who spend more at gas stations and military bases and do not exceed $3,000 in annual spending may profit from the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card. Travel bonuses and no foreign transaction fees make this card ideal for military personnel on the move.

Understanding the Fine Print

You should be aware of your rights as a credit card user before applying for a credit card or comparing multiple cards' pros and cons, fees, rates and other features. You can find the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card's rates and fees, rewards and bonuses in the table below.

Card Feature
Amount or Rate
APR
16.15% – 30.15% variable
Annual Fee
$0
Cash Back Rewards
Rewards Rate
1% – 5% Cash back
Airline Benefits
Rewards Rate on Groceries
2x
Rewards Rate on Gas
5x
Rewards Rate on Dining
1x
Rewards Rate on Entertainment
1x
Rewards Rate on Online Shopping
1x
Rewards Rate on TV, Phone, Internet Services
1x
Rewards Rate on Air Travel
1x
Rewards Rate at Hotels
1x
Balance Transfer Fee
3%
Balance Transfer APR
16.15% – 30.15% variable
Late Fees
up to $35
Cash Advance Fee
3%
Cash Advance APR
16.15% – 30.15% variable
Foreign Transaction Fee
None

Annual Fee
There is no annual fee associated with this card.
Foreign Transaction Fee
There is no fee for transactions and purchases you make outside of the United States.
Cash Back Rate
Each qualified purchase you make with this card gets you between 1% and 5% cash back, depending on the purchase category.
Regular APR
Depending on your creditworthiness, the regular APR on purchases, balance transfers and cash advances ranges from 16.15% – 30.15%, which can be potentially high. As the prime rate rises, so does the APR on these loans.
Balance Transfer and Cash Advance Fees
All balance transfers and cash advances have a 3% fee.
Late Payment Penalty
If you make a late payment (or your payment is returned), you will be charged a penalty of up to $35. The first-time late or returned payment within six billing periods has a $25 fee, and any subsequent late or returned payment will be charged a $35 fee.

WHERE TO FIND THIS INFORMATION?

Your credit card comparison should take into account the APR, rates and fees, penalties, rewards and bonuses and other benefits associated with each card that you're comparing. If you are comparing the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card with another card that you already possess, you can visit that card issuer's website, online account, or mobile app to learn more about its rates, fees and features.

Other than that, you can visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's credit card agreement database to gain relevant information on your current credit card issuer.

Who Should & Shouldn’t Consider USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card?

Other Considerations for USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card

When applying for a USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card, you should examine how the card will serve you as your primary card or as an additional card.

Things to Consider if This Will Be Your First or Only Credit Card

If the Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card is your first or only credit card, its no annual fee structure will be a major bonus for you as a beginner. There are no international transaction fees, so it’s also a great card to use when traveling.

If it's your only or first card, make the most of it by using it at military bases and gas stations. Grocery shopping can also reward you quite well.

Be aware that the card has a high annual percentage rate. If you don't pay your bills on time or carry a balance, the APR and any other penalties will begin to apply. Only apply for it if you're confident in your ability to pay on time. Paying late may have a detrimental impact on your credit score, even if you're just getting started.

Things to Consider if This Will Be an Additional Card in Your Wallet

You may want to consider adding the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card to your credit card portfolio — especially if your other cards come with an annual fee. However, because it has a high APR, you may want to use it with a credit card that has a lower interest rate.

This card makes sense only if you can make payments on time; otherwise, you risk carrying a balance at a high rate of interest.

The best option is to use this card for gas and groceries, plus purchases made at military bases. However, the yearly spending limit of $3,000 caps the cash back you can earn, so if your other card offers better rewards in those categories, you may be better off using that one.

On the other hand, foreign transactions are free, so you may prefer to use the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card for your foreign trips if your other card charges a fee. You can redeem your points in $1 increments, an option not all cards offer.

WHY TRUST OUR REVIEWS:

MoneyGeek conducts in-depth research on credit cards and card providers and grades them using a comprehensive methodology. We collect data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's database, standardize data points for comparison, estimate spending profiles, account for yearly or initial incentives associated with each card, and compute the three-year value of using the card. Additionally, we update the card lists quarterly and semi-annually and rank the cards monthly.

How USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card Compares to Other Cards

The USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card is not one of the best cash back or rewards cards per our ranking due mainly to its exclusivity. However, it did fare well in comparison to other similar cards.

Before comparing any card to its competitors, you should first know what you’re looking for in a credit card. The chart compares the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card and another similar cash back card.

Quick Comparison of USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card

USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card

Annual fee: None
Regular APR: 16.15% – 30.15% variable
Rewards rate: 1%–5%
Foreign transaction fee: None
Best for: Military members looking for a cash back card with no annual fees and a 0% APR balance transfer offer

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Annual fee: None
Regular APR: 19.24% –27.99% variable
Rewards rate: 1.5%–5%
Foreign transaction fee: 3%
Best for: Minimalist deal-seeking shoppers looking for a no-annual-fee card

Other Helpful Decision-Making Q&As

If you have any additional questions concerning the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card, the following section covers some important details.

Still not sure about this card? Consider these options.

If the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card is not a good fit for you, there are plenty of other reward and cash back cards available. Those that don’t charge an annual fee and allow you to earn unlimited rewards in all categories may be more attractive, depending on how you use them.

View All Credit Cards

Learn more about credit cards in general

sources

USAA. "Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Credit Card." Accessed April 13, 2022.
USAA. "Rates and Fees." Accessed April 13, 2022.
USAA. "Credit Card FAQs." Accessed April 13, 2022.
USAA. "USAA Cashback Rewards Plus Program Terms and Conditions." Accessed April 13, 2022.
USAA. "Credit Cards Benefits Guide." Accessed April 13, 2022.

*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.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.