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- 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
- 15 monthsBalance Transfer Duration
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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.
USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card Overview
You may want to learn about the following benefits associated with the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card:
Quick Take
- 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
Important Card Details
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.
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 16.90% – 30.90%, 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.
Additional Benefits
There are other USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card benefits that you might want to know about, such as:
- 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.
How the 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.
How the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card Compares
USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card
- Annual fee: None
- Regular APR: 16.90% – 30.90% 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: 20.24% –28.99% variable
- Rewards rate: 1.5%–5%
- Foreign transaction fee: 3%
- Best for: Minimalist deal-seeking shoppers looking for a no-annual-fee card
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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