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.

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 FeatureHas or Not
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Cash Back Rewards
- Travel Rewards
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 & 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
- BenefitsDescription
- No Annual FeeUSAA 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 RateYou can earn cash back of between 1% and 5% for each dollar spent on qualified transactions.
- No Foreign Transaction FeeThere are no fees associated with making foreign transactions with this card, so you can earn the same benefits while traveling abroad.
Cons
- DrawbacksDescription
- Only Available to Military FamiliesThe card is exclusive to current or former military personnel, as well as their family members.
- Balance Transfer and Cash Advance FeeAll balance transfers and cash advances are subject to a 3% fee.
- Potentially High APRYour 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 FeeLate or returned payments have a fee of $25 for the first within six billing periods and $35 for each subsequent late or returned payment.
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 FeatureDescription
- Customer ServiceThe company provides 24-hour online customer service to address any complaints or queries that you may have.
- Auto Rental Collision Damage WaiverFor 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 CoverageThis pays up to $100 a day for up to three days for checked baggage delays, so you can buy essentials like clothes and toiletries.
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 FeatureAmount or Rate
- APR16.15% – 30.15% variable
- Annual Fee$0
- Cash Back Rewards
- Rewards Rate1% – 5% Cash back
- Airline Benefits
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.
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.
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.
Capital One Spark Miles for Business
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
IHG® Rewards Traveler Credit Card
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Premier Business Credit Card
Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi
United℠ Business Card
United Club℠ Infinite Card
United℠ Explorer Card
United Gateway℠ Card
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
Destiny® Mastercard®
Indigo® Platinum Mastercard®
Indigo Mastercard
Mastercard® Gold Card™
Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Secured Credit Card
Merrick Bank Secured Credit Card
Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
Navy Federal Credit Union Visa Signature cashRewards Card
Navy Federal More Rewards American Express card
Discontinued
Fit Mastercard® Credit Card
Milestone® Gold Mastercard®
Disney® Premier Visa® Card
Alliant Visa Signature Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
The Plum Card® from American Express
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
Citi® Double Cash Card
Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa®
Credit One Bank® NASCAR® American Express® Credit Card
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
American Express Cash Magnet® Card
American Express® Gold Card
Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
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.
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.