What is the average credit score needed to get approved for USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card?

Generally, USAA requires a good credit score to be approved for its credit cards.

Does USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card report to all three credit bureaus?

Yes, USAA reports to all the three credit bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion and Experian.

Is the USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card application process lengthy? Can you prequalify?

You must be a current or retired military member, or a family member of one, to be eligible for the USAA credit cards. To qualify, you may need to show that you have acceptable credit and a decent payment history. Being a USAA member and providing correct information about your military experience are required steps in the USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card application process, which will take a few minutes to complete.

What information is needed to apply for a USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card?

To begin, you first join USAA by providing information regarding your military service, and then you must provide personal details, such as your name, address and social security number, as well as your income information.

Does USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card have good customer service or satisfaction?

The J.D. Power 2021 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study shows USAA as the best of all national issuers in customer satisfaction with its score of 860 out of 1000.

Does USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card have a mobile app or the option to pay or manage your account online?

Yes, USAA offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android users to manage the Rewards Visa Signature card account. It lets you make payments, block or unblock your card, view statements, receive alerts and contact USAA customer support. USAA online account also offers all these features.

Does USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card raise credit limits automatically or charge for limit increases?

No. You must request an adjustment in your USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card credit limit using your USAA online account. Account performance, credit bureau information, income before taxes, and current debt or commitments are some of the aspects the company evaluates before issuing credit limit increases.

Does USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® 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. This may be performed using their online portal or mobile application. You also get zero liability protection with the card, meaning you are not responsible for unauthorized transactions that you report.

Does USAA Savings Bank offer other credit cards besides the USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card?

USAA offers other credit cards like Rewards American Express card, Cashback Rewards Plus American Express card, Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature card and Rate Advantage Visa Platinum card.

MoneyGeek’s Take

USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card Review

With the no-annual-fee USAA Rewards Visa Signature card, military families may earn one or two points per dollar spent on eligible transactions. You may also take advantage of an offer of 2,500 extra points when you make your first qualifying purchase.

Advertising & Editorial DisclosureLast Updated: 11/21/2022

Reviewed By

Brett Holzhauer

Last Updated: 11/21/2022

The USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card has no annual fee and can be a great bargain for people who spend frequently in the card's highest-earning categories. It earns two points for every dollar spent on dining out and gas expenses and one point per dollar for each qualifying transaction. You can also earn rewards while traveling outside the U.S. and don’t have to worry about paying foreign transaction fees.

Our MoneyGeek USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card review dives deep into the card's features, pros and cons to help you decide whether the card is the right one 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
Credit Needed
Good - 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® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card at a Glance

With the USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card, every dollar spent on dining and gas expenses earns you two points, and every other qualified transaction earns you one point. You will also receive 2,500 bonus points after your first eligible purchase. Furthermore, there is no annual fee or foreign transaction fee, and convenience checks and balance transfers have 0% APR for the first 15 months.

USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card
A good balance transfer credit card with rewards and no annual fees
- Good - ExcellentCredit Needed
- $0Annual Fee
- 1-2 pointsRewards Rate
- 15 monthsBalance Transfer Duration
Pros
No annual fees
0% APR offer on balance transfers and convenience checks
Welcome bonus is easy to earn
Up to 2x points per dollar
No foreign transaction fees
Travel and purchase protection

Cons
Balance transfer fees
Transferring points to other reward programs is not an option
No annual or foreign transaction fees
Intro 0% APR on balance transfers and convenience checks for the first 15 months, provided they post to your account in the first 90 days
Balance transfer fees of 3%
Earn 2,500 points after making your first qualifying purchase
Earn 2x points per dollar on dining and gas
All other purchases come with 1x point per dollar
Redeem points for cash, airline or cruise tickets, cruise, to make a charitable contribution, and for gift cards or merchandise
Extended warranty
Complimentary trip cancellation and interruption coverage, baggage delay and reimbursement, travel accident insurance and auto rental coverage
Zero liability
Free access to concierge services
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

Although the USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card offers numerous perks, you should be aware of some of the card's drawbacks.

Pros

Benefits
Description
No Annual Fee
This card has no annual fee, so you can continue using it wherever possible and maximize your rewards.
Bonus Points for First Eligible Purchase
After making their first qualified transaction, new cardholders receive 2,500 bonus points. There is no upper limit on the rewards points you can earn.
Good Rewards Rate Across Categories
You have the potential to earn between one to two reward points for every dollar spent on qualifying transactions.
0% Intro APR for Balance Transfers
For the first 15 months of card ownership, you can write convenience checks (or cash advances) and make balance transfers without incurring interest. They must be posted to your account within 90 days of account opening.
No Foreign Transaction Fee
You can earn the same rewards while traveling overseas as you can at home because there are no foreign transaction costs.

Cons

Drawbacks
Description
Not Accessible to All
Only current or former military people, or family members of military personnel, are eligible for the card.
High APR
Based on your creditworthiness, the APR on this card can range from 9.90% to 25.90%. Balance transfers and convenience checks (or cash advances) carry the same APR after the interest-free introductory period of 15 months.
3% Fee for Balance Transfers and Cash Advances
A 3% fee is applied on all balance transfers and cash advances.
Penalty Fee
There is a fee for late payments or payments that are returned for any reason. A $25 late fee will be levied for the first late payment within six billing periods, and a $35 late fee will be applied on consecutive late payments.

LOOKING FOR THE BEST CREDIT CARDS OF 2022?

While the USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card may be perfect for you, it did not make our selection of the best rewards credit cards for 2022. If it’s not the card for you, perhaps one of the other cards on our list is a better fit, and you can also consider our picks of the best cash back credit cards.

Bonuses & Rewards Explained

Additional benefits and features, as explained below, are included in the Rewards Visa Signature Card from USAA.

New Cardholder Bonus

New cardholders earn 2,500 bonus points on their first qualified purchase.

Earning Rewards

At least one reward point is guaranteed for every dollar spent on eligible purchases with this card. Buying gas and dining out earns you two reward points for every dollar spent, while all other expenditures qualify for one point. Those who spend a lot of money on gas and eating out may find this to be a good card for collecting points.

Rewards Redemption

You can use your reward points to purchase travel tickets or other products, like merchandise and gift cards.

Other Features Explained

You may be interested in learning about some of the other USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card benefits, such as:

Card Feature
Description
24/7 Customer Service
The company offers 24-hour online customer service to handle any concerns or questions you may have.
Travel Accident Insurance
Using your USAA card to purchase air, ferry, cruise, train or bus tickets provides coverage for loss of life or limb in the event of an accident.
Trip Cancellation and Interruption Coverage
For non-refundable pre-paid passenger tickets purchased using this card, you will receive reimbursement of up to $1,500 per covered person for canceled trips.
Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
If you pay for your rental car using your card, the collision damage waiver on your card covers you for 31 days, anywhere in the world.
Baggage Delay Reimbursement Coverage
The USAA card's baggage delay reimbursement benefit compensates up to $100 per day for up to three days for checked baggage delays, allowing you to purchase essential items, such as clothes and toiletries.
Travel Emergency Assistance
Customer service is available around the clock for any type of emergency, including medical emergencies, due to the card's travel emergency assistance feature. Medical and legal referrals, prescription medication assistance and travel planning are all available to cardholders.
Shopping Benefits
The card’s shopping benefits let you receive more from your card purchases. For example, the extended warranty protection extends the manufacturer's warranty on things purchased using your card. Its concierge services help with entertainment, restaurant, travel and hotel reservations.
Identity Protection
The identity protection services included with the USAA credit card include an identity theft resolution solution that offers various solutions to victims of identity theft. After a covered identity theft incident, the card's personal identity theft coverage reimburses up to $1,000 for identity restoration services.
Mobile App
The USAA mobile app is available for both iOS and Android devices and allows you to access your credit card account, make payments, receive notifications and automatic updates, report lost or stolen cards and contact USAA customer support.
Zero Liability Protection
You will not be held accountable for any fraudulent transactions made with your card if you report them to USAA immediately.

MONEYGEEK QUICK TIP

Military families who spend a lot on gas purchases and restaurants may find the USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card attractive. Those who travel can make the best use of the card due to its lack of foreign transaction fees, complimentary trip cancellation and interruption coverage, travel accident insurance and auto rental coverage.

Understanding the Fine Print

You should be aware of your credit card user rights to evaluate the pros and cons, fees, rates and other aspects of credit cards. The rates, fees and rewards rates for the USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card are shown in the table below.

Card Feature
Amount or Rate
APR
9.90% - 25.90%
Annual Fee
$0
Cash Back Rewards
Rewards Rate
1-2 points
Airline Benefits
Rewards Rate on Groceries
1x
Rewards Rate on Gas
1x
Rewards Rate on Dining
2x
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
9.90% - 25.90%
Late Fees
$35
Cash Advance Fee
3%
Cash Advance APR
9.90% - 25.90%
Foreign Transaction Fee
None

Using MoneyGeek's credit card glossary, you can learn about some of the credit card terms that you're unfamiliar with.

Annual Fee
The card doesn’t have a yearly fee.
Foreign Transaction Fee
There is no fee involved for the transactions and purchases you make abroad.
Rewards Rate
Each eligible purchase you make with this card gets you one or two points per dollar based on the purchase category.
Regular APR
Based on how creditworthy you are, your purchases, balance transfers and cash advances will have an APR of between 9.90% and 25.90%.
Introductory APR for Balance Transfers and Convenience Checks
For new cards, the APR on balance transfers and convenience checks is waived for the first 15 months. Note that this is only applicable if the balance transfer or convenience check (cash advance) is made within 90 days of account opening.
Balance Transfer and Cash Advance Fee
All balance transfers and cash advances are subject to a 3% fee per transaction.
Penalty Fee
A fee of up to $35 will be levied if you pay late or if your payment is returned for any reason. A $25 late fee will be levied for the first late payment within six billing periods, and a $35 late fee will be assessed for consecutive late payments.

WHERE TO FIND THIS INFORMATION?

Your credit card comparison must include the annual fee, APR, rewards, penalties, bonuses and other features of each card you're evaluating. If you currently have another card and wish to compare it to the USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card, you can get additional details by visiting the card issuer's website, online account or mobile app.

Likewise, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's database of credit card agreements may provide pertinent information about your current credit card issuer.

Who Should & Shouldn’t Consider USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card?

Other Considerations for USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card

Take the following factors into consideration when applying for a USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card, regardless of whether it will be your sole card or one of several add-on cards you are considering:

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

The fact that this card doesn't charge an annual fee is a big plus if this is your first or only credit card. There are no foreign transaction fees, so this will work as a good card for your expenses while abroad.

If it's your only card or first card, try to maximize its use across the categories that reward you the most, like gas purchases and dining out. This way, you can get the most out of the card. For those who make regular purchases that do not fall into one of the reward categories given by the card, you may be able to find another card with a lower APR and reward categories that are more beneficial to you.

Bear in mind that the card has a high annual percentage rate, which means that if you do not pay your bills on time or carry a balance, the APR will kick in along with any related penalty. Even if you're just starting to build your credit, paying late reflects negatively on your credit record.

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

Since the USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card doesn’t have an annual fee, you may wish to consider adding it to your credit card portfolio. It charges a high APR, so you may want to use it with a credit card that charges a lower APR. The card's 15-month interest-free period can be beneficial if you make balance transfers or write convenience checks (cash advances) within 90 days of your account opening.

The best thing to do is use this card for purchasing gas and eating out if your other cards don't reward you for spending in those areas. Foreign transactions are also free, so you may want to keep it for international travel if your other cards charge foreign transaction fees. Reward points can be used to buy gift cards, airline tickets and other items, or transferred to your credit card.

WHY TRUST OUR REVIEWS:

MoneyGeek uses a comprehensive grading methodology to research credit cards and card companies. According to this method, we gather data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's database, standardize data points for comparison, estimate expenditure profiles, factor in annual or initial bonuses for each card and calculate a three-year value of using the card. Our methodology also includes regular and semi-annual updates and monthly re-rankings.

How USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card Compares to Other Cards

While the USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card's no-annual-fee structure and competitive reward rates did not make it one of the best rewards cards, it did fare well in comparison to other cards. Before comparing the card to its competitors, consider the most important qualities to you in a credit card.

Quick Comparison of USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card

USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card

Annual fee: None
Regular APR: 9.90%–25.90%
Rewards rate: 1–3 points per dollar
Foreign transaction fee: None
Best for: Military members looking for a good balance transfer credit card with rewards and no annual fees

Chase Freedom Unlimited

Annual fee: None
Regular APR: 14.99%–23.74%
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 more questions about the USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card, we’ve answered the most frequently asked ones below:

Still not sure about this card? Consider these options.

If you're still not sure about getting the USAA® Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card, look into some of the other rewards cards on the market. Based on what you primarily use your card for, a cash back card with no annual fee and unlimited rewards earning potential across all categories might be a good alternative.

View All Credit Cards

Learn more about credit cards in general

sources

USAA. "USAA Rewards Visa Signature Credit Card." Accessed April 13, 2022.
USAA. "Rates and Fees." Accessed April 13, 2022.
USAA. "USAA Rewards Credit Card Visa Program Terms and Conditions." Accessed April 13, 2022.
USAA. "Credit Card FAQs." 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.
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.