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  1. Credit Cards
  2. USAA Rewards™ American Express®
USAA

USAA Rewards™ American Express®

The USAA Rewards American Express is built for cardholders who want a no-annual-fee rewards card that leans toward everyday spending, especially dining, with a few useful travel and purchase protections mixed in. It works best as a simple primary card for USAA members who value straightforward points over a complicated premium setup.

Welcome Offer
2,500 Points
Annual Fee
$0
Rec. Credit Score
Good
Good For
Everyday dining spenders
How to Apply
USAA Rewards™ American Express®

All information about USAA Rewards™ American Express® has been collected independently by MaxRewards. USAA Rewards™ American Express® is no longer available through MaxRewards.

Is the USAA Rewards™ American Express® worth it?

This card is great for...

Dining purchases

Gas and grocery spending

No-fee travel use

Yes, for the right cardholder. If you want a $0 annual fee card that gives a little extra back on common spending categories, the biggest draw here is 3x points on dining, plus 2x at gas stations and grocery stores. Since USAA points are valued at 1 cent each, the rewards are easy to understand and there is no annual fee pressuring you to use the card a certain way.

Where this card stands out a bit more is in its side benefits. Cell phone protection, purchase protections, rental car coverage, and several travel insurance benefits are stronger than what you often see on a no-fee card. On the other hand, the welcome bonus is very small, and the rewards rates are solid rather than standout. If your spending is concentrated in dining and everyday essentials, this is a practical keeper card. If you are chasing larger bonuses or higher rewards in one category, you will likely find stronger options elsewhere.

MaxRewards

MaxRewards Verdict

This is a sensible no-fee card for USAA members who spend regularly on dining, gas, and groceries and want useful protections without paying for premium perks. Its main limitation is that the rewards are straightforward but not especially hard to beat.

Welcome Offer

2,500 Points after you spend $1 on purchases on your new card in your first 1 months of card membership.

Est. Value

$25

Required Spend

$1

Time Frame

1 Month

Est. Value

$25

Required Spend

$1

Time Frame

1 Month

What's your average monthly spend?

$100

You should easily hit the bonus threshold with this spend!

Rewards

Rewards percent based on a valuation of 1¢ per USAA point

This card earns USAA points that are worth about 1 cent each, so the points system works a lot like cash back. The most value comes from using it for dining first, then gas and groceries, while all other spending earns a standard 1x.

CategoryEst. yearly spendRateRewards

Dining

Est. yearly spend
Rate3%
Rewards$0

Gas

Est. yearly spend
Rate2%
Rewards$0

Grocery

Est. yearly spend
Rate2%
Rewards$0

Everywhere

Est. yearly spend
Rate1%
Rewards$0

Est. Annual Rewards

$0

Other

Extended Warranty Protection

Extends the time period of the U.S. manufacturer’s warranty on items purchased with your card. Get up to an additional year of coverage. With this protection, you can extend an original manufacturer's warranty of three years or less, up to one additional year. Plus, no more hunting through your file drawers for warranties and receipts. Simply register your products to keep your information handy.


Cell Phone Protection

When you charge your monthly cell phone bill to your USAA credit card, you can be reimbursed up to $500, in the event your eligible cell phone is stolen or damaged. This benefit is available if you are a valid cardholder of an eligible U.S. issued card enrolled in the Cellular Telephone Protection benefit and you charge your monthly cellular wireless phone bills to your eligible card for the billing cycle before the month in which the incident occurs.


Purchase Security

Safeguard your new item against theft or damage for the first 90 days from the date of purchase with Purchase Security available when you pay with your eligible account. Purchase Security protects new retail purchases made with your eligible credit card and/or rewards program associated with your covered credit card within the first 90 days from the date of purchase. This benefit replaces, repairs, or reimburses you up to $1,000 per claim and $10,000 per cardholder in the event of theft or damage.


Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Save money by saying no at the counter – reserve and pay for your rental car with your covered USAA credit card and get built-in auto rental coverage worldwide on rental periods up to 31 days. In your country of residence, this coverage is secondary to any other insurance or coverage available to you. When you use your USAA credit card to rent a vehicle, you’ll get built-in Auto Rental Coverage. You’re covered for physical damage, theft, reasonable and customary towing and loss-of-use charges. Decline the collision damage waiver coverage offered by the rental agency and make sure your name is listed as the primary renter on the auto rental contract. Any additional drivers must also be listed on the auto rental agreement.


Trip Cancellation and Interruption

You’re covered for up to $1,500 per covered person, for non-refundable prepaid passenger fare, when your travel is interrupted or canceled. This coverage is available when you buy your ticket with your card. If your travel is canceled or interrupted, you may be reimbursed for your non-refundable prepaid passenger fare. The cancellation must be due to a covered reason, such as an illness or accident affecting you or another family member that prevents you from traveling, or a change in military orders.

Recommended Minimum Credit

Min: Good
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent

Good credit or higher is recommended for this card.

Credit approval is not guaranteed. Meeting the recommended credit range does not ensure approval, and applicants with lower scores may still be considered.

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee

$0

Purchase APR

15.15% - 29.15%

Variable

Transfer APR

15.15% - 29.15%

Variable

Cash Advance APR

29.15%

Variable

Foreign Transaction Fee

None

Balance Transfer

$0.05

Cash Advance

$0.05

Late Payment

$35

Return Payment

$35

For rates and fees of USAA Rewards™ American Express®, please visit the USAA website.

Table of Contents

USAA Rewards™ American Express®

USAA Rewards™ American Express®

How to Apply

Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are MaxRewards' alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

Other cards from USAA

See all 9 cards
USAA Eagle Navigator™ Visa Signature®USAA Eagle Navigator™ Visa Signature®

30,000 Points

Worth $300

After you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new card in your first 3 months of card membership.

  • 3%3%Travel
  • 3%2%Everywhere

Annual Fee

$95

Rec. Credit

Good

See DetailsHow to Apply

Terms apply.

See rates & fees.
USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature®USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature®

2,500 Points

Worth $25

After you spend $1 on purchases on your new card in your first 1 months of card membership.

  • 3%2%Dining
  • 3%2%Gas
  • 3%1%Everywhere

Annual Fee

$0

Rec. Credit

Good

See DetailsHow to Apply

Terms apply.

See rates & fees.
Cashback Rewards Plus American Express®Cashback Rewards Plus American Express®
  • 3%5%Gas
  • 3%2%Grocery
  • 3%1%Everywhere

Annual Fee

$0

Rec. Credit

Good

See DetailsHow to Apply

Terms apply.

See rates & fees.
USAA Rewards™ American Express®
How to Apply