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  1. Credit Cards
  2. USAA Secured American Express®
USAA

USAA Secured American Express®

The USAA Secured American Express® is built for cardholders who need a credit-building card and care more about keeping costs low than earning rewards. It works best as a starter or rebuilding card for everyday purchases you can pay off in full, with a few useful protections that are stronger than you might expect on a no-annual-fee secured card.

Annual Fee
$0
Rec. Credit Score
Good
Good For
Credit building
How to Apply
USAA Secured American Express®

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

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

Overview

Is the USAA Secured American Express® worth it?

This card is great for...

Building payment history

No annual fee use

Cell phone bill protection

This card is worth a look if your main goal is establishing or rebuilding credit with a secured card that does not charge an annual fee. The value here is not in rewards, because it does not earn cash back or points, but in having a straightforward account you can use regularly, pay on time, and keep open as your credit improves. For that job, the lack of an annual fee matters more than bonus categories.

What makes it more appealing than some other secured cards is the set of protections, including cell phone protection, purchase security, extended warranty coverage, and several travel-related benefits. Those extras are useful, but they should be treated as a bonus rather than the reason to choose the card. If you want rewards from day one, this is not the right fit. If you want a low-cost way to build credit and you will pay your balance in full, it is a sensible option.

MaxRewards

MaxRewards Verdict

A solid fit for credit builders who want a no-annual-fee secured card and can live without rewards. Its main limitation is simple: this card is about building credit, not ongoing spending value.

Benefits

Other

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.


Travel and Emergency Assistance

If you experience an illness or emergency, while traveling or working anywhere in the world, call the benefits center for help, 24/7. You can also get medical and legal referrals, prescription assistance, travel planning and other services. You can access key resources when you’re away from home or planning a trip. Get assistance with emergency transportation, translations and relaying emergency messages to family members. Also, you can receive information on refilling prescriptions, locating lost luggage, speaking to an attorney and replacing travel documents.


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.

Eligibility

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.

Pricing

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee

$0

Purchase APR

28.15%

Variable

Transfer APR

28.15%

Variable

Cash Advance APR

28.15%

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 Secured American Express®, please visit the USAA website.

Table of Contents

USAA Secured American Express®

USAA Secured 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.

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Rec. Credit

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Annual Fee

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Rec. Credit

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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
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Annual Fee

$0

Rec. Credit

Good

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