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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

Insurance

Cell Phone Protection

If your eligible phone is stolen or damaged, you can be reimbursed up to $500 when you pay your monthly cell phone bill using your USAA Bank credit card.


Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver

Get built-in car rental coverage worldwide on rentals up to 31 days when you reserve and pay for your rental car with your USAA Bank credit card. To be eligible, decline the collision damage waiver coverage offered by the rental agency. In your country of residence, this coverage is secondary to any other insurance or coverage available to you.


Baggage Delay Reimbursement

If your checked baggage is delayed, you can be reimbursed up to $100 a day, for up to 3 days. Get the essentials you need like clothing and toiletries while waiting for your bags to arrive. To be eligible, pay for your passenger fare with your USAA Bank credit card and report delayed baggage to your common carrier and begin their claim process.


Travel Accident Insurance

When you purchase your travel ticket with your USAA Bank credit card, you’re eligible to receive coverage for loss of life or limb. This coverage applies to air travel, ferry, cruise ship, train or bus transportation.


Extended Warranty Protection

This extends the time period of the U.S. manufacturer’s warranty, up to an additional year, on items purchased with your USAA Bank credit card.

Benefits

Other

Purchase Security

This protects your new purchases against theft or damage for 90 days after you buy them with a USAA Bank credit card or with USAA Rewards. It can replace, repair or reimburse you up to $1,000 per claim and up to $10,000 per cardholder.


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 USAA Bank credit card.

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

27.40%

Variable

Transfer APR

27.40%

Variable

Cash Advance APR

27.40%

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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Eagle Adapt™Eagle Adapt™

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After you spend $1,000 on purchases on your new card in your first 3 months of card membership.

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Annual Fee

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Rec. Credit

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