Best USAA Credit Cards Of May 2024

Despite charging an annual fee, the USAA Eagle Navigator™ Credit Card offers great rewards rates and perks with enough value to offset that yearly cost.

Rewards: Earn 3 points per dollar spent on qualifying travel purchases including flights, vacation rentals and hotels and 2 points on everyday purchases including gas, dining, groceries and more.

Welcome offer: 30,000 bonus points ($300 travel value) after spending $3,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening

Annual fee: $95

Introductory APR: 20.15% - 28.40% variable APR, a balance transfer fee of 5% of the amount of each transfer applies

Other benefits and drawbacks: Each year you’ll receive 10,000 bonus points—worth $100 in travel—after you book a hotel or rental car through the USAA Rewards Center. That benefit alone is enough to cover the card’s annual fee.

On top of that, you’ll also get an application fee credit of up to $100 every four years when you apply for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. The card currently offers a welcome bonus, though some of the best travel credit cards often offer bonuses worth $500 or more.

If you prefer a simple rewards structure, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card could be appealing. The card offers a flat rewards rate on every purchase, and there’s no limit to how much you can earn.

Rewards: Earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase.

Welcome offer: This card does not offer a welcome bonus

Annual fee: $0

Introductory APR: 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months, followed by a 17.15% to 31.15% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A balance transfer fee of 5% of the amount of each balance transfer applies

Other benefits and drawbacks: The card also offers a generous introductory APR on purchases. That said, the card’s rewards rate is low compared to many 2% cash-back credit cards. There’s also no welcome bonus. Like all USAA credit cards, there’s no foreign transaction fee.

The USAA Rewards™ American Express® Card* can be a solid choice for foodies, offering bonus rewards on dining and groceries, as well as on gas station purchases.

Rewards: Earn 3 points per dollar spent on dining, 2 points per dollar spent on gas and groceries and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 2,500 bonus points after completing your first purchase.

Annual fee: $0

Introductory APR: 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 15 billing cycles from account opening followed by a 15.15% - 31.15% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers, a balance transfer fee of 5% of the amount of each balance transfer applies

Other benefits and drawbacks: The card’s welcome bonus is low compared to other best no annual fee credit cards, which have much more lucrative offers. It does have travel protections like auto rental coverage, trip cancellation and interruption coverage and baggage delay reimbursement.

If your top priority is to pay down high-interest credit card debt, the USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature® Credit Card* is worth considering. The card’s rewards rates aren’t great, but that can work in your favor if a better rewards structure would tempt you to overspend.

Rewards: Earn 2 points per dollar spent at gas stations and on dining and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: Earn 2,500 bonus points after making a qualifying first purchase.

Annual fee: $0

Introductory APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers posted to the account within 90 days of opening, followed by a regular 15.15% - 31.15% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. A fee of 5% of the amount of each balance transfer applies.

Other benefits and drawbacks: If you want a balance transfer credit card with a longer promotional period, you’ll want to shop around. There are also better rewards available with other no annual fee cards.

The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card* offers a unique way to maximize your rewards, giving cardholders an impressive rate for on-base purchases. Even if you’re not stationed on a base, you can earn the same rate for gas station purchases.

Rewards: Earn 5% cash back on the first $3,000 in combined gas and military base purchases yearly, 2% cash back on the first $3,000 in grocery purchases yearly and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Welcome offer: This card does not offer a welcome bonus

Annual fee: $0

Introductory APR: 17.15% - 31.15% variable APR on purchases and balance transfers. 0% Introductory APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 90 days. A balance transfer fee of 5% of the amount of each transfer applies

Other benefits and drawbacks: Unfortunately, the card’s bonus rewards have an annual cap, so it might make sense to pair it with another cash-back credit card if you want more than 1% back on the rest of your transactions. The card includes auto rental coverage, cellphone protection up to $500, purchase security and extended warranty protection, along with all of USAA’s other standard benefits.

If you have excellent credit and anticipate needing to carry a balance, the USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card could be a good fit. The no-frills card offers one of the lowest ongoing APRs currently available—12.15% to 27.15% variable.

Rewards: This card does not earn rewards.

Welcome offer: This card does not offer a welcome bonus.

Annual fee: $0

Introductory APR: 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers, then 12.15% to 27.15% variable regular APR.

Other benefits and drawbacks: Keep in mind, you’ll likely need a strong credit history to qualify for the card’s lowest rate—and its APR range is wide. Because the card doesn’t offer rewards, it may be best used for emergency expenses.

Even if you don’t qualify for the card’s low ongoing APR, you can still take advantage of the intro 0% APR offer.