USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card: 2023 Review

USAA members have access to an attractive credit card with no categories to manage and a flat cashback rate on most purchases.

It offers many benefits, including a long intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on purchases.

Here’s a USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card review to see how it compares to others.

USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card: Overview

• Annual Fee: $0
• Intro APR: 0% for 15 months
• Regular APR: 17.15% – 31.15%
• Reward Rates: 1.5% cash back on most purchases
• Bonus Offer & Details: n/a
• Recommended Credit Score: Excellent

USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card: Features

If you’re looking for a no-fuss rewards credit card with easy-to-manage rewards, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card is a solid choice.

Without categories to manage and an attractive introductory APR, there’s a lot to like about this card.

Flat Rate Cashback

The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card pays a flat rate of 1.5% cashback on most purchases. You don’t have to worry about managing categories or activating offers, and there aren’t any category restrictions.

Introductory APR on Purchases

Many rewards credit cards have intro APRs on balance transfers, not purchases. But the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card offers a promotional 0% APR for 15 months on purchases, helping you pay off purchases over time without paying interest.

No Annual Fee

Many rewards credit cards charge annual fees, but the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card doesn’t charge an annual fee.

Zero Liability

Relying on US coverage from USAA means zero liability for unauthorized transactions. This includes transactions reported to USAA as unauthorized by someone other than yourself or anyone you provided implied permission to use your card.

Personalized Alerts

You can set up customized alerts to learn about card usage, balance changes, or upcoming due dates.

Pros and Cons

The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card has pros and cons to consider when deciding if it’s the right card for you.

Pros

• Unlimited rewards (no category caps)
• No annual fee or foreign transaction fee
• No penalty APR
• Easy to track rewards

Cons

• No sign-up bonus
• Other rewards cards offer higher cashback rates in categories like grocery, gas, or travel
• 5% balance transfer fee

Rates and Fees

Understanding credit card rates and fees can help you determine if it’s the right choice. Comparing the fees to the rewards earned can help you see the big picture.

• APR Range: The actual APR received varies by the cardholder. The rate charged depends on your credit score, income, and other factors. On average, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card has an APR range of 17.15% – to 31.15%.
• Introductory APR Offers: New cardholders get a 0% purchase APR for the first 15 months. This means you don’t pay interest on any purchases during that time if you don’t pay your full balance each month. After the introductory period expires, your APR resumes to the normal APR of 17.15% – 31.15%.
• Balance Transfer Fee: If you transfer a balance to your USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card, you’ll pay a 5% fee for the amount transferred, increasing your balance.
• Foreign Transaction Fee: The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. This makes it a good card when traveling to save on unnecessary fees.
• Rewards Rate: Tracking rewards with the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card is simple since you earn a flat 1.5% cash back on most purchases. There aren’t different category tiers or offers to activate to be eligible for rewards, making this a simple card.
• Annual Fee: This credit card doesn’t have an annual fee, making it an easy choice, especially if you’re looking for a straightforward card without categories to track.
• Credit Score Requirement: The credit needed for this card is Fair, Good, or Excellent.

Eligibility and How To Apply

To apply for the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card, you must first be a USAA member and meet certain requirements.

Membership Requirements for USAA

USAA proudly offers membership to current and former military, as well as their spouses and dependents. There aren’t any other requirements to become a member, and becoming a member allows you to apply for USAA credit cards, among other benefits.

Application Process

You can apply for the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card online. You must provide your personal information, including your name, address, Social Security number, and birthdate. You must also provide employment and income information.

USAA will pull your credit and evaluate your income to ensure you qualify for the e-card. Some applicants receive answers immediately, and others must wait for an answer in the mail. You’ll receive your card within 7 to 10 business days if approved.

Rewards Value

You earn 1.5% cash back for every $1 spent on your USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card.

You can redeem your points for any of the following, but the value changes frequently, so check the current rates before redeeming:

• Travel reward to purchase travel accommodations
• Merchandise rewards to redeem for specific items
• Gift card rewards to purchase gift cards to retailers and restaurants
• Cash reward as a statement credit or direct deposit to your USAA account
• A charitable contribution to your favorite charity

How The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card Compares To Other Cards

Comparing the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card with other rewards credit cards can help determine if it’s right for you.

1. Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

Like the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature ® Credit Card, the Capital One Quicksilver credit card pays a flat 1.5% cashback on most purchases with no limits.

Unlike the USAA card, though, you can earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 on qualifying purchases in the first three months.

The introductory APR on the Capital One card is also for 15 months on purchases, but it includes balance transfers with a 3% balance transfer fee. The regular APR after the introductory period is 19.99% – 29.99%.