The USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card gives you 5% cash back on your first $3,000 in combined gas station and military base purchases yearly, 2% cash back on your first $3,000 in grocery purchases yearly and unlimited 1% cash back on other purchases. There is a $0 annual fee, no over-the-credit-limit fee or foreign transaction fee.
- Issuer NameUSAA
- Credit NeededGood/Excellent
- Annual Fee$0
- APR17.15% to 31.15% variable
- Balance Transfer Fee5% of each transaction amount
- Cash Advance Fee3% of the amount of each cash advance
- Are a USAA banking customer.
- Spend at least $3,000 annually on purchases at gas stations and military bases.
- Can benefit from an introductory APR on balance transfers.
The USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card is a solid option for military members and their families since cardholders can earn 5% cash back on your first $3,000 in combined gas station and military base purchases yearly. You can also use the card to make travel bookings. While it only earns 1% cash back on those purchases, you’ll get travel protections like auto rental coverage, travel accident insurance, trip cancellation and interruption coverage and baggage delay and reimbursement.
Earning 5% cash back at gas stations is almost unheard of among credit cards, especially those with a $0 annual fee. However, the card’s lack of bonus earnings in other common spending categories and capped bonus rewards on grocery store purchases means you’d be best suited to pair this card with at least one other cash back card. Consider pairing the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card with a card like the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card, which earns unlimited 3 % Cash Back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®). 5 % Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). 8 % Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. 1 % Cash Back on all other purchases.
Editor’s Take
The USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card provides good value for military members and their families – particularly those who live on a military base – and comes at little risk with no annual fee. However, the annual cap in the bonus categories and lack of bonus earnings in some common spending categories means this card comes up short.
If you’re looking for a cash back card that comes with bonus earnings, the Citi Custom Cash® Card allows cardholders to earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. That means you’ll earn 5% cash back wherever you spend the most, not just gas stations or military bases.
This card does not have a welcome offer.
The USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card earns 5% cash back on your first $3,000 in combined gas station and military base purchases yearly, 2% cash back on your first $3,000 in grocery purchases yearly and unlimited 1% cash back on other purchases. Focus your spending in the bonus categories to maximize the cash back you earn. Remember, once you’ve spent $3,000 annually in the bonus categories, you’ll only receive 1% cash back for all purchases thereafter.
Track your earnings in your account by accessing the USAA Rewards Center or the mobile app. Cash back earnings are usually available within five business days from the time your qualifying purchase posts to your account.
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