USAA Credit Cards & Rewards Program – How To Earn & Redeem Points [2025]

Key Takeaways

• USAA offers a variety of rewards cards for military members, veterans, and their families.
• Cardholders can earn points or cash-back on everyday purchases like gas, groceries, and dining.
• Points can be redeemed for airline travel, gift cards, cruise travel, and more.

USAA is famous for offering military members and their families state-of-the-art financial products and services. The name USAA stands for United Services Automobile Association, which is somewhat of a misnomer, as it sounds like a credit union for car owners.

Founded in 1922, this San Antonio-headquartered company boasts a full suite of services, including banking, investment, and insurance. This guide examines USAA rewards credit cards, a subsection of USAA’s banking services.

What Is USAA Rewards?

USAA Rewards is the name given to the bank’s loyalty program.

You must be from a military family to become a free member of USAA and qualify for a USAA Rewards card, which includes:

• Active duty, National Guard and Reserve officers, and enlisted personnel
• Veterans with an honorable discharge
• Spouses, former spouses/widows/widowers, and adult children of USAA members
• Officer candidates in commissioning programs and contracted cadets and midshipmen

The points you earn and redeem are called USAA points. As long as your account is open and in good standing, your USAA points will not expire. However, if your account is closed (either voluntarily or involuntarily), you have 90 days to redeem your rewards before they are forfeited. You can transfer USAA points to any other cardholder with a USAA Rewards credit card.

The USAA credit card portfolio includes Visa and American Express cards. You can earn rewards on all qualifying purchases, which excludes balance transfers, cash advances, ATM cash disbursements, money transfers, truck stop transactions, gaming transactions, tax payments, finance charges, fees, and cash equivalents.

Hot Tip:

If you’re active military, see our guide to the best cards for active military. Many issuers do not charge annual fees to active servicemembers, and you can still use the benefits of those cards. The Platinum Card^® from American Express is a popular choice for military members, given the perks and benefits that come with it. See our in-depth guide to Amex Platinum card military benefits.

USAA Rewards Points Cards

USAA points can be earned with any of the 3 USAA Rewards credit cards. These are personal credit cards — USAA doesn’t have a business credit card that earns USAA rewards.

USAA Eagle Navigator^® Visa Signature^® Credit Card

USAA Eagle Navigator^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The USAA Eagle Navigator^® Credit Card earns 3x on travel purchases, including tolls, rideshares, hotels, vacation rentals, flights, and more!

USAA Eagle Navigator^® Credit Card

The USAA Eagle Navigator^® Credit Card earns 3x on travel purchases, including tolls, rideshares, hotels, vacation rentals, flights, and more!

Welcome Offer

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

30,000 points

Annual Fee

$95

APR

18.90% to 27.15% variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The USAA Eagle Navigator^® Credit Card is well-suited for USAA members who travel frequently and want a card that will reward them for these purchases.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x points on travel and transit purchases
• 2x points on all other purchases
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit

Cons

• Annual fee of $95
• Points are not transferable

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Must be a USAA® member, or become a member, to apply. USAA proudly offers membership to current and former military, as well as their spouses and dependents.
• Intro Offer: Earn 30,000 bonus points ($300 travel value) after spending $3,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening.
• 3X points on travel purchases – triple your points on tolls, rideshares, hotels, vacation rentals, flights and more.
• 2X points on everyday purchases – double your points on groceries, gas, dining, bills and more.
• Earn 10,000 bonus points every year – applies after you complete eligible hotel or car booking. That’s equal to a $100 travel value.
• Up to $120 credit towards TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry® fee every four years.
• Enjoy valuable travel benefits and protection, including Auto Rental Coverage, Travel Accident Coverage, Trip Interruption Coverage, Baggage Delay Reimbursement, Purchase Security and Cell Phone Protection.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Points never expire for the life of the account and there are no spend caps on point earning.
• Redeem points your way, on your schedule.
• A fee of 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, cash advance and convenience check applies.
• 18.90% to 27.15% variable regular APR.
• $95 annual fee.
• See Rates and Fees for details.
• Terms and Restrictions apply. See the Guide to Benefits and Reward Terms and Conditions on USAA’s website for details.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.90% to 27.15% variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

If you’re looking for a point-earning travel card by USAA, you should look at the USAA Eagle Navigator^® Credit Card. Not only does the card come with a 30,000-point welcome offer, it also offers:

• 3x points on travel purchases, including tolls, rideshares, hotels, vacation rentals, and flights
• 2x points on everyday purchases like groceries, gas, dining, and bills
• Earn 10,000 bonus points every year after you complete an eligible hotel or car booking through the USAA Rewards Center
• Up to $120 application fee credit towards TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee every 4 years
• No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)

You can earn the 30,000-point welcome offer after spending $3,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening.

The card has a $95 annual fee (rates & fees), and offers excellent benefits like comprehensive travel, baggage, and rental car coverage.

USAA Rewards™ American Express^® Card

The USAA Rewards Amex card offers big benefits with a $0 annual fee. The card offers 2,500 bonus points after your first purchase. As you spend on the card, you will earn based on this reward structure:

• 3x points on dining out
• 2x points on gas and groceries
• 1x points on all other purchases

Additionally, your earnings are uncapped, so there are no limits to the bonus spending you can earn points on.

This credit card offers primary rental car coverage if renting outside of your country of residence and secondary rental car coverage if renting within your country of residence; it also comes with trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay reimbursement, travel accident insurance, and travel/emergency assistance.

Furthermore, you’ll enjoy extended warranty coverage, identity theft resolution services, personal identity theft reimbursement, zero fraud liability, and access to a 24/7 concierge.

The USAA Rewards Amex card has a $0 annual fee and doesn’t incur foreign transaction fees.

USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature^® Card

The USAA Rewards Visa card has plenty to love, too. But you’ll notice that the rewards structure is reduced:

• 2x points on dining out and gas
• 1x points on all other purchases

The Visa version has an identical starting benefit where you will earn 2,500 points after your first purchase.

You’ll enjoy the same benefits, including rental car coverage (secondary if renting inside your country of residence, primary elsewhere), trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay reimbursement, travel accident insurance, a 24/7 concierge, extended warranty, and more.

This credit card also comes with no annual or foreign transaction fees.

Bottom Line:

The USAA Rewards Amex card earns 1 more point per dollar spent on dining out and groceries, but the USAA Rewards Visa card is more widely accepted worldwide. See our comparison of Amex vs. Visa for more details on the differences, acceptance, and perks.

USAA Cash-Back Rewards Cards

USAA offers 2 credit cards for those interested in cash-back rewards. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks.

Let’s take a look at the options.

USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature^® Credit Card

LIMITED TIME OFFER

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature^® Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited 1.5% cash-back, easy to redeem rewards, and a good intro offer reward bonus.

Apply Now(at USAA's secure site. Must be a USAA member, or become a member, to apply.)

USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature^® Credit Card

The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited 1.5% cash-back, easy to redeem rewards, and a good intro offer reward bonus.

Welcome Offer

Limited Time Offer: Cash back match - earn 3% in your first year on the first $15,000 in purchases. After that, earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, no category restrictions and no caps.

3% cash back

Annual Fee

$0

APR

15.90% to 27.90% variable regular

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great option for USAA members who want a card that will help them earn cash-back on their daily expenses with $0 annual fees.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Limited Time Offer: Cash back match – earn 3% in your first year on the first $15,000 in purchases
• Uncapped 1.5% cash-back on all qualifying purchases
• $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees

Cons

• Doesn’t offer bonus categories to earn more cash-back on certain purchases
• Doesn’t earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Must be a USAA^® member, or become a member, to apply. USAA proudly offers membership to current and former military, as well as their spouses and dependents.
• Limited Time Offer: Cash back match – earn 3% in your first year on the first $15,000 in purchases. After that, earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, no category restrictions and no caps.
• Auto Deductible Reimbursement (ADR) up to $200.
• No annual fee.
• Cash back rewards never expire.
• Redeem cash back your way, on your schedule.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• A fee of 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, cash advance and convenience check applies.
• 15.90% to 27.90% variable regular APR.
• Terms and Restrictions apply. See the Reward Terms and Conditions and the ADR Benefit Guide on USAA’s website for details.
• See Rates and Fees for details

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 15.90% to 27.90% variable regular
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a great welcome bonus: Limited Time Offer: Cash back match - earn 3% in your first year on the first $15,000 in purchases. After that, earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, no category restrictions and no caps.

The card earns a flat 1.5% cash-back on all qualifying purchases with no category restrictions or spending caps. You’ll also get travel perks such as baggage delay coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, auto rental coverage, and more.

One unique perk of the card is the auto-deductible reimbursement. If you make a minimum of 8 purchases in the prior calendar month, you can get up to $200 off your auto policy deductible when you experience a covered loss. Ironically, you hope this is a benefit you never have to make.

USAA^® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express^® Card

The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus card is the best cash-back credit card USAA offers.

Although you won’t get access to a cash-based welcome bonus offer, you will get a great 0% intro APR. You can use a 0% intro APR for the first 15 months of card membership on balance transfers and convenience checks that post to your account within 90 days of account opening. This is a great way to transfer existing credit card debt. Remember that all balance transfers will incur a 5% fee on the balance.

As you spend on the card, you will earn:

• 5% cash-back on your first $3,000 in combined gas station and military base purchases annually
• 2% cash-back on your first $3,000 in grocery purchases annually
• 1% cash-back on all other purchases

This credit card has bonus category limits, so keep track of that when making purchases.

With the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus card, you’ll get all the same benefits as the USAA Rewards cards above, including rental car coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, baggage delay and reimbursement, identity theft resolution, zero fraud liability, and 24/7 concierge service.

There are no annual or foreign transaction fees with the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus card.

USAA Cards with APR Offers

USAA Rate Advantage Visa^® Platinum Credit Card

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

USAA Rate Advantage Visa^® Platinum Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card offers no annual fee, a 0% intro APR, along with solid travel and purchase protections.

Apply Now(at USAA's secure site. Must be a USAA member, or become a member, to apply.)

USAA Rate Advantage Visa^® Platinum Credit Card

The USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card offers no annual fee, a 0% intro APR, along with solid travel and purchase protections.

Welcome Offer

Intro Offer: Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers and convenience checks that post within 90 days of account opening. After this time, the variable regular APR of 10.90% to 24.90% will apply to introductory balances.

Low intro APR for 15 months

Annual Fee

$0

APR

10.90% to 24.90% variable regular APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card is a good option for USAA members who are looking for a $0-annual-fee credit card with a 0% intro APR offer.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 0% Intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers and convenience checks that post to your account within 90 days of account opening, then a variable regular APR of 10.90% to 24.90% applies.
• $0 annual fee
• Baggage delay reimbursement

Cons

• Does not earn rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Must be a USAA^® member, or become a member, to apply. USAA proudly offers membership to current and former military, as well as their spouses and dependents.
• Intro Offer: Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers and convenience checks that post within 90 days of account opening. After this time, the variable regular APR of 10.90% to 24.90% will apply to introductory balances.
• A fee of 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, cash advance and convenience check applies. If you transfer a balance or write a convenience check to take advantage of the introductory rate offer, you will immediately incur interest on purchases until you pay your balance in full, including any transferred balances.
• No annual fee.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• 10.90% to 24.90% variable regular APR.
• See Rates and Fees for details.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 10.90% to 24.90% variable regular APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Lastly, there is the USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card. This card has a great 0% Intro APR offer, no foreign transaction fees, and a $0 annual fee (rates & fees).

Currently, the card is offering:

• 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers and convenience checks that post within 90 days of account opening. Then, the variable regular APR of 10.90% to 24.90% will apply (rates & fees)

The card also includes travel protections such as an auto rental collision damage waiver, travel accident insurance, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, and baggage delay reimbursement.

Options for Redeeming Your Points

After you’ve earned your points, the next thing to do is redeem them. You can currently redeem USAA points in the following ways:

• Airline travel
• Merchandise
• Gift cards
• Cash
• Charitable contributions
• Cruise travel

The most you’ll get from your redemptions will be 1 cent per point when booking cruises and airfare.

You’ll get 0.7 cents per point when redeeming for cash-back, around 0.8 cents per point for charity, and around 0.7 cents per point when redeeming for gift cards.

Sadly, this isn’t a competitive redemption rate. Nonetheless, you can redeem your points by logging into the USAA Rewards Center on the USAA app or calling the USAA Rewards Service Center at 210-531-USAA (8722).

Redeeming Your Cash-Back Rewards

Cash-back earned on USAA credit cards can be redeemed as a statement credit or deposited into a USAA checking or savings account. It doesn’t expire as long as the credit card remains open and in good standing.

To use or check your cash-back rewards balance, log into your online account or call 800-531-USAA (8722).

Final Thoughts

USAA offers a great incentive structure for members to earn rewards on their everyday purchases.

If you are an eligible military member, you can take advantage of no foreign transaction fees or annual fees and a decent rewards structure in several distinct bonus categories, such as dining and groceries.