Best USAA Credit Cards of September 2025
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Written by
Jasmin Baron
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Edited by
Emily Gadd
USAA® credit cards might not get as much attention as fancy rewards credit cards from larger banks. But they offer compelling value, with no foreign transaction fees, strong travel and purchase protections, and benefits tailored specifically for military families. Whether you’re looking to earn cash back, collect travel points or take advantage of a low intro APR, there’s a USAA credit card that fits the bill.
That said, USAA® membership is required to apply. Current and former U.S. military personnel, honorably discharged veterans, and their spouses and children qualify.
Let’s take a closer look to help you find the best USAA credit card for your needs.
Quick Overview: USAA Credit Cards
| Our Choice For | Credit Range | Annual Fee | Highlights | |
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| Military Members |
Good – Excellent
600 – 850
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$0 |
1.5% cash back on purchases.Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, no category restrictions, no caps on cash back.
Apply Now
More Details
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| Balance Transfers for Military Members |
Good – Excellent
600 – 850
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$0 |
Pay no interest for 15 months on balance transfers. 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 11.15% to 25.15% variable regular APR will apply to introductory balances. A 11.15% to 25.15% variable regular APR will apply for purchases.
Apply Now
More Details
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| USAA® Members Who Travel Frequently |
Good – Excellent
670 – 850
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$95 |
Earn 30,000 bonus points ($300 travel value) Earn 30,000 bonus points ($300 travel value) after spending $3,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening.
Apply Now
More Details
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Detailed Overview: USAA Credit Cards
Top Feature
Earn a $200 reward bonus when you spend $1,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening.
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
16.15% to 28.15% variable regular APR.
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Cash Back
Card Details From Issuer
- 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.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, no category restrictions, no caps on cash back.
- Intro Offer: Earn a $200 reward bonus when you spend $1,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening.
- Auto Deductible Reimbursement (ADR) up to $200.
- A fee of 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, cash advance and convenience check applies.
- No annual fee.
- Cash back rewards never expire.
- Redeem cash back your way, on your schedule.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- 16.15% to 28.15% 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.
Top Feature
USAA proudly offers membership to current and former military, as well as their spouses and dependents.
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
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 11.15% to 25.15% variable regular APR will apply to introductory balances. A 11.15% to 25.15% variable regular APR will apply for purchases.
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Cash Back
Card Details From Issuer
- 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 11.15% to 25.15% 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.
- 11.15% to 25.15% variable regular APR.
- See Rates and Fees for details.
Top Feature
Earn 30,000 bonus points ($300 travel value) after spending $3,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening.
Purchase & Balance Transfer APR
19.15% to 27.40% variable regular APR
CardCritics™ Opinion
Recommended Credit Score
Annual Fee
Rewards
2X points on everyday purchases.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.
Card Details From Issuer
- 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.
- 19.15% to 27.40% 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.
How To Choose the Best USAA Credit Card for You
The right USAA credit card for your wallet depends on your financial goals and what you hope to get out of the card. Consider the following factors when evaluating USAA credit card options:
Eligibility
To apply for a USAA credit card, you must be a USAA member (free to join). Those who qualify for membership include:
- Active duty military
- National Guard and Reservists
- Veterans who have honorably served
- Federal Agency Employees (such as the DEA or FBI)
- Contracted cadets and midshipmen
- Officer and warrant officer candidates
- Service Academy appointees
- Military spouses
- Children of USAA members
You can apply to join USAA through its main website or during the card application process. If you’re already a member, sign in to your account, then complete your card application.
In addition, most USAA credit cards require at least a good credit score (a score of at least 670 on FICO’s scale) to be considered for approval.
Rewards
Some USAA credit cards earn rewards, such as cash back or travel points, for everyday purchases. They may also offer a welcome bonus of cash or points after meeting a minimum spending requirement within a certain timeframe.
Choosing a card that aligns with your goals and spending habits will help you maximize rewards. For example, if you spend a lot on travel, the USAA Eagle Navigator Card would be a good pick, because it earns 3x points on travel (including flights, hotels, car and vacation rentals, rideshares, and tolls) and 2x points on other purchases. Alternatively, if you prefer cash back and spend across various categories, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Card, which earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases, may be an ideal fit.
Introductory APR
If you’re looking to consolidate debt from other high-interest cards, you might consider a balance transfer credit card from USAA. Transferring a balance incurs a small fee, but you’ll enjoy an interest-free period for the duration of the offer, which can give you time to focus on paying down your debt.
The USAA Rate Advantage Card, for instance, has a strong intro APR 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 11.15% to 25.15% variable regular APR will apply to introductory balances. A 11.15% to 25.15% variable regular APR will apply for purchases.
Fees and Interest
Most USAA credit cards have no annual fee, but if you’re considering the Eagle Navigator Card, it charges $95 per year. You’ll want to carefully consider if the card’s rewards and benefits are enough to justify its annual cost.
Otherwise, be sure to look at each card’s interest rate (APR) for purchases, especially if you think you might carry a balance. While USAA’s card interest rates tend to be lower than average, you’ll want to do the math to be sure you get the best deal for your financial needs.
Benefits and Perks
USAA credit cards come with a standard suite of benefits, including travel insurance, cell phone protection, and purchase protection.
In addition, the USAA Eagle Navigator Card includes extra perks for travelers that can make its annual fee worth it, including up to $120 in credit toward the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee every four years, and an annual 10,000-point bonus for booking a car or hotel through the USAA Rewards Center.
Pros and Cons of USAA Cards
All USAA cards come with strong benefits, but they also have limitations worth noting.
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Comprehensive travel and purchase protections
- Generous rewards earning on some cards
- No annual fee on most cards
Cons
- Require a military affiliation to join USAA
- Most cards require good or better credit
- No airline or hotel transfer partners
- No intro APR offers on purchases
USAA Credit Card Benefits
USAA is unique in that all of its cards include a standard suite of perks, including travel and purchase coverage. Every USAA card offers:
- No foreign transaction fees: You can use your USAA card for international purchases without incurring extra fees, making them ideal for travel abroad.
- Car rental insurance: When you decline the collision damage waiver (CDW) from the rental agency and pay for the rental with your USAA credit card, you receive coverage for damage and theft. This coverage is secondary in your country of residence and applies worldwide on rentals of up to 31 days.
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: When you pay for eligible travel with your USAA card, you’re covered for up to $1,500 per person for non-refundable, prepaid fares if your trip is canceled or interrupted for a covered reason.
- Baggage delay reimbursement: This can reimburse you for essential purchases of up to $100 a day for up to three days if your checked bags are delayed by four or more hours. Eligible purchases include clothing, toiletries and device chargers, and you must have used the card to pay for your fare to receive coverage.
- Travel accident insurance: As long as you purchase your ticket with your USAA card, you’re eligible for up to $500,000 in travel accident coverage.
- Travel and emergency assistance: USAA cardholders can access a 24/7 hotline while traveling for help arranging medical and legal referrals, prescription refills, lost luggage, and emergency transportation. While the hotline itself is complimentary, any service costs are the cardholder’s responsibility.
- Cell phone protection: When you pay your monthly wireless bill with a USAA card, you’re eligible for up to $500 in reimbursement if your phone is stolen or damaged.
- Purchase security: If an eligible item you bought with your USAA card is damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase, you can be reimbursed up to $1,000 per claim and $10,000 per cardholder.
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Extended warranty: When you pay for a qualifying item with your USAA card, you can get up to an additional year of coverage on U.S. manufacturers’ warranties of three years or less.
Plus, USAA Visa Signature® cards include access to an exclusive concierge service that can help suggest and arrange things like restaurant reservations, event tickets and shopping activities.
Alternatives To Consider
If a USAA card doesn’t match your needs, or if you aren’t eligible, consider these alternatives:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: The Sapphire Preferred Card offers a massive welcome bonus of 75,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards® points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. With a manageable $95 annual fee, top-notch benefits, and excellent rewards earning and redemption options, it’s no wonder it’s considered one of the best travel credit cards today.
- Citi Double Cash® Card: This no-annual-fee card from our partner Citi earns a generous 2% cash back on purchases (1% when you buy, and 1% when you pay off). While the card is light on benefits, it does offer a 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months, then 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable). A 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) APR will apply for purchases.
- Wells Fargo Reflect® Card: While this card doesn’t earn rewards, it features one of the longest intro offers of any 0% APR credit card on the market: 0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers, then a 17.24%, 23.74%, or 28.99% Variable APR
How To Apply for a USAA Card
It’s easy to compare USAA cards and apply online, whether you’re already a member or need to join. Follow these steps:
- If you’re not a member, verify your USAA membership eligibility.
- Join USAA by navigating to its website or to the application page of the card you’re interested in.
- Fill out the application for your chosen card after signing in to your USAA account. You’ll need to provide standard details such as your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number and income.
Click the apply button and wait to see if you’re approved. Some applicants receive an instant decision, but you may have to wait for seven to 10 days in some cases.
Frequently Asked Questions About USAA Credit Cards
Can non-military family members apply for USAA cards?
Yes, spouses and children of eligible military members and veterans can join USAA and apply for its credit cards.
Can you transfer USAA points to airline or hotel partners?
No, you can’t transfer USAA points to travel loyalty program partners, but you can use them for travel and other redemptions through the USAA Rewards Center.
Do USAA cards report to all major credit bureaus?
Yes, your activity on USAA cards is reported to Experian, TransUnion, Equifax and Innovis.
How much are USAA points worth?
The value of USAA points depends on the card you have and how you redeem them. For example, if you only have the Eagle Navigator Card, your points are worth 1 cent each when you redeem them for travel, but only 0.7 cents apiece when redeemed for cash back.
What credit score is needed for USAA credit cards?
The best USAA cards typically require a good to excellent credit score to be considered for approval, but USAA’s secured cards are one exception. Keep in mind that banks look at other factors, including your overall financial picture and income, when evaluating your application.
How Do Our Critics Evaluate the Cards?
All of the credit cards featured on CardCritics™ are assessed using the same criteria. Our critics evaluate fees, interest rates, balance transfer options, introductory bonuses, rewards, additional benefits and the average credit score required for approval.
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
*CardCritics™ references a FICO® 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when evaluating your application.