USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card review: 1.5% cash back for military members
Editor's Note
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Credit Card Overview
The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card is a good cash-back option for current and former military members, as well as their spouses and dependents. While it lacks an introductory APR offer or exclusive perks, this card offers a no-frills experience with unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases and no annual fee, making it a solid choice for military members seeking a simple and rewarding cash-back card. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
With no annual fee, a recommended credit score of 670 and unlimited cash back on purchases, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card can offer substantial value for military members and their families.
Let's go over the pros and cons of having this card in your wallet.
The information for the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card pros and cons
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USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card welcome offer
The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a $200 reward bonus when you spend $1,000 on qualifying purchases within the first 90 days of account opening.
That's a solid offer for this card's history, although you can definitely do better with some of the more popular card offerings out there.
Related: The best credit card welcome bonuses
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card benefits
You won't enjoy many lavish benefits on this no-annual-fee card. Still, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card provides standard travel and shopping protections — such as travel accident insurance and extended warranty protection on U.S. manufacturers' warranties — plus no foreign transaction fees.
It also comes with cellphone protection, which reimburses cardholders up to $500 if an eligible cellphone is stolen or damaged. In order to be eligible for this coverage, you much charge your monthly phone bill to your USAA credit card.
Related: Should you get travel insurance if you have credit card protection?
Earning cash back on the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card
The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, with no category restrictions or cap on cash back.
If you're a current or former military member or a family member of someone who serves, it could be a nice starter in the world of cash-back cards.
Related: Cash back vs. travel rewards: How to choose a credit card
Redeeming cash back on the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card
Cash back earned with the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card never expires, meaning you can redeem cash back on your own schedule.
You can redeem cash back as a statement credit or deposit it directly into a USAA checking or savings account. You could also redeem for gift cards, charitable contributions and travel purchases.
Related: Why you may want a cash-back card
Which cards compete with the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card?
There are a handful of other simplified cash-back cards on the market that compete with the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card:
- If you want simple cash rewards: The Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees) offers up to 2% earnings on all purchases — 1% when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay it off. Plus, you can convert your rewards to fully transferable ThankYou points with another Citi card. Read our full review of the Citi Double Cash.
- If you want lucrative earning rates: The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express is one of the best cash-back cards on the market. You'll get an excellent return across various bonus categories and a healthy welcome offer. Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit and at Amazon.com checkout. Read our full review of the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express.
- If you want rotating bonus categories: The Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) comes with no annual fee and earns 5% cash back on travel booked through the Chase Travel℠ portal, 3% on dining, 3% on drugstore purchases, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. You also earn 5% back (up to $1,500) on purchases in rotating categories each quarter when you activate. For more details, check out our full review of the Freedom Flex card.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best cash-back credit cards.
Related: How to redeem Citi ThankYou Points for maximum value
Is the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card worth it?
For military members, including current and former personnel, as well as their spouses and dependents, the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card is a suitable choice for cash-back rewards. Although this card does not provide special perks, it offers a straightforward experience with unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases and no annual fee.
Bottom line
The simple experience of the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card makes it an attractive option for military members and their families who want the chance to earn easy cash back on purchases.
It's a solid option for military members looking for a straightforward and rewarding card that won't hurt the wallet. However, there are more lucrative cash-back cards available.
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.
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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees