AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. Terms Apply to the offers listed on this page. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers.
Offers for the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card are not available through this site. All information has been independently collected by AwardWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Some offers may have expired. Please see our card marketplace for available offers.
The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card offers 1.5% cash back with no annual or foreign transaction fees. The bank and its respective credit card products are only available to active military, veterans, and their eligible family members. In addition to credit cards, USAA also offers checking and savings accounts, mortgages, auto loans, and more.
Earning and redeeming cash-back rewards is straightforward, but the card does come with some worthy perks, including select travel benefits. Here's what you need to know about the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card to help you decide if it's right for you.
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee$0
Intro Offer Earn a $200 reward bonus when you spend $1,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening.
The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a straightforward 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no limits or categories to track. This card comes with no annual fee, provides exclusive benefits for military members, and delivers decent travel protection benefits, making it a versatile option for everyday spending and military lifestyle needs.
- 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 Reimbursem*nt (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.
- 17.15% to 29.15% 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.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, no category restrictions, no caps on cash back.
Page Contents
- USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Pros
- USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Cons
- Cash Back Welcome Offer
- USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Benefits
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back
- Auto deductible reimbursem*nt
- Travel protections
- Cell phone protection
- Purchase protections
- USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Earning Rates
- Redeeming Rewards From the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards
- Application Restrictions
- Cards That Compete With the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards
- Bottom Line
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Pros
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, no category restrictions, no caps on cash back.
- $0 annual fee.
- No foreign-transaction fees.
- You will receive a $200 reimbursem*nt of your auto insurance deductible for a covered loss when you make at least eight purchases in the previous calendar month.
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Cons
- The card is only available to USAA members (current and former military, their spouses, and children).
- No bonus cash back earning categories.
- Minimum cash-back amounts vary depending on the type of cash-back redemption selected.
Cash Back Welcome Offer
As a new applicant for the card, you can earn $200 cash back after spending $1,000 on the USAA Preferred Cash Rewardsin the first 90 days of account opening.
In other words, you'll enjoy a 20% return on the first $1,000 you spend on the card. The return plus the comparatively low spending requirements make this one of the better cash back credit card offers available now.
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Benefits
The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card has several benefits courtesy of its Visa Signature designation. However, it also offers additional perks that are unique to USAA.
Unlimited 1.5% cash back
Earn an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases made with the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card. There are no category restrictions or caps on the cash back you can earn, and there is no minimum to redeem your cash back. Even better, the rewards you earn never expire.
Related: Best Credit Cards for Everyday Purchases
Auto deductible reimbursem*nt
The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card will reimburse cardholders up to $200 of your auto policy deductible when you experience a covered loss, if you make a minimum of eight (8) purchases in the prior calendar month. This is a unique benefit that you won't find on other cards.
Travel protections
The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card offers valuable travel protections starting with an auto rental collision damage waiver for 31 days worldwide. Travel and emergency assistance provides 24/7 help if you experience an illness or emergency while traveling or working. This service also provides medical and legal referrals, prescription assistance, and travel planning.
The card provides up to $1,500 per covered person for non-refundable prepaid passenger fares when travel is interrupted or canceled, provided you purchase the ticket with your card.
Travel accident insurance provided by the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards cardcovers you for loss of life or limb when you use the card to buy your ticket.
And, finally, you'll receive baggage delay reimbursem*nt of up to $100 per day for up to three days.
Related: Best Credit Cards With Free Travel Insurance
Cell phone protection
When you use your USAA Preferred Cash Rewardsto pay your monthly cell phone bill, the card will reimburse you up to $500 if your eligible cell phone is lost or damaged.
Purchase protections
With the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards, you can protect your new retail purchases for the first 90 days from the date of purchase. The benefits include replacements, repairs, and reimbursem*nts of up to $1,000 per claim and $10,000 per cardholder in the event of theft or damage.
You'll also receive extended warranty protection, up to one additional year, on an original U.S. manufacturer's warranty of three years or less.
Related: The Best Credit Cards for Purchase Protection
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Earning Rates
The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases. There are currently no bonus categories or opportunities to earn more than the standard 1.5% back, though the card's terms and conditions state that USAA may offer ways to earn additional cash back from time to time.
Cash back is not earned on balance transfers, cash advances, or money orders.
Redeeming Rewards From the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards
You can redeem the cash back earned with the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card through the USAA Rewards Center for travel rewards, merchandise, and gift cards from select merchants, and as a charitable contribution to a participating charity.
You can also elect to receive your cash back as a statement credit to your eligible USAA account either as a one-time redemption, to cover a purchase, or as a recurring redemption.
Application Restrictions
You must be a USAA member to apply for the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards card. The following people qualify to become a member:
- Active and veteran members of the U.S. military
- Their spouses, children, and grandchildren
- Pre-commissioned officers are eligible to join USAA.
USAA offers bank accounts, home, auto, and life insurance, auto loans, and more. If you're unsure about whether you qualify for a USAA membership, click here to learn more.
Related: Understanding Credit Card Application Rules and Restrictions
Cards That Compete With the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards may not be the right card for you, and that's okay. Here are some other great options to consider:
- If you prefer a USAAcard that earns rewards instead of cash back, check out the USAA Reward Visa Signature Credit Card. This card earns 2x points on dining and at gas stations and 1x on everything else. You can redeem USAA points for air travel, cruises, merchandise, cash back, charities, or gift cards.
- If you prefer to earn travel rewards that you can transfer to partners, consider the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. Hands down, this is one of the best cards for everyday purchases. You can redeem miles directly through Capital One Travel or maximize value by transferring them to a partner loyalty program. This card has a $95 annual fee. Learn more in our full Capital One Venture review.
- If you want a premium travel card with tons of perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® might be the card for you. This is a premium card with the perks and annual fee to match. For a $550 annual fee, you get a $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge access, and more. Ultimate Rewards earned from the Sapphire Reserve can be redeemed for travel either directly through the Chase Travel portal or transferred to various travel partners. Check out our Sapphire Reserve review for more details.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Welcome OfferFor a limited time, earn 75,000 Miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, plus receive a one-time $250 Capital One Travel credit in your first cardholder year – that’s equal to $1,000 in travel.
How to Apply
Annual Fee$95
Credit ScoreExcellent, Good
- 5X miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per dollar on all other purchases
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Welcome BonusEarn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Apply Now
Annual Fee$550
Credit ScoreExcellent
- 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025
- 10X points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 10X points on Chase Dining (including prepaid reservations and prepaid takeout purchased through Chase)
- 5X points on airfare purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on all other travel
- 3X points on dining at restaurants
- 1X points on all other purchases
Related: Best Rewards Credit Card Offers This Month
Bottom Line
USAA members have a good cash-back credit card option in the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards. The earning structure is simple without any bonus categories. And you also get an auto deductible reimbursem*nt and travel protections with the card as well. For the right person, this credit card can make a lot of sense; you'd be wise not to overlook this solid cash back card and its competitive welcome offer for new cardmembers.
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card
Annual Fee$0
Intro Offer Earn a $200 reward bonus when you spend $1,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening.
The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a straightforward 1.5% cash back on every purchase with no limits or categories to track. This card comes with no annual fee, provides exclusive benefits for military members, and delivers decent travel protection benefits, making it a versatile option for everyday spending and military lifestyle needs.
- 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 Reimbursem*nt (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.
- 17.15% to 29.15% 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.
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, no category restrictions, no caps on cash back.
Share this:
AwardWallet Tip of The Day
Did you know that AwardWallet doesn’t solely focus on travel-related loyalty programs? We support many retail loyalty programs including grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies and more. You can browse the full list of the programs that AwardWallet supports. Show me how
Hide image
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
