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3. USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card review: A cash back card for active-duty military members

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12

reviews

3.8

Rating: 3.8 out of 5.

Great for military families

Annual Fee: $0

Here’s the average credit limit of members who matched their USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card or similar cards.

% of members by credit limit range

The average credit limit for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is $11,062, with $1,000 being the most common.

Here’s the average credit score of members who matched their USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card or similar cards.

% of members by credit score range

The average credit score for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is 711, with 815 being the most common. Note this is just one of the deciding factors when it comes to getting approved.

This content is curated by Intuit Credit Karma’s Editorial team using data from members who were approved for this card or similar cards, or who self-matched this card or similar cards. Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse this content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.

Member stats

Updated daily

28.4%

Average credit utilization (or what percent of the card’s credit limit is being used) of members who matched with this card or similar cards.

46 years

Average age of members who matched this card or similar cards.

$108,573

Average annual income of members who matched this card or similar cards. Note: Income may be estimated for some members by Credit Karma and may differ from members’ actual incomes.

Pros and cons

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No annual fee

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Decent cash back rates

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APR discount for active-duty members

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Must be a USAA member to apply

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Cap on bonus category cash back limits your earnings

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card review

Updated September 15, 2025

This date may not reflect recent changes in individual terms.

Written by: Credit Karma Staff

What you need to know about the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card

If you’re thinking about applying for the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card (previously the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card), here are some key features that stand out.

USAA members only

USAA financial products are limited to USAA members only. So if you want to apply for the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card, you must be a member.

To be eligible for USAA membership, you must be …

• Active-duty military personnel
• A member of the National Guard or Army Reserve
• A veteran
• A cadet or midshipman
• An eligible family member related to one or more of the above

If you’re not a USAA member, you can apply for membership before filling out a credit card application.

Cash back rewards for military base and gas purchases

The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card offers the following cash back rates:

• 5% cash back on up to $3,000 spent on combined gas and qualifying military base purchases each year, then 1%
• 2% cash back on up to $3,000 spent on grocery store purchases each year, then 1%
• For all other purchases, you’ll earn an unlimited 1% cash back

You can redeem your cash back any time and in any amount of $1 or more by using the USAA Rewards Service Center or by phone.

APR discount for active-duty military service members

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, or SCRA, requires credit card issuers to offer a reduced interest rate of 6% to active-duty military personnel for debt incurred before active military service. USAA goes above and beyond — it offers a 4% APR on existing balances to eligible active-duty service members. The catch is that you must have already had a USAA account before active duty and incurred the charges before you went on active duty.

If you’re not an active-duty service member, the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card may still offer you a competitive interest rate, depending on your credit. The variable APR for purchases is 11.9% to 25.9%, which is comparable to the rates that some other major cash back cards offer.

But even with a competitive APR, it’s not a good idea to spend more than you can pay back every month. Carrying a balance triggers interest charges that can negate the value of the cash back you earn.

A closer look at the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card

Here are some more details to know when comparing the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card.

• There’s no foreign transaction fee, so feel free to bring this card along when you travel.
• There’s no annual fee.
• The card has added protection benefits, like an extended warranty for your purchases and travel accident insurance.

Who this card is good for

The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card is best for active-duty military members (or their family members) who do most of their shopping on base. That boosted bonus rate for on-base purchases is pretty rare. This card is really great for people who love to earn as much cash back as possible and have a card for every situation.

But if you’d rather not have to juggle multiple cards to maximize your cash back, you may be better off with a flat-rate cash back card like the Citi Double Cash® Card, which offers up to 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% when you swipe your card and 1% when you pay off your balance.

And keep in mind — not everyone qualifies for the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card. You have to join USAA first, and the bank has some firm guidelines for membership. So if you’re not eligible, keep on marching.

Not sure this is the card for you? Consider these alternatives.

If you’re not sure whether the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card is right for you, consider these alternatives.

• Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: This cash back card could be for you if you’re constantly filling your tank or your grocery cart.
• USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card could be a good option for someone who’s looking for a USAA credit card but wants simpler cash back.