USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Review

USAA’s mainstream flagship credit card is the Preferred Cash Rewards card offering 1.5% cashback on all purchases with no limit. USAA is known for great insurance rates and this reflects in its credit card offering.

Like most USAA credit cards this offers no annual fee, no transaction fees, and collision damage waivers on rental cars. The offerings that this card gives you is the standard you can find on most cards but not at the normal 2% cashback that you can find on most cashback cards.

USAA’s credit cards are of interest to most USAA members due to their no annual fees, low 4% APR rate when you’re an enlisted service member, and special services that are offered while you are deployed. USAA makes it easy for service members to manage their credit while deployed which makes this a great card for those who are deployed and have to carry a balance while they are deployed.

As an everyday card its benefits are inline with most cards out there but you can find better cashback rates with other card issuers.

Features

• No foreign transaction fees when you travel outside of the United States
• Concierge services
• Collision damage waiver coverage pays for physical damage and theft to most rental vehicles
• Identity theft resolutions services provides assistance should you become the victim of identity theft
• Extended warranty extends your manufacturers or U.S. store brand warranties for up to one year

Rates

• Deployment/PCS rate: Get 4% APR on all balances for up to 12 months during deployment or PCS
• Special 4% SCRA rate
• Regular APR 7.90% to 26.90%
• Balance transfer 3% of the amount of each transfer (maximum fee per transfer: $200)
• Cash advance 3% of the amount of each cash advance (maximum fee for each
  convenience check: $200). Fee waived when transferring funds
  electronically to a USAA deposit account.

Final Thoughts

While this is a great card for those in the military and the benefits while in the service there are better cards that offer more cashback and similar features. USAA will always have a special place in my heart as it was my first credit card issuer but I’ve had to move on. Cards like the Chase Freedom which offers revolving 5% cashback categories or the Alliant 2.5% cash back card could be better if you’re looking for cashback cards.

Image credit: Brian McCauley