USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card Review: 5% on Gas and Base Purchases

All information about the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card has been collected independently by Moneygeek.com and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card is a solid option for USAA members, especially those who spend heavily on gas and on-base purchases. It earns a cash back score of 4.1 out of 5 due to its 5% cash back rate on gas and military base purchases and 2% on groceries (each rate is capped at $3,000 per year) for no annual fee. This card is also beneficial if you frequently travel, offering both no foreign transaction fees and complimentary travel insurance and rental car coverage.

However, you need to be a USAA member to qualify for this card (which is open to active, retired, and honorably separated U.S. military members and their eligible family members). Although the spending caps may limit rewards for high spenders, its strong issuer reputation and high customer satisfaction make it a solid choice if you’re eligible. Note that it lacks an introductory APR on purchases and a welcome bonus, common features among many cash back cards.

If you want robust cash back across more everyday categories and don’t qualify for a USAA membership, the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express offers 3% cash back on U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations and U.S. online retailers (for up to $6,000 per year for each category, then 1%). And cash back is received as Reward Dollars and redeemable as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. While the Blue Cash Everyday is more versatile and accessible, the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus card is a targeted, cost-effective option with tailored benefits that fit well into military lifestyles.

The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus card delivers a competitive rewards program, earning a cash back score of 4.1 out of 5. Its standout feature is the 5% cash back on gas and military base purchases — a high rate that's rarely seen on cards without an annual fee.

Here's a breakdown of the card's cash back rates:

• 5% cash back on gas and military base purchases (up to $3,000 annually)
• 2% cash back on groceries (up to $3,000 annually)
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

The card's straightforward cash back structure makes it easy to understand and use. Cash back can be redeemed in increments of $1 as statement credit and other options.

While the 5% cash back rate is impressive, the annual $3,000 cap on gas and military base purchases is lower compared to other cards. For example, the Citi Custom Cash® allows up to $500 per month (or $6,000 per year) at its 5% rate. Additionally, some cards offer 2% to 3% cash back on groceries without any spending caps, which may better suit those with higher monthly expenses in these categories.

The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus provides a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 15 months, then a variable APR of 16.40% – 28.40% after that, which is a useful feature for those looking to consolidate debt. However, a 5% balance transfer fee applies, and term is relatively short compared to cards dedicated to balance transfers that extend the intro APR period to 21 months.

However, the card lacks a 0% intro APR offer for new purchases and a welcome bonus. Those are potential drawbacks since those offers are common among cash back cards.

The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus card stands out among cash back cards by offering perks like extended warranty, auto rental coverage and travel protections, which are uncommon in this category.

The card has the following perks:

• Travel accident insurance: If you purchase your ticket with the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus, you’ll be eligible for a complimentary travel accident insurance which covers injury during travel.
• Trip cancellation and interruption coverage: Offers financial protection against unforeseen travel disruptions.
• Auto rental coverage: This benefit covers damage, theft, towing and loss-of-use charges for rentals up to 31 days worldwide. Simply decline the rental agency’s collision damage waiver, pay with your card, and make sure you’re listed as the primary renter.
• Baggage delay and reimbursement: Compensates for travel inconveniences, enhancing the travel experience.
• Extended warranty: Extends the manufacturer’s warranty on eligible purchases by up to one additional year. This applies to original warranties of three years or less when you pay with your card.

The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus card is accessible to USAA members with a good to excellent credit score. However, USAA membership is limited to U.S. military personnel (active and veterans) and their eligible family members.

User forums show that applicants with credit scores between 721 and 782 are often approved, highlighting the importance of a strong credit history. While some members have successfully upgraded to this card, others faced limitations due to eligibility requirements.

The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus card offers competitive interest rates and fees, making it a strong contender for those eligible. With a regular APR ranging from 16.40% – 28.40%, its everyday interest rate ranks 7th among cash back cards.

• Annual Fee: $0
• Regular APR: 16.40% – 28.40% variable
• Penalty APR: None
• Foreign Transaction Fee: None
• Balance Transfer Fee: 5% of the amount of each balance transfer
• Cash Advance Fee: 5% of the amount of each cash advance
• Late Fee: Up to $35
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $35

The absence of an annual fee and foreign transaction fees makes this card particularly appealing for frequent travelers and those stationed overseas. The card's fee structure aligns well with its target audience, offering transparency and value.

The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus card enjoys a high issuer satisfaction rating of 4.8, ranking 9th among 77 cards, which reflects USAA’s strong customer approval.

Users on MyFICO forums praise the card's 5% cash back on gas and military base purchases, no foreign transaction fees and no annual fee. However, some users express concerns about spending caps on cash back categories and limited acceptance outside the U.S. due to the American Express network.

To help you decide if it’s right for you, we compare the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus with other cash back cards.

You can pair other cash back cards with the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus to maximize the cash back you earn from your purchases.

We evaluated the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus using our Cash Back Score, reviewing 77 cards in total. The evaluation considered several factors:

• Effective Reward Rate (50%): Measures how rewarding the card's cash back program is.
• Annual Fee (10%): Rates the annual fee, with five indicating no fee.
• Intro Purchase Offer (5%): Rates the 0% APR offer on purchases.
• Recommended Credit (5%): Rates the accessibility based on credit score.
• Issuer Satisfaction (5%): Based on J.D. Power issuer satisfaction study.
• Penalties (5%): Rates penalty rates and fees.
• Regular APR (5%): Rates the regular APR.
• Foreign Transaction (5%): Rates foreign transaction fees.
• Offer ROI (Return On Investment)(5%): Rates the return on introductory bonus offers.

We answer some frequently asked questions about the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus to help you decide if it’s right for you.

For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express, please click here. 

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.