USAA credit cards are designed for military members and their families

USAA is a financial services company that serves active-duty military, veterans, and their families. Their credit cards come with benefits tailored to military life: no foreign transaction fees, travel protections, and rewards on common military spending like gas and groceries. You can only open a USAA credit card if you meet their membership requirements, which center on military service or family connection to someone who served.

USAA offers several card options, each with different rewards structures and annual fees. Some cards charge nothing per year; others charge a fee but offer higher rewards or premium travel benefits. The card you choose depends on how much you travel, what you spend on most, and whether the annual fee makes sense for your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • USAA credit cards are only available to military members, veterans, and their when ready family members who meet USAA membership requirements.
  • Most USAA cards have no annual fee, though premium travel cards may charge $95 to $450 per year depending on the card.
  • Foreign transaction fees are waived on all USAA credit cards, which matters if you travel overseas or make purchases in other currencies.
  • You earn rewards on purchases — typically 1% to 3% back depending on the card and category — and can redeem points for cash, travel, or gift cards.
  • You must be a USAA member to open a card, and membership requires military service, veteran status, or being a family member of someone who served.

Who can open a USAA credit card

USAA membership is the first requirement. You can join USAA if you are on active duty, a veteran with a discharge that was not dishonorable, a military retiree, or an when ready family member (spouse or child) of someone in one of those categories. You do not need to be currently serving to join — veterans can open accounts decades after leaving the military.

Once you are a USAA member, you can open a credit card. USAA will review your credit history and income like any bank does, so membership alone does not mean approval. Your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and payment history all factor into whether USAA will issue you a card and what credit limit they offer.

Types of USAA credit cards and their rewards

USAA's main card for most members is the USAA Rewards Visa Signature Card, which has no annual fee and earns 1.5% cash back on all purchases. This card works well if you want simplicity — the same rate on groceries, gas, dining, and everything else.

For higher spending, the USAA Limitless Cashback Rewards Visa Signature Card also has no annual fee and earns 2.5% cash back on all purchases with no caps or categories to track. If you spend $500 or more per month, this card pays more than the standard rewards card.

USAA also offers travel-focused cards. The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature Card earns higher rewards in specific categories — 3% on gas and groceries, 1% on everything else — and has no annual fee. The USAA Infinite Card is a premium travel card with a $450 annual fee, offering higher rewards, travel credits, and concierge services. This card makes sense only if you travel frequently and can use the benefits to offset the fee.

Rewards can be redeemed as cash back to your account, statement credits, travel bookings through USAA's travel portal, or gift cards to retailers. Cash back typically posts within one to two billing cycles.

Annual fees and costs

Most USAA credit cards have no annual fee. The exceptions are premium cards: the USAA Infinite Card charges $450 per year, and some older or specialty cards may have different fee structures. USAA publishes the fee for each card upfront, so you know the cost before you open the account.

Beyond the annual fee, USAA charges standard fees for late payments, returned checks, and cash advances. There is no fee for foreign transactions, which is a significant advantage if you travel internationally or make purchases in other currencies. Interest rates vary based on your creditworthiness and current market conditions.

Travel benefits and protections

All USAA credit cards include travel protections that come standard with the card at no extra cost. These typically include trip cancellation insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, emergency medical and dental coverage abroad, and emergency evacuation services. The exact coverage depends on which card you hold — premium cards offer higher limits and broader coverage.

USAA cards also waive foreign transaction fees, which means you pay no extra charge when you use the card outside the United States or in a foreign currency. This is especially valuable for military members stationed overseas or those who travel frequently for work or leisure.

You can also access USAA's travel booking portal to reserve flights, hotels, and rental cars. The portal sometimes offers discounted rates, though you can also book directly with airlines or hotels if you find better prices elsewhere.

How to open a USAA credit card

First, confirm you are a USAA member or can become one. If you are not yet a member, you can start the membership process on USAA's website by providing your military service information or family relationship to a service member. Membership is free and usually takes a few minutes to complete.

Once you are a member, log into your USAA account and navigate to the credit cards section. You will see the available cards with their features, rewards rates, and annual fees. Select the card that matches your spending and travel habits.

Click to open the card and complete the process. USAA will ask for your income, employment status, and other financial information. The process takes about 10 minutes. You will receive a decision within minutes to a few days — USAA often approves or declines when ready.

If approved, your card ships to your address within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up it through the USAA app or website once it arrives. Some cards offer a temporary digital card number you can use when ready while waiting for the physical card.

Comparing USAA cards to other military-focused options

USAA is not the only company offering cards for military members. Other banks issue military-branded cards with similar benefits: no foreign transaction fees, travel protections, and rewards on common spending categories. The main difference is that USAA cards are available only to USAA members, while other military cards may be open to anyone.

If you are not a USAA member or do not want to join, you can look at cards from other issuers that market to military audiences. However, USAA's advantage is that membership gives you access to banking, insurance, and investment services alongside credit cards — so if you use multiple USAA products, the ecosystem may be more convenient.

Compare the rewards rates, annual fees, and travel benefits across cards you are considering. A card with a higher rewards rate but no annual fee often beats a premium card unless you travel enough to use the premium benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be active duty to get a USAA credit card?

No. USAA cards are open to active-duty members, veterans, military retirees, and their when ready family members. You do not need to be currently serving. If you left the military years ago, you can still open a USAA account and card as long as your discharge was honorable.

What happens if I do not use my USAA card?

USAA may close inactive accounts after a period of no use, typically 12 months or longer. If your card is closed for inactivity, it will not hurt your credit score, but you lose access to that card's rewards and benefits. You can reopen an account by contacting USAA.

Can I transfer a balance from another card to a USAA card?

Yes. Most USAA cards allow balance transfers, though they may charge a fee (usually 3% to 5% of the amount transferred) and offer an introductory period with a lower interest rate. Check the specific card's terms before opening the account.

How long does it take to earn rewards on a USAA card?

Rewards post to your account at the end of each billing cycle. Most USAA cards earn rewards on every purchase when ready, so you see the rewards accumulate as you spend. You can redeem them anytime once they post.

What if I have a question about my USAA card after I open it?

USAA offers customer service by phone, email, and through the mobile app. Military members and veterans can also visit a USAA branch in person if one is near you. Support is available 24/7 for most card-related questions.