USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express®
The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® from USAA earns up to 5% effective value on gas in Madeen's catalog snapshot. It has no annual fee. New applicants may see: Earn a $200 reward bonus after spending $1,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening.. Madeen compares this card against the cards you already carry — no bank login required.
- Top category
- Gas
- Effective value
- 5%
- Annual fee
- $0
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Madeen compares public issuer terms with its card-rule catalog. Issuer pages control rewards, fees, benefits, exclusions, and eligibility; Madeen does not issue cards, make approval decisions, or provide financial advice.
What does the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express earn in each category?
Gas is the strongest category at 5% effective value (5% back). That gas rate ranks higher than about 99% of the 1,551 cards we track in that category. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
Gas is the strongest category at 5% effective value (5% back). That gas rate ranks higher than about 99% of the 1,551 cards we track in that category.
| Category | Earn rate | Effective value |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Restaurants, cafes, takeout | 1% back | 1% |
| Grocery Supermarkets and grocery stores | 2% back | 2% |
| Gas Gas stations and fuel | 5% back | 5% Top category |
| Travel Flights, hotels, transit | 1% back | 1% |
| Other General everyday spend | 1% back | 1% |
Madeen values cash back at about 1 cents each. Madeen compares every card using this cash-equivalent estimate while still showing the raw earn rate for context.
What are the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express reward caps and conditions?
The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express has 2 notable cap or condition rule(s) in Madeen's catalog, including activation windows, spend limits, and category exclusions. Review each bullet below before assuming unlimited earn rates. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
- 5% cash back on your first $3,000 in combined gas station and military base purchases yearly Capped at $3000 per year.
- 2% cash back on your first $3,000 in grocery purchases yearly Capped at $3000 per year.
Who should get the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express?
The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express fits spenders who put meaningful volume in gas and can earn 5% back. Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in gas and can earn 5% back. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement.
USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express fits spenders who put meaningful volume in gas and can earn 5% back. Madeen ranks its gas effective rate higher than about 99% of the catalog in that category. Compare it against cards you already carry with Madeen — no bank login required.
Best for spenders who put meaningful volume in gas and can earn 5% back. The welcome bonus can help if you can meet the spend requirement.
Compare it against simpler no-fee cards if you want minimum complexity.
Best for gas-heavy spend when you want to avoid an annual fee; confirm issuer terms before applying. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
Pros
- Strongest Madeen category is gas at about 5% effective (5% back).
- That gas rate ranks higher than about 99% of cards we track in the category.
- No annual fee in our catalog snapshot.
- No foreign transaction fee listed.
Cons
- Compare simpler no-fee cards if you want minimum complexity.
Does the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express have an annual fee, and what's the welcome bonus?
The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express has an annual fee of $0 and a foreign transaction fee of None. New applicants may see: Earn a $200 reward bonus after spending $1,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening.. Confirm current issuer terms before applying.
- Annual fee
- $0
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- Signup bonus
- Earn a $200 reward bonus after spending $1,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening.
What benefits come with the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express?
The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express includes Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Baggage Delay Reimbursement, Cell Phone Protection in our snapshot. Perks and benefits can change; verify coverage on the issuer site before you rely on them. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
Reserve and pay for your rental car with your credit card to get 31 days of protection worldwide. Save money by saying no at the counter — rent with your covered USAA credit card and get built-in auto rental coverage.
- Baggage Delay Reimbursement
If your checked baggage is delayed, you can be reimbursed up to $100 a day, for up to three days. Get the essentials you need such as clothing or toiletries while waiting for your baggage to arrive.
- Cell Phone Protection
When you charge your monthly cell phone bill to your USAA credit card, you can be reimbursed up to $500, in the event your eligible cell phone is stolen or damaged.
- Concierge Services
Need advice on restaurants or gifts? Are you trying to arrange travel or concert tickets? This exclusive service for USAA Visa Signature® credit cards gives you 24/7 access to a concierge who can guide you.
- Extended Warranty Protection
Extends the time period of the U.S. manufacturer’s warranty on items purchased with your card. Get up to an additional year of coverage.
- Purchase Security
Safeguard your new item against theft or damage for the first 90 days from the date of purchase with Purchase Security available when you pay with your eligible account.
- Travel Accident Insurance
When you purchase your travel ticket with your USAA card, you are eligible to receive coverage for loss of life or limb. This coverage applies to air travel, ferry, cruise ship, train or bus transportation.
- Travel and Emergency Assistance
If you experience an illness or emergency, while traveling or working anywhere in the world, call the benefits center for help, 24/7. You can also get medical and legal referrals, prescription assistance, travel planning and other services.
Common questions about the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express
Does the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express have an annual fee?
The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express carries an annual fee of $0 in Madeen's catalog snapshot. Issuer terms can change, so confirm the current fee on the issuer's site before you apply. Madeen does not predict approval or prequalification.
What category earns the most with the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express?
Gas is the strongest Madeen category for the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express at about 5% effective value, based on our catalog snapshot and standard point valuations. Other categories are listed in the effective-rate table on this page. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
Does the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express charge foreign transaction fees?
The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express does not charge a foreign transaction fee in Madeen's catalog snapshot, which can make it stronger for purchases outside the U.S. Issuer terms still control international acceptance and other fees. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
What is the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express welcome bonus?
The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express welcome offer in our snapshot: Earn a $200 reward bonus after spending $1,000 on qualifying purchases within 90 days of account opening.. Minimum spend, eligibility, and offer windows are set by the issuer and can change.
What credit score do you need for the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express?
Madeen's catalog lists a typical credit range of Good to Excellent for the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express. Issuers decide approval using their own criteria; Madeen does not predict approval odds or prequalification. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
How do you redeem rewards on the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express?
Rewards on the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express post as cash back. Redemption value depends on how you use cash back (statement credit, travel, transfers, or issuer portals). Madeen shows effective cash-equivalent rates using standard valuations. Madeen summarizes catalog reward rules for comparison only; issuer pages control current fees, caps, exclusions, and eligibility.
How does the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express compare to similar cards?
Compare the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express against USAA Rewards™ American Express (3% on Dining, $0 fee); USAA Eagle Navigator™ Visa Signature (2% on Dining, $95 fee); USAA Military Affiliate American Express (2% on Grocery, $0 fee). Madeen ranks effective value by category and annual fee using the same catalog snapshot dated 2026-05-01.
| Card | Top category | Effective value | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express This card | Gas | 5% | $0 |
| Dining | 3% | $0 | |
| Dining | 2% | $95 | |
| Grocery | 2% | $0 | |
| Dining | 2% | $0 |
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