The best USAA credit cards of 2026

The United Services Automobile Association (USAA) provides a variety of financial services to active duty service members, veterans and their families. This includes credit cards, but also homeowners insurance, car insurance, checking accounts and auto loans.

While you need an eligible USAA membership to be approved, you can qualify for membership without directly serving. In addition to several types of active duty military, membership can also extend to military spouses and children of USAA members.

We've picked the best USAA credit cards in a variety of categories, including bad credit, cash back, travel rewards and more.

Who's this for? The USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Credit Card offers generous rewards in common spending categories, including at gas stations, supermarkets and military bases.

Standout rewards: This card earns a competitive 5% cash back on the first $5,000 in military base purchases each year. Once you hit the $5,000 annual limit, you'll continue to earn 1% back on these purchases. You can also earn a $200 reward bonus after spending $1,000 on qualifying purchases by Nov. 30, 2026.

Who's this for? The USAA® Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Credit Card is ideal for those who prefer simplicity, offering a flat 1.5% cash back on all purchases, regardless of category.

Standout rewards: The Preferred Cash Rewards card offers a handful of helpful protections, ranging from auto rental coverage to baggage delay and reimbursement.

Who's this for? The USAA Eagle Navigator® Visa Signature® Credit Card is for USAA members interested in travel, as it earns 3X points on travel and transit, including air, hotel, car and vacation rentals and more.

Standout rewards: Once per calendar year, you can earn 10,000 bonus points (worth $100 in travel) when you book a hotel or rental car through the USAA Rewards Center. The booking must cost at least $100, and you'll have to redeem at least 100 points on the qualifying booking. The card also comes with up to a $120 TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry® credit every four years.

Who's this for? The Eagle Adapt™ Credit Card is great for earning rewards in several categories. You'll earn 3% cash back on your first $3,000 in combined quarterly purchases across eligible spend categories. This includes eight total options, from groceries to health and wellness purchases.

Standout rewards: With the card, you'll receive 24/7 access to USAA online customer service. For a welcome bonus, you can earn a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 on qualifying purchases by Nov. 30, 2026.

Who's this for? If you're looking for a rewards card still available to those with lower credit, the Eagle Ascend™ Credit Card earns 2% cash back on your top eligible spend category each month. This includes options like gas stations or groceries or even home improvement.

Standout rewards: The card is currently running a special offer of a one-time statement credit of up to $98 (plus applicable taxes) for an annual Walmart+ membership. On top of the 2% cash back category, you'll still earn an unlimited 1% cash back on other purchases.

Who's this for? The USAA Secured American Express® Credit Card is a good fit for anyone who may not qualify for other rewards credit cards, but is still looking to build or improve their credit history.

Standout rewards: Being a secured card, it does require a deposit, but your credit limit can range from $250 all the way up to $5,000, based on approval. Your card activity will be reported to the three main credit bureaus, and responsible card usage could upgrade you to an unsecured USAA Bank credit card.

Who's this for? The USAA Rate Advantage Visa® Platinum Credit Card can be worth considering if you're searching for a low interest rate. It offers a potentially lower APR than the average credit card, as well as a great intro APR.

Standout rewards: New cardholders get a 0% intro APR through their March 2028 billing cycle on balance transfers and convenience checks that post by Nov. 30, 2026. After that, a variable APR of 10.40% to 24.40% applies.

To be eligible for a USAA credit card, you'll first need to be a USAA member. It's free to join, but you, your spouse or a parent needs to be a member of the U.S. military or a military veteran.

This includes individuals who have served in the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard. Cadets and midshipmen are also eligible. For more details on eligibility, see USAA's eligibility guidelines. 

Aside from the military affiliation, the application requirements are similar to other card issuers. You need to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and at least 18 years old. You'll also need a source of income and your credit history will be reviewed as part of the application process.

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See our methodology for more information on how we choose the best USAA credit cards.

To determine which USAA cards offer the best value, CNBC Select analyzed over 250 major credit cards issued by FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions.

We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards (e.g., cash back, points and miles), annual fees, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR and balance transfer fees and foreign transaction fees. We also considered additional perks (e.g., ongoing travel or merchant statement credits), cardholder protections (e.g., purchase protection, $0 liability protection and travel insurance), the application process when available (e.g., is there a credit pull or required credit score) and how easy it is to redeem points (e.g., are rewards are tied to a specific brand; if transferable, to how many/which partners, can you redeem for straight cash back).

To determine the best USAA credit cards, CNBC Select analyzed all of the USAA credit cards available. We compared each card on a range of features, including rewards, welcome bonuses, introductory and standard APR, balance transfer fees, foreign transaction fees and more.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of credit cards, banking and money, and follow us on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X to stay up to date.