USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card Review
Overview
The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus Amex is a strong gas card for the military community: 5% back on gas and on-base purchases, plus 2% at grocery stores. If you fill up a lot, that 5% is one of the best gas rates around.
The limits are a $3,000 annual cap on the 5% category, no standing welcome bonus, and USAA membership, which requires a military affiliation. For members who drive, though, it is a genuinely good free card.
Think twice if: you cannot join USAA, or you drive so much that the $3,000 annual 5% cap runs out quickly.
Our 3.5 out of 5 rating
Each score weighs the rewards rate, value after the annual fee, welcome offer, points flexibility, and perks, with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. This is our editorial assessment to help you compare cards, not a guarantee of approval or of the value you will get.
Rewards: how it earns
You earn 5% on gas and military-base purchases on the first $3,000 a year combined, 2% at grocery stores on the first $3,000 a year, and 1% on everything else, with no annual fee. The 5% gas rate is excellent, though the $3,000 cap means it is a supporting gas card rather than an unlimited one.
| Category | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 5x | Bonus category |
| Groceries | 2x | Bonus category |
| Dining and restaurants | 1x | Base rate |
| Travel | 1x | Base rate |
| Streaming | 1x | Base rate |
| Everything else | 1x | Everything else |
The fine print on rates: Earns 5% on gas and military-base purchases on the first $3,000 per year combined, and 2% at grocery stores on the first $3,000 per year, then 1%. REQUIRES USAA membership (military, veterans, and their families).
Every point and mile above is valued at a flat 1 cent, the same honest standard we use for every card. Run your own spending through the calculator to see what this card would actually return for you.
Pros and cons
- No annual fee
- 5% on gas and military-base purchases (to $3,000/yr)
- 2% at grocery stores (to $3,000/yr)
- No foreign transaction fee
- Requires USAA membership (military affiliation)
- 5% gas is capped at $3,000 per year
- No standing welcome bonus
The welcome bonus
There is no standing welcome bonus, which is a knock compared to most free cards. The value is in the ongoing 5% gas earning.
Is the annual fee worth it?
There is no annual fee, so there is nothing to justify. Free 5% on gas, up to the cap, is a strong deal for a member who drives.
Benefits and protections
Beyond the rewards, the perks and protections worth knowing about include:
- Requires USAA membership (military affiliation)
Statement credits
This card does not come with recurring statement credits. Its value is in the rewards rate and welcome offer.
Who should get it, and who should skip it
If you are a USAA member who spends a lot on gas, this card is a strong free earner, 5% on fuel is hard to beat, and the on-base bonus is handy for the military community.
The membership requirement and the $3,000 cap are the limits. If you qualify and want a top gas rate, it is a solid pick, ideally paired with a flat card for everything past the cap.
Frequently asked questions
Best-card guides featuring this card
Offer details verified against issuer sources as of July 2026. Editorial opinions are our own. Cardocrat values all points at a flat 1 cent and never inflates redemptions.
