USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express
By Alex Compton · Last verified
5% on gas and on-base spending, built for life around a military installation.
Welcome Bonus
$200
≈$200 value
Spend Requirement
$1,000
in 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
No FTF
Credit Score
700+
(Good-Excellent)
Current offer note: $200 bonus, live through Nov 30, 2026
Historical Offers Chart
Every public offer change we've tracked. Hover for details, timing your application is worth hundreds of dollars.
| Observed | Offer | Requirement | What changed | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-08 | $200 | $1,000 in 3 mo | Terms reconfirmed$200 bonus still live, expires Nov 30, 2026 | Archive record · no attached snapshot |
| 2026-06 | $200 | $1,000 in 3 mo | Bonus increased: $0 → $200 · Spend: $0 → $1,000 · Window: 0 → 3 months$200 bonus | Archive record · no attached snapshot |
| 2025-01 | $0 | No recorded spend | Earliest recordLong ran without a bonus | Archive record · no attached snapshot |
Primary-source verification log
Append-only evidence ledgerEvent-level primary-source attachments begin with the September 2026 verification system. Older records remain visible but are not retroactively presented as evidenced.
Source checked 2026-08-31 · spot an outdated offer? Report a correction above.
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Earning Rates
- 5xMilitary base purchasesFirst $5,000 per year
- 5xGas stationsFirst $3,000 per year
- 3xGroceriesFirst $3,000 per year
- 1xEverything else
Credits
No statement credits, this card wins on earn rates, not coupons.
Benefits
- ✦No foreign transaction fee
- ✦Commissary and exchange purchases count toward the 5%
- ✦Still open to new USAA member applications as of August 2026
Why it earns its spot
- +5% on base covers commissary and exchange spending up to $5,000 a year
- +New $200 bonus sweetens a previously bonus-free card
- +No FTF for OCONUS assignments
Where it costs you
- −Separate annual caps on gas, base, and grocery spending require tracking three buckets
- −1% everywhere else is weak
- −USAA membership requires military affiliation
The Compound Verdict
For a family living on or near a base, the 5% buckets map almost perfectly onto real life, and the $200 bonus (live through Nov 30, 2026) fixed its biggest gap. Off base it is a 1% card, so pair it with something flat-rate.
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