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Side-by-side

American Express Schwab Investor Card vs BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The American Express Schwab Investor Card comes from American Express at $0/yr; the BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card from BECU at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureAmerican Express Schwab Investor CardBECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card
Annual fee$0$0
Sign-up bonus10,000 Membership Rewards pointsNo welcome bonus
Bonus value (est.)$110$0
Min spend to unlock bonus$1,000 in 6 mo$0 in 0 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressBECU
Card categorytravelcashback
Best earning category (All_purchases)1.5x1.5x
Transfer partnersamex-mrNone
Headline benefits
  • 1.5X MR on everything
  • $0 annual fee
  • 1.0c/pt Invest with Rewards
  • Full MR transfer partners
    Read the full review
    American Express Schwab Investor Card
    $0/yr · 10,000 Membership Rewards points
    Read the full review
    BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card
    $0/yr · No welcome bonus

    Editorial take: American Express Schwab Investor Card

    The hidden gem of the Amex MR lineup for Schwab brokerage customers. Flat 1.5X MR with $0 annual fee, full transfer-partner access, AND a 1.0 cents-per-point cash-into-brokerage redemption guarantees you can always extract real cash. The catch: you need a Schwab brokerage account to apply.

    Editorial take: BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Schwab Investor Card or BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card?
    The American Express Schwab Investor Card has the bigger bonus, 10,000 Membership Rewards points, worth roughly $110, versus No welcome bonus (~$0) on the BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card.
    Is the American Express Schwab Investor Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card?
    The American Express Schwab Investor Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the American Express Schwab Investor Card.
    Can I have both the American Express Schwab Investor Card and BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and BECU) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
    Should I get the American Express Schwab Investor Card or the BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Schwab Investor Card: $1,000 spend in 6 months. BECU Secured Cash Back Credit Card: $0 in 0 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

    Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.