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Side-by-side

BECU Low Rate Credit Card vs USAA Preferred Cash Rewards

Both are well-respected travel cards. The BECU Low Rate Credit Card comes from BECU at $0/yr; the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards from USAA 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.

FeatureBECU Low Rate Credit CardUSAA Preferred Cash Rewards
Annual fee$0$0
Sign-up bonusNo welcome bonus$250 cash bonus
Bonus value (est.)$0$250
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 0 mo$1,000 in 3 mo
IssuerBECUUSAA
Card categorylow-interestcashback
Best earning category (All_purchases)0x1.5x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
      Read the full review
      BECU Low Rate Credit Card
      $0/yr · No welcome bonus
      Read the full review
      USAA Preferred Cash Rewards
      $0/yr · $250 cash bonus

      Editorial take: BECU Low Rate Credit Card

      Editorial take: USAA Preferred Cash Rewards

      Common questions

      Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, BECU Low Rate Credit Card or USAA Preferred Cash Rewards?
      The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards has the bigger bonus, $250 cash bonus, worth roughly $250, versus No welcome bonus (~$0) on the BECU Low Rate Credit Card.
      Is the BECU Low Rate Credit Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards?
      The BECU Low Rate Credit Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the BECU Low Rate Credit Card.
      Can I have both the BECU Low Rate Credit Card and USAA Preferred Cash Rewards?
      Yes, since they're from different issuers (BECU and USAA) 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 BECU Low Rate Credit Card or the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards first?
      Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. BECU Low Rate Credit Card: $0 spend in 0 months. USAA Preferred Cash Rewards: $1,000 in 3 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.