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Side-by-side

BECU Secured Low Rate Credit Card vs USAA Rewards American Express

Both are well-respected travel cards. The BECU Secured Low Rate Credit Card comes from BECU at $0/yr; the USAA Rewards American Express 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 Secured Low Rate Credit CardUSAA Rewards American Express
Annual fee$0$0
Sign-up bonusNo welcome bonus2,500 USAA Rewards points
Bonus value (est.)$0$25
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 0 mo$0 in 0 mo
IssuerBECUUSAA
Card categorylow-interestrewards
Best earning category (All_purchases)0x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
      Read the full review
      BECU Secured Low Rate Credit Card
      $0/yr · No welcome bonus
      Read the full review
      USAA Rewards American Express
      $0/yr · 2,500 USAA Rewards points

      Editorial take: BECU Secured Low Rate Credit Card

      Editorial take: USAA Rewards American Express

      Common questions

      Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, BECU Secured Low Rate Credit Card or USAA Rewards American Express?
      The USAA Rewards American Express has the bigger bonus, 2,500 USAA Rewards points, worth roughly $25, versus No welcome bonus (~$0) on the BECU Secured Low Rate Credit Card.
      Is the BECU Secured Low Rate Credit Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the USAA Rewards American Express?
      The BECU Secured Low Rate Credit Card has no annual fee, so the question is whether the USAA Rewards American Express's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the USAA Rewards American Express's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the BECU Secured Low Rate Credit Card.
      Can I have both the BECU Secured Low Rate Credit Card and USAA Rewards American Express?
      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 Secured Low Rate Credit Card or the USAA Rewards American Express first?
      Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. BECU Secured Low Rate Credit Card: $0 spend in 0 months. USAA Rewards American Express: $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.