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Side-by-side
Capital One Platinum Secured Mastercard vs USAA Rewards American Express
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Capital One Platinum Secured Mastercard comes from Capital One 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.
| Feature | Capital One Platinum Secured Mastercard | USAA Rewards American Express |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | Not advertised | 2,500 USAA Rewards points |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $25 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | Capital One | USAA |
| Card category | secured | rewards |
| Best earning category (All_purchases) | 0x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
Read the full review
Capital One Platinum Secured Mastercard
$0/yr ·
Read the full review
USAA Rewards American Express
$0/yr · 2,500 USAA Rewards points
Editorial take: USAA Rewards American Express
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Capital One Platinum Secured Mastercard or USAA Rewards American Express?
- The USAA Rewards American Express has a public bonus (2,500 USAA Rewards points, worth roughly $25), while the Capital One Platinum Secured Mastercard doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Capital One Platinum Secured Mastercard's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the USAA Rewards American Express?
- The Capital One Platinum Secured Mastercard 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 Capital One Platinum Secured Mastercard.
- Can I have both the Capital One Platinum Secured Mastercard and USAA Rewards American Express?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Capital One 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 Capital One Platinum Secured Mastercard or the USAA Rewards American Express first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Capital One Platinum Secured Mastercard: no published min spend. 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.