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Side-by-side

Chase Sapphire Preferred vs USAA Rewards Visa Signature

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes from Chase at $95/yr; the USAA Rewards Visa Signature from USAA at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the Chase Sapphire Preferred is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,475 more in estimated value) than the USAA Rewards Visa Signature's. Get the Chase Sapphire Preferred first; revisit the USAA Rewards Visa Signature after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureChase Sapphire PreferredUSAA Rewards Visa Signature
Annual fee$95$0
Sign-up bonus75,000 points2,500 USAA Rewards points
Bonus value (est.)$1,500$25
Min spend to unlock bonus$5,000 in 3 mo$0 in 0 mo
IssuerChaseUSAA
Card categorytravelrewards
Best earning category (Travel)5x1x
Transfer partnerschase-urNone
Headline benefits
  • 5x on travel booked via Chase
  • 3x on dining & streaming
  • $50 annual hotel credit
  • Transfer to 13 partners (Hyatt 1:1)
    Read the full review
    Chase Sapphire Preferred
    $95/yr · 75,000 points
    Read the full review
    USAA Rewards Visa Signature
    $0/yr · 2,500 USAA Rewards points

    Editorial take: Chase Sapphire Preferred

    The best starter travel card, period. Transferable points, solid bonus categories, and a low annual fee make this the card we recommend to almost everyone getting into the points game. Note: the 10% anniversary points bonus sunsets October 1, 2026.

    Editorial take: USAA Rewards Visa Signature

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Chase Sapphire Preferred or USAA Rewards Visa Signature?
    The Chase Sapphire Preferred has the bigger bonus, 75,000 points, worth roughly $1,500, versus 2,500 USAA Rewards points (~$25) on the USAA Rewards Visa Signature.
    Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the USAA Rewards Visa Signature?
    At $95/yr, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the USAA Rewards Visa Signature's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
    Can I have both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and USAA Rewards Visa Signature?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chase 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred or the USAA Rewards Visa Signature first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Chase Sapphire Preferred: $5,000 spend in 3 months. USAA Rewards Visa Signature: $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.