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Side-by-side

Citi Diamond Preferred Card vs USAA Preferred Cash Rewards

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Citi Diamond Preferred Card comes from Citi 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.

FeatureCiti Diamond Preferred CardUSAA Preferred Cash Rewards
Annual fee$0$0
Sign-up bonusNo welcome bonus; product is a 0% intro APR balance-transfer card with no rewards program$250 cash bonus
Bonus value (est.)-$250
Min spend to unlock bonus-$1,000 in 3 mo
IssuerCitiUSAA
Card categorycashback
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
      Read the full review
      Citi Diamond Preferred Card
      $0/yr · No welcome bonus; product is a 0% intro APR balance-transfer card with no rewards program
      Read the full review
      USAA Preferred Cash Rewards
      $0/yr · $250 cash bonus

      Editorial take: Citi Diamond Preferred Card

      Editorial take: USAA Preferred Cash Rewards

      Common questions

      Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Citi Diamond Preferred Card or USAA Preferred Cash Rewards?
      The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards has a public bonus ($250 cash bonus, worth roughly $250), while the Citi Diamond Preferred Card doesn't advertise one right now.
      Is the Citi Diamond Preferred Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards?
      The Citi Diamond Preferred 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 Citi Diamond Preferred Card.
      Can I have both the Citi Diamond Preferred Card and USAA Preferred Cash Rewards?
      Yes, since they're from different issuers (Citi 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 Citi Diamond Preferred Card or the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards first?
      Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Citi Diamond Preferred Card: no published min spend. 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.