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Side-by-side

Citi Diamond Preferred Card vs USAA Rewards American Express

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

FeatureCiti Diamond Preferred CardUSAA Rewards American Express
Annual fee$0$0
Sign-up bonusNo welcome bonus; product is a 0% intro APR balance-transfer card with no rewards program2,500 USAA Rewards points
Bonus value (est.)-$25
Min spend to unlock bonus-$0 in 0 mo
IssuerCitiUSAA
Card categoryrewards
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 Rewards American Express
      $0/yr · 2,500 USAA Rewards points

      Editorial take: Citi Diamond Preferred Card

      Editorial take: USAA Rewards American Express

      Common questions

      Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Citi Diamond Preferred Card or USAA Rewards American Express?
      The USAA Rewards American Express has a public bonus (2,500 USAA Rewards points, worth roughly $25), 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 Rewards American Express?
      The Citi Diamond Preferred 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 Citi Diamond Preferred Card.
      Can I have both the Citi Diamond Preferred Card and USAA Rewards American Express?
      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 Rewards American Express first?
      Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Citi Diamond Preferred Card: 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.