Editorial take: Discover it Miles
A rare card that effectively earns 3x in year one (1.5x + match). Miles aren't transferable, but the simplicity + first-year match make this a strong starter travel card.
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Side-by-side
Discover it Miles vs USAA Rewards American Express
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Discover it Miles comes from Discover 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 | Discover it Miles | USAA Rewards American Express |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled) | 2,500 USAA Rewards points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $450 | $25 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $0 in 12 mo | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | Discover | USAA |
| Card category | travel | rewards |
| Best earning category (All_purchases) | 1.5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Discover it Miles
$0/yr · Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled)
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, Discover it Miles or USAA Rewards American Express?
- The Discover it Miles has the bigger bonus, Unlimited Miles Match (entire first-year miles doubled), worth roughly $450, versus 2,500 USAA Rewards points (~$25) on the USAA Rewards American Express.
- Is the Discover it Miles's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the USAA Rewards American Express?
- The Discover it Miles 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 Discover it Miles.
- Can I have both the Discover it Miles and USAA Rewards American Express?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Discover 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 Discover it Miles or the USAA Rewards American Express first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Discover it Miles: $0 spend in 12 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.