Editorial take: Discover it Cash Back
The first-year Cashback Match effectively doubles your earnings, someone who earns $300 in cash back gets $600 total. It's the best no-fee first card for building credit with real rewards.
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Side-by-side
Discover it Cash Back vs USAA Rewards Visa Signature
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Discover it Cash Back comes from Discover at $0/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
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 Cash Back | USAA Rewards Visa Signature |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | Cashback Match (first year, unlimited) | 2,500 USAA Rewards points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $200 | $25 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $0 in 12 mo | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | Discover | USAA |
| Card category | cashback | rewards |
| Best earning category (Rotating) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Discover it Cash Back
$0/yr · Cashback Match (first year, unlimited)
Read the full review
USAA Rewards Visa Signature
$0/yr · 2,500 USAA Rewards points
Editorial take: USAA Rewards Visa Signature
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Discover it Cash Back or USAA Rewards Visa Signature?
- The Discover it Cash Back has the bigger bonus, Cashback Match (first year, unlimited), worth roughly $200, versus 2,500 USAA Rewards points (~$25) on the USAA Rewards Visa Signature.
- Is the Discover it Cash Back's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the USAA Rewards Visa Signature?
- The Discover it Cash Back has no annual fee, so the question is whether the USAA Rewards Visa Signature's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the USAA Rewards Visa Signature's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Discover it Cash Back.
- Can I have both the Discover it Cash Back and USAA Rewards Visa Signature?
- 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 Cash Back or the USAA Rewards Visa Signature first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Discover it Cash Back: $0 spend in 12 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.