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PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card vs USAA Rewards American Express
Both are well-respected travel cards. The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card comes from PenFed 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 | PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card | USAA Rewards American Express |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 15,000 bonus points after $1,500 spend in 90 days | 2,500 USAA Rewards points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $128 | $25 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $1,500 in 3 mo | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | PenFed | USAA |
| Card category | cashback | rewards |
| Best earning category (Gas) | 5x | 2x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
Read the full review
PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card
$0/yr · 15,000 bonus points after $1,500 spend in 90 days
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, PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card or USAA Rewards American Express?
- The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card has the bigger bonus, 15,000 bonus points after $1,500 spend in 90 days, worth roughly $128, versus 2,500 USAA Rewards points (~$25) on the USAA Rewards American Express.
- Is the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the USAA Rewards American Express?
- The PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature 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 PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card.
- Can I have both the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card and USAA Rewards American Express?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (PenFed 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 PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card or the USAA Rewards American Express first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature Card: $1,500 spend in 3 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.