Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa vs USAA Preferred Cash Rewards
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa comes from Upgrade 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.
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 | Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa | USAA Preferred Cash Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | $200 statement bonus | $250 cash bonus |
| Bonus value (est.) | $200 | $250 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $0 in 2 mo | $1,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Upgrade | USAA |
| Card category | cash-back | cashback |
| Best earning category (Home_purchases) | 3x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
Editorial take: USAA Preferred Cash Rewards
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa or USAA Preferred Cash Rewards?
- The USAA Preferred Cash Rewards has the bigger bonus, $250 cash bonus, worth roughly $250, versus $200 statement bonus (~$200) on the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa.
- Is the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards?
- The Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa 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 Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa.
- Can I have both the Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa and USAA Preferred Cash Rewards?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Upgrade 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 Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa or the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Upgrade Triple Cash Rewards Visa: $0 spend in 2 months. 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.
