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USAA Rewards American Express vs USAA Secured Visa Platinum
Both are rewards travel cards. The USAA Rewards American Express comes from USAA at $0/yr; the USAA Secured Visa Platinum from USAA at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
Both cards come from USAA and target rewards spenders, so the choice usually comes down to whether you'll use the premium-tier benefits. The USAA Secured Visa Platinum costs $0 more per year, only worth it if you'll actually use the upgraded perks.
| Feature | USAA Rewards American Express | USAA Secured Visa Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 2,500 USAA Rewards points | None |
| Bonus value (est.) | $25 | $0 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $0 in 0 mo | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | USAA | USAA |
| Card category | rewards | rewards |
| Best earning category (Dining) | 3x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
Read the full review
USAA Rewards American Express
$0/yr · 2,500 USAA Rewards points
Read the full review
USAA Secured Visa Platinum
$0/yr · None
Editorial take: USAA Secured Visa Platinum
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, USAA Rewards American Express or USAA Secured Visa Platinum?
- The USAA Rewards American Express has the bigger bonus, 2,500 USAA Rewards points, worth roughly $25, versus None (~$0) on the USAA Secured Visa Platinum.
- Is the USAA Rewards American Express's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the USAA Secured Visa Platinum?
- The USAA Rewards American Express has no annual fee, so the question is whether the USAA Secured Visa Platinum's $0 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the USAA Secured Visa Platinum's benefits to clear $0 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the USAA Rewards American Express.
- Can I have both the USAA Rewards American Express and USAA Secured Visa Platinum?
- Yes, though both are issued by USAA so the same issuer-specific application rules apply (Chase 5/24 if applicable, Amex once-per-lifetime bonus, etc.). 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 USAA Rewards American Express or the USAA Secured Visa Platinum first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. USAA Rewards American Express: $0 spend in 0 months. USAA Secured Visa Platinum: $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.