Are you ready to unlock a world of financial benefits tailored for the military community and their families? Applying for a USAA credit card can be a fantastic way to access competitive rates, robust rewards programs, and exceptional customer service. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, ensuring you're well-equipped to make an informed decision and successfully apply for the USAA credit card that best fits your needs.
Let's dive in!
Step 1: Confirm Your USAA Eligibility - Are You Part of the Family?
Before you even think about specific credit card options, the absolute first thing you need to do is confirm your USAA membership eligibility. This is a crucial step, as USAA primarily serves a specific community. So, ask yourself:
- Are you a current or former member of the U.S. military? This includes active duty, retired, separated with an honorable discharge, National Guard, and Reserves.
- Are you a spouse or un-remarried former spouse of a USAA member who had USAA auto or property insurance while married?
- Are you an adult child whose parents have or had USAA auto or property insurance?
- Are you a cadet or midshipman at a U.S. service academy, in advanced ROTC, or on an ROTC scholarship, or an officer candidate within 24 months of commissioning?
If you answered "yes" to any of these, congratulations! You likely qualify for USAA membership. If you're unsure, or believe you might be eligible through a different connection, it's always best to visit the USAA website (usaa.com) or call their customer service to verify. They have a helpful online tool and representatives who can confirm your status quickly.
Step 2: Research and Choose the Right USAA Credit Card for You
USAA offers a variety of credit cards, each designed to cater to different financial goals and spending habits. This isn't a one-size-fits-all scenario, so taking the time to compare your options is vital. Consider the following:
A. Identify Your Spending Habits and Financial Goals
- Do you prioritize cash back? Look for cards like the USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card, which often offers a flat cash back rate on all purchases, or the USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card, known for elevated rewards on gas and military base purchases.
- Are you a frequent traveler? Some USAA cards may offer points that can be redeemed for travel, or provide travel-related benefits.
- Do you tend to carry a balance? If so, a card with a low introductory APR or a consistently low regular APR like the USAA Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card might be your best bet to minimize interest charges.
- Are you looking to build or rebuild your credit? The USAA Secured Card is an excellent option for those with limited or damaged credit, as it requires a security deposit and helps establish a positive payment history.
B. Compare Key Card Features
Once you have a general idea of what you're looking for, compare the following aspects of each USAA credit card:
- Annual Fee: Many USAA cards come with no annual fee, but some may have one, especially those with premium rewards or benefits.
- Annual Percentage Rate (APR): This is the interest rate you'll pay if you carry a balance. Pay close attention to both the introductory APR (if any) and the regular variable APR.
- Rewards Program: Understand how points or cash back are earned and redeemed. Are there bonus categories? Are there any caps on rewards?
- Sign-up Bonuses: Some cards offer bonus points or cash back after you meet a certain spending threshold in the initial months.
- Other Benefits: Look for perks like travel insurance, extended warranties, purchase protection, no foreign transaction fees, or special rates for active-duty military under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).
Don't just skim the headlines! Dig into the fine print of each card's terms and conditions to fully understand its offerings and any potential limitations.
Step 3: Gather Necessary Information and Documentation
Once you've chosen your ideal USAA credit card, it's time to prepare for the application. Having all your information readily available will make the process smooth and efficient. You'll typically need:
- Personal Information:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Country of citizenship
- Contact information: Current residential address, phone number, and email address.
- Financial Information:
- Employment status: Employed, self-employed, retired, student, etc.
- Annual gross income: Include all sources, such as salary, wages, bonuses, retirement income, investments, and non-taxable income (like Social Security or disability). Remember to factor in any non-taxable income at 125% of its value for credit card applications.
- Housing expenses: Your monthly rent or mortgage payment.
- Bank account information: While not always required for the initial application, it may be helpful for linking accounts later.
- Military Information (if applicable):
- Branch of service
- Rank
- Dates of service (start and end dates)
- Commissioning source and date (for pre-commissioned officers)
Step 4: Check Your Credit Score
While USAA considers a variety of factors, your credit score plays a significant role in their approval decision and the interest rate you might receive. Before applying, it's a good idea to know where you stand.
- Average Credit Score: For many USAA credit cards, an average credit score of around 687 is common for approved applicants, with many having scores in the "Good" to "Excellent" range (670-850 FICO score). However, this is just an average, and approval is not guaranteed by score alone.
- Credit Report Review: You can obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) once every 12 months at annualcreditreport.com. Review your reports for any errors or inaccuracies that could negatively impact your score. If you find any, dispute them promptly.
- Factors Affecting Your Score: Your payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit, and credit mix all influence your score. Understanding these can help you improve your creditworthiness over time.
Note: Some sites, including CreditCards.com, allow you to check your estimated approval odds with a "soft credit pull," which won't impact your credit score. This can be a useful tool to gauge your chances before a formal application.
Step 5: Submit Your Application
With all your information ready and your credit understanding in place, you're prepared to apply!
A. Online Application (Recommended)
The most convenient and often fastest way to apply for a USAA credit card is online through the USAA website (usaa.com).
- Log in to your USAA account: If you're already a member, log in using your Online ID and password/PIN.
- Navigate to Credit Cards: Look for the "Banking" section and then "Credit Cards."
- Select your chosen card: Click "Apply Now" next to the credit card you've decided on.
- Fill out the application form: Carefully and accurately enter all the requested personal, financial, and military information. Double-check for any typos or errors.
- Review and Submit: Before submitting, thoroughly review all the information you've provided. Make sure it's correct and complete. Then, click "Submit."
B. Phone Application
If you prefer to speak with a representative or have questions during the application process, you can also apply over the phone.
- Call USAA customer service: You can reach them at 1-800-531-USAA (8722).
- Be prepared: Have all the information mentioned in Step 3 ready before you call.
Step 6: Understand the Application Decision
After submitting your application, there are a few possible outcomes:
A. Instant Approval
In many cases, if your application is straightforward and you meet all the criteria, you may receive an instant approval decision. Congratulations! You'll then receive information on when to expect your card in the mail.
B. Pending/Under Review
Sometimes, your application may go into a "pending" or "under review" status. This means USAA needs more time to review your information, verify details, or may require additional documentation. Don't panic! This is a common occurrence.
- You may receive a message indicating it could take 7 to 30 days for a decision.
- USAA might contact you for more information. Be responsive to any requests to avoid delays.
C. Denial
If your application is denied, you will receive a letter in the mail explaining the reasons for the denial. This letter is crucial as it will highlight specific factors that led to the decision, such as:
- Low credit score
- High debt-to-income ratio
- Insufficient credit history
- Too many recent credit inquiries
What to do if denied:
- Review the denial letter carefully: Understand the specific reasons provided.
- Request your free credit report: If the denial was credit-related, obtain a free copy of your credit report from the bureau USAA used for their decision to ensure accuracy.
- Improve your creditworthiness: Address the issues highlighted in the denial. This might involve paying down existing debt, building a longer credit history, or correcting errors on your credit report.
- Consider a secured card: If your credit needs significant improvement, a USAA Secured Card can be a great stepping stone.
Step 7: Receiving and Activating Your Card
If approved, your new USAA credit card will typically arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days for domestic addresses, or up to 21 business days for overseas addresses.
Once you receive your card:
- Activate it: You can usually activate your USAA credit card online via
usaa.com/activate - Sign the back: Sign the signature panel on the back of your card immediately for security.
- Update recurring payments: If you have any recurring transactions linked to a previous card, remember to update them with your new USAA credit card information.
- Start using responsibly: Begin using your card responsibly to build a positive payment history. This means making on-time payments and ideally paying your full statement balance each month to avoid interest.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common questions about applying for a USAA credit card, with quick answers:
How to check USAA credit card eligibility?
You can check your USAA membership eligibility by visiting usaa.com and reviewing their eligibility guidelines, or by calling their customer service at 1-800-531-USAA (8722).
How to choose the best USAA credit card for my needs?
Consider your spending habits (cash back, travel, low interest), desired rewards, and financial goals. Compare APRs, fees, and benefits on the USAA website to find the card that aligns best.
How to improve my credit score before applying for a USAA credit card?
Pay your bills on time, keep your credit utilization low, avoid opening too many new credit accounts at once, and regularly check your credit report for errors.
How to apply for a USAA credit card online?
Log in to your USAA account at usaa.com, navigate to the credit card section, select the desired card, and complete the online application form with accurate personal and financial details.
How to apply for a USAA credit card by phone?
You can call USAA customer service at 1-800-531-USAA (8722) and speak with a representative to submit your credit card application.
How to check the status of my USAA credit card application?
You can usually check your application status by logging into your USAA account online or by calling USAA customer service at 1-800-531-8722.
How long does it take to get a USAA credit card after approval?
Typically, a new USAA credit card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days for domestic addresses, and up to 21 business days for international addresses.
How to activate my new USAA credit card?
You can activate your USAA credit card online at
How to handle a declined USAA credit card application?
Review the denial letter to understand the reasons, obtain your free credit report to check for inaccuracies, and work on improving the identified areas of your credit profile before reapplying.
How to understand the benefits of USAA credit cards for military members?
USAA credit cards often offer benefits like competitive APRs (potentially lower for active duty under SCRA), no foreign transaction fees, and tailored rewards programs that may include bonuses for military-related purchases.
