USAAﾃつｮ Rewards™ American Expressﾃつｮ Card Reviews
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Title: Looking To Replace An Older Card
Date Reviewed: 2013-05-06 00:47:20 | Recommended?: Yes
Review: Because my scores are a little higher now and I noticed I only had 2 inquires on my Equifax report, I wanted to apply for a card that would do a hard pull on EQ and decided to give this one a shot.
On their official website there are some less than flattering reviews about this card. There are complaints about the customer service, payments being on hold when processing, holds of $100 when pumping gas and some frustrated customers that are left high and dry.
I received an instant approval for $6000 with an APR of 16.9%. Not the greatest apr but my EQ score was a 702. My other cards apr's are around 15% so I will accept that as being fair for my situation.
The rewards are supposed to be 2 points for gas and groceries and 1 point for everything else with a sign on bonus of 2500 after the first purchase. An important thing to consider though is your redemption rate. It takes 3500 points for a $25 gift card (.71%) or 3000 points for a $25 cash deposit (.83%). If you only use it for gas and groceries and earn 2 points per dollar ($1500 = 3000 points) then your redemption rate comes out to 1.67% earnings.
My next challenge will be figuring out which stores AMEX has coded as 'grocery stores'. For example AMEX uses their own MCC (merchant category code) that defines a grocery store, one of being 5411. Places like Walmart, Target and Costco will be coded differently, to be defined as discount stores, etc. So I don't know how that will work out as far trying to use it for groceries.
As far as trying to use it only for gas, I mentioned earlier that there are rumors of funds being put on hold and that seems to have an effect on the card balance and I imagine it would cause more problems if this card were used for "everyday use."
I will probably hang onto it for a couple of years and then end my relationship with them, once I have an American Express card from American Express. I don't see myself having this card for 20 years, which is something I factor in when applying. I shouldn't be applying for anything else for the next couple years. Just long enough for all my inquires to fall off.
If I write any more reviews in the near future it will be for existing cards.
Title: I Knew That Would Happen
Date Reviewed: 2010-07-17 04:45:58 | Recommended?: Yes
Review: Been banking with USAA since 2004 when I joined the Army. Applied for there Classic Platinum Master card back in 05 was approved with a CL 0f 500 when I was still young, they eventually upgraded me to there total rewards MasterCard CL 1500. And that's when my credit troubles began in 05, I did what most irresponsible young army adults do. I had a blast with it. When I was 22 reality set in and I started to repair my credit only after the bank killed my cards. I was down to the low 500s on all three credit reports in late 08. So in June 09 applied for First Premier Centennial got a CL of 400, then I applied for Orchard bank Platinum got a CL of 300. This year got a Capitol One Platinum Cash Back card with 500 CL. I figured I'd give USAA a shot and see if they trusted me yet my scores are as of 07/17/2010 634 TU/629 EF/EX 634 (TU and EF came from myFICO.com). Well they didn't trust me with this particular card can't blame them, but after I got the instant decline it said I was approved for the USAA Classic Platinum Master Card at 500 CL. The same card and CL they gave me back in 05 so at least they've smiled on me somewhat. If I remember correctly last time I had this card it only took six months to get my first Credit increase and program upgrade back in 05. My hope is that if I use this card right history will repeat its self (without the bad this time) and maybe in six months I can at least get back to their World Platinum Master Card, and maybe in a year or two finally get my hands on this one. PS. I do all banking, investments, and insurance with them. If you meet the criteria to get in, then you should have been in like yesteryear.
Title: USAA American Express Total Rewards
Date Reviewed: 2010-03-08 08:58:18 | Recommended?: Yes
Review: Thanks to FG and ColoNative, I have joined the USAA Federal Savings Bank FSB family. A few days ago I was online qualified for a USAA World Mastercard with Total Rewards. Today I was approved for a USAA Total Rewards American Express Card. It was a manual addition due to the fact I was a new member at USAA. My scores were TU 726 EQ 697 and EX Unk. USAA Total Rewards allows me to acquire merchandise or cash at a varied rate up to 2.25 groceries and gas points per dollar based on the total spending. Also, the rates are 10.9%.
Title: Great Card, Perfect Company
Date Reviewed: 2010-03-06 14:10:05 | Recommended?: Yes
Review: I applied for this card on-line via a pre-approved offer about 3 years ago. I received a no-preset spending limit and was approved on the spot. My credit scores averaged around 740.
There is no annual fee, and my APR has stayed at a consistent 9% for 3 years!
Rewards are nice. Currently, I get one point per dollar spent. They can be redeemed for merchandise, charity, travel or cash back to your account statement, which in my opinion is the best deal. Merchandise seems to be marked higher than listed on sites like Amazon. So you could get the cash back and then buy it elsewhere for a better price.
Account management is fast and easy, as with all USAA's services. Wonderful product!
Title: Instant Usage
Date Reviewed: 2009-01-15 21:29:37 | Recommended?: Yes
Review: I applied for this card a few months ago even though I already had a USAA World MasterCard. The main reason is that I had run up the MC so I wanted to keep day-to-day expenses off of it. I admit that even as a kid I was fascinated by the "green card," so even though it's not issued by AmEx I can still pretend :-)
An irrelevant but amusing side story: I opted out of the preapproved credit stuff with the bureaus, but my ex-roommate and I received tons of Gold AmEx offers anyway. They came with magnets as the "fake card" they enclose in these things. My fridge literally has 12 or so... They've stopped doing that, economy is rough I guess!
I've had great experiences with USAA, and have had my MC with them since 2003. This card has been no different thus far. Application was decided instantly, and when approved they go ahead and give you your card number then and there for use with internet and phone purchases. I did actually take advantage of that, so a nice plus for me.
USAA doesn't do the introductory APR thing but they have always been the lowest of any of my cards anyway. Cash advances to a USAA bank account carry no fees, and all cash advances are at purchase APR. There are no foreign transaction fees beyond what the network charges (1% I think).
For rewards, they are pretty standard 1-for-$1 although you get double points for the first 12 months with the AmEx. Redemption is quick and easy via the website. I'm boring and take the $25 rewards which can go to any USAA credit or bank account, this has been credited in about three days.
I have not had to contact USAA about this card, but customer service has been outstanding with everything, including the other card I have with them.
The website is the best I've used although I'd consider Discover's about even. You can graph your spending habits on the card, do about anything with the account you can think of, including an option to stop automatic CLIs - as if! Payments are reflected instantly.
The card looks really nice. Only downside with it that I've found is it's not accepted everywhere, for example the gas station I use. However, it has saved me 30% on museum tickets so I guess we'll call it even.
My CL is $17,000 at 6.99% APR, which is where it was when I was approved... I've only had the card for a little while. My credit score was 780ish a month or so before I applied, but then I bought a house so I guess it went down a bit :-)
Title: Applied And Accepted
Date Reviewed: 2008-01-20 08:06:59 | Recommended?: Yes
Review: As an active duty sailor in the US Navy, I was a little concerned about applying for this AMEX card. I am a member of USAA and they had sent me a pre-approval for the USAA total rewards platinum MasterCard, but I applied for the Amex cards instead. After answering a few phone application questions, the customer service rep told me that I was approved for the credit card with a $10,000 dollar limit. I was ecstatic!
USAA is definitely a great bank. I think my credit score is between 720-735 or so. I am looking forward to using the credit card in the future.
Chris
Title: Too Cool
Date Reviewed: 2007-09-02 05:54:10 | Recommended?: Yes
Review: I have been a member of USAA for 10 years now. I separated from the military 4 years ago, and they have continued to treat me like a brother. I applied from their invitation and got an instant $25,000 credit line with a card number in about 15 seconds! I couldn't believe it. I really need to find out my credit score, because it must be pretty good.
Anyway, usaa.com's website offers account management and also a built-in rewards redemption center. I am also getting double the rewards for 6 months. This is really cool.
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