Anybody apply for this? I don't see anything else attractive about the card - 1.5% on everything, but rewards given annually instead of realtime. But only 6 purchases is pretty easy. I was thinking of applying and then PCing to the USAA Amex, which is their only card I remotely want.. but I don't think USAA does PCs.
You're right, the offer is for the 1% points card. Hmm, even less desirable. No 0% offer either. Still, it's almost worth a throwaway card for the $200 + 2500 points (essentially ~$220). I'll call about the PC and post results here.
@Bman70 wrote:
You're right, the offer is for the 1% points card. Hmm, even less desirable. No 0% offer either. Still, it's almost worth a throwaway card for the $200 + 2500 points (essentially ~$220). I'll call about the PC and post results here.
In this case, I'm sorry I'm right. 
If you do give them a call, please let us know what they say about PC/changing rewards type. Also, it might not hurt to see if their policy has changed regarding moving credit lines from one account to another ("reallocation"). I know a while back it was said to not be possible, but they've changed/updated a lot lately, so maybe this has changed as well (and would possibly give you more reason to app for this card, to later on move the credit line to the card you really want).
FYI, if you do get the card, use the app (not computer) to cash in the 'points' and you'll get a true 1% for your 2500 points, equal to $25. For some reason, the offer using the web is less, although they're supposed to be updating that in the next few weeks (the date was the end of August, now says September...)
Good luck!
Well I called, no PC between networks (MC to Amex etc.).. but there's an option to "put in a request" to change from points to cash rewards. She said although she doesn't know the criteria used, sometimes that gets approved and sometimes not.
To add to the pros, one of the better features about the USAA cards is the cash advance-to-checking option. If you cash advance to your USAA bank account, there's no fee and it's charged your normal purchase rate. So essentially you can buy using the CC, or buy using cash from the CC, at the same rate.
Thanks for the feedback UncleB.
@Bman70 wrote:
Well I called, no PC between networks (MC to Amex etc.).. but there's an option to "put in a request" to change from points to cash rewards. She said although she doesn't know the criteria used, sometimes that gets approved and sometimes not.
To add to the pros, one of the better features about the USAA cards is the cash advance-to-checking option. If you cash advance to your USAA bank account, there's no fee and it's charged your normal purchase rate. So essentially you can buy using the CC, or buy using cash from the CC, at the same rate.
Thanks for the feedback UncleB.
You're very welcome! 
Thanks for letting us know it might be possible to change from a 'points' to cash rewards... that alone is more than other issuers (Amex) are known to do, and is a great data point to add to the collection. 
The cash advance to checking at the same APR is a fantastic feature - I also like having my card linked to checking for overdraft protection, knowing if something crazy were to happen it would be covered, also with no advance fees.
My own USAA card doesn't get a lot of action, but it definitely has a place in my wallet.
@Anonymous wrote:Incorrect, they waive the fee for direct to checking, but you pay interest daily at the cash advance rate which may or may not be the same as your purchase rate..there's no free grace period and don't think there is.
Not incorrect navyitaly... the OP and myself were discussing the fees involved in taking a cash advance from a USAA card... while it is certainly a consideration, we said nothing about the daily interest accruing, which you are right in that it does (for direct to checking and traditional cash advances).
Also, with USAA, there is no separate cash advance rate; the rate (APR) for cash advances is always the same as the purchase rate. I know they have quite a few offerings now, so if you are aware of an offering where the rates do differ, please let me know - possibly I missed one. Also, as far as I know, all USAA cards allow the entire credit line to be used for cash advances (this is for accounts that allow cash advances at all... I know some rebuilder accounts don't). Again, if I overlooked a product please let me know.
https://www.usaa.com/inet/pages/banking_credit_cards_main?akredirect=true
Finally, from time-to-time USAA will offer promotions (I'm on one now) where no interest accrues on either purchases or cash advances taken by access checks (not even daily interest). It's a sweet deal.