Hey there! Do you have a United Services Automobile Association (USAA) debit or credit card? If yes, you can easily add it to Apple Pay to enjoy quick, secure contactless payments.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through verifying a USAA card on Apple Pay in just 3 simple steps. I’ll also share tips to maximize your rewards when using your USAA card via Apple Pay.
Let’s get started!
A Primer on USAA Cards
But first, let’s understand what USAA cards are all about.
USAA is a financial services company that caters specifically to military members and their families. It offers a wide range of banking, investing, and insurance products tailored for service members.
USAA Debit Cards
USAA offers several debit card options linked directly to your checking account.
Some popular USAA debit cards include:
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Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Debit Card – Earns 5% cash back on gas and military base purchases
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Preferred Cashback Visa® Debit Card – Gives 2% cash back on gas and grocery purchases
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Rate Advantage World Mastercard® Debit Card – Comes with chip security and $0 liability protection
USAA debit cards make purchases, online payments, and ATM withdrawals convenient and rewarding for military families.
USAA Credit Cards
USAA also issues a variety of credit cards with military-friendly rewards and benefits.
Top USAA credit cards include:
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USAA RewardsTM American Express® Card – Earns 2X points on gas and grocery purchases
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USAA Rate Advantage Visa® Platinum Card – Features a very low variable APR starting at 9.15%
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USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® – Gives 5% cash back on contactless payments made through Apple Pay
So whether you have a USAA debit or credit card, you can add it to your Apple Pay wallet.
Next, let’s look at how Apple Pay works.
Understanding Apple Pay
Apple Pay is a mobile payments service by Apple. It allows you to make secure purchases using supported iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad or Mac devices.
To use Apple Pay, you first need to add your debit, credit, or prepaid cards to the Wallet app on your device. According to Apple, over 90% of credit card purchase volume in the US is now contactless.
Here are some key stats about Apple Pay adoption:
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8,385 banks and credit unions support Apple Pay worldwide (Source)
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Over 90% of US retailers accept Apple Pay (Source)
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Apple Pay transactions have grown over 10x between 2018 and 2022 (Source)
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There were over 1 billion Apple Pay transactions in Q3 2022 alone (Source)
When you make a purchase using Apple Pay, your actual credit or debit card details are not shared. Instead, a unique encrypted token is transmitted wirelessly to authorize the payment.
This makes Apple Pay transactions quick, convenient, and more secure than using physical cards. No wonder Apple Pay has seen massive growth over the past few years!
Now let’s get into how to add your USAA card to Apple Pay in just a few easy steps.
Method 1: Adding USAA Card via USAA App
The USAA mobile app provides a simple way to add your USAA debit or credit card to Apple Pay. Just follow these three steps:
Step 1: Open USAA App and Log In
Download the USAA app from the App Store and log into your account. Make sure it‘s the account linked to the USAA card you want to add.
Step 2: Go to "My Cards"
From the main menu, tap on My Cards. Here you will see your list of USAA cards.
Step 3: Tap "Add to Apple Wallet"
Select your preferred USAA debit or credit card. Then tap on Add to Apple Wallet and accept the terms.
That’s it! Your USAA card is now successfully added to Apple Pay through the USAA mobile app.
Method 2: Adding USAA Card via Wallet App
Don‘t use the USAA app? No problem! You can also directly add your USAA debit or credit card through the Wallet app in 3 simple steps:
Step 1: Launch Wallet App
Open the Wallet app on your iPhone where you manage Apple Pay cards.
Step 2: Tap "+" Icon
Tap on the + icon in the top right corner to add a new card.
Step 3: Enter USAA Card Details
Select your USAA debit or credit card and enter the required card details. Verify your identity to complete the process.
Once your USAA card is successfully added, you‘re all set to use Apple Pay!
How Do USAA Credit Card Rewards Work with Apple Pay?
Many USAA credit cards come with awesome rewards programs and benefits. Here‘s a comparison:
| Credit Card | Key Rewards | Apple Pay Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| USAA RewardsTM American Express® Card | – 2X points on gas and grocery – 1X point on other purchases |
– 2X points when used via Apple Pay |
| USAA Rate Advantage Visa® Platinum Card | – 1.5X points on all purchases | – No extra rewards with Apple Pay |
| USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card | – 5% cash back quarterly on rotating categories – 2% cash back on gas and groceries |
– 5% cashback on Apple Pay purchases every quarter (up to $3,000 in spending) |
As you can see, the USAA Rewards AMEX and the Preferred Cash Rewards Visa offer increased points or cashback when used via Apple Pay.
The great news is you can redeem these rewards in the same way when using Apple Pay, including:
- Cash back as statement credits or direct deposit into your USAA account
- Airline tickets and hotel stays
- Gift cards for top brands
- Donations to charities
- Merchandise, events, and activities
So Apple Pay provides an easy and rewarding way to use your eligible USAA credit card!
Apple Pay Security Features
I know security is top priority for military families when making payments. Here’s how Apple Pay keeps your card details safe:
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Tokenization: Your actual card number is never shared or stored on your device. A unique token is used during transactions.
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Biometric authentication: All Apple Pay purchases must be authorized with Face ID or Touch ID.
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Dynamic security code: A one-time dynamic CVV code is generated for each transaction.
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Encrypted data: All your card information is encrypted on your device and on Apple’s servers.
So you can feel completely assured that your USAA card details stay protected when using Apple Pay. There‘s no safer way to pay!
Where Can You Use Apple Pay?
You can use Apple Pay at millions of store locations as well as in apps and on websites.
According to Apple, over 90% of US retailers now accept Apple Pay. Here are some of the most popular ones:
Supermarkets and Stores
- Walmart (Source)
- Target
- Costco
- Best Buy
- Walgreens
- CVS
- The Home Depot
Gas Stations
- Exxon (Source)
- Shell
- BP
- Chevron
- Texaco
- 76
- Phillips 66
Restaurants and QSRs
You can also use Apple Pay within many iOS apps and websites that accept contactless payments.
So Apple Pay is widely accepted, making it super convenient to use your USAA cards.
Let’s Recap
I hope this guide gave you a clear picture of how to easily add your USAA debit or credit card to Apple Pay in just a few taps.
Here are the key takeaways:
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USAA offers specialized debit and credit cards for military families with great rewards.
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Apple Pay allows for quick, secure contactless payments using your iPhone or Apple Watch instead of physical cards.
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You can add your USAA card through either the USAA app or the Wallet app in 3 simple steps.
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Eligible USAA credit cards let you keep earning rewards points/cashback when used via Apple Pay.
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Apple Pay is widely accepted at 90%+ of US merchants ranging from stores to gas stations and restaurants.
So go ahead, add your USAA card to Apple Pay today and enjoy the convenience, security, and rewards of contactless payments! Let me know if you have any other questions.