Disclaimer: USMilitary.org is an independent, privately owned website and is not affiliated with the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, or USAA. This article is for informational purposes only.
Military families are always looking for smarter ways to stretch their budgets, and USAA offers a simple solution that costs nothing extra to use. USAA MemberShop® is a members-only cash back portal that lets you earn rebates on purchases at hundreds of popular retailers — from travel bookings to everyday groceries. If you’re a USAA member and not using this benefit, you’re leaving money on the table.
Cash back through MemberShop® functions as a rebate, which is generally considered tax-free income. Once your cash back balance reaches $10 or more at the end of a quarter, USAA will mail you a check for that amount within 45 days.
Key Takeaways
- USAA MemberShop® is a free cash back portal available exclusively to USAA members.
- Earn 1%–5%+ cash back at hundreds of popular retailers including Walmart, Nike, Expedia, and more.
- Cash back is paid quarterly by check once your balance reaches $10 or more.
- You can stack MemberShop® cash back with a cash back credit card for maximum savings.
- A browser extension is available to automatically surface cash back offers as you shop.
- No special card is required — any payment method works with MemberShop®.
What Is USAA MemberShop®?
USAA MemberShop® is an online shopping portal available exclusively to USAA members. When you click through MemberShop® to make a purchase at a participating retailer, a portion of your spending is returned to you as cash back. Think of it as a rebate that adds up quietly in the background every time you shop online.
The portal is powered by a network of partner retailers who agree to share a percentage of each sale with USAA, which then passes those savings directly to you. There’s no complicated sign-up process and no fee — it’s a built-in perk of your USAA membership.
Cash back accumulates in your MemberShop® account and is paid out quarterly. Once your balance hits $10 or more, USAA sends you a physical check within 45 days of the quarter’s close. This cash back is treated as a rebate and is generally not considered taxable income.
Start Earning Cash Back Today: Visit USAA MemberShop® and log in with your USAA credentials to begin earning on your next purchase.
How to Get Started with MemberShop®
Getting started takes only a few minutes. USAA members have two primary ways to access MemberShop® discounts:
- Visit the portal directly: Go to mall.usaa.com, log in with your USAA credentials, browse participating retailers, and click through to shop. The cash back is tracked automatically.
- Install the browser extension: Add the USAA MemberShop® Chrome extension to your browser. It will automatically notify you whenever you visit a participating retailer’s website, so you never miss a cash back opportunity — even if you forget to start at the portal.
Once logged in and verified as a USAA member, you can start shopping immediately. The extension is especially useful for shoppers who don’t want to remember to visit the portal first — it does the work for you in the background.
Step-by-Step: How to Use the MemberShop® Portal
- Go to mall.usaa.com and sign in with your USAA username and password.
- Browse or search for the retailer you want to shop with.
- Click the retailer’s link within MemberShop® — this is the critical step that activates your cash back tracking.
- Complete your purchase on the retailer’s website as you normally would.
- Your cash back is credited to your MemberShop® account within a few business days.
- Once your balance reaches $10 at the end of a quarter, a check is mailed within 45 days.
What Kind of Cash Back Savings Can You Expect?
MemberShop® partners with hundreds of retailers across nearly every shopping category. Cash back rates typically range from 1% to 5%, and some retailers offer exclusive discount codes that can be stacked on top of your cash back earnings for even greater savings. Rates and participating stores rotate periodically, so it’s worth checking the portal regularly for updated offers.
Here’s a snapshot of the types of cash back deals available to members. Note: Rates are subject to change — always verify current offers at mall.usaa.com.
Department Stores
- Walmart: 1.5%–2% cash back
- Macy’s: Up to 2.5% cash back
- Overstock: 2% cash back
Sports & Outdoors
- Nike: 2.5% cash back
- Under Armour: 3.5% cash back
- Bass Pro Shops: 3% cash back
Travel
- Expedia: 3% cash back
- Booking.com: 4% cash back
- Hilton Hotels & Resorts: 2% cash back
Home, Auto & Pets
- Home Depot: 4% cash back
- Ace Hardware: 2% cash back
- Chewy: 2% cash back
These are just a sample of the hundreds of stores available. Whether you’re buying gifts, booking a family vacation, or stocking up on pet supplies, there’s a good chance MemberShop® has a participating retailer for your needs.
See All Participating Retailers: Browse the full list of stores and current cash back rates at USAA MemberShop®.
USAA Cash Back Credit Cards: Stack Your Savings
While no specific payment method is required to earn MemberShop® cash back, using a cash back credit card when you shop can significantly increase your total return. USAA offers several cash back credit cards worth considering for members who want to maximize every dollar spent.
USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card
This card is designed with military spending patterns in mind. It offers elevated cash back rates on purchases at military base commissaries and gas stations, making it a strong choice for active duty service members who shop on base regularly.
USAA Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card
For most members, this is the most versatile option. It earns an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase — no categories to track, no caps, no rotating bonus periods. When combined with MemberShop® cash back rates of 1%–5%, you could be earning 2.5%–6.5% total on participating purchases.
You are not required to use a USAA card to benefit from MemberShop®. Any credit card, debit card, or payment method works. However, using a cash back credit card — whether from USAA or another issuer — layers additional rewards on top of what MemberShop® provides. If you’re shopping for a new card, look for one with strong flat-rate or category cash back to pair with the portal.
Key point: MemberShop® cash back is tied to your USAA membership profile, not your payment method. The portal tracks your purchases through the click-through link, not your card number.
Tips for Maximizing Your MemberShop® Cash Back
- Always start at the portal or use the extension. Cash back is only tracked if you click through from MemberShop® before making a purchase. Visiting the retailer directly will not earn you any cash back.
- Check for promo codes. Some retailers listed in MemberShop® also provide exclusive discount codes. Apply these at checkout on top of your cash back for double savings.
- Stack with credit card rewards. Use a cash back credit card to earn card-level rewards in addition to your MemberShop® rebate.
- Shop travel through MemberShop®. Travel bookings often carry some of the highest cash back rates. Before booking your next vacation or PCS hotel stay, check what MemberShop® is offering.
- Check the portal before major purchases. Before buying electronics, appliances, or other big-ticket items, verify whether the retailer is in the MemberShop® network and what rate is currently available.
- Install the browser extension. The Chrome extension removes the step of visiting the portal first — it automatically activates cash back when you land on a participating retailer’s site.
- Watch for seasonal promotions. Cash back rates often increase during the holidays, back-to-school season, and other peak shopping periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
USAA MemberShop® is available exclusively to USAA members. Eligible members include active duty military service members, veterans, pre-commissioned officers, and eligible family members of USAA members. You must have a USAA account to log in and access the portal.
Yes. There is no cost to use USAA MemberShop®. It is a free benefit included with your USAA membership. Simply log in with your existing USAA credentials to start earning cash back.
Cash back accumulates in your MemberShop® account. At the end of each quarter, if your balance is $10 or more, USAA will mail you a check for that amount within 45 days. If your balance is under $10, it rolls over to the next quarter.
Cash back earned through shopping portals is generally classified as a rebate and is not considered taxable income by the IRS. However, tax situations vary — consult a tax professional if you have questions about your specific circumstances.
No. You can use any payment method — credit card, debit card, or digital wallet — and still earn MemberShop® cash back. The cash back is triggered by clicking through from the MemberShop® portal, not by which card you use. That said, using a cash back credit card lets you earn additional rewards on top of your MemberShop® rebate.
If you navigate directly to a retailer’s website without clicking through MemberShop® first, your purchase will not earn cash back. The best way to avoid missing out is to install the USAA MemberShop® browser extension, which automatically activates cash back tracking when you visit participating sites.
USAA MemberShop® features hundreds of participating retailers across categories including clothing, electronics, travel, home goods, sporting goods, and more. The retailer lineup and cash back rates rotate periodically, so it’s worth visiting mall.usaa.com regularly to see the latest offers.
In many cases, yes. Some retailers listed in MemberShop® also offer exclusive promo codes that can be applied at checkout in addition to the cash back you earn through the portal. Always check the retailer’s MemberShop® listing for any available codes before completing your purchase.
The MemberShop® browser extension is available for Google Chrome. Check the MemberShop® extension page for the most current browser compatibility information, as this may be updated over time.
Ready to Start Earning Cash Back?
It takes just a few minutes to set up and costs nothing. Log in to USAA MemberShop® today and start turning your everyday purchases into quarterly cash back checks.
Disclosure: USMilitary.org is an independent educational website not affiliated with USAA, the Department of Defense, or any government agency. Information in this article is provided for general informational purposes only. Cash back rates and participating retailers are subject to change. Always verify current offers directly at mall.usaa.com. This article may contain affiliate or referral links.
