Amex Platinum Benefits for Active-Duty Military — No $895 Annual Fee

We salute those currently serving active duty in the military or who have served. We appreciate that military service carries major responsibilities, personal sacrifices, and even financial challenges.

The financial challenges that many military families face came to the forefront years ago, resulting in the government passing key legislation. These laws were designed to help alleviate and restrict burdensome lending practices affecting military members.

The laws applied to financial transactions such as vehicle leases, payday loans, mortgages, and housing rights. They also affected credit card practices, including fees and interest rates.

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2003, or SCRA, applies to accounts opened prior to active military service, while the subsequent Military Lending Act, or MLA, governs the limiting of fees and interest rates on debt acquired by active military members, their spouses, domestic partners, and child dependents (as defined in 38 USC 101(4)).

While credit card issuers must follow the law as written, they are also free to go above and beyond to offer additional concessions.

American Express is one of the credit card issuers embracing the purpose of the laws and extending benefits beyond what is required by the legislation. The issuer does this by setting annual fees to $0 for qualifying active-duty military members.

One of the best examples of the value-added cards, the Platinum Card^® from American Express, offers active military members an opportunity to enjoy hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in complimentary benefits.

Here’s how to take advantage of this annual fee benefit and the potential value you could receive.

Overview

If you decide to apply, we advise reviewing the credit score requirements of the Amex Platinum card before you apply and let them pull your credit.

How the MLA and SCRA Work

MLA and SCRA in Brief

Put simply, the Military Lending Act provides benefits that apply to credit accounts opened by a service member (or another covered borrower) during that service member’s active-duty military service.

The Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act covers eligible products opened by a service member prior to their active-duty military service.

The MLA provides coverage for debt like automobile loans, consumer credit, and payday loans, while the SCRA includes transactions such as home mortgages, debts, auto leases, life insurance, and more.

Who Qualifies for the American Express Military Annual Fee Benefit?

According to its printed guidelines, American Express provides an annual fee of $0 benefit under the MLA (cards obtained during active duty) for the following individuals:

• Regular or reserve service members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard under a call or order not specified as 30 days or less
• Active-duty or Reserve Guard members under that same term as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(d)(6)
• American Express also grants military benefits for spouses and eligible dependents of the above individuals (as defined in 38 USC 101(4)).

American Express lists the following qualified individuals as eligible for benefits under SCRA (cards obtained before active duty):

• A member of the U.S. Armed Forces (any military branch) serving on active duty
• Reserves called to active duty
• National Guard member on active duty for more than 30 consecutive days
• Commissioned officers with the Public Health Service or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• U.S. citizens serving with U.S. allied forces in war or military action
• Spouses and children of an active-duty members of the armed forces as defined in 38 USC 101(4)

You can contact American Express directly to ask any questions regarding qualifications at 800-253-1720.

Why We Like the Amex Platinum for Active-Duty Military

The Amex Platinum card comes with several benefits a military traveler can utilize. Complimentary access to airport lounges worldwide, hotel elite status, and car rental privileges, can make travel more comfortable. A generous welcome offer, an annual fee reduction benefit, and statement credits for airline incidentals all result in extraordinary value for the active-duty military member.

The Amex Platinum card, without a doubt, is one of the best credit cards for military members. Here’s a review of the benefits offered by the Amex Platinum card and an estimate of the value, where possible, that you receive by having the card.

Amex Platinum Card Military Fee Benefit

Usually, the Amex Platinum card charges an annual fee of $895 (rates and fees). In our view, the benefits of the Amex Platinum card easily outweigh the annual fee, but the fact remains that the fee is quite a bit higher than most other travel rewards cards.

Fortunately, qualifying military service members can have the annual fee on the Amex Platinum card reduced to $0. This benefit allows access to all of the fantastic perks of the card, including airport lounge access and hotel elite status, without you needing to pay the card’s fee.

Amex Platinum Card for Military Spouses

While the annual fee of the Amex Platinum card is rather high, the annual fee is also $0 for spouses and domestic partners. This includes adding your spouse as an authorized user on your card and if your spouse has their own Amex Platinum card.

Amex Platinum Card for Reservists, National Guard, and Additional Active-Duty Service Members

Reserve service members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard under a call or order not specified as 30 days or less, and their spouses and dependents, also qualify for the fee reduction.

Under the SCRA (cards acquired prior to active duty) American Express will extend fee-reduction benefits to active-duty commissioned officers of the Public Health Service and U.S. citizens serving with U.S. allied forces in war or military action.

Commissioned officers with the Public Health Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may also qualify to have an existing Amex Platinum card fee reduced under the SCRA.

Hot Tip:

Before applying for any card, visit the MLA Website to ensure your and your spouse’s information is updated and your active-duty status is showing correctly.

Earning Potential – Welcome Bonus Offer (Value Varies)

Welcome offers vary, but you can count on a value of at least 1 cent per Membership Reward point when redeeming those bonus points for travel. For example, this translates to at least $600 in travel if the welcome offer is 60,000 points or $1,000 if the offer would be 100,000 points.

You may receive additional value by transferring your Membership Rewards to Amex airline partners, but you should earn at least 1 cent per point in redemptions.

Fee Benefits and Reductions

Annual Fee is $0 for Active Military ($895 Value per year)

Active military members, spouses, domestic partners, and child dependents (as defined in 38 USC 101(4)) do not have to pay the annual fee of $895. This is a huge savings that American Express offers to military members as a thank you for their service.

Other Fee Reductions for Active Military (Value Varies)

In addition to the annual fee, American Express doesn’t charge late and returned payment fees, over-limit fees, and statement copy request fees for active-duty military.

Additional Platinum Cardholder ( Value)

Adding an additional Platinum card normally costs $195. For active-duty military members, this fee is $0 (rates and fees).

While additional users, including spouses, do not receive any statement credit benefits or Uber Cash, they receive full airport lounge access privileges, hotel elite benefits, and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement.

Read about all the benefits of adding an additional user to your Amex Platinum card for even more information.

Hot Tip:

In addition to lounge access, authorized users on the Amex Platinum card receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors Gold hotel loyalty program elite status. Authorized users can also enjoy rental car program benefits. Authorized users do not receive separate statement credit benefits for airline incidentals, Uber Cash, SAKS Fifth Avenue, entertainment streaming, Equinox+, or Walmart+.

Air Travel Advantages

Worldwide Airport Lounge Access (Value Varies)

One of the most valuable benefits of having the Amex Platinum card is worldwide lounge access to more than 1,550 lounges. For travelers, including active military, this translates to having a comfortable place to relax, grab a beverage, and have a bite to eat — all for simply being a cardmember.

The cardholder can enjoy complimentary access to the following lounge networks:

If we value a single lounge visit at $50 (the approximate cost of bringing a guest), you’d simply need to visit an airport lounge 14 times a year to get $700 in value in our estimation. That’s 7 round-trip journeys, assuming you’re visiting the lounge on both legs.

Airline Incidental Credits (up to $200 Value)

Use your card to purchase seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other airline incidentals and receive a statement credit, up to a maximum of $200 per year.

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit — Value of Up to $120

Travel becomes so much easier when you breeze through immigration and customs. Pay for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee with your Amex Platinum card and receive a statement credit reimbursement of up to $120 once every 4 years for Global Entry or every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck. We suggest applying for Global Entry, as it comes with TSA PreCheck.

CLEAR^® Plus Credit (up to $209 Value)

CLEAR is an airport security program similar to TSA PreCheck. Charge the membership to your card and receive a statement credit of up to $209 each year.

Hotel Benefits

Hotel Elite Status (Value Varies)

It can be challenging to set a value on hotel elite status, as it depends on how frequently you stay at the associated hotel brand’s properties.

Receive Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Hilton Honors Gold elite status. Elite status instantly qualifies you for perks such as upgraded rooms, late checkout, free Wi-Fi, and bonus earnings. Make sure to enroll in this benefit through your American Express account to get the most out of your card.

The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts (Value Varies)

Splurge a little at The Hotel Collection and receive hotel credit of up to $100 for qualifying purchases when staying 2 consecutive nights. You also receive an upgraded room at check-in.

Fine Hotels + Resorts steps it up a notch with even more benefits. A stay of 1 night or more qualifies.

• Complimentary daily breakfast for 2
• 4 p.m. checkout
• Noon check-in
• Room upgrade at check-in, when available
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Unique amenity worth $100

Hot Tip: Learn more about these 2 hotel programs and the benefits provided in our comparison of the Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels + Resorts.

Car Rental Benefits and Elite Status (Value Varies)

Receive complimentary National Emerald Club Executive status, Avis Preferred Plus status, and Hertz President’s Circle status just for having the Amex Platinum card and enrolling in the benefit through your American Express account. Benefits include vehicle upgrades, discounted rental rates, return-time grace periods, no second-driver fees, and more.

To ensure you receive the most from this benefit, dive into our guide on the Amex Platinum card’s car rental benefits.

Shopping Perks

Uber Cash (up to $200 Value)

You receive $15 in Uber Cash monthly, plus a $20 bonus in December, for up to $200 in Uber Cash per year. You can use this Uber Cash for U.S. Uber rides or U.S. Uber Eats orders for that month. You can even use this Uber Cash for multiple purchases, although any balance does not roll over from month to month.

An Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.

Saks Fifth Avenue Statement Credit (up to $100 Value)

Even if you don’t normally shop at Saks, it’s fun to splurge once or twice a year and use your shopping credit. Enroll via your online Amex Platinum card account and receive up to $100 in statement credits each year. You can receive up to $50 in statement credits between January and June and up to $50 between July and December.

Digital Entertainment Credit (up to $300 Value)

Receive up to $25 monthly in statement credits after charging select streaming services to your card. Enrollment is required.

Equinox Credit (up to $300 Value)

Get up to $300 back each year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your card after enrollment.

Walmart+ Credit ($155 Value)

Get $12.95 per month toward a Walmart+ membership, with benefits including free shipping and discounted gas prices.

Prepaid Hotel Credit (up to $600 Value)

Get up to $600 back in statement credits each year (up to $300 semi-annually) on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which require a minimum 2-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your card.

Protections and Insurance

The Amex Platinum card offers several additional benefits that could save you money.

• Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance: Pay for your rental car with your Amex Platinum card, refuse the car rental agency’s collision damage waiver, and have secondary car rental coverage for damage or theft. Secondary means you must first file a claim with any applicable insurance.
• Extended Warranty: Eligible items with manufacturer’s warranties of 5 years or less have coverage extended for 1 additional year.
• Purchase Protection: 120 days of protection (90 days for New York residents) is provided for damage, loss, or theft of qualifying items.
• Cell Phone Protection: Pay your monthly bill with your card and receive up to $1,600 in cell phone protection (2 claims per year with up to $800 for each claim) for theft and damage. There is a $50 deductible per claim.

This is not a complete list of additional card benefits, and descriptions have been abbreviated. Full terms and conditions may be found in the Amex Platinum card guide to benefits.

How To Complete The Card Application

Here’s how to complete the Amex Platinum card application as a military member.

Applying for the Amex Platinum card is simple: Click on the link in the card snapshot at the beginning of this article. Add your name as it appears on your military ID, date of birth, address, telephone number, Social Security number, and income.

Under Income Source, select Military. American Express will then attempt to match your Social Security number to the DoD database and apply the benefits automatically. If, for any reason, this does not happen automatically, you can request benefits after card approval.

How Do I Apply for Amex MLA Benefits?

American Express makes it very easy for active-duty military members. Any MLA relief for which you are eligible is automatically applied to your account at account opening.

If MLA benefits are not applied, contact American Express for assistance at 800-253-1720.

How To Apply for Benefits on an Existing Card

Applying to receive SCRA benefits, which includes waiving the annual fee on your current Amex Platinum card, is simple. Just log in to your Amex Platinum card account online and select Account Services at the top of the page. Then select Credit Management and choose SCRA Benefits.

You can upload any requested information after answering a few questions.

Additionally, you can request benefits via the following methods:

• Phone: Call 800-253-1720 from the U.S. or call 336-393-1111 (collect) from outside of the U.S.
• Fax: Fax the required documents to 623-444-3000 and include your American Express account numbers.
• Mail: Mail documents with your account numbers to American Express, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, P.O. Box 981535, El Paso, TX 79998-1535.

American Express will verify your information and then process the benefit, which can take several weeks.

You can also check your eligibility before you apply for the card.

When Do Amex’s Military Relief Provisions Expire?

The benefits of the SCRA and MLA only apply to those serving on active duty. American Express will send you a notification letter at least 45 days before the date relief ends on your account. This gives you time to provide additional documentation should you still be on active duty.

Once you become ineligible, American Express begins charging you any applicable fees you were previously not charged on your account.

Everything Else You Need To Know

No set credit score guarantees approval for the Amex Platinum card. Additionally, your credit score is just 1 factor in the approval decision. American Express also considers factors like your income, years of credit history, history with American Express, and the amount of credit already extended to you.

That said, most applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher usually have high approval odds.

You earn the welcome bonus offer on the Amex Platinum card after meeting minimum spending requirements within the specified period after card approval.

You can find a list of ideas on meeting these minimum spending requirements in our article on the topic.

Many Amex Platinum card benefits, such as Priority Pass Select membership, car rental privileges, and hotel elite status, require registration. Register online by signing into your Amex Platinum card account and accessing the Benefits section.

Hot Tip: American Express issues over 60 cards for which active-duty military members do not have to pay the annual fee.

Additional Recommended Amex Cards for Active Military

While American Express has several cards that do not charge an annual fee, active military members receive the most value from those cards that do.

You’ll find greater earning potential, flexible redemption options, luxury travel benefits, shopping and travel protections, and more on cards with higher annual fees.

Here are a few of the additional American Express cards we recommend for active-duty military:

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

Why We Like This Card for Active Military

• 5x earnings on flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals booked at AmexTravel.com
• 2x earnings on eligible purchases in key U.S. business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else (up to $2 million in purchases per calendar year)
• Up to $200 airline incidental fee reimbursement each year
• Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• Hotel and car rental program elite status and benefits upon enrollment
• Annual fee of $0 for active military members (rates and fees)

If you have a small business, even a side hustle that brings in a modest amount of extra income, the Amex Business Platinum card could add tremendous value. Learn more about how the Amex Business Platinum card compares to the personal Amex Platinum card.

American Express^® Gold Card

Why We Like This Card for Active Military

• 4x points at restaurants worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
• 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
• 3x earnings on flights booked directly with airlines and AmexTravel.com
• Up to $120 in Uber Cash annually, which is good for rides and Uber Eats orders in the U.S. (up to $10 per month; add your Amex Gold card to your account to receive the benefit, but any Amex card can be used as payment)
• Up to $120 dining credits annually, which is good at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys (up to $10 per month)
• Up to $100 Resy credits annually, redeemable at any U.S. Resy restaurant and other eligible Resy purchases (distributed as $50 semi-annually)
• Up to $84 Dunkin’ credits annually, redeemable at U.S. Dunkin’ locations (distributed as $7 per month)
• Annual fee of $0 for active military members (rates and fees)

Note that enrollment is required for some benefits, so make sure you’re enrolled to get the most out of your card’s benefits.

Dive into all the card benefits and benefits for the military of the Amex Gold card if this card sounds right for your spending habits.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Why We Like This Card for Active Military

• 14x earnings at Hilton properties
• Complimentary top Hilton Honors Diamond elite status
• Annual free hotel night certificate
• Up to $400 Hilton Resort Credit dispersed as up to $200 in statement credits semi-annually
• Up to $200 airline incidentals statement credit each year dispersed as up to $50 in statement credits each quarter
• Priority Pass Select membership for airport lounge access worldwide (enrollment required)
• Annual fee of $0 for active military members (rates and fees)

For even more details about this card, explore the top benefits of the Hilton Aspire card.

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

Why We Like This Card for Active Military

• Cardmembers receive 15 visits per Year to the Delta Sky Club when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of visits after spending $75,000 in purchases each calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive 4 one-time guest passes each year
• Annual companion ticket certificate
• Free checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights
• 20% statement credit for inflight food and beverage purchases
• 3x earnings on Delta purchases
• Ability to earn Medallion elite qualifying miles through spending on the card
• Annual fee of $0 for active military members (rates and fees)

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

Why We Like This Card for Active Military

• Free Night Award at card anniversary (worth up to 85,000 points)
• Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy^® Platinum elite status
• 6x earnings at participating Marriott properties
• 3x earnings at restaurants worldwide
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement
• Annual fee of $0 for active military members (rates and fees)

Bottom Line:

The best cards for active military will be those charging a high annual fee as these cards offer the most valuable benefits. With the annual fee being $0 for qualifying military members, these cards become the best value.

Final Thoughts

American Express benefits for active military members can be worth thousands of dollars annually. If you’re anticipating entering active duty, currently on active duty, or know someone who is, consider sharing this information or taking advantage personally.

Other credit card issuers also offer active-duty military credit card benefits. To learn more about the best credit cards for active-duty military, start with our article that lists our favorites, including cards from other issuers.

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For the cell phone protection benefit of Platinum Card^® from American Express, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12 month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of Platinum Card^® from American Express, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the extended warranty benefit of Platinum Card^® from American Express, when an American Express^® card member charges a covered purchase to an eligible card, extended warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the purchase protection benefit of Platinum Card^® from American Express, purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.