5 Best Credit Cards for Active-duty Military [June 2023]

Serving in our country’s military brings added responsibility and commitment — but it can also bring financial challenges.

Years ago, some of the financial challenges that military families face were recognized and addressed with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2003 (SCRA) and the subsequent Military Lending Act (MLA). If you’re an active-duty military member, chances are you’re familiar with these laws and their revisions.

These Federal laws impose limits on interest rates and fees lending institutions can legally charge active military members, their spouses, and domestic partners.

While the laws include special consideration with regards to vehicle leases, payday loans, mortgages, and housing rights, the importance of these laws as they apply to credit cards is significant. Specifically, opportunities have been created allowing military members to take advantage of some of the more elite benefits of rewards-earning credit cards without incurring high annual fees.

The SCRA applies to credit card accounts opened prior to active military service, but many credit card issuers extend the benefits to credit cards acquired during active duty as well. The MLA governs credit cards acquired during active military service.

Both laws have positively affected how credit card issuers administer their credit card terms for active military. Today, we’ll focus on which credit card issuers go above and beyond the minimum requirements of these laws and how their actions benefit active military.

Let’s take a look at our recommendations for the best military credit cards for active members (including spouses), and the associated card benefits.

Table of Contents

American Express (Waived Annual Fees, Best Card Benefits & Perks)
- Benefits Provided
- How To Request Benefits (Do This After You’re Approved)
Best American Express Credit Cards for Active Military
- The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 Annual Fee Waived, Best Card for Worldwide Lounge Access, Premium Benefits & Perks)
- American Express® Gold Card ($250 Annual Fee Waived, Earn Lots of Bonus Points on Dining & U.S. Supermarkets)
Chase (Waived Annual Fees, Excellent Card Benefits)
- Benefits Provided
- How To Request Benefits (Do This After You’re Approved)
Best Chase Credit Cards for Active Military
Discover
- Benefits Provided
- Requesting Benefits (Do This After You’re Approved)
Benefits With Other Credit Card Issuers
Best Credit Cards for Veterans
Final Thoughts

American Express (Waived Annual Fees, Best Card Benefits & Perks)

American Express offers benefits to active-duty military that go beyond the letter of the law.

They do not limit benefits to credit cards opened prior to active military service. Instead, Amex is waiving fees and offering reduced interest rates on all of their credit cards — even newly acquired ones.

Benefits Provided

Waived annual membership fees and other fees such as late payments, returned payments, and over-limit fees
A cap of 6% on interest rates for cards acquired prior to active duty or 36% (Military Annual Percentage Rate) for cards acquired during active duty
- Newly acquired cards are not capped

How To Request Benefits (Do This After You’re Approved)

Online: Log in to your credit card account online and click on “account services.” Under the account services tab you will find “credit management.” You will see SCRA Benefits under that tab and be able to request the benefits there.
Phone: Call 800-253-1720 from the U.S., or outside of the U.S. call collect at 336-393-1111.
Fax: Fax active duty documents with American Express account numbers to 623-444-3000.
Mail: Mail documents with account numbers to American Express, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, PO Box 981535, El Paso, TX 79998-1535

Hot Tip: If you are currently active-duty military with an American Express card but you haven’t applied for benefits, you should strongly considering doing so. You could save hundreds or thousands of dollars in interest and annual fees.

Best American Express Credit Cards for Active Military

The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 Annual Fee Waived, Best Card for Worldwide Lounge Access, Premium Benefits & Perks)

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 150,000 points with the Amex Platinum card! The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Why We Like the Card for Military Members

If you travel a lot, having lounge access can add economy and comfort to your trip. You can grab a free drink, a bite to eat, and relax during your journey. Cardmembers will have access to upscale Centurion lounges, considered to be some of the best airport lounges available.

In addition, you’ll enjoy Priority Pass Select membership, which allows you and 2 guests complimentary access to Priority Pass lounges worldwide. Priority Pass is the world’s largest lounge network with nearly 1,300 lounges.

If you travel on Delta Air Lines, you’ll also enjoy access to Delta Sky Clubs (cardholder only).

The Global Entry credit is also a nice perk that reimburses you when you pay for your application or renewal with your Platinum Card®.

Hot Tip: For a lot more information, see our post on the benefits of the Amex Platinum card for active U.S. military members. Remember that the $695 annual fee is waived if you’re active military (including spouses and domestic partners), making this an incredible opportunity to pick up a card with a huge welcome bonus and packed with benefits and perks!

American Express Centurion Lounge Hong Kong — Centurion Lounges are some of the best in the world, and you’ll have complimentary access. Image Credit: Greg Stone

American Express® Gold Card ($250 Annual Fee Waived, Earn Lots of Bonus Points on Dining & U.S. Supermarkets)

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90,000 points with the Amex Gold card! The current public offer is 60,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Why We Like the Card for Military Members

Because the Membership Rewards points you earn on everyday spending can be redeemed easily for travel, the Gold Card strikes a balance of being an everyday earning credit card and a travel rewards credit card.

For those who travel occasionally but spend regularly on dining and at U.S. supermarkets, this card is an excellent match. You can read our post for more on the benefits of the Amex Gold Card for active-military members.

Bottom Line: American Express offers over 60 different cards, and they waive annual fees on all of them for active military.

Chase (Waived Annual Fees, Excellent Card Benefits)

Benefits Provided

Chase offers benefits for active military members in accordance with the MLA law for those under active duty who applied for cards after September 20, 2017. Benefits apply only to personal credit cards, not to Chase business credit cards.

Waived annual fees and other fees (except late fees and insufficient fund fees)
Military Annual Percentage Rate (MAPR) won’t exceed 36% (includes any fees)
Any introductory promotional interest rates (0% APR, etc.) will be honored

How To Request Benefits (Do This After You’re Approved)

After applying for the credit card of your choice, you can request SCRA/MLA benefits:

Access your Chase.com online banking profile
Select “secure messages” in the upper left of the page
Select “compose message”
Under “inquires,” select Military SCRA benefits
Include your account number
Attach supporting documents

You can call 877-469-0110 to ask about credit card fee waivers for Chase credit cards (8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays). Internationally, call collect at 318-340-3348.

All Chase personal credit cards are included for Military benefits; here are some of the most popular that we recommend.

Best Chase Credit Cards for Active Military

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card ($95 Annual Fee Waived, Excellent First Time Card)

A great first-time rewards credit card, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card offers a nice balance of practical travel benefits and earning valuable Ultimate Rewards points.

5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
5x points on Lyft (through March 31, 2025)
5x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
3x points on dining
3x points on online grocery store purchases
3x points on select streaming services
2x points on all other travel purchases
Travel protections and benefits, including trip interruption/cancellation and primary rental car insurance
Redeem for 25% more value on the Ultimate Rewards travel portal

Why We Like the Card for Military Members

Earning valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards is a real benefit and being able to redeem them for travel on the Chase travel portal for 25% more is an added bonus.

Ultimate Rewards points can also be transferred to travel partners for even more value.

If you’re a Military Member renting a vehicle, know that you’ll be protected with primary car rental insurance.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® ($550 Annual Fee Waived, Priority Pass Lounge Access)

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a premium travel rewards credit card with a long list of benefits for active-duty military.

Priority Pass Select Membership with access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide after enrollment.
$300 travel credit each card anniversary year
5x total points on air travel and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3x points on other travel and dining
10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
Transfer Ultimate Rewards to travel partners for potential added value
Redeem Ultimate Rewards points for 50% more value on travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal
Global Entry/Nexus/TSA PreCheck credit up to $100

Why We Like the Card for Military Members

If you’re traveling frequently, the worldwide lounge access benefit will make your journey more comfortable and economical. The $300 travel credit each card anniversary year is easy to use and adds immediate value.

With elevated earning on travel and dining purchases and 50% more value when redeeming through the Chase travel portal, any military member who travels will utilize this card’s benefits.

5. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

If you want a great point-earning card and like the idea of having a choice between cash-back and Ultimate Rewards points, the Freedom Unlimited card will make sure every purchase is earning rewards you can use.

5% cash-back on travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
3% cash-back on dining and drugstore purchases
1.5% cash-back on all other purchase
0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; regular APR applies thereafter
$0 annual fee for all cardholders, including military

Why We Like the Card for Military Members

If you have a major purchase to make, you can save a lot on interest charges with the 0% APR rate for the first 15 months you have the card.

Hot Tip: Chase credit cards are subject to the 5/24 rule, which limits the number of credit cards for which you can be approved. Review the 5/24 rule carefully before applying.

Discover

Discover provides benefits for active military members regardless of when they apply for a credit card, and does not limit benefits to only those credit cards acquired prior to the law.

In fact, Discover does not charge an annual fee on any of its cards to anyone, including military.

One of the best features of most Discover cards is that all the cash back you earn in your first year is matched at the end of your first card anniversary.

Benefits Provided

Interest rate not exceeding 5.9%
No late fees or fees for being over limit
Any introductory purchase or balance transfer rates are calculated at the promotional rate (if less than 5.9%)

Requesting Benefits (Do This After You’re Approved)

There are several options for requesting benefits.

Online: Sign in to your Discover card online account and click on the “manage” tab. You will see the link for SCRA benefits. Then click on “request benefits now.”
Phone: Call 844-337-4645, or from overseas call 801-451-3730.
Mail: Send a request via mail to Discover, SCRA Department, P.O. Box 30907, Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0907
Fax: Fax your request to 224-813-5767, attention SCRA Department

Discover will attempt to verify your service through the Defense Manpower Data Center. You do not need to submit verification documents unless requested to do so.

Benefits With Other Credit Card Issuers

The following credit card issuers cap credit card interest rates and/or waive annual fees for credit cards opened prior to active military service only.

Capital One: Waives all fees including annual fees and caps interest rates at 4%
Citi: Waives all fees including annual fees and lowers interest rates to 0%
Bank of America: Caps interest rates at 6%
Barclays: Caps interest rates at 6%
U.S. Bank: Waives all fees and caps interest rates at 6%

Bottom Line: While all credit card issuers adhere openly to the SCRA and MLA laws, American Express, Chase, and Discover deliver benefits beyond the law’s minimum requirements.

Best Credit Cards for Veterans

Most of the benefits of the SCRA and MLA laws expire within a specific period of time once you’ve left active duty, usually 12-15 months.

During your service, you may have become familiar with these financial institutions that provide continuing services to retired military. Note that you must be a member of these organizations prior to applying for their credit cards.

Navy Federal Credit Union

Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card

Best for: Everyday spending

Requires average to excellent credit
Welcome bonus worth $300 after spending $3,000 in first 3 months after card approval
3X points at supermarkets and gas stations
2X points at restaurants
$0 annual fee
No foreign transaction fees

USAA

USAA Rewards™ American Express® Card

Best for: Everyday spending

Maximum 4% APR for 12 months during deployment or after active military service
3X points for dining
2X points for gas stations and supermarket purchases
1X points all other purchases
$0 annual fee

Pentagon Federal Credit Union

PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card

Best for: Everyday spending

Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, or merchandise at less than 1 cent each
$100 welcome bonus after minimum spending requirement
5X points on gas station purchases
3X points at grocery stores

Hot Tip: For a lot more information on this topic, see our guide on the best credit cards for military veterans.

Final Thoughts

Those who are about to embark on active duty or who have already done so can benefit greatly from having the annual fees waived on some very rewarding credit cards.

Premium travel credit cards can have fees exceeding $500 per year, plus additional fees for authorized users. Having these fees waived while qualifying for the valuable benefits offered can result in significant savings.

Keep in mind that balances still need to be paid off each statement period to avoid interest charges (even reduced ones), and payments must be made on time to preserve your good credit score.

The information regarding the Chase Freedom Unlimited® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the USAA Rewards™ American Express® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Upgraded Points

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best credit card for active military?

The best credit card for active military will depend on your spending habits, the benefits you will use, and how long you plan to keep the card.

American Express and Chase offer the best credit cards for active military. You'll receive premium travel benefits, accelerated earnings, welcome bonuses good for free travel, and statement credits.

In addition, American Express and Chase waive annual fees on their credit cards for active military even if you apply for the card after you have started on active duty.

If you plan to keep the card you apply for indefinitely, you'll want to select a card that delivers ongoing benefits you'll continue to use once you're required to pay the annual fee.

Which credit cards waive the fee for retired military?

SCRA and MLA laws were designed to protect active military and do not apply to retired military. There are some extensions of benefits — in some cases up to 15 months beyond when active duty ends.

However, veterans can still take advantage of special credit card offers and services from financial institutions such as USAA, PenFed, and Navy Federal Credit Union.

Can a military spouse get the credit card fees waived?

Yes. SCRA and MLA laws extend benefits to military spouses and domestic partners.

Credit card issuers may require joint accounts, or that the spouse/domestic partner be added as an authorized user to receive benefits. Others will waive fees and apply benefits for credit cards applied for by the spouse/domestic partner.

Which credit cards waive the annual fee for military?

Several credit card issuers waive annual fees for active-duty military. American Express and Chase are the most popular.

While other credit card issuers may waive fees for active military, they may apply these benefits to credit cards acquired prior to active duty. American Express and Chase do not have this limitation.

You can apply for a credit card with American Express or Chase while on active duty, and if qualified, the fee will be waived.

Does Chase waive the annual fees for active military?

Yes, if you qualify, Chase will waive the annual fee and other account fees for active military.

This includes their premium travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve card which would normally have an annual fee of $550.

What is the maximum interest rate on credit cards for active-duty military?

There are 2 laws that govern credit card interest rates for active-duty military. The Military Lending Act limits interest rates and associated account fees to a maximum of 36% APR on credit cards secured while on active duty.

Credit cards secured prior to active duty are governed by the SCRA which limits interest rates and other account fees to a maximum of 6% APR.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine was born in Northern Michigan but spent most of her career operating her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services offices throughout the state. Her previous experience involved building and writing business plans in the mergers and acquisitions sector in New York, as well as staffing in the insurance and financial technology software field. Her successful insurance and financial services career has been an excellent foundation from which to source her knowledge for many of Upgraded Points’ travel insurance articles.

Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments.

13 comments

Rice4u February 10, 2020
Citi waived AF under MLA for any cards open during active duty. My Prestige was waived.
Reply
- Christine Krzyszton February 11, 2020
  Thank you for that data point and for your service.
  Reply
  - Chris Arnold April 13, 2020
    Yep, I can confirm. After this article, I got the Prestige card. Citi posted and then credited the annual fee back to a 0 balance on the following month. The thing to beware: they WILL charge the fee if the fee is less than the interest on your balance. Just make sure to keep your balance down and it will not be charged.
    Reply
    - Christine Krzyszton April 13, 2020
      Thank you for that information, Chris, and for your service as well.
      Reply
Maria Workman April 27, 2020
American Express doesn’t waive after you are active duty. You have to have the card prior.
Reply
- Gregory Clark July 2, 2020
  I just applied for the AMEX Delta Reserve Card and got it. I’m AD Army since 15 Feb 19. I got my annual fee waived by applying for the benefits online.
  Reply
  - Brandon Folks July 27, 2020
    I’ve been AD USAF since 2007, and I just recently applied online for the AMEX Delta Reserve Card. I just got their response back to my request and they rejected the annual fee waiver. I’ll be cancelling my card with them if they refuse it again.
    Reply
Brandon Folks July 27, 2020
I recently applied for the AMEX Delta Reserve Card under the impression that they would waive the annual fee. Just got a response to the waiver request I sent and because I’ve been on AD since 2007, they rejected my waiver request. Guess I’ll be cancelling my account with them.
Reply
Tony July 31, 2020
I would wait on that! They actually waive fees for Active Duty now under MLA. Message them and ask for that to be applied. Also check to see if they didn’t apply it automatically.
Reply
- Mitch October 20, 2021
  Chase won’t honor either program. There is something special about Sep 2017 that they keep referencing when they deny my request. I would love to see a mass exodus of military people canceling their Chase accounts!
  Reply
Mitch October 20, 2021
I have had no luck getting Chase to honor the SCRA or waive ANY fees for my Sapphire Reserve Card. They keep telling me that since I opened the account after I entered military service, it is not eligible. I tried to tell them that I have never heard of this being a requirement, but I cannot get an explanation out of them. They just keep sending me the same form letter email response. I would highly suggest all military avoid Chase! I have never had any issues with other credit cards companies in my 18 years in the military, but Chase will not budge. I will cancel my card as soon as I use up my points, and encourage all military to do the same.
Reply
Lib November 24, 2022
USAA doesn’t do the 4% or 0% for deployment/pcsing anymore. Hasn’t since 2017.
Reply
- Christine Krzyszton November 26, 2022
  According to the information for active military qualification on the USAA website, dated 2022, you can still apply for those benefits for several of their products including credit cards.https://www.usaa.com/inet/wc/bank-military-scra-benefits?akredirect=true#:~:text=USAA%20offers%20a%20maximum%20interest,SCRA%20or%20state%20military%20benefits.A
  Reply

American Express (Waived Annual Fees, Best Card Benefits & Perks)

Benefits Provided

How To Request Benefits (Do This After You’re Approved)

Best American Express Credit Cards for Active Military

The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 Annual Fee Waived, Best Card for Worldwide Lounge Access, Premium Benefits & Perks)

Why We Like the Card for Military Members

American Express® Gold Card ($250 Annual Fee Waived, Earn Lots of Bonus Points on Dining & U.S. Supermarkets)

Why We Like the Card for Military Members

Chase (Waived Annual Fees, Excellent Card Benefits)

Benefits Provided

How To Request Benefits (Do This After You’re Approved)

Best Chase Credit Cards for Active Military

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card ($95 Annual Fee Waived, Excellent First Time Card)

Why We Like the Card for Military Members

Chase Sapphire Reserve® ($550 Annual Fee Waived, Priority Pass Lounge Access)

Why We Like the Card for Military Members

5. Chase Freedom Unlimited®

Why We Like the Card for Military Members

Discover

Benefits Provided

Requesting Benefits (Do This After You’re Approved)

Benefits With Other Credit Card Issuers

Best Credit Cards for Veterans

Navy Federal Credit Union

Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card

USAA

USAA Rewards™ American Express® Card

Pentagon Federal Credit Union

PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card

Final Thoughts

Frequently asked questions

Which is the best credit card for active military?

Which credit cards waive the fee for retired military?

Can a military spouse get the credit card fees waived?

Which credit cards waive the annual fee for military?

Does Chase waive the annual fees for active military?

What is the maximum interest rate on credit cards for active-duty military?

About Christine Krzyszton

13 comments

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