Amex Gold Card Benefits for Active-Duty U.S. Military Members

Serving on active duty in the U.S. military comes with a lot of sacrifices, including potential financial challenges. But there are ways to save money and create value for your military household with benefits such as those offered to military members by the American Express^® Gold Card.

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) established in 2003, and the Military Lending Act (MLA) established in 2006, have helped make financial transactions less costly for service members. These relief acts help reduce financial burdens and provide consumer credit protection for qualifying military members who have secured credit prior to, or during, military service.

Some credit card issuers not only adhere to the requirements of these acts but expand the benefits to include eliminating fees on select credit cards.

Because American Express is one of those card issuers, we’re looking at military benefits for the popular Amex Gold card today. We’ll share how the card earns rewards, some of your options at redemption time, and benefits that could be helpful for active-duty military members.

How Do the SCRA and MLA Acts Work?

The SCRA applies to credit established prior to active duty and provides a cap of a 6% interest rate, including fees, on many financial obligations incurred prior to military service.

The MLA applies to credit established during military service and limits interest to 36% Military Annual Percentage Rate (MAPR) on certain loans and credit products. While 36% may seem high, the MLA applies to a variety of loans including payday loans, which are known to have high interest rates. The 36% includes all fees, credit insurance premiums, and finance charges.

Credit card issuer American Express, while adhering closely to the requirements of these acts, goes beyond the mandatory fundamentals as eligible active military members won’t be charged the annual fee, and other fees, on select credit card products.

The absence of annual fees can offer significant savings for a military member while providing a long list of valuable benefits.

Let’s look at a snapshot of the Amex Gold card and the benefits you’ll realize as an active-military cardholder. No doubt, the Amex Gold is one of the best credit cards for military members, and unlike a traditional card with a set limit, there is no preset spending limit, so the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history.

Amex Gold Card Overview

• Apply and find out if you're eligible for as high as 100,000 points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Why We Like This Card For Active-duty Military

With a generous welcome offer that jumpstarts your earnings and ongoing bonus earnings for everyday purchases, the Amex Gold card makes it easy to earn a lot of rewards quickly. You’ll also receive statement credits for qualifying dining purchases and Uber Cash each month.

The card doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees, making it a great card to have in your wallet when traveling outside of the U.S. (rates & fees).

Earning Potential ($3,000+ in Value!)

Now that you have a snapshot of the key benefits of the Amex Gold card, let’s look closer at the potential value each benefit could provide an active military household. We’ll include an estimated value, when possible, of what the benefit might provide to a military member’s household.

Welcome Offer ($600+Value)

Welcome offers can change, so be sure to check for current offers in the table above prior to applying.

The value of the welcome offer you receive can vary depending on how you redeem your rewards. However, you can count on a value of 1 cent per Membership Rewards point when redeeming for flights via AmexTravel.com. A 60,000-point welcome offer, for example, would translate into $600 worth of eligible travel when redeemed via AmexTravel.com. A 90,000-point welcome offer provides $900 in travel.

You can also transfer Membership Rewards points to Amex transfer partners to redeem for free hotel nights and award flight tickets. Transferring points can result in potentially better value for your rewards points.

Everyday Purchases ($1,000 Value)

With the Amex Gold card, you’ll receive 4x Membership Rewards points on everyday purchases such as U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in purchases each calendar year, then 1x), including commissaries coding as grocery stores. In addition, restaurant purchases worldwide (up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1x points), including take-out and delivery, also receive 4x Membership Rewards points.

If you were to spend $25,000 each year in these bonus categories, you would earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points worth approximately $1,000 when redeemed via AmexTravel.com and even more potential value when transferring to hotel and airline partners.

Flight Purchases ($90 Value)

On flights purchased directly from the airline or via AmexTravel.com, you’ll receive 3x bonus earnings and 2x earnings for other qualifying travel via AmexTravel.com. For example, just $3,000 worth of qualifying flights would earn 9,000 Membership Rewards points.

Travel Benefits

Access to Hotel and Airline Partner Transfers (Value Varies)

While it’s difficult to put a defined value on the ability to transfer Membership Rewards points to travel partners, this redemption option is potentially the most valuable. While redeeming Membership Rewards via AmexTravel.com for 1 cent in value is an option, transferring points to hotel and airline partners for free hotel nights or award flight tickets could yield much greater results.

Access to American Express Hotel Collection Benefits ($100 Value)

Book a prepaid stay of 2 nights or more with The Hotel Collection via AmexTravel.com and receive hotel benefits that include daily breakfast for 2, an upgraded room (when available), early check-in/late checkout (when available), and a $100 on-site amenity.

Car Rental Loss and Damage Waiver ($100 Value)

Reserve and pay for your entire car rental with your card, decline the agency’s CDW/LDW coverage, and receive secondary coverage for damage and theft. Secondary means that any other applicable insurance must be accessed first. You’ll also have access to purchase Premium Protection which is primary for a low price ($12.95 to $24.95) that covers the entire rental period.

If you were to rent a vehicle for just 1 week each year, decline a CDW/LDW coverage costing $20 per day and purchase Premium Protection instead, you could have primary coverage and save approximately $100 on that rental. Terms and conditions apply.

Shopping Protection Perks (Value Varies)

Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty (Value Varies)

Purchase an eligible item with your card and receive purchase protection for up to 120 days of coverage for damage or theft from the date of purchase.

An extended warranty is provided for items purchased with your card that have manufacturer warranties of 5 years or less. The warranty will be extended for up to 2 additional years.

Shopping Advantages

Uber Cash ($120 Value)

Add your Amex Gold card to your Uber account and receive $10 each month in Uber Cash deposited into your account, up to $120 each calendar year. Uber Cash can be used for Uber rides and Uber Eats in the U.S., and any Amex card can be used as payment.

Dining Statement Credits ($304 Value)

Each month, you could receive statement credits of up to $10, for a maximum of up to $120 in statement credits each year, for qualifying dining purchases. Eligible dining redemptions include Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Wine.com, Goldbelly, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.

Additionally, the most recent statement credits include a $100 annual Resy statement credit ($50 semi-annually), redeemable at any U.S. Resy restaurant and other eligible Resy purchases and an $84 Dunkin’ annual statement credit ($7/month), redeemable at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.

Amex Offers ($100+ Value)

Amex Offers can save you hundreds of dollars a year. Log in to your online card account and browse through up to 100 offers that can save you money or earn you more points when you make a purchase with the selected retailer or service provider.

No Foreign Transaction Fees ($30 Value)

If you make $1,000 in foreign transactions each year, you’ll save the 3% transaction fees, or $30 (rates & fees).

Bottom Line: For the right cardholder, the Amex Gold card can offer potentially hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in benefits. 

No Annual Fee ($325 Value)

American Express won’t charge the annual fee for eligible active-duty military members, but also for their spouse, children, and qualifying dependents. We’ll talk more about eligibility shortly, but those family members and dependents who may also qualify.

Qualification for Amex’s Active-Duty Military Benefits

The first step to receiving SCRA or MLA benefits with American Express is to review the qualifications. You’ll also need to verify your status and request benefits. Here’s how to get the process started.

• An active-duty member of any military branch of the U.S. Armed Forces
• Active-duty reserves
• National Guard active-duty for more than 30 consecutive days
• A commissioned officer of a PHS or NOAA
• In war or in military action, a U.S. citizen serving with the U.S. allied forces
• The spouse of an active-duty military member when there is joint credit extended

You can confirm your active-duty status via the MLA database, and also the status of your spouse or dependents. This is the same source American Express uses to confirm eligibility.

Once you’ve determined you qualify for SCRA or MLA American Express benefits, you can apply for the American Express card of your choice. Once approved for the card, you can request benefits.

How To Request Amex Military Benefits

After card approval, you’ll have several options for requesting benefits.

American Express makes it easy to request SRCA or MLA benefits. Once you’ve been approved for the Amex Gold card, for example, you’ll want to log in to your online account, select Account Services, either Credit Management or Payment & Credit Options, then SCRA Benefits.

You can also utilize these methods to request benefits.

• CALL 800-253-1720 or outside the U.S. call 336-393-1111 (collect)
• FAX the documents to 623-444-3000 along with your American Express card numbers
• MAIL to American Express, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, P.O. Box 981535, El Paso, TX 79998-1535

Allow several weeks for American Express to verify your eligibility and process your documents.

Bottom Line: Whether you’re looking for relief based on the SCRA or MLA, check the qualifications closely, verify your status, apply for the card you prefer, wait for card approval, then contact the card issuer to request the associated SCRA or MLA benefits. 

Everything Else You Need To Know

You’ll need good to excellent credit to qualify for the Amex Gold card.

Like most card issuers, American Express has limits on the maximum number of cards you can have at 1 time. You can hold up to 4 credit cards and 10 charge cards simultaneously, including both business and personal cards.

American Express, unlike many other card issuers, will forgo fees on business credit cards as well as personal cards for qualifying active-duty military.

In most cases, you will pay the annual fee after card approval and be reimbursed once American Express has verified your eligibility. However, it is possible your status could be verified prior to the annual fee showing up on your statement.

Additional Amex Card Recommendations for Active-Duty Military

American Express issues over 60 cards, many with high annual fees that have the potential to be exempt for active-duty military members. Here is a sampling of the cards we recommend for some of the best value to active-duty military members.

Platinum Card^® from American Express

Why We Like This Card for Active Military

• 5x Membership Rewards points on flights (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year) and prepaid hotels booked via AmexTravel.com
• Worldwide access to over 1,550 lounge properties, including Centurion Lounges
• Hotel and rental car program elite status and benefits
• Up to $200 airline incidentals statement credit
• Up to $300 digital entertainment statement credit, up to $25 each month
• Up to $400 Resy credit (up to $100 quarterly)
• Up to $600 statement credit and benefits at The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts (up to $300 semi-annually)
• Up to $100 per year in statement credits for Saks Fifth Avenue purchases; $50 credit January-June, $50 July-December
• Up to $300 lululemon credit (up to $75 quarterly)
• Up to $120 in Uber One credits each year
• $209 CLEAR^® statement credit
• Up to $120 application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
• Up to $155 each year in Walmart+ credits toward monthly membership
• Annual fee exemption (rates & fees)

These are just some of the benefits offered by the Amex Platinum card. As one of the best cards available for active military members, the Amex Platinum card features a long list of premium benefits.

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

Why We Like This Card for Active Military

• 5x Membership Rewards points for flights, prepaid hotels, and short-term rentals booked at AmexTravel.com
• 2x Membership Rewards points on purchases of $5,000 or more, and on select business purchases (up to $2,000,000 in purchases each calendar year)
• Worldwide lounge access to over 1,550 properties
• Up to $600 in statement credits for prepaid eligible stays via Amex Travel (up to $300 semi-annually) and benefits at The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts
• Up to $200 in statement credits for airline incidental purchases
• Receive up to $150 back on Dell purchases annually, and then receive an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more per calendar year
• Up to $120 in statement credits, $10 each month, for wireless service purchases
• Up to $120 application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
• Hotel and car rental loyalty program elite status and car rental benefits
• 35% rebate when using points to book eligible flights with a selected qualifying airline via AmexTravel.com
• Annual fee exemption (rates & fees)

If you have a side business and can make use of the benefits provided by the Amex Business Platinum card, you’ll want to know more about all the card’s benefits.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Why We Like This Card for Active Military

• The only hotel-branded card offering top elite status — Hilton Honors Diamond
• Annual free night reward certificate
• 14x Hilton Honors points at Hilton properties when paying with your card
• Up to $400 annual Hilton resort credit
• Up to $200 airline statement credit
• Annual fee exemption

The Hilton Aspire card is one of the best hotel loyalty program cards. Top-level elite status, a free hotel night each year, statement credits, and elevated earnings make the card an excellent choice for military members who stay at Hilton properties.

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

Why We Like This Card for Active Military

• Delta Reserve cardmembers receive 15 visits year to the Delta Sky Club when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
• Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each year
• Flight benefits such as a free checked bag and priority boarding
• Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip flight each year after renewal of your Card
• A 20% statement credit on inflight food and beverage purchases
• 3x SkyMiles on Delta purchases
• Faster path to Delta elite status by spending on the card
• Annual fee exemption (rates & fees)

Active-duty military members will appreciate having a free checked bag and access to the Delta Sky Club when flying on Delta. The welcome offer and companion certificate can also help secure flights for family members.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

Why We Like This Card for Active Military

• Free hotel night certificate worth up to 85,000 points each card anniversary
• Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy^® Platinum Elite status
• 6x Marriott Bonvoy points at Marriott properties
• 3x Marriott Bonvoy points at U.S. restaurants
• Priority Pass™ Select membership with access to over 1,400 properties worldwide (enrollment required)
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck reimbursement
• Annual fee exemption (rates & fees)

If Marriott is your brand of choice, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card can deliver valuable benefits such as elevated earnings, Marriott Bonvoy elite status, reward hotel nights, airport lounge access, and more.

Bottom Line: The best American Express cards for active-duty military members will be those that have the highest fees and largest collection of associated benefits. . 

Final Thoughts

If you can use the associated benefits any card has to offer without having to pay an annual fee, it makes sense to take advantage of the opportunity. It’s important to manage the card wisely, however, by paying the entire balance each statement period. Not doing so negates any benefits you may receive due to incurring interest charges.

American Express offers an excellent selection of cards that can provide valuable benefits to a military household. The best card for you specifically will be the one that matches your spending mix, has redemption options that make sense for you, and offers benefits that provide value for your situation.

For the purchase protection benefit of the Amex Gold card, this 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.

For the extended warranty benefit of the Amex Gold card, 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.