The Best Military Credit Cards for Military Members and Families

As a military member or family, you're likely no stranger to financial stress. Military credit cards can provide a much-needed lifeline, offering rewards, benefits, and even help with debt consolidation. Some cards are specifically designed for military personnel, offering exclusive perks and discounts.

The Navy Federal Credit Union Platinum Card, for example, offers 2% cash back on all purchases, with no rotating categories or spending limits. This can be a game-changer for military families on a tight budget.

To be eligible for military credit cards, you must be on active duty orders for 30 days or more, which includes active duty, guard, and reservists. If you're a spouse of an active-duty military member, you may also be eligible if you share a joint line of credit with that person.

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protects military personnel and their families by limiting interest rates on credit card debts to 6% and preventing credit card issuers from reducing credit limits or canceling credit cards due to active-duty service. This protection applies to credit card accounts opened and balances accrued before active duty begins.

Here are the eligibility criteria for SCRA benefits:

You're eligible for SCRA benefits if you're on active duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard.

Active duty includes National Guard personnel called to active duty for more than 30 consecutive days for a national emergency declared by the president and supported by federal funds.

You're also eligible if you're a commissioned officer of the U.S. Public Health Service or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Additionally, U.S. citizens serving with the forces of a nation with which the U.S. is allied in the prosecution of a war or military action are eligible.

Your spouse is also eligible if you're an active-duty servicemember and you share a joint line of credit.

To be eligible, you must be actively enrolled in a branch of the U.S. military, and your spouse must share a joint line of credit with you.

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Here's a list of who qualifies for SCRA benefits:

Some banks, like Capital One, extend relief beyond the minimum requirements, so it's worth checking with your bank to see what they offer.

Veterans and their families can also enjoy exclusive benefits from credit card issuers. Many major credit card issuers waive annual fees for veterans.

While protections for interest rates are already in place through the Military Lending Act and Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, some credit card issuers offer additional benefits. The Platinum Card from American Express, for example, offers rewards such as transferring points to airline and hotel partners.

It's worth noting that not all benefits are publicly advertised, so it's a good idea to contact the issuer directly to inquire about what's available.

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Chase Sapphire Reserve is a top travel credit card that waives its $450 annual fee for US military and spouses, making it a great option for military service members.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a $300 annual travel credit, redeemable on any travel purchase, and 50,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in the first three months of opening the account.

One of the card's benefits is the automatic travel insurance on trips purchased with the card, including trip cancellation, delay, interruption, lost baggage, and auto rental collision.

If you're a military service member, you can also get the Chase Sapphire Preferred's $95 annual fee waived, but you can only hold one of these cards at a time.

Here's a quick summary of the benefits you can get with the Chase Sapphire Reserve:

Credit card companies offer deals to military personnel to comply with laws such as the MLA and SCRA.

Waiving all fees is easier for them to do than only waiving specific fees, which would still be factored into the Military Annual Percentage Rate or MAPR.

There's an exception in the MLA for "bona fide" annual fees on premium cards, giving credit card companies an out if they want to start charging servicemembers annual fees.

Servicemembers make up a small part of the population, allowing credit card companies to potentially "fly under the radar" for a while.

Knowledge of credit card benefits for US military personnel is still growing, but it's a niche market.

To be eligible for the American Express and Chase military fee waivers, you need to be on active duty orders for 30 days or more. This includes active duty, guard, and reservists.

You can claim the benefits by selecting "military" as your income source when applying for the cards. This will trigger an automatic or manual SCRA or MLA review of your account.

The credit card company will then compare your Social Security number to the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) database to verify your military service or dependent status.

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If you get charged an annual fee, you can call the Chase Military Hotline at 1-800-235-9978 or the American Express Military Hotline at 1-800-253-1720 to have it waived.

Here's a summary of the eligibility requirements:

Chase goes above and beyond the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) requirement by lowering the effective interest rate to 4% for Active Duty military members, 2% lower than SCRA requires.

The Hilton Honors Aspire Card is a top-notch option for hotel credit cards, offering a range of benefits that can be particularly valuable for military service members.

The annual fee of $450 is waived for US military personnel, making it an incredibly good deal for servicemembers who can take advantage of the benefits offered, including a free annual night, complimentary Diamond Status, and a 150,000 points welcome offer.

This card also offers 14X Hilton Honors points at Hilton properties, plus a $250 Hilton Resort Credit and a $250 airline fee credit.

Here are some of the key benefits of the Hilton Honors Aspire Card:

Navy Federal is a great option for military personnel, offering a range of benefits and perks. They have a dedicated customer service group available to provide assistance and information to servicemembers.

Navy Federal is a not-for-profit financial institution, but they offer many benefits that can be valuable to military personnel. They have a range of credit cards that offer rewards and benefits, including the American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Card.

This card offers a free annual night, no foreign transaction fees, and a huge sign-up bonus of 150,000 points. It also comes with complimentary Diamond Status, which is the highest elite status tier with Hilton.

Here are some other benefits offered by Navy Federal credit cards:

Navy Federal also offers a range of other credit cards that can be valuable to military personnel, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the American Express Gold Card. These cards offer a range of benefits and rewards, including travel insurance and purchase protection.

One of the standout features of some military credit cards is their interest rates, which can be as low as 4% while you're on active duty and for a year after.

Some card issuers will even go as far as to waive all fees, including annual fees and late fees. American Express cards, for example, will waive annual fees and late fees, while Capital One and Chase cards will waive all fees.

These cards also offer some excellent features across the board, such as 24/7 access to stateside member reps, no balance transfer or foreign transaction fees, and the ability to freeze and unfreeze your card.

Here are some of the special features offered by Navy Federal products:

If you're a military member or veteran, you're in luck because USAA offers a cashback rewards card that's specifically designed for you. The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express Card provides 5% cash back on gas purchases all year round, but with a $3,000 annual spending limit.

To get a USAA card, you'll need to have a USAA membership, which is open to active or former military members who were honorably discharged, as well as their family members and cadets/midshipmen. This is a great perk for those who qualify.

One of the best benefits of cashback credit cards for military service members is that they often have no annual fees on the best cards. This means you can enjoy the rewards without paying extra. You'll also find that commissaries and NEX/AAFES Gas Stations count as US gas stations when you're overseas.

The American Express Blue Cash Preferred is a great option for military service members, with a waived annual fee and a $200 welcome bonus after spending $1,000 in the first three months. You'll also get 6% cash back on US supermarkets, including the DECA Commissary, and 3% cash back on US gas stations and select US department stores.

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As a military member, you're eligible for some amazing perks. One of the main perks is a potentially low interest rate on your Chase card.

For those on active duty and for a year after, you might get as low as a 4% interest rate, according to Chase spokeswoman Alison Lanz.

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One of the standout features of Navy Federal products is the ability to access stateside member reps 24/7. This is a game-changer for military members and their families who may be stationed overseas or working irregular hours.

No balance transfer or foreign transaction fees are another perk of Navy Federal products. This can save you money on interest charges and foreign exchange fees when you use your card abroad.

You can also freeze and unfreeze your card with Navy Federal, giving you more control over your finances. This feature is especially useful if you're traveling or need to temporarily lock down your card for security reasons.

Navy Federal has a zero liability policy for unauthorized transactions, so you're protected if your card is stolen or compromised. This gives you peace of mind when using your card for purchases or online transactions.

Fraud notifications are another feature offered by Navy Federal. You'll be alerted if there are any suspicious transactions on your account, allowing you to take action quickly to prevent further losses.

Finally, Navy Federal offers access to your FICO credit score, giving you a clear picture of your credit health. This is a valuable tool for managing your finances and making smart credit decisions.

Some credit card issuers will waive annual fees for military personnel. American Express cards, for example, will waive annual fees.

Capital One and Chase cards will waive all fees, including annual fees. This can be a significant perk for those on a military salary.

Citi cards will not only waive all fees but also reduce APRs to 0% for balances accrued before active duty began. This can save a lot of money on interest payments.

Late fees can also be waived for military personnel. American Express cards, for instance, will waive late fees.

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As a military member, joining the SCRA membership can provide you with valuable financial benefits. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) is a federal law that protects military personnel from financial hardship.

There are two primary federal acts that protect military personnel: the Military Lending Act and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. These acts provide important protections for active-duty military members and their dependents.

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) specifically covers active-duty military members and their dependents, while the Military Lending Act covers active-duty military members and their dependents as well. However, the SCRA has more comprehensive coverage.

The SCRA caps interest rate charges, including late fees and other transaction fees, at 6%. This means that you won't be hit with excessive fees or interest rates on your existing debt.

Here's a breakdown of the two main federal acts that protect military personnel:

The SCRA also prohibits credit card issuers from reducing credit limits or canceling credit cards as a result of entering active-duty service. This means that your credit card will remain active and your credit limit will not be reduced.

If you're in the military, you're likely eligible for special credit card benefits. Certain credit card issuers waive annual fees and lower APRs for active duty military members. However, these benefits usually only apply to credit card accounts opened before active duty begins.

To make the most of these benefits, it's essential to compare different military credit cards. Some popular options include the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which offers 3X points on dining at restaurants.

When choosing a credit card, consider your spending habits and what benefits are most important to you. For example, if you travel frequently, the Chase Sapphire Reserve's 10X points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠ might be a great choice.

Here are some key features to consider when selecting a military credit card:

Remember to always review the terms and conditions of any credit card before applying.