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All information about the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature® Credit Card, Navy Federal Credit Union GO REWARDS® Credit Card was collected independently by Slickdeals and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
Active duty military members (and sometimes their dependents) can benefit from credit card programs that waive fees and extend low-interest offers. Many of these relief efforts are a result of federal law set in place through programs like the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and Military Lending Act. We go over the unique credit card perks offered by card issuers and give our top picks for the best credit cards for active-duty military personnel.
Unique Credit Card Perks for Servicemembers
Below are some of the incentives you should look for in a credit card if you’re an active military member:
- Waived fees: Costs like annual fees and late fees can put a damper on your budget and a credit card offer. The best military credit cards offer waived fees, which may include annual fees and late fees.
- Maximum APR cap: Card issuers may also cap interest rates on debt during active-duty military service.
Quick Tip
These are not automatic benefits. Cardholders must apply through the issuer to receive these benefits, including the waived fees and capped interest rates.
Best Credit Cards for Active-Duty Military
- Best for Flexible Travel Redemptions: Chase Sapphire Preferred®
- Best for High-Value Travel Points: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Best for Beginner Travelers: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Best for Premium Travel Perks & Credits: The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Best for Credit Union Fans: Navy Federal Credit Union GO REWARDS®
- Best for Uncomplicated Rewards: USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature® Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred®
- Our Rating 5/5 How our ratings work
- APR20.99% - 27.99% (Variable)
- Annual Fee$95
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Sign Up Bonus
60,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,380 (60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base)
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is one of the gold standards for earning travel rewards. It has a generous sign-up bonus and you can earn points on travel and dining expenses. The card does have an annual fee, but you can continue earning points through bonus categories and an anniversary points boost.
Overview
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is pretty flexible as it lets you transfer rewards points into miles or points several airlines and hotel programs. You can take advantage of strong transfer partners such as United, Southwest, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Hyatt. Similarly, you can book any reservation you want through the Chase Travel℠ portal. Although the card might not be ideal for the most frequent travelers, it has a built-in upgrade path, so when it’s time to level up your travel rewards game, you won’t have to start from scratch.
Pros
- Points are easily transferable to airlines and hotel partners
- Accelerated earnings on dining, travel & household purchases
- Excellent travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Not ideal for the highest spenders
- $95 annual fee
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the gold standards for earning travel rewards. This travel credit card helps users earn points quickly with accelerated rewards in everyday spending categories like travel and dining.
Cardholders enjoy perks like a $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, 10% anniversary point boost and access to the Chase Travel℠ portal.
New cardmembers can earn 60,000 bonus points after using their credit card to spend $4,000 within three months of account opening. This bonus is worth $750 in travel reservations booked through Chase Travel℠, but potentially more when transferred to airline and hotel partners. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card.
SCRA Benefits
- Waived $95 annual fee
- Interest rate cap on debt incurred while on active-duty service
- Available to active-duty servicemembers, members of the National Guard or Reserve on 30-day call and military spouses
Best for: Servicemembers who spend considerably on dining and want to earn valuable points toward travel.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work
- APR21.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
- Annual Fee$550
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Sign-Up Bonus
60,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,380 (60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base)
This card features an annual credit for travel purchases, which can offset the annual fee, plus bonus points when you sign up. You'll also get free access to tons of Priority Pass lounges and restaurant options around the world, along with access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge network.
Overview
If you’re looking to elevate your travel experience, look no further than the Chase Sapphire Reserve. When you first get approved, you’ll earn a generous sign-up bonus that can be used for travel-related spending booked through Chase Travel℠. Transfer the points to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners and they’re potentially worth even more.
Pros
- An array of premium travel perks including access to Priority Pass lounges
- Easy-to-use $300 travel credit that helps offset card's annual fee
- Generous rewards rates for spending
Cons
- High annual fee may be a deterrent for some
- Perks are starting to get stale relative to newer competition
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is among the top premium travel cards available. While this credit card comes with a hefty $550 annual fee, the Sapphire Reserve is packed with travel perks that more than make up for the expense.
Right off the bat, the Chase Sapphire Reserve features a $300 annual travel credit. You also get free access to more than 1,300 Priority Pass lounges and restaurant options in airports around the world. Those lounges usually give you free food and drinks, cleaner bathrooms, fast internet and a comfortable place to sit outside of the ruckus of an airport terminal.
New cardholders can also earn a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after they spend $4,000 during the first three months of account opening. This Chase Sapphire Reserve bonus is worth $900 in travel redemptions when booking through Chase Travel℠ — where each point is worth at least 1.5 cents. Read our full Chase Sapphire Reserve review.
SCRA Benefits
- Waived $550 annual fee
- Interest rate caps on debt incurred during active-duty status
- Available to active-duty servicemembers, members of the National Guard or Reserve on 30-day call and military spouses
Best for: Active-duty servicemembers who enjoy traveling comfortably, as it offers a number of luxury benefits like lounge access and valuable travel credits. This card is also part of the Chase trifecta, which can help you earn rewards faster.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a lot of value to beginner and expert travelers alike. This travel rewards credit card’s big upfront sign-up bonus and high ongoing rewards rate aren’t easy to beat, making it a solid option for a large audience.
You’ll also get a lot of flexibility when it comes time to redeem your travel rewards including access to booking travel through Capital One and a long list of transfer partners (both hotels and airlines). Similarly, with no foreign transaction fees (Rates & Fees), the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is ideal for people who regularly make international purchases.
Read our full review of the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
SCRA Benefits
- Servicemembers who opened a card prior to active duty may be eligible to have their $95 annual fee waived
- Late fees and balance transfer fees may be waived for qualifying active-duty military members
- APR cap on debt during active duty
Best for: Those who want a beginner travel card with simple rewards structure.
Related Article
Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Get the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work
- APRSee Pay Over Time APR
- Annual Fee$695
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Welcome Bonus
80,000Membership Rewards Points
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership Dollar Equivalent: $1,520 (80,000 Membership Rewards Points * .019 base)
Cardholders have access to credits for hotels, digital entertainment, Walmart+, airline fees and more. Those who can use enough credits can offset the hefty annual fee, but otherwise, the value may be out of reach. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Overview
The American Express Platinum Card isn’t a standout when it comes to rewards rates, but if you’re looking for a card that can elevate your travel experience and provide you with solid monthly lifestyle benefits, this one should be on your radar.
Pros
- An excellent card for premium travel and lifestyle perks
- Access to American Express Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Priority Pass lounges and more
- More than $1,500 in statement credits, from hotels, Uber, CLEAR, digital entertainment and more
- 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels
- Automatic Gold elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy hotel programs
Cons
- Very high annual fee
- "Use it or lose it" benefits, as statement credits don't roll over
- Long list of coupon-like perks may be hard to keep track of
The Platinum Card® from American Express has long been a symbol of extravagance and affluence. And with its high annual fee (see rates and fees), it's easy to see why. Yet, this premium card is more than just wallet candy—it offers cardholders a diverse lineup of statement credits and benefits that may negate the yearly cost for many people.
Platinum Card members look forward to a collection of rebates, including:
- $200 hotel credit: Prepaid bookings with select hotels (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay)
- $200 airline fee credit: Benefit can be applied to one selected airline
- $240 digital entertainment credit: $20 benefit per month on eligible streaming subscriptions
- $155 Walmart+ credit: Benefit covers monthly membership cost
- $200 Uber Cash: Receive $15 monthly credit plus bonus $20 in December, for U.S. Uber rideshares and Uber Eats
- $300 Equinox credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year when you use your Amex Platinum to pay for the Equinox+ digital fitness app or eligible Equinox club memberships
- $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit: $50 benefit between January and June and then again between July through December
- $189 CLEAR Plus credit: Benefit applies to annual membership
- Enrollment is required for select benefits and terms apply.
Some of these benefits will be more exciting than others, depending on the merchants and services you already use. Still, cardholders who can take full advantage of what The Platinum Card® from American Express offers will find outsized value for its yearly $695 fee (see rates and fees).
Keep in mind, with any benefit, terms and conditions apply. Read our full review of the Platinum Card.
SCRA Benefits
- Waived $695 annual fee
- Waived late payment, returned payment, and over-limit fees for qualifying active-duty military members
- Available to active military members, their spouses and child dependents
Best for: Frequent travelers who enjoy a touch of luxury during their journeys and those who want a card packed with perks and annual credits.
Navy Federal Credit Union GO REWARDS® Credit Card
The Navy Federal GO REWARDS® credit card is a solid choice for military households. Keep in mind that enrollment is restricted to members of the Navy Federal Credit Union, which is open only to active-duty military personnel, veterans, their families and affiliated organizations. What makes this card so appealing is that people with average credit scores can get it, and the rewards program is still competitive.
What’s more, if you've got a bank account with Navy Federal or if you're using their insurance policies or VA mortgage loans, this card can help simplify your financial picture. It provides a straightforward way to keep tabs on your spending and payments, all within a single financial institution. So, while managing the unique demands of military life, this card offers a way to keep your financial matters neat and rewarding.
Why We Like It:
With the Navy Federal GO REWARDS card, you won’t pay annual fees, balance transfer fees, cash advance fees or foreign transaction fees—which is a breath of fresh air. Plus, the competitive rewards on dining and gas are a nod to the everyday spending categories of servicemembers. Plus, you can redeem those rewards for cash, travel and gift cards.
Card Benefits
- 3X points at restaurants
- 2X points on gas
- 1X points on all other purchases
- Industry-leading low interest rates for military
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fees
- No cash advance fees
Best for: Military families with fair to average credit who want to earn credit card rewards without having to pay an annual fee. And with Navy Federal's discounted military APRs, you will pay less if you routinely carry a balance from month to month.
USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature® Credit Card
For military households that have a relationship with USAA's many military-only financial services, the USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature® Credit Card is a smart move. You'll have to be a member of USAA to apply for this card, and membership is limited to active servicemembers, veterans and their families. However, if approved, you will be able to earn points for all of your purchases without having to pay an annual fee. In addition, new cardholders can take advantage of a balance transfer offer and a special welcome bonus to further sweeten the deal.
Why We Like It:
The USAA Rewards Visa provides a simple rewards system for every purchase that can be redeemed for travel rewards, gift cards or cash. The absence of an annual fee, combined with travel insurance and purchase protections, makes it a cost-effective option for military families. And if you have insurance or a VA loan with USAA, this card helps keep track of spending while earning rewards that can be used to pay off debts.
Card Benefits
- 2X points on dining
- 2X points at gas stations
- 1X points on other purchases
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fee
Best for: Those in search of a no-nonsense rewards program without an annual fee. The simplicity and value of this card are both excellent.
FAQs
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Military personnel who are deployed overseas may use their credit card at retail locations that accept their credit card’s issuer. However, it’s wise to pay attention to foreign transaction fees you may incur and inform your card provider that you are traveling to avoid any declined charges due to suspicion.
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Yes, you can apply for a credit card while in the military. Military status neither hurts nor helps you get approved. Approval rests solely on your personal financial profile. However, some credit card companies offer better incentives exclusively for military members.
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American Express currently waives its annual fees for active military members across all of its cards, but note you need to apply for the benefit. To confirm your active duty status call their customer service line at 1-800-528-4800.
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Credit cards for military personnel perform just as credit cards for civilians do. While active military members reserve some exclusive benefits through federal law, all potential applicants must apply and have their credit profiles reviewed to gain approval.
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When selecting a credit card, consider your military lifestyle and a credit card that benefits your needs. These may include waived fees and capped maximum APRs, but may vary by issuer.
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The pros of a credit card for active military personnel are low interest caps, waived fees and special benefits designed for military members.
The biggest con, however, is that most of the best features expire with your active duty contract, including interest caps and waived fees.
Ryan Tronier
Ryan Tronier is a personal finance expert and writer. His work has been published on NBC, ABC, USATODAY, The Mortgage Reports, Yahoo Finance, MSN, and more. Ryan is the former managing editor of the finance website Sapling, as well as the former personal finance editor at Slickdeals. Find him online at ryantronier.com.
