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Best Military Credit Cards 2025: Chase Sapphire Reserve + Complete Fee Waiver Guide
July 1, 2025
Active-duty military members and their spouses have access to some of the most valuable credit card benefits available today. Thanks to federal laws like the Military Lending Act (MLA) and Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), military families can access premium credit cards with annual fees completely waived, saving thousands of dollars annually.
Military Credit Card Benefits: The Complete Overview
Federal Laws Protecting Military Members
Military Lending Act (MLA): Protects servicemembers for accounts opened while on active duty
- Applies to cards opened during military service
- Annual fees waived on qualifying cards
- Interest rate capped at 36% APR
Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA): Protects servicemembers for accounts opened before active duty
- Applies to cards opened before military service
- Interest rates reduced to 6% on pre-service debt
- Various fees waived during active duty
Who Qualifies for Military Credit Card Benefits?
Eligible Military Members:
- Active-duty Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force
- National Guard and Reservists on active orders of 30+ days
- Military spouses and dependents
- Public Health Service and NOAA Commissioned Officers
How to Check Eligibility:
- MLA Database: mla.dmdc.osd.mil
- SCRA Database: scra.dmdc.osd.mi
Best Credit Cards for Military Members
Chase Credit Cards (All Personal Cards Fee-Waived)
Chase Sapphire Reserve® ($795 → $0 for Military)
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "510", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "$300 Travel Credit"} ]]
- 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel credit
- $300 annual travel credit (pure value)
- 4x points on travel and dining
- Priority Pass lounge access (1,300+ lounges worldwide)
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit (up to $120 value)
- Primary rental car insurance
- No foreign transaction fees
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card ($95 → $0 for Military)
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "509", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Exceptional Travel Value"} ]]
- 75,000 bonus points after $5,000 spend
- 3x points on travel and dining
- $50 annual hotel credit
- DashPass benefit (free delivery)
- Primary rental car insurance
- 10% anniversary bonus on previous year's purchases
Other Fee-Waived Chase Cards:
All Southwest Airlines cards:
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2159", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Travel Benefits"} ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2161", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Reasonable Annual fee"} ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2162", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Excellent Card Choice"} ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2163", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Top Pick"} ]]
United Airlines cards:
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2410", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Top-Tier Card"} ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2892", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Fantastic Mid-Tier Choice"} ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2403", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Strong Contender"} ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2406", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Great Travel Card "} ]]
Marriott Bonvoy cards:
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1187", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Great Travel Card "} ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1188", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Significant Welcome Bonus"} ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2854", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Attractive Rewards and Benefits"} ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "502", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Excellent Travel Choice"} ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "833", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Disney Fans", "headerHint": "Disney Discounts and Perks"} ]]
American Express Military Benefits
The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees) ($695 → $0 for Military)
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "106", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Serious Points on Flights"} ]]
- As high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points
- $200 annual hotel credit (Fine Hotels + Resorts)
- $240 digital entertainment credit ($20/month)
- $200 Uber credits ($15/month + $20 December bonus)
- $200 airline fee credit
- $199 CLEAR credit
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
- Centurion Lounge access + Priority Pass
- 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines
American Express® Gold Card (Rates & Fees) ($250 → $0 for Military)
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "118", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Generous Travel Rewards"} ]]
- As high as 70,000 Membership Rewards points
- 4x points on restaurants and US supermarkets
- $200 annual restaurant credit (Resy restaurants)
- $20 monthly Uber credits
- No foreign transaction fees
Other Fee-Waived Amex Cards:
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "120", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Cash Back on Transit Purchases"} ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1189", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "High-End Travel Option"} ]]
- Delta cards
- Hilton cards
Capital One Military Benefits
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (Rates & Fees) ($395 → $0 for Military with SCRA)
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2888", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Luxurious Travel Benefits"} ]]
- 75,000 bonus miles after $4,000 spend
- $300 annual travel credit
- 10,000 anniversary bonus miles
- 2x miles on every purchase
- Priority Pass lounge access
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
Important Note: Capital One only waives fees under SCRA (accounts opened before active duty), not MLA (accounts opened during active duty).
Other Military-Friendly Issuers
Citi Personal Cards (All Fee-Waived)
- Citi Strata Premier® Card (Rates & Fees) ($95 → $0)
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "7783", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Robust Rewards Program"} ]]
- AAdvantage cards
U.S. Bank Cards (All Fee-Waived)
- U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite ($400 → $0)
Military Credit Card Strategy Guide
The Military Advantage
Military members have unique advantages in the credit card game:
- Premium cards at no cost (save $1,000+ annually in fees)
- Stable income for credit applications
- Frequent travel to maximize travel rewards
- Extended benefits (often continue 1-2 years after separation)
Recommended Military Credit Card Stack
Tier 1: Essential Cards
- Chase Sapphire Reserve (for travel and dining)
- Amex Platinum (for flights and lounge access)
- Chase Freedom Unlimited (for everyday spending)
Tier 2: Category Maximizers
- Amex Gold (for restaurants and groceries) 2
- Hotel co-branded card (for status and free nights)
- Airline co-branded card (for specific airline benefits)
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred for Military
Since both have waived annual fees, the choice depends on your spending:
Choose Sapphire Reserve if:
- You value airport lounge access
- You travel frequently (utilize $300 credit)
- You want premium travel insurance
- You dine out regularly (4x vs 3x points)
Choose Sapphire Preferred if:
- You prefer a higher welcome bonus (when available)
- You want to upgrade later (earn both bonuses)
- You're new to premium cards
Pro Strategy: Get Preferred first if it has a higher welcome bonus, then upgrade to Reserve after one year to maximize both bonuses
Military Credit Card FAQs
Q: Do business cards qualify for military benefits?
Only Chase waives business card fees under SCRA (not MLA). American Express and other issuers typically only waive personal card fees.
Q: What happens when I separate from the military?
Benefits typically continue for 1-2 years after separation, depending on the issuer. Some members report keeping benefits longer.
Q: Can I get multiple cards from the same issuer?
Yes! Military members can often get multiple Chase Sapphire cards by upgrading other Chase cards after one year.
Q: Do I need to notify the credit card company?
No enrollment required for MLA benefits. For SCRA benefits, you may need to provide orders and apply for benefits.
Maximizing Military Credit Card Value
Pro Tips for Military Members
- Apply strategically - Get cards with the highest welcome bonuses first
- Time your applications - Apply before deployment to maximize first-year benefits
- Use military address - Ensures MLA benefits are properly applied
- Keep cards open - Benefits may continue post-separation
- Stack with other tools - Use apps like Kudos to maximize rewards earning
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don't close cards when you separate (benefits may continue)
- Don't assume all issuers are the same (policies vary significantly)
- Don't forget to use credits (travel credits, dining credits, etc.)
- Don't overlook business cards (especially Chase under SCRA)
Bottom Line: Military Credit Cards Are a Game-Changer
Military members have access to some of the most valuable credit card benefits available. With annual fees waived on premium cards, servicemembers can access:
- $1,000+ in annual fee savings across multiple cards
- Premium travel benefits (lounge access, travel credits, insurance)
- Excellent earning rates on travel and dining
- Welcome bonuses worth $1,000+ in travel value
The combination of fee waivers and premium benefits makes military credit cards one of the best financial benefits of military service.
Ready to maximize your military credit card benefits? Not sure which cards are right for your spending? Our free Dream Wallet tool analyzes your spending to show you exactly which cards would provide the most value based on your lifestyle.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
