Strategy
Best Credit Cards for Military Members & Veterans in 2026
Active duty, veterans, and military families get exclusive perks: waived fees, lower APR, and dedicated cards from USAA, Navy Federal, and Amex.
CardCompare TeamFebruary 1, 2026Updated Mar 20268 min read
Military members and veterans have access to some of the best credit card deals in the country — including annual fee waivers on premium cards, ultra-low APR from military credit unions, and exclusive cards designed for the military lifestyle.
Annual Fee Waivers Under SCRA/MLA
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and Military Lending Act (MLA) require credit card issuers to waive annual fees and cap interest rates at 6% for active-duty service members. This means:
- Amex Platinum ($700/yr fee) → $0 for active duty. All Amex credits still apply.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550/yr fee) → $0 for active duty
- Capital One Venture X ($395/yr fee) → $0 for active duty
- Interest rates capped at 6% APR on pre-service debt and 4% on new debt (MLA)
- No late fees, over-limit fees, or penalty rates for covered accounts
The Best Military Card Hack
Apply for the Amex Platinum, then request SCRA benefits. You get all $1,700+ in annual credits, Centurion Lounge access, 5x flights, and Fine Hotels & Resorts — all for $0. This is arguably the best value in all of credit cards.
Best Military Credit Union Cards
Best credit union cards for military members
Navy Federal and USAA consistently offer the lowest APR ranges in the industry (often 12-18% vs. 22-29% at major banks), plus unique perks like no foreign transaction fees and military base purchase bonuses.
Best Premium Cards (With SCRA Waivers)
Premium cards that become free under SCRA
Key Benefits
Flights (direct)5x
Flights (Amex Travel)5x
Hotels (Amex Travel)5x
Everything else1x
$695/yr$800 bonusNo FTF
Who Qualifies?
- SCRA: Active-duty military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force), activated National Guard and Reserves
- MLA: Same as SCRA plus dependents of active-duty members
- USAA membership: Active/retired military, cadets, midshipmen, and their families
- Navy Federal: Active duty, DoD civilians, veterans, and family members
- PenFed: Open to everyone (but historically a military credit union)
Important
SCRA benefits apply to debts incurred BEFORE active duty status (existing cards). For new cards opened while on active duty, the MLA provides different but still valuable protections. Contact each issuer directly to apply for military benefits.
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