Credit cards for active-duty military

1. Chase — Best all-around balance

(Best overall fit)

• Fees: Eligible active-duty members can qualify for annual-fee waivers on premium rewards cards.
• Interest: Chase offers enhanced SCRA benefits, with qualifying pre-service balances potentially capped at 4% APR.
• Rewards: Sapphire cards offer travel rewards, transfer partners, and travel-related benefits.

Best for service members who want flexible travel points and valuable premium-card perks.www.nerdwallet.com+2

2. American Express — Best for premium travel rewards

• Fees: Qualifying pre-service accounts may receive SCRA fee relief, including annual membership fees. Don't assume the same waiver applies to new accounts opened during service without confirming eligibility.
• Interest: SCRA can cap eligible pre-service balances at 6%.
• Rewards: Platinum offers airport lounge access, hotel and airline benefits, and statement credits.

Best for frequent travelers who can use the card's credits and perks.www.nerdwallet.com+2

3. Navy Federal Credit Union — Best to investigate for lower APR

• Fees: Its Platinum card has no annual fee.
• Interest: Its Platinum card is designed around low interest rather than premium travel rewards; check the current rate you're offered.
• Rewards: Less focused on lucrative travel perks than premium Chase or Amex cards.

Best for carrying a balance, reducing interest costs, or keeping a straightforward card.www.nerdwallet.com+6

4. Capital One — Worth considering for existing accounts

• Fees: Strong SCRA benefits may apply to eligible pre-service accounts, including fee relief.
• Interest: Eligible pre-service credit card balances may qualify for a 4% rate.
• Rewards: Venture X offers travel rewards and lounge access, but confirm fee treatment before opening a new account while serving.

Best to investigate if you already held a Capital One card before entering active duty.www.nerdwallet.com+1

How the military protections compare

These APR benefits generally apply to qualifying obligations incurred before active duty, not every new purchase on a card opened during service. The federal SCRA cap is 6% on eligible pre-service debt; issuer-specific benefits can be more generous. The MLA generally limits the Military APR to 36% for covered borrowers but does not itself guarantee annual-fee waivers.www.nerdwallet.com+3

My recommendation

• For rewards and fee waivers: Start by comparing Chase Sapphire cards and eligible Amex cards.
• For low APR and debt payoff: Compare Navy Federal Platinum with the military benefits offered by Chase and Capital One.
• For premium travel: Consider Amex Platinum if you'll actually use its lounge access and statement credits.

One important caveat: a waived annual fee doesn't automatically make a card worthwhile. Rewards are most valuable when you pay your statement balance in full, and premium cards can become expensive after military benefits end.

For the official details, see Chase's military benefits page and American Express's SCRA and MLA guide.

One question to narrow it down

Have you already started active duty, or are you about to enter service?

That makes a significant difference in which issuer can give you the best combination of low APR, waived fees, and rewards.