Best Credit Cards for Military and Veterans of 2026
The Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card is our top pick for Credit Cards for Military and Veterans of. 14.15%–18.00% Variable APR — dramatically lower than commercial bank rewards cards. For budget shoppers, the PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card offers solid value at a lower price.
Apply Now →At a Glance
| # | Card / Product | Award | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | APR Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card | Our Top Pick | $0 | 3x points at supermarkets, gas stations, transit, restaurants, and eligible food delivery; 1x on all other purchases | 14.15%–18.00% Variable (as of March 2026, based on U.S. Prime Rate) | Apply → |
| 2 | USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card | Also Excellent | $0 | 5% on combined gas station and military base purchases (first $3,000/year); 2% at U.S. supermarkets (first $3,000/year); 1% on all other purchases | 15.65%–27.65% Variable | Apply → |
| 3 | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Best Value | $795 ($495 effective after $300 travel credit; increased from $550 in 2025) | 10x Chase Travel hotels/car rentals; 5x Chase Travel flights; 3x dining and other travel; 1x everywhere else | 21.49%–28.49% Variable (verify at chase.com) | Apply → |
| 4 | PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card | Worth Considering | $0 | 5x points at gas stations; 3x at supermarkets; 3x at restaurants; 3x on cable and streaming; 1x on all other purchases | 17.99% (non-variable fixed rate) | Apply → |
USAA® Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card
“5% gas + military base purchases (first $3k/yr). 2% groceries (first $3k/yr). $0 annual fee. 0% 15mo BT. 15.65%–27.65% APR.”
What we like
- 5% cash back on combined gas station and military base purchases (first $3,000/year)
- 2% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (first $3,000/year)
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers and convenience checks (posted within 90 days)
Watch out for
- 5% and 2% categories each capped at $3,000/year — low ceiling for high spenders
- 1% on all other purchases
- USAA membership required (active duty, veterans, and eligible family members)
- 15.65%–27.65% Variable APR — higher range than Navy Federal
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
“$550 fee waived under MLA for active duty. $300 travel credit. 3x travel and dining. 21.24%–28.24% APR.”
What we like
- 1:1 to Hyatt, United, Southwest — strongest domestic travel transfer network
- 1.5 cents/point through Chase Travel (vs. 1.25 for Sapphire Preferred)
- Priority Pass Select with 2 free guests (Venture X now charges $35/guest)
- $2,700+ in claimed annual cardmember value through expanded credit suite (verify at chase.com)
Watch out for
- $795 annual fee — highest of any mainstream personal travel card; increased from $550 in 2025
- Effective fee $495 after $300 travel credit — $500 more than Venture X’s effective ~-$5
- Requires maximizing many credits to justify premium over Venture X
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card
“5x gas. 3x supermarkets, dining, streaming. $0 annual fee. Open to all with $5 deposit. Fixed 17.99% APR.”
What we like
- 5x points at gas stations — highest gas rate on any no-fee card
- 3x points at supermarkets, restaurants, and cable/streaming services
- No annual fee
- 17.99% non-variable APR — fixed rate, not tied to Prime Rate
- Open to everyone (join PenFed with a $5 savings deposit — no military service required)
Watch out for
- PenFed membership required (simple to open, takes 5 minutes)
- Points system, not direct cash back — redemption values vary
- No sign-up bonus currently offered
Rates as of April 8, 2026. Terms apply. Verify on issuer site.
Credit Cards for Military and Veterans of Buying Guide
Photo by DΛVΞ GΛRCIΛ / PexelsSCRA and MLA Protections Explained
SCRA (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act): Limits interest rates to 6% on accounts opened before active duty begins. To use SCRA protections, you must notify your card issuer in writing and provide deployment orders. This applies to all accounts already open when you activate.
MLA (Military Lending Act): Caps the Military Annual Percentage Rate (MAPR) at 36% on accounts opened during active duty. Under the MLA, many issuers automatically waive annual fees and eliminate foreign transaction fees for covered service members. Unlike SCRA, MLA applies automatically — no notification required. Active duty members and eligible dependents are covered.
Who is covered: Active duty service members (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force, National Guard on federal orders), their spouses, and qualifying dependents. Veterans and National Guard/Reserves not on active federal orders are generally not covered, but military-affiliated credit unions (USAA, Navy Federal, PenFed) extend their low APRs to all members regardless of duty status.
Best MLA strategy for active duty: Open a Chase Sapphire Reserve during active duty — Chase waives the $550 annual fee, making this $550-value card free. The card's $300 travel credit, Priority Pass lounge access, and 3x on travel and dining still apply. This is one of the most valuable financial moves available to active duty members.
Military credit union membership: USAA is open to active duty, veterans, and their families. Navy Federal Credit Union is open to active duty, veterans, DoD employees, and their families. PenFed is open to everyone (join with a $5 savings deposit). These institutions generally offer lower APRs than commercial banks on all products.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best credit card for military members and veterans?
Do credit card annual fees get waived for military?
What is the SCRA interest rate cap for military credit cards?
Can veterans join USAA or Navy Federal Credit Union?
What benefits do military credit cards offer beyond rewards?
How We Evaluate Financial Products
We compare financial products based on objective criteria: annual fees, APR ranges, rewards rates, sign-up bonuses, and key perks. We do not factor in issuer relationships or compensation when determining rankings. Products are ranked based on overall value for the target use case described on this page.
Rates and terms change frequently. We update these pages regularly, but always verify current rates directly on the issuer’s website before applying. APR ranges shown reflect the full possible range — your actual rate depends on your creditworthiness.
This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We compare products; we do not advise on which product is right for your personal financial situation. Read our full methodology →