Top Credit Cards for Military Members | CompareCards.com
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Top Credit Cards For Military Members

The best credit cards for military personnel provide unique rewards in recognition of their service. Because of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), active-duty military service members and their families are eligible to receive special benefits like reduced interest rates and $0 foreign transaction fees.

Some issuers even go beyond the call of duty when it comes to recognizing military service—for example, annual fees on Chase credit cards are waived for qualifying service members and their eligible dependents under SCRA guidelines. That gives them access to two of the best cards in the travel and dining space for zero annual fee.

Based on recommendations from our expert reviewers, these are our picks for the best cards for active-duty military service members and their families:

See offers from our partners below.



Our pick for 1:1 cash back match in your first year

Discover it® Cash Back
 

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on Discover's secure site

Rates & Fees
  • 0% Intro APR 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR.
  • Rewards Rate 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically
  • Sign-Up Bonus Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
  • Annual Fee $0
  • Credit Needed Excellent/Good
  • Card Brand Discover
  • 0% Intro APR 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then 17.24% - 28.24% Variable APR.
  • Rewards Rate 5% cash back at different places each quarter up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases - automatically
  • Sign-Up Bonus Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
  • Annual Fee $0
  • Credit Needed Excellent/Good
  • Card Brand Discover

Highlights

  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
  • Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
  • Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
  • Every $1 you earn in cash back is $1 you can redeem
  • Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. Then 17.24% to 28.24% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • No annual fee.
  • Terms and conditions apply.

See additional details for Discover it® Cash Back

USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card
 

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  • Intro BT APR 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers, then 12.15% to 29.15% variable regular APR
  • Eligibility Must be a USAA member, or become a member, to apply.
  • Rates & Fees $0 annual fee, no penalty APR & no foreign transaction fee
  • Annual Fee $0
  • Credit Needed Excellent/Good/Fair
  • Card Brand Visa®
  • Intro BT APR 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers, then 12.15% to 29.15% variable regular APR
  • Eligibility Must be a USAA member, or become a member, to apply.
  • Rates & Fees $0 annual fee, no penalty APR & no foreign transaction fee
  • Annual Fee $0
  • Credit Needed Excellent/Good/Fair
  • Card Brand Visa®

Highlights

  • Must be a USAA member, or become a member, to apply. USAA proudly offers membership to current and former military, as well as their spouses and dependents.
  • Intro Offer: Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers and convenience checks that post within 90 days of account opening. After this time, the variable regular APR of 12.15% to 29.15% will apply to introductory balances.
  • A fee of 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, cash advance and convenience check applies.
  • Take advantage of USAA's lowest interest rate card, whether you're making a purchase or transferring a balance.
  • Pay less in interest if you carry a balance from month to month.
  • Enjoy the same low variable regular APR on purchases, balance transfers, and cash advances.
  • No annual fee.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • See Rates and Fees for details.

See additional details for USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card

Our pick for best rideshare rewards

The Platinum Card® from American Express
 

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Rates & Fees

Terms Apply

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  • Welcome Offer Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Rewards Rate 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Terms apply.
  • Extra Perks $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
  • Annual Fee $695
  • Credit Needed Excellent/Good
  • Card Brand American Express
  • Welcome Offer Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Rewards Rate 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Terms apply.
  • Extra Perks $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
  • Annual Fee $695
  • Credit Needed Excellent/Good
  • Card Brand American Express

Highlights

  • Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
  • $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
  • $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
  • $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
  • Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card
 

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  • Rewards Rate 1.5% cash back on purchases
  • Eligibility Must be a USAA member, or become a member, to apply.
  • Intro APR 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months, then 17.15% - 31.15% variable regular APR
  • Annual Fee $0
  • Credit Needed Excellent/Good/Fair
  • Card Brand Visa®
  • Rewards Rate 1.5% cash back on purchases
  • Eligibility Must be a USAA member, or become a member, to apply.
  • Intro APR 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months, then 17.15% - 31.15% variable regular APR
  • Annual Fee $0
  • Credit Needed Excellent/Good/Fair
  • Card Brand Visa®

Highlights

  • Must be a USAA member, or become a member, to apply. USAA proudly offers membership to current and former military, as well as their spouses and dependents.
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases, no category restrictions, no caps on cash back.
  • Intro Offer: Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases. After this time, the variable regular APR of 17.15% to 31.15% will apply to these introductory balances.
  • A fee of 5% of the amount of each balance transfer, cash advance and convenience check applies.
  • No annual fee.
  • Cash back rewards never expire.
  • Redeem cash back your way, on your schedule.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • See Rates and Fees for details.

See additional details for Preferred Cash Rewards Credit Card

Our pick for 5x travel rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve®
 

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  • Sign-Up Bonus Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
  • Rewards Rate Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Extra Perks $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Annual Fee $550
  • Credit Needed Excellent
  • Card Brand Visa®
  • Sign-Up Bonus Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
  • Rewards Rate Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Extra Perks $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Annual Fee $550
  • Credit Needed Excellent
  • Card Brand Visa®

Highlights

  • Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
  • $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
  • 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
  • Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority PassTM Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
  • Member FDIC

See additional details for Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Our pick for best all-around travel rewards program

American Express® Gold Card
 

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Rates & Fees

Terms Apply

  • Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Rewards Rate Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), and 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. Terms apply.
  • Extra Perks $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
  • Annual Fee $250
  • Credit Needed Excellent/Good
  • Card Brand American Express
  • Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Rewards Rate Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X), and 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. Terms apply.
  • Extra Perks $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
  • Annual Fee $250
  • Credit Needed Excellent/Good
  • Card Brand American Express

Highlights

  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
  • Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
  • Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $250.
  • Terms Apply.

See additional details for American Express® Gold Card

*General Disclaimer: See the online credit card application for details about terms and conditions. We make every effort to maintain accurate information. However, all credit card information is presented without warranty. To confirm terms and conditions, click the "Apply Now" button and review info on the secure credit card terms page.

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