Military Money Manual has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products and may receive a commission from card issuers. This site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. Some or all of the cards that appear on this site are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. This site does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. All information about the American Express Green Card, Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card, and the Chase Freedom Flex has been collected independently by Military Money Manual. These cards are no longer available through CardRatings.com. Thank you for supporting my independent, veteran owned site.
U.S. Air Force Academy cadets stationed in Colorado Springs, Colorado are eligible for Military Lending Act benefits on credit card from American Express, Chase, Citi, and U.S. Bank. That means cadets can get the best travel rewards cards.
Cadets at U.S. military academies are on active duty, Title 10 orders. However, there was an issue with the MLA database where military academy cadets and midshipmen did not show as covered borrowers.
The banks and credit card companies did not offer protections for the cadets and midshipmen until recently. That issue has now been corrected.
MLA Database Fixed in 2022
In February 2022, that MLA database issue was fixed. Military academy cadets and midshipmen are now eligible for MLA benefits.
I have received multiple data points of Academy cadets opening and benefiting from special protections on the American Express Platinum Card® and the American Express® Gold Card.
These two Amex cards, plus the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, are perfect for cadets in their final year before they go on their 60 days of leave after graduating.
You can use your points and miles to travel around Europe, use airport lounges, get free flights, free hotel stays, and set yourself up for financial success before starting your job in the “real Air Force.”
Before the Military Lending Act was implemented in 2017 on credit card products, many Academy cadets were able to open cards and get military protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act or SCRA.
There was a brief gap between when the MLA was implemented in 2017 and the MLA database was updated in 2022 where it was more difficult for cadets to get military protections on cards. Now, it is much easier. If you are listed as a covered borrower in the MLA database, you will get the military protections. It's that simple.
To maximize your military credit card benefits, I recommend you start by taking my 100% free Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course. Then, verify you are listed a covered borrower in the MLA database. Finally, check out the best credit card welcome offers and the best credit cards for military servicemembers articles.
After 10 years of active duty service as an Air Force officer, I wrote a book on achieving financial independence in the military. You can pick it up on my site or on Amazon in audiobook, ebook, hardcover, or soon in paperback. If you want to maximize your military money, check out The Military Money Manual: A Practical Guide to Financial Freedom.
Best Chase Cards for USAFA Cadets
Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site
- Earn $200 cash back (20,000 Ultimate Reward points) when you spend $500 in 3 months
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through the Chase Travel℠ portal
- 3% on dining at restaurants, takeout, and delivery
- 3% back on drugstore purchases
- 1% back on all other purchases
- 5% on up to $1,500 of purchases in specific bonus categories each quarter
- No annual fee
- Compare the Chase Freedom Flex vs. Chase Freedom Unlimited
card_name
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site
- $795 annual fee adjusted with Chase policy
- bonus_miles_full
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠ including The Edit℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
- Get a $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Live the lounge life at over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests.
- Up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years which saves you a ton of time
- Up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Complimentary Apple TV+ and Apple Music. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 – a value of $250 annually
- Member FDIC
- Learn more in the Chase Sapphire Reserve review