Best Credit Cards for Air Force Academy Cadets with Military Benefits

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 and pay no annual fees.

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 waive annual fees 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 The Platinum Card^® from American Express and the American Express^® Gold Card and getting their annual fee waived.

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 annual fee waivers 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 annual fee waived cards. Now, it is much easier. If you are listed as a covered borrower in the MLA database, you will get your annual fees waived. 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 American Express Cards for USAFA Cadets

The Platinum Card^® from American Express
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site

• $695 annual fee*. Reduced to $0 with American Express special military protections
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
• 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 Annual Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. Note that The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card^® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Disney+, a Disney+ Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can get $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Enrollment required.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Use the dedicated CLEAR Lane to confirm your identity without taking out your passport or ID – this can mean shorter lines, less waiting. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card®.
• This is a MAJOR time saver–$120 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 PreCheck® 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.
• Lounge life! With American Express Global Lounge Collection®, eligible card members can enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally, including The Centurion® Lounge, Unlimited Delta Sky Club® Access when flying an eligible Delta flight, EscapeLounges, Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa Group, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass™ Select Lounges, & Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges subject to visit limitations. Lounges may have their own rules, like additional access rules and guest fees, and for Priority Pass Select, you need to enroll and there are unlimited airport lounge visits for Card Members. With Delta Sky Club Access, Card Members will receive 10 Visits to the Delta Sky Club to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card in a calendar year. To find a lounge, visit the membership section in the American Express® App or visit http://www.americanexpress.com/findalounge#/loungefinder.
• A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
• Up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit, enrollment required
• Global Dining Access by Resy gets you access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
• Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• No foreign transaction fees
• Enrollment is required for select benefits
• The Platinum Card^® from American Express – learn how to apply
• Read my full review of the Amex Platinum card for military, terms apply

American Express^® Gold Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
• 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year- includes OCONUS Commissaries
• 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
• 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
• 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees – great for the 4x on restaurants when traveling for fun, OCONUS TDY, or PCS!
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That's up to $120 Uber Cash annually! Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made at restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
• $84 Dunkin' Credit: You can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment required.
• $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. Enrollment required.
• Go explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
• Read my full review of the Amex Gold card for military, terms apply
• Enrollment is required for select benefits
• $325 Annual Fee* See more details about American Express protections for you and your spouse 

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

Chase Sapphire Reserve^® Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site

• $550 annual fee waived to $0 for US military + spouses with Chase MLA policy
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $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 through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.
• 3x Points on other Travel (airfare, hotels) after earning the $300 travel credit
• 3x Dining restaurants, takeouts, delivery
• Chase Ultimate Reward Points redeemed through Chase Travel℠ are worth 1.5 cents, a 50% bonus.
• Priority Pass lounge and restaurant access with over 1300+ airport lounges worldwide
• Up to $120 application fee credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS every 4 years
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Primary coverage with Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• No foreign transaction fees, Member FDIC
• Learn more in the Chase Sapphire Reserve review