16,272 grads of the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course already know why
The Platinum Card® from American Express is my #1 recommended card
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The best credit card offers this month for US military servicemembers and military spouses are listed below.
Credit card companies and banks are excited for you to open accounts and use their cards. Some banks have card with “welcome bonus offers” where you can earn lots of points after meeting minimum spend in a certain amount of time.
Welcome bonuses can be ridiculously high, often surpassing $1,000 of value for one card.
For military servicemembers and spouses, the benefits are even greater since annual fees are waived on Chase personal cards. Check out this article for a description of American Express benefits for you and your spouse.
To be crystal clear: Chase waives annual fees all “covered borrowers” the Military Lending Act or MLA. Covered borrowers include:
- Active duty servicemembers in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Marines, Coast Guard
- Reservists and Guardsmen on 30 day or greater active orders
- Military spouses listed as dependents in DEERS and the MLA Database
Here's a list of credit cards that waive annual fees for military, the best credit cards for military, and the 30+ credit cards I personally carry.
A married couple with one member in the military can double dip on annual fee waived cards. Each person can get their own card and get their fee waived. Not just authorized users, but their own actual account.
You can earn free hotel stays, almost free* air travel (*just paying taxes and fees, usually under $50), business or first class upgrades, airline fee reimbursement, monthly Uber or UberEats credits, free Centurion and Priority pass airport lounge access, and the list goes on.
My wife and I have earned over 7 million points over the past 8 years without paying a dime in interest or fees.
Thanks to military annual fee waivers, the outstanding travel, hotel, and airline benefits of the best credit cards are unlocked for military personnel and their families.
Learn more about how servicemembers and their spouses can get their annual fees waived cards in my free course – the Ultimate Military Credit Cards Course.
In this post:
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site
- $695 annual fee. See more details about military protections for you and your spouse
- 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 points on airfare booked directly with airline or on amextravel.com up to $500,000 per calendar year
- Earn 5x points on prepaid hotels at amextravel.com
- $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: Explore your local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings! Download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at 1 qualifying airline
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- 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.
- Complimentary access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection® lets you visit more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting. You can love the lounge life with more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.
- Up to $100 annual Saks Fifth Avenue credit, enrollment required
- 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 – Best Ever Bonus
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 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. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $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
I recommend US military servicemembers open up a Chase Sapphire Preferred first to earn the larger welcome bonus and then upgrade to a Chase Sapphire Reserve after 1 year, primarily for the $300 annual travel credit. Learn more about the best Sapphire Preferred and Reserve strategy for military servicemembers in this article.
You can upgrade the Amex Gold card to another Amex Platinum after 1 year of card membership. This gives you an additional $200/year of Uber/UberEats credits and $200/year of airline fee credits or gift cards. My wife and I have 8 Platinum cards between us.
Compare the Amex Platinum vs Amex Gold card and you'll see the Gold card is a much better daily driver card. Military servicemembers should get both as the cards are complimentary.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
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 $4,000 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 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
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3x points on dining (includes takeout, delivery, and dine-in), select streaming services and online groceries
- 2x on all other travel purchases
- 1x on all other purchases
- $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠ . Example- 60,000 points would be worth $750 toward travel.
- No foreign transaction fees, great for overseas OCONUS assignments, TDY, and PCS
- Primary rental car insurance coverage & trip cancellation/interruption insurance, and more.
- DashPass access is complimentary which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2027.
- Upgrade to a Chase Sapphire Reserve after 1 year (compare Reserve vs Preferred)
- $95 annual fee waived for military and spouses with Chase Military Lending Act
- Member FDIC
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Card
Learn how to apply at our partner's secure site
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
- $300 annual travel credit for hotels, airfare, rental cars, and other travel booked through Capital One Travel portal
- 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary (at least $100 of travel)
- 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. 5 Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
- Complimentary access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and the Partner Lounge Network
- Receive up to a $120 credit for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
- Up to 4 free authorized users (with Capital One Lounge access)
- $395 annual fee, terms apply
- No foreign transaction fees, good for OCONUS military families or TDY servicemembers
- $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- Read the full Capital One Venture X Rewards card review
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Card – learn how to apply
Compare the Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Chase Sapphire Preferred.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site
- $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95* See more details about American Express protections for you and your spouse
- Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- 6% cash back on US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year (then 1%), including most OCONUS Commissaries
- 6% cash back on select US streaming services, including Apple Music, Netflix, Pandora, Spotify, Amazon Prime Video (full list here)
- 3% cash back on transit like taxis, Uber, Lyft, parking, tolls, trains, buses, etc
- 3% cash back on US gas stations (including OCONUS NEX or AAFES)
- 1% back on other eligible purchases
- Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout.
- Get $84 Disney Bundle Credit! With your enrolled Blue Cash Preferred Card, spend $9.99 or more each month on an auto-renewing Disney Bundle subscription, to receive a monthly statement credit of $7. Valid only at Disney Plus.com, Hulu.com or Plus.espn.com in the U.S.
- 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.
- Terms Apply, Enrollment is required for select benefits
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site
- Earn a $200 statement credit after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
- No Annual Fee.
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1% after that.
- 3% Cash Back on U.S. online retail purchases, on up to $6,000 per year, then 1% after
- 3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations, on up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%.
- Get $7 back each month in the form of a statement credit after you spend $9.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription (subject to auto renewal) with your Blue Cash Everyday® Card. Enrollment required.
- Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply
- Compare to the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express with 6% cash back at US supermarkets up to $6,000 per year
Capital One Spark Cash Plus Card
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Capital One Spark Cash Plus
Learn how to apply at our partner's secure site
- Earn $2,000 a one-time cash bonus once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months
- Earn an additional $2,000 cash bonus for every $500K spent during the first year.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase, everywhere- with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- The Spark Cash Plus card has no preset spending limit, so it can adapt to your needs based on your spending behavior, payment history, credit profile and other factors
- Earn rewards from your team's transactions with free employee and virtual cards. You can also automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Rewards won't expire for the life of the account, and you can redeem your cash back for any amount
- $150 annual fee- Spend $150,000 annually and Capital One will refund this fee every year
- Spark Cash Plus has no APR because your balance is due in full every month
Read the full Capital One Spark Cash Plus review.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site
- Earn 90,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
- Can be worth $1,350 in travel if transferred to Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Get more out of your points. Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
- Earn 3X points on travel, shipping purchases, Internet, cable and phone services, and online advertising purchases up to $150,000 per year
- Zero Liability ensure that you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Worry less with Purchase Protection that covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account
- NO Foreign Transaction fees
- $95 annual fee
Compare the Chase Ink Business Preferred® vs Ink Business Cash® credit card. or see all the Chase Ink Business Cards.
American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Card
American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site
- $550 annual fee *See more details about American Express protections for you and your spouse
- Complimentary Diamond Status at all Hilton brands (suite upgrades, breakfast, check in gifts, etc)
- 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points welcome offer after $6,000 of eligible purchases in the first 6 months offers
- 1 weekend night reward after opening your account and every year on renewal
- $400 Hilton Resort Credit – $200 each semi-annual period
- $200 airline fee credit – Earn up to $50 statement credit each quarter
- $189 Clear Credit
- 14x Hilton Honors Bonus Points at Hilton properties
- No foreign transaction fees
- The information and associated card details on this page for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Military Money Manual and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
- Full review of Amex Aspire card, terms apply
- All information about American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Card has been collected independently by MilitaryMoneymanual.com
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site
- $650 Annual Fee* See details about American Express protections for you and your spouse
- Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
- Upgrade and enhance your views when available at select properties with Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, when booked with a Qualifying Rate.
- Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® program.
- 3X Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.
- 2X Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.
- Enjoy a night away when you receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Free night can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. (Certain hotels have resort fees)
- Get rewarded each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Select one Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
- Elevate your stay when you receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
- Save time traveling with either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. (Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express.)
- Lounge Access! Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. Escape the busy airport and enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
- Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
- Terms Apply, Enrollment is required for select benefits
You can earn up to 250,000 Marriott points with the 3 new Marriott Bonvoy cards from Chase and American Express. All 3 cards have protections for you and spouse. Compare the best hotel credit cards for military servicemembers here.
Citi® Strata Premier Card
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site
- Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou(R) Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- 70,000 points are redeemable for $700 in gift cards at thankyou.com
- Earn 10 points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions through CitiTravel.com
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent at at restaurants and supermarkets
- Earn 3 points per $1 spent on Gas Stations, Air Travel, and Hotels
- 1 point per $1 on everything else
- $100 Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
- No foreign transaction fees
- $95 annual fee waived for military with Citi military policy
More details on the Citi MLA waiver here.
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site
- $99 annual fee waived for US military according to Chase MLA policy
- Earn 140,000 Bonus Points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy a Reward Night after each account anniversary year at eligible IHG hotels worldwide. Plus, enjoy a fourth reward night free when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG® hotel stay.
- Earn up to 26 total points per $1 spent when you stay at an IHG hotel
- Earn 5 points per $1 spent on purchases on travel, gas stations, and restaurants. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Automatic Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier cardmember
- Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 ($120 starting 10/1/24) every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
- IHG Rewards bonus points are redeemable at hotels such as InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Kimpton®, EVEN® Hotels, Indigo® Hotels & Holiday Inn®
- No foreign transaction fees – essential for international travel
Read the full review to learn more about the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card.
The World of Hyatt Credit Card from Chase
The World of Hyatt Credit Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site
- Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
- Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent
- Hyatt rooms start at just 5000 points, so you could earn 6 nights with just the welcome bonus
- 1 free night at any category 1-4 Hyatt hotel every year you keep the card open
- Earn ANOTHER free night at category 1-4 hotel when you spend $15,000 on the card in a year
- Cardholders get World of Hyatt Discoverist status (Level 2/4) just for having the card, as long as the account is open
- $95 Annual fee waived for US military personnel and spouses with Chase MLA policy
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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site
Annual Fee: $650 per year* *see more details on American Express protections for you and spouse
Welcome Bonus: Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- This is my top recommended Amex Delta card for military
- Enjoy the lounge life with complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club when you fly Delta. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.
- When you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card you'll get complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge.
- Don't want to roam the terminal while you wait? Receive four Delta Sky Club® One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly Delta so you can share the experience with family and friends.
- Want status? Earn $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year to get closer to Higher Status with MQD Headstart.
- You can earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year giving you a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
- Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for round-trip domestic flights and no more than $250 for round-trip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- Need a ride? Enjoy $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Save 15% on travel as a Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express member by booking Award Travel using miles on Delta flights through Delta.com and the Fly Delta app! Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Increase your chance for a better seat with your Card. Receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion level and fare class.
- Get on the upgrade list! Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
- 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
- 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Terms Apply, Enrollment is required for select benefits
You can earn the coveted Amex Delta Reserve card companion pass, unlocking a buy 1 get 1 round-trip US domestic first class ticket annually with the American Express Delta Reserve card. Learn how to apply for this card here.
Learn more about the Amex Delta cards for military servicemembers.
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site
- Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
- 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent at office supply stores, internet, cable, phone services
- 2% cash back on on the first $25,000 spent at restaurants and gas stations
- 1% cash back on everything else
- Member FDIC
- No annual fee
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases made for your business
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- Member FDIC
- NO ANNUAL FEE
Chase Freedom Flex
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
Compare the Chase Freedom Flex vs the Chase Freedom Unlimited.
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site
- INTRO OFFER: Earn an extra 1.5% on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) — worth up to $300 cash back. That's 6.5% on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 4.5% on dining and drugstores, and 3% on all other purchases.
- Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, the premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year).
- After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open
- No annual fee
- Compare the Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Chase Freedom Flex
- Member FDIC
Updates to this offers page, all offers below may be expired and no longer available.
- December 2024 multiple updates
- August 2023: lots of updates to offers
- Added Capital One Venture X November 2021
- Amex Platinum updated offer July 2021
- Chase Sapphire Preferred 100k offer updated 6 June 2021
- Chase Sapphire Preferred 80k offer added 15 Sep 2020
- Updated various offers March 2020
- Added Capital One cards
- Updated AMEX Delta offers 4 July 2019
- Removed Chase Southwest cards offering 60k 11 June 2019
- Removed Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Mastercard 8 June 2019
- Removed Capital One Savor 19 May 19
- Added Southwest cards offering 60,000 points on all cards 2 May 19
- Added Chase Sapphire Preferred 60k Bonus 19 March 19
- Added AMEX Delta LTOs 2 Mar 19
- Added Marriott Bonvoy Chase and AMEX Offers 2 Mar 19
- Removed limited time Southwest Companion pass offer 12 Feb 19
- Added Southwest Companion Pass deal 11 Jan 19
- Added Capital One Savor card 10 Jan 19
- Added Barclaycard Arrival Plus World Mastercard 3 Dec 18
Hello sir,
Just wanted to say thanks for all the advice. Started the credit card game 2 years ago and my wife and I have around 50 cards. We have every banks premium card(multiples of some) and have received a ton of subs. We rarely pay for travel which is insane and frees up a lot of money. Really helps as an enlisted member. We’ll be pcsing to Hawaii next year so the cards will make it very enjoyable. Once again thanks for all the advice!
P.S.
Any predictions for the rumored Citi Strata Elite?
Spencer,
What credit card would you recommend for daily use OVERSEAS? Specifically, Korea.
We are PCS’ing this summer and planning what cards would be best when we can’t rely on cards that’s specify “U.S. Supermarkets” to build daily points (understanding that the commissary qualifies).
My wife and I both have AMEX Platinum & Gold Cards.
If we branch out to the family of Chase credit cards, which card do you recommend starting with as a daily driver to build points.
Thanks
Chase Sapphire Reserve
I have been following you for a few months now and wanted to say I love the way you break this stuff down. I bought your book and enjoyed that as well. I already have a Gold and Platinum card under my ssn with my wife being an additional user on both. My wife recently received a 90K bonus offer to open her own gold card, which we just did, because it was higher than the 70k (10k-60k) we would get for the referral. Is there a benefit to adding myself as an additional user and getting another card?
Thanks for the kind words, I’m glad you are benefiting from my work :)
No benefit to the additional user. She should open all her own accounts so you can get her accounts with full benefits, full welcome bonuses, and fee waived. Enjoy!
Hi Spencer!
Just started getting through the course and I’ve already have learned a ton! I was wondering what happens to the MLA and SCRA benefits once exiting from military service?
Is your strategy to just combine downgrading/canceling to not have to take on all the annual fees?
Thanks!
Most people report that fees continue to be waived for several months or years. That’s been my experience since I separated. Here’s my strategy for cards when I leave the military.
Hi! Was wondering if Amex Platinum lets you share your points with your spouse? Example he has a platinum and I’ll be applying for a platinum, but would like to pool our points together to splurge on a vacation.
You cannot pool points between Amex accounts. You can pool points between Chase accounts.
However, you could use your points to book the flights and his points to book the hotel or resort. You can also use your points to book things for him and vice versa. Lots of flexibility built into the system, but you and your husband cannot transfer Amex points to each other.
In a pinch (it’s not a very efficient use of Amex points), you could cash out the Amex points through the Charles Schwab Amex Platinum.
Hey Spencer, graduated from your course a couple months back, but I aready had my platinum at the time. Currently working on a schwab platty sub, and I should still meet the chase 5/24 for 2-3 cards, but i am hesitant on jumping into the chase eco system since I already have my wife and myself in the amex ecosystem.
Is it too late? Or should I just continue working on getting multiple platinums and then move into airlines/hotels, currently with 2 todlers so I dont really see us traveling too much.
Thank you for your input!
Don’t ignore Chase! The Chase Sapphire Reserve especially is worth it. Once you max out your 5/24, you can come back to Amex.
Do you recommend getting the Freedom cards first or just jumping straight into the CSR and Chase airline cards?
Hi Spencer,
Thank you so much for all this awesome information! My husband is on active duty and we did not know that I can get the Amex fee waived as well, and he first added me as an authorized user on his card. Then I got my own Amex card after all the information we learned from your post. Do you suggest I close the authorized account under my husband or keep it open? I am currently trying to apply for another AMEX card but got in the pop window jail. I am thinking maybe it is because I never used the authorized account, and maybe closing it would help. But not sure how would it affect my credit score or the credit history with AMEX. Would love to hear your suggestion. Thanks so much!
I would recommend closing the authorized account under your husband’s account just to simplify things. You’re not really getting any extra benefits for an additional authorized user account that you can’t get with your own Amex Platinum account.
There is no rhyme or reason to the Amex pop up jail. Closing your authorized user card probably won’t affect your time in jail positively or negatively.
Closing the authorized user account will probably not affect your credit score or credit history very much, especially since you already have an established account with Amex and I assume you are making your payments on time.
Got it. Thanks for the response, Spenser! I will close my authorized account then. And I think I was in AMex pop-up jail because I recently changed my address as we are PCSing. Contacted customer service and sorted it out.
Hello and thank you Spencer, I am new to the credit card family and financial tips building up my credit. I’m super happy to find this page thank you !
I recently got approved for a USAA Amex card but I found your page after doing so (like a day after) still haven’t gotten my card yet. In reading your course information, I am wondering if it’s best to apply for the Platinum or the Gold or not at all? I heard getting a Platinum is harder. Just wonder what the best financial move would be ?
Why not both? And then don’t stop there! I’m assuming you’re active duty. I’d work way through my best credit cards for military. Make sure you can meet the minimum spend to earn the welcome bonuses.
Hey Spencer, I got a question regarding SCRA benefits. I will soon obtain the status of Dependa and was wondering if my amex cards (that were opened before my spouse’s soon to be active duty start date) will have their fees waived. These cards were opened between 2020-2022 while I was active duty. I’ve gotten letters in the mail stating I’m no longer in the system and will be charged the fees, this hasn’t happened yet even though the specified dates have passed. I suspect I will get hit with the fees this month after my 1 year ets anniversary. I know if I open a card while she’s in it’ll get waived but I am unsure about cards opened prior to her ssoon-to-beactive duty start date. I’ve done a lot of research and asked military forums and have received mixed answers. I greatly appreciate any information you can provide.
So you were on active duty, now you’re off active duty, but your spouse is going active duty so you will be a covered borrower under MLA.
Tricky. I would recommend pulling a copy of your MLA database report once you are back in it. Because the credit line was established when you were active duty and you are now a covered borrower again, you should be eligible for benefits. But Amex might not understand what happened or have a process in place for this.
I would apply for both SCRA and MLA benefits through the Amex servicemember footer link once your spouse is active duty. Maybe one of those will bite and you will continue to be a covered borrower and not have to pay the annual fees.
Let me know what happens, this is a very interesting case!
Hi Spencer. I have a question that I would like to ask. So if I already have amex gold with paying annual fees before the military, can I get a fee waiver for that after joining? Or is the fee waiver for the new cards you made up after joining the military?
You can try applying for SCRA benefits here.
Hey Spencer,
I wanted to apply for the Chase Freedom Flex as my starter card as a cadet. The application is asking type of residence, i.e. if I own or rent where I live, what should I put down since I am living in a barracks/dorm right now? (I graduate in May and will be renting during BOLC). It is also asking for annual income, should that be what I will be making as a 2LT since now as a cadet my annual income is fairly low (approx. $14,200)?
-Thanks
Great starter card! I think when I lived in the dorms or was deployed I would answer rent and put $0 per month. Yes, I’d just put your 2LT income if you’re going to be graduating soon.
Thanks for the response and also everything you provide. I will definitely tell my soldiers to take your course!
-Luis
I recently opened an AMEX gold in September (I also have a AMEX platinum) and just tried to open a Schwab AMEX platinum. In the application process I was advised that because I recently had a welcome bonus I’m not eligible for another one. I cancelled the application. Any idea how long I should wait to apply again to be eligible for the welcome bonus? Thanks
Wait at least 30 days and then try again. Also make sure you put some spending on both your current Amex cards.
Spencer, just got my Amex Platinum and working towards the bonus. Was thinking of getting Amex gold in the near future as well. Question: Would I be eligible for that bonus as well? Also, are the Amex MRs able to combine. For instance, if I only had a few thousand from my Platinum left and had 60,000 from Gold, is it all basically the same “bucket”?
Thanks
Yes, the Amex Platinum and Amex Gold are two completely separate products, so you’ll be eligible for bonus on both. Amex MRs combine automatically across all your accounts. So yes, all the same bucket.
Awesome. Thanks for the tip and the quick reply!
Spencer,
I recently went to apply for the Amex Hilton Honors Surpass Card, mainly for the welcome bonus… Before I submitted the application I received a message from Amex which I’m sure many have seen recently ” Based on your history with American Express welcome offers, introductory APR offers, or the number of cards you have opened and closed, you are not eligible to receive this welcome offer.”
Do you have any tips to work around this issue, as welcome bonuses are a big part of my and I’m sure many other’s CC plans.
– Aidan
Aidan – check out my article on the Amex pop up. Best thing to do is spend money on all your cards and wait a few weeks. Everyone I know who was “in jail” eventually got out.
Hello,
I have been listening to your podcast for the last few weeks and hopefully should receive your book in the mail in a few days. I am grateful for the work you have put into all of this as this will help me and my family out a lot. I am taking your advice and am going to open a Chase Sapphire Preferred card first then an AMEX Platinum for the Welcome Bonus and perks. I am going to open those two within a month of one another and not open any more for some time because of the minimum spending limit required. If I wanted to open another card in the future potentially a year or two later like an AMEX Gold, Hilton Honors Aspire, or a Delta Sky Miles Reserve would I receive the welcome bonus if I already opened the AMEX Platinum and got that welcome bonus? Would those cards fall under the Amex “Once in a lifetime” rule for the welcome bonus?
Those are all separate products you mentioned. You can earn the welcome bonus after minimum spend on all those separate cards. The once per lifetime rule means you can only earn an Amex Platinum bonus once, even if you open another Amex Platinum. If you open an Amex Platinum and then open an Amex Gold you can earn the bonuses on both.
Hi Spencer,
Thanks for putting this site together! You have compiled such a great list of valuable resources here. Unfortunately, I didn’t hear about this site until right as I was finishing up on active duty. I am currently in the national guard but I have previously done time on active duty. Do I qualify for any of these benefits as a traditional guardsman?
Thanks,
Ryan
Ryan,
Look into requesting SCRA or MLA benefits from your credit card issuers anyway asap, because they may retroactively credit any fees you paid throughout your entire active duty service.
Hi, Spencer. I recently learned something that may be of value to you, your readers, and your credit card portfolio. What I found out is that after having either a Chase Marriott Bonvoy Boundless or Bonvoy Bold card account open for 1 year, you can call Chase and request a product change to the Ritz Carlton card. I confirmed this by upgrading my own account. This makes the Boundless a great option right now especially considering the current sign up bonus of 125K points for $5K spend in the first 3 months.
Hello Spencer,
First I would like to say thank you all this valuable information! My question is when I upgrade my Gold card to a Platinum, do I qualify for another SUB if I want to get the Gold card again ?
You’re welcome, Terrance. No, once you get the SUB on the Gold card, you are not eligible for 7 years for another SUB on that product type. However having a Gold card around is worth it just for the $10 month on Uber and 4x points on restaurants and US supermarkets.
Spenser,
Thanks for the great info. Do you have any data points on Amex users facing issues for having multiple plat/gold cards on the same account (after re-linking them after de-linking the accounts to upgrade)? Also, is the ability to upgrade a green/gold 1 year from the inception date of the account or 1 year from when you disassociated it from your “primary” account. I am very interested in this particular scenario as your blog is the only place i have really seen it mentioned. Thanks again for the help
No issues, I have 6 Platinums on my main account.
1 year from when you opened the Green or Gold due to the CARD Act law. You could delink and add the card to a new account and upgrade an hour later, as long as it was opened a year or more ago.
Awesome. It’s definitely a nice work around and probably exploitable because so few people qualify for waived af AND are interested in churning cards AND have ever delinked their cards. I suppose pleading ignorance if confronted would work as well since it’s literally being offered up on their own site. Is it functionally any different than just applying for another of the same card on the same account if thats even allowed? I suppose Amex wouldn’t really care if you wanted to have more than one since they’re making af and bringing in money when you use them
Just finished your course–awesome, thanks! Have you used an app like award wallet or something else to track your rewards/mileage or how do you do it? Old school with an excel? Just go to each page frequently to check awards/expirations? Or do you just use them so frequently that it doesn’t really matter?
There is an excel file available in the course content. That is what I use to keep track of my benefits and points balances.
So I just went to apply for the Chase Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card, and they told me I wasn’t eligible for the sign up bonus because I already got the bonus with the Amex Marriott Bonvoy card (which is true). This is a deal breaker, so I won’t be getting that particular Chase card, for now. This is the first time I’ve seen this where Chase and Amex are talking to each other about sign up bonuses. Does this only happen with the Marriott Cards, or have you seen it in other cards too?
Only Marriott cards.
Spencer,
It’s a little bit unclear in your posts, but do military members’ civilian spouses get the CSR annual fee waived? I have the CSR, and my wife doesn’t. However, I’d love for her to have one if her fee is waived.
Thanks!
Yes, civilian spouses of active duty military servicemembers get their annual fees waived. See the Chase Sapphire Reserve review here and see what the MLA letter looks like that my wife received.
Spencer,
My wife and I started this game a few years ago and want to ask your suggestion for our next card. Currently we hold CSR, platinum and gold (me only), she has the CSP, and we both have Chase’s Marriott bonvoy. We are supposed to PCS this July and plan to use points for hotel stays, but with upcoming PCS expenses, thinking it is time to get a new card. We have four kids, so we don’t travel by plane much, but sometimes pay for family to visit. As far as new cards go, I’m leaning to sending her referals for amex since she can’t hold both CSR and CSP and Gold seems to be the better play, but not sure if I’m missing something. Any advice would be appreciated.
I recommend you work your way through my list of best credit cards for military servicemembers. Why not refer her for a Gold from your account for a 50K bonus for her and a 20k bonus for your referral? Spouses should always be referring each other for cards. Is her CSP fee waived? Look at upgrading that to a CSR if it is.
I think you should look at Hilton cards, especially if you’re using points for your PCS. By the way, PCS is a great time to get a awesome roadtrip vacation in. Enjoy it! Here’s my list of best hotel credit cards that you might find interesting as well. IHG, Hyatt, Marriott, or Hilton could be a good option for you depending on what hotels you want to stay in on your PCS. Good luck!
To get the added benefits for multiple AMEX cards, do you have to create new accounts? I have an AMEX platinum that I have had for a few years. Do I use that log in info if I want to apply for a Gold Card, Hilton Honors Aspire, Marriott Bonvoy, or AMEX Delta Reserve? Or do I have to create a separate account?
Also, my wife’s AMEX platinum card is just an extra card on my account. It does not receive extra benefits. Should I have had her apply for a separate account?
Thank you for the help,
Matt
For the Bonvoy Brilliant, Hilton Aspire, and Delta Reserve you can use the same login. Those are all different families of cards.
For the Gold card, if you want to upgrade to another Platinum in a year, put it on its own login account. You can use the same email address as your primary account. If you just want a Gold card and don’t plan on upgrading, you can have it on the same account as your Platinum.
Yes, you wife should apply for her own card. Annual fee is waived for military spouses. Authorized user cards do not get extra benefits, like you said.
Spencer, what are your thoughts on the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve? My understanding is that they waive annual fees for AD military and they seem to be promoting the card as a competitor to Chase’s Sapphire Reserve and Amex’s Platinum.
Why is the ink card fee not waived?
Chase policy. They only waive fees on personal cards, not business. The fee is super low though for the welcome bonus.
Hi,
Just a quick question. If an active duty military service member were to apply for a bunch of these cards and several years later were to retire, would the service member’s credit score take a huge hit if they choose not to continue the card use by paying the annual fees associated with each one?
Thank you for your time!
Just close the accounts of the cards you are no longer getting value from when you retire. There is no significant impact on your credit score as long as you leave your oldest account open, never miss any payments, and any accounts you close have a zero balance.
Hi, I am a Air Force reserve. Am I qualified for the same benefits as the active members? I will deploy in 2 months, will I be qualify if I apply for these credit cards now? What is the best option for me with the cards?
Yes, as soon as you have active duty orders you are eligible for the same credit card fee waivers as a Reservist.
The annual fee waivers are retroactive for AMEX and Chase when you have active duty orders. It depends on how much spending you can do in the next few months before and during deployment, but I would open a Chase Sapphire Preferred and get the welcome bonus and the annual fee waived under MLA (upgrade to a Chase Sapphire Reserve after 1 year) and I would open an AMEX Platinum and get the fees waived on that one as well. If you have more spending and time, follow my best credit cards for military servicemembers guide.
Sir,
I currently have no credit card with the annual fee and expected to go active duty like one year later.
If I get CSR with paying the annual fee now and go active duty 6 months later, do they refund the annual fee I paid when I was not active duty? or they will only waive the annual fee starting the following year?
Also since I have options for both SCRA and MLA not being active duty yet, should I get the cards before I go active? Because I worry about they change their policy (especially Chase) on 36% MLA, so even after they change, I can still be covered under 6% SCRA.
Chris,
Both Chase and AmEx will generally refund the annual fee for you if it’s within the past year, but that’s not a written policy so your mileage may vary (there are some accounts on Reddit of people’s requests being denied, though those are mainly spouses before marrying military, not the service member).
You may want to read up on Citi and some other companies (Barclay?) who’ll waive annual fees of cards opened before entering the military, but not if you open them once you’re on active duty. You have an opportunity some of us have missed.
-David
I would wait to get the CSR until you go active duty, to ensure that the MLA protections kick in automatically on the account when you open it. The interest rates do not matter if you are paying your account in full every month.
Hi Spencer,
I was referred to your website to learn about the SCRA benefits for military members, and have signed up for your free course. I had a question I’m sure you get all the time, but have you heard of any national guard /reservists being able to take advantage of these benefits? If for example I’ve got title 10 orders this year for over 30 days, but next year I don’t, but I’m still on reserve status, would I end up paying the annual fee for the that year?
My understanding is if that you submit the Title 10 orders, you will receive the annual fee waiver for that year and retroactive for any annual fees paid in the past few years. Furthermore, I believe (but cannot confirm) AMEX checks SCRA status once a year. If they discover you are no longer showing as active duty status in the DOD database, they will probably ask you to provide orders showing you are still eligible for SCRA benefits. If you cannot produce evidence to support SCRA support, they will probably notify you of removal from SCRA protection and give you a few months to close any accounts you don’t want to pay annual fees on.
Best thing to do is try it and let us know what happens! Worst case scenario you pay an annual fee. Best case you discover how the system works and can share the knowledge with all your fellow servicemembers.