Best Credit Cards for Military 2023 | 15+ Cards for Active Duty

The best credit cards for military families are the premium luxury travel cards from American Express and Chase.

Chase cards offer military servicemembers Military Lending Act benefits, including annual fee waivers for active duty and military spouses on all personal Chase credit cards.

Read this article for details on the American Express benefits for you and your spouse.

You can also earn welcome bonus offers worth thousands and annual benefits that put cash back in your pocket.

Thanks to two laws called the Military Lending Act (MLA) and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), military personnel and their spouses can access the best credit cards with no annual fees for military.

Here is the optimal order to apply for credit cards if you are in the military:

1. Beginner's credit card from Navy Federal for 12 months to establish credit history
2. Chase Freedom Flex℠ Credit Card or Chase Freedom Unlimited^® Credit Card (best cash back credit cards for military)
3. Chase Sapphire Reserve^® Card or Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card
4. Pick 3 more Chase cards: IHG, Hyatt, United Quest℠ Card, United Club℠ Infinite Card, Southwest Cards, Chase Freedom Flex, or Chase Freedom Unlimited^® Credit Card or another best Chase credit cards for military
5. American Express^® Gold Card, learn how to upgrade this card
6. The Platinum Card^® from American Express, compare Amex Platinum vs Amex Gold
7. American Express Green Card, possible to upgrade to another Amex Platinum
8. Amex Hilton Honors Aspire (read my full review)
9. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card
10. Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card then upgrade to another Amex Hilton Aspire
11. Hilton Honors American Express Card then upgrade to another Amex Hilton Aspire
12. Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card
13. Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card (read how to upgrade to another Amex Delta Reserve)
14. Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card then Upgrade To Delta Reserve #3

SCRA and MLA Rules

Chase generously interprets the Military Lending Act (MLA) and Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) laws and offer fee waivers on most of their cards.

You can read more details on American Express benefits here.

Chase waives annual fees for military members and spouses on all of their personal cards opened after 20 September 2017.

You get all the perks of these cards with no annual fees. We’re talking about $1000s a year in travel credits, Uber rides and UberEats, free hotel stays, free first/business class tickets, free airport lounge access, and the list goes on.

In order to access all these benefits in the most efficient manner, you need to apply for these cards in a specific order.

That’s because each card issuer has rules regarding how many cards you can have and how many cards you can apply for in a specific amount of time.

For instance, Chase has a 5/24 rule. This means you can only open a Chase card if you have opened less than 5 credit cards in the previous 24 months from any issuer.

This rule means you need to first open 4-5 Chase cards, then open American Express cards.

Amex also has restrictions on how many Amex cards you can open.

Take your time and make sure you can meet the minimum spend required on each card so you get the bonus.

Don’t go into debt, pay off your card before the statement is due, and do not apply for too many cards at once. Pace yourself, this is a marathon not a sprint!

Step 1: No Credit

We’ll assume you have not had any credit cards before and little to no credit history. The first thing to do is get a beginner's credit card from a military friendly bank, like Navy Federal Credit Union or USAA.

If you already have a credit score over 700 then you can skip this step and go to Step 2.

• Learn how to apply for the Navy Federal cashRewards Card
• You can save with a low 1.99% intro APR for 6 months from account opening on purchases. After that, a variable APR between 11.90% and 18% applies.* Plus, you can earn $100 cash back when you spend $2,000 within 90 days of opening a cashRewards account.
• 1.75% cash back on purchases if you have direct deposit at Navy Federal, otherwise 1.5% cash back on purchases
• Easy cash back redemption on our mobile app. Message and data rates may apply. Terms and conditions are available, see rates and fees.
• $500 to $1000 per year of cell phone coverage with a $50 deductible
• Pay no annual, balance transfer, or foreign transaction fees.*
• Terms Apply, read the full review of the Navy Federal cashRewards card

You can check your credit score for free on CreditSesame, Credit Karma, or with your Amex Platinum card.

This is a card that you put a small deposit down on when you open it. This ensures the credit company will be able to reclaim some money if you default. But you won’t, because you’re in this to reap the tremendous benefits towards the end of the plan.

If your credit score is below 720, I recommend building your score up by opening any of the no annual fee cards offered by Navy Federal (NFCU), USAA, or PenFed. These are the best, military friendly credit cards to start building a history of responsible credit card usage.

Within less than 12 months of getting a no annual fee card and building your score, you will be able to get the better cards listed below.

You can see how I built an 800+ credit score in my 20s without carrying any credit card debt. Even though I have over 20 credit cards, my score is still over 800.

Since these cards have no annual fee, you can leave the account open forever to age your credit history. This helps you eventually get the much better luxury travel and cash back rewards cards.

Note that this does take away one of your 5/24 Chase spots. You are now at 1/24. Again, I cover what “5/24” means in this article.

However, it is important to have a good credit history and credit score before moving on to the more luxurious cards.

Step 2: 12 Months After Secured Card

Now that you have built up a credit history, it’s time to start a relationship with Chase Bank. The first card to get is a no annual fee card that you can keep forever to age your credit history.

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 Ultimate Rewards portal
• 3% on dining at restaurants, takeout, and delivery
• 3% back on drugstore purchases
• 1% back on all other purchases
• 5% on up to $1500 of purchases in specific bonus categories each quarter
• No annual fee
• Compare the Chase Freedom Flex vs. 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 additional 1.5% on everything you buy up to $20,000 in the first year – worth $300 cash back!
• 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
• 4.5% on dining at restaurants, takeout, and delivery
• 4.5% back on drugstore purchases
• 3% on all other purchases
• After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on Chase travel purchased through Ultimate Rewards(R), 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 annual fee
• Compare the Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Chase Freedom Flex
• Member FDIC

I prefer the Chase Freedom Unlimited for its simple 1.5% cash back on everything. The Chase Freedom Flex is also great though because usually half the year you can get 5% cash back on gas, which tends to be a big expense for most military members.

Compare the Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Freedom Flex here.

You can combine your Chase Ultimate Rewards on one card, so save your UR points on these lower tier cards. Consolidate all of your UR points on higher tier card, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve as you acquire them. Be patient and don't cash out your Ultimate Rewards just for cash.

Step 3: 3-6 months After 1st Chase Card

Now you have 12 months of credit history with your secured card. You also have a no annual fee Chase cash back card. It's time to move on to one of the best luxury cards available:

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. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
• $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.
• 3x Points on other Travel (airfare, hotels) after earning the $300 travel credit
• 3x Dining restaurants, takeouts, delivery
• Chase Ultimate Reward Points redeemed through the Chase travel portal are worth 1.5 cents, a 50% bonus.
• Priority Pass lounge and restaurant access with over 1300+ airport lounges worldwide
• Up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry every 4 years
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Primary coverage with Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
• No foreign transaction fees
• Learn more in the Chase Sapphire Reserve review

The CSR is one of the top travel cards with annual fee waivers for active duty and military spouses. Chase only allows you to have one card in the Sapphire family of cards. For military members with annual fee waivers it probably makes sense to go for the top tier card and get the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

You might also consider a Chase Sapphire Preferred, as it usually offers a higher sign up bonus than the Sapphire Reserve. After one year of holding a Sapphire Preferred, you can upgrade it to a Reserve to earn 3x on travel and restaurants and the $300 annual travel credit.

Chase Sapphire Preferred

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. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards^®
• 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal
• 3x points on dining (includes takeout, delivery, and dine-in)
• 2x points on all other travel purchases
• Points can also be redeemed with “Pay Yourself Back” for 1.25 cents each on eligible purchases in select, rotating categories
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards(R). For example, 60,000 points are 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
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• 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

Whether to get the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Chase Sapphire Reserve depends if you think you will get more value out of the extra Ultimate Reward points or a $300 travel credit.

If you value Ultimate Reward points at more than 3 cents per point, than it makes sense to get the CSP and then upgrade to a CSR.

Personally, if I was starting building my credit card empire again, I would get the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the larger sign up bonus, then upgrade to a Chase Sapphire Reserve 1 year later to get the recurring $300 annual travel credit, 3x points on travel and restaurants, and the excellent travel insurance.

Step 4: Pick Your 5 Chase Cards

Next, pick from the remaining Chase cards to fill your 5/24 slots. If you fly domestically, getting a Southwest Companion pass is a great option. United cards can be good, especially if you fly them often for TDYs.

If you have a secured card, a Chase Freedom Flex or Freedom Unlimited, and Chase Sapphire Reserve, you should be able to pick up 2 more Chase cards to max out your 5/24 limitation. Pick any of the two cards below, depending on your travel/cash back goals.

Southwest Airlines credit cards are a great option. If you earn 125,000 Southwest miles in one calendar year, you earn a companion pass for the rest of that year AND the following year.

For example, let's say you open a personal Southwest credit card for 60,000 welcome bonus points and the Southwest Airlines business card for another 70,000 welcome bonus points. You are allowed to hold both a personally and a business Southwest card at the same time.

If you meet the minimum spend for the welcome bonus on both these cards, (let's say $5,000 total) you easily surpass the 125,000 points required for the companion pass. If you open these cards in Dec 2024, complete your spend by February 2025, you will have the companion pass for all of 2025 AND 2026. This is a huge benefit!

Note that you can only get the bonus on one personal Southwest card per person per 24 month period. Business cards do not count against this limitation.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

Read my full Southwest Companion Pass for military review to see how to maximize these Southwest cards to fly your partner for free for almost 2 years!

Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Priority Credit Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site

• Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $149 annual fee waived for military and mil spouses
• Earn 3x points per $1 spent on Southwest purchases
• Earn 2x points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare
• Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming.
• 7,500 Anniversary points each year.
• $75 annual Southwest travel credit
• 4 Upgraded boardings per year
• 25% back on in flight WiFi and drink purchases
• No foreign transaction fees
• Member FDIC

Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Premier Credit Card

• Learn how to apply for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card
• $99 annual fee waived for military

Southwest Rapid Rewards^® Plus Credit Card

• Learn how to apply for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card
• $69 annual fee waived for military personnel

Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card

• Learn how to apply for the Southwest^® Rapid Rewards^® Performance Business Credit Card
• Earn 80,000 points after $5000 of spend in the first 3 months from account opening
• 4x points per $1 spent on Southwest Airlines purchases
• 3x points on Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
• 2x points on rideshare
• 2x points per $1 spent on social media and search engine advertising, internet, cable, and phone services
• 1x point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 4 Upgraded Boarding per year when available
• 9,000 bonus points after your card anniversary
• Member FDIC
• $199 Annual Fee NOT waived for military

Chase Freedom Flex or Freedom Unlimited

Whichever card you didn't get in Step 2, now is a good time to pick up the other. Learn how to apply for the Chase Freedom Flex or learn how to apply for about the Chase Freedom Unlimited.

Step 5: Apply for American Express Platinum(s)

Now that you've exhausted your Chase options, it's time to move on to the best luxury cards available: American Express Platinum cards.

You can start building your Amex Platinum collection to reap annual benefits and welcome bonuses offers worth thousands. Start with the regular Amex Platinum.

The Platinum Card from American Express

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

• Annual fee of $695* See more details about military protections for you and your spouse 
• 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.
• 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 with American Express Travel when you pay with 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+, Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $200 Uber Cash: Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on Uber Eats and rides
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at 1 qualifying airline
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR® Plus at 45+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back each year on an Equinox+ subscription, or any Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Membership subject to auto-renewal.
• $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
• Access 40+ Centurion Lounges and 1,200+ Priority Pass airport lounge for free
• No foreign transaction fees
• The Platinum Card^® from American Express – learn how to apply
• Read my full review of the Amex Platinum card for military, terms apply

Next, open an Amex Gold card and after one year upgrade it to a Platinum.

The benefits of Platinum cards are additive, so for example, when you add another Platinum card to your Uber account, you get $15 + $15 = $30 of monthly Uber credits. And $70 in December.

American Express Gold Card

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

• Earn 60,000 Membership Reward^® Points after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new card in the first 6 months of Card Membership
• Earn 4x points at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the US
• Earn 4x points on US supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year, then 1x points) – includes OCONUS Commissaries
• Earn 3x points on flights booked directly with the airline or on amextravel.com
• No foreign transaction fees – great for the 4x on restaurants when travelling for fun, OCONUS TDY, or PCS!
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Amex 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 annually.
• $120 per year Dining Credit: Earn up to $10 per month in statement credits when you use your Amex Gold at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar, and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Choose between the Gold or Rose Gold version when you apply.
• Read my full review of the Amex Gold card for military, terms apply
• $250 Annual Fee* See more details about American Express protections for you and your spouse 

Finally, open a Amex Green card. This is an Amex card that you can upgrade to a Platinum card after one year.

American Express^® Green Card

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

• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Plus, earn 20% back on eligible travel and transit purchases made during your first 6 months of Card Membership, up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards^® points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US.
• $189 CLEAR Plus Credit: Receive up to $189 per calendar year in statement credits when you pay for your CLEAR Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the American Express^® Green Card.
• $100 LoungeBuddy: No airport lounge membership? No problem! Purchase lounge access through the LoungeBuddy app using the American Express(R) Green Card and receive up to $100 in statement credits annually.
• Payment Flexibility: When it comes to paying your bill, you have options. You can always pay in full. You also have the flexibility to carry a balance with interest or use Plan It(R) to split up large purchases into monthly payments with a fixed fee, up to your Pay Over Time Limit. You may be able to keep spending beyond your limit – you'll just need to pay for any new purchases in full when your bill is due.
• Trip Delay Insurance: If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason delays your trip more than 12 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can help reimburse certain additional expenses purchased on the same Eligible Card, up to $300 per trip, maximum 2 claims per eligible account per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: No matter where you're traveling, when you use your American Express^® Green Card there are no foreign transaction fees.
• $150 annual fee waived to $0 with Amex MLA benefits
• Terms Apply.

Step 6: Hotel and Airline Cards

From here on out, keep learning about the credit card reward space and apply for cards as they come available in the programs you like and use. Sign up for my free, 5 day email based credit card course to begin your journey.

You can focus on hotel cards and get free Hilton Diamond Status by holding a Amex Hilton Honors Aspire card. You can earn dozens of free night stays with the full Amex Hilton line up: Aspire, Surpass, and Honors.

You can earn over 250,000 Marriott points with the 3 Marriott Bonvoy cards: Brilliant, Boundless, and Business. All the Hilton cards can earn you over 350,000 Hilton points.

Best airline credit cards.

Best Military Credit Cards for Hotel Stays

Check out the best military hotel credit cards article for in depth comparison of the top 4 cards.

American Express Hilton Honors Aspire

American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Card
Learn how to apply on our partner's secure site

• $450 annual fee waived for military servicemembers and military spouses
• Complimentary Diamond Status at all Hilton brands (suite upgrades, breakfast, check in gifts, etc)
• 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points welcome offer after $4,000 of purchases in the first 3 months
• 1 weekend night reward after opening your account and every year on renewal
• $250 Hilton Resort Credit
• $250 airline fee 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

The Amex Hilton Honors Aspire card is a powerhouse. I took my family out to dinner at the Hilton Surfers Paradise Resort in Australia and applied the entire $250 resort credit. Free dinner for 6!

The complimentary diamond status and no annual fee for US military servicemembers makes this a no-brainer card for SMs. Learn more about this and other Hilton Amex cards with no annual fees for military.

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 two 85K Free Night Awards after you spend $6,000 in purchases on the Card in your first 6 months. Each award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Card Members could enjoy a value of up to $1,200 when redeeming each reward. Certain hotels have resort fees. Offer ends 11/1/2023.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 per calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Briliant Card at restaurants worldwide.
• With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy® program. 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Marriott Brilliant Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award 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.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select an Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. 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.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck(R) (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant(R) American Express(R) Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy® member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Enroll in Priority Pass(TM) Select, which offers unlimited access to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month's wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Terms Apply.

Learn more about all 3 of the Marriott cards available with no annual fees for military personnel.

Amex Hilton Surpass

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

• Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points plus a Free Night Reward after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• Earn a weekend night award when you spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year
• $95 annual fee waived for US military
• 12x Hilton Honors points at Hilton properties
• Upgrade this card to another fee waived Aspire card and get all the benefits of the Aspire card x2
• Learn how to upgrade to Amex Aspire cards
• All information about Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card has been collected independently by MilitaryMoneymanual.com

Open an Hilton Honors American Express Card, then upgrade to Aspire after 1 year

• Learn how to apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Card
• Upgrade to an ADDITIONAL annual fee waived Hilton Aspire after one year

Chase IHG® 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 reward night when you redeem points for a consecutive four-night IHG^® hotel stay.
• Earn up to 26 points total 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
• Platinum Elite status as long as you remain a Premier card member
• Global Entry, TSA PreCheck(R) or NEXUS Statement Credit of up to $100 every 4 years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card
• IHG Rewards bonus points are redeemable at hotels such as InterContinental(R), Crowne Plaza(R), Kimpton(R), EVEN(R) Hotels, Indigo(R) Hotels & Holiday Inn(R)
• No foreign transaction fees – essential for international travel

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

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
• discontinued_disclaimer

Hyatt is an awesome hotel brand that really treats loyalty members right. Free nights start at just 5000 points, so 30k bonus points could earn you 6 free nights at excellent hotels around the world.

Free Delta Amex Cards for Military

You can earn heaps of Delta points with the Amex line of Delta co-branded credit cards. Learn more details about the Amex Delta cards with military annual fee waivers in this article.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

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

Annual Fee: $550 per year* *see more details on American Express protections for you and spouse

Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

• This is my top recommended Amex Delta card for military
• Enjoy Delta Sky Club® access at no cost and bring up to two guests or immediate family at a rate of $50 per person per visit. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 10 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; Starting on 2/1/25, spend a total of $75,000 or more on eligible purchases on the card between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter to earn an unlimited number of visits each year.
• Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
• With Status Boost®, earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card through 12/31/23, up to four times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges.
• Eligible Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• Receive a domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+® or domestic Main Cabin round trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
• Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees, terms apply

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card

Annual fee: $250* *see more details on American Express protections for you and spouse

Welcome Bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

• Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
• Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
• Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
• Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
• Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
• Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests or immediate family to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight from now until 12/31/23. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Earn up to 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year through 12/31/23, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges.
• No foreign transaction fees, terms apply (rates and fees)

Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card (upgrade to another Amex Delta Reserve)

The Delta SkyMiles^® Gold American Express Card

Annual fee: $0 introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $99* *see more details on American Express protections for you and spouse

Welcome Bonus: Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

• Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
• Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• Earn 2X Miles on Delta purchases, at U.S. Supermarkets and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
• $100 Delta Flight Credit: After you spend $10,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, receive a Credit to use toward future travel.
• Want even more flexibility? Take up to $50 off the cost of your ticket for every 5,000 miles you redeem with Pay with Miles when you book on delta.com.
• Receive a 20% savings in the form of a statement credit on eligible Delta in-flight purchases after using your Card.
• No foreign transaction fees, terms apply (rates and fees)

Being in the military comes with many perks and benefits. The best military credit cards are the travel reward credit cards everyone else has access to, just without the annual fees.

Chase and AMEX’s interpretation of the MLA and SCRA open up a tremendous opportunity to the above-average military servicemember.

The total value of all of these cards is well over $20,000. Take your time, hit all of your minimum spending so you get the bonuses, and don't get too many cards at once. NEVER accumulate debt. Pay your card off in full once a week. See this month's top military credit card bonus offers.

You can sign up for my 5 day, 100% free online course that teaches you how to maximize your military credit card benefits. I'll never send you any spam and you can unsubscribe at any time. You can get your first card and annual fee waived in less than 30 days.

Sign up today for the Ultimate Military Travel Hacking Course and learn how I have 38 of the best military credit cards.

Good luck applying and let me know of your experience in the comments!