Best Credit Cards for Military Personnel in 2026

Top Credit Cards for Military Personnel in 2026

• Best for cash back on base purchases: USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card
• Best for frequent travelers: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Best for luxury travel perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Best for building credit: Navy Federal Credit Union CashRewards Card
• Best for cash back on all purchases: PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card
• Best for spending at exchanges and commissaries: MILITARY STAR® Card

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card

• Why we like it: The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card is built for military personnel and their families. This card offers 5% cash back on your first $3,000 spent on combined gas station and military base purchases per year, and 2% back on the first $3,000 in grocery spending. You'll get 1% cash back on all other qualifying purchases.
• Fees: No annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or penalty APR.
• Intro offer: 0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers and convenience checks that post within 90 days of opening an account.
• Minimum credit score: 700 or higher
• Best for: Military members want cash back on base spending and everyday purchases.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

• Why we like it: Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel card with generous benefits, like $300 in annual travel credit, a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, airport lounge access, and travel protections. This card typically has an annual fee of $795, but under the SCRA/MLA, the fee is waived for service members and their spouses. However, you'll likely need very good credit to qualify.
• Fees: No annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
• Intro offer: Get 125,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first three months.
• Minimum credit score: 740 or higher
• Best for: Military members who travel frequently, either for PCS, leave, or overseas deployment.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

• Why we like it: The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the top-rated travel cards for military service members. You'll get premium travel points, like 5X points on flights booked through Amex Travel, as well as airport lounge access, annual travel credits, and hotel status. Plus, Amex waives the annual fee for active duty military.
• Fees: No annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
• Intro offer: Get up to 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 in purchases in the first six months.
• Minimum credit score: 670 or higher
• Best for: Service members who want a luxury travel card without the high annual fee.

Navy Federal Credit Union CashRewards Card

• Why we like it: The Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards Card is exclusively available to members of the credit union. The card comes in two versions. The cashRewards Plus card is for people with very good to excellent credit, and provides unlimited 2% cash back on every purchase. The cashRewards card is for people with average to good credit, and has unlimited 1.5% cash back.
• Fees: No annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
• Intro offer: Earn $250 in bonus cash after spending $2,500 within 90 days of account opening. If you transfer a balance in the first 60 days, you could qualify for a 1.99% intro APR for 12 months, with no transfer fees.
• Minimum credit score: 670-739 for cashRewards card, 740 or higher for cashRewards Plus.
• Best for: Service members who want to improve their credit through everyday spending.

PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card

• Why we like it: With the PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card, military members can get 2% cash back on all purchases (civilians only get 1.5% cash back). There are no reward caps or spending categories, and your cash back rewards never expire as long as you have the card. You can also get access to travel benefits, like discounts on luxury hotels and travel accident protection.
• Fees: No annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
• Intro offer: Get a statement credit after spending $1,500 in the first 90 days. You can also get 0% APR on balance transfers for 12 months (with a 3% transfer fee).
• Minimum credit score: 700 or higher
• Best for: Military personnel who want a straightforward, high-rate cash back card without an annual fee.

MILITARY STAR® Card

• Why we like it: The MILITARY STAR® Card is designed for military spending. You'll earn 2% rewards at participating on-base retailers, military exchanges, commissaries, and authorized military exchange websites. Once you accumulate 2,000 points, you can get rewards cards that are redeemable anywhere Exchange gift cards are accepted. Plus, you can use the card to save $0.05 per gallon of fuel and get 10% off at Exchange restaurants.
• Fees: No annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
• Intro offer: Save 10% on every purchase made on the first day your account is open.
• Minimum credit score: None
• Best for: Those who mostly spend on base, especially at exchanges and commissaries.

How to Choose the Best Credit Card for Military Personnel

Military personnel have unique financial considerations, like frequent PCS moves, periods of deployment, and overseas stations. Choosing the right credit card isn't just about rewards; it's also about what fits your lifestyle. Here are some things that military service members should consider when choosing a credit card.

Think About Your Spending

Think realistically about where your money goes regularly. For example, if you have a long commute on base or between bases, consider getting a credit card with generous cash back rewards on gas. If you enjoy traveling with your family, you might benefit from a credit card that offers travel perks and trip protections.

Consider Whether You Want a Premium Card

Many credit card issuers waive annual fees under MLA for active duty service members, which means you could get a premium credit card for free. Premium cards, like Chase Sapphire Reserve®, often have some of the best benefits, like airline loyalty status and annual travel credits. However, they aren't always the best for people who rarely travel or prefer simple cash back.

Factor in Deployment and PCS Considerations

When you're on active duty, you should choose a credit card that can work smoothly across the different transitions you might face. If you're preparing for deployment, for example, look for cards with no foreign transaction fees, easy fraud monitoring, and mobile banking. For PCS moves, consider a card with travel protections or statement credits that could offset some of your moving costs.

Evaluate Fees (Even If They Might Be Waived)

Under the SCRA and MLA, many credit card companies will waive fees for service members and their spouses. However, it's still a good idea to consider fees when choosing a credit card. Pay attention to the annual fee, balance transfer fees, late fees, cash advance fees, and foreign transaction fees. If you pick a card with high fees, you might not want to keep it long term, especially post-service.

Decide Whether a Military-Focused Issuer Fits Your Lifestyle

One thing to consider when choosing a credit card is whether you want to work with a military-focused issuer, like Navy Federal, USAA, or PenFed. These issuers often have good customer service, lower interest rates, and easier approval for younger or low-credit borrowers. However, traditional banks, like American Express and Chase, tend to offer better reward structures.

Consider Your Credit

Another factor to consider when selecting a credit card is your current credit situation. If you have excellent credit, you might qualify for premium credit cards and favorable interest rates. However, if you have low or no credit, you should pick a credit card that can support your credit-building efforts. Secured credit cards often have easier approvals for people with low credit or no credit, and can improve credit through on-time payments.

Final Thoughts

There are many great credit cards that can meet the needs of military personnel and their family members. Ultimately, the best credit card will depend on your spending habits, credit score, and lifestyle. Before you choose a credit card, spend time comparing several options and pay attention to the fees. Understand the rewards structure, APR, and cardholder benefits, and look for enticing sign-up bonuses that can boost value.

Frequently asked questions