Best Credit Cards for Military Personnel With No Credit in 2026

When applying for a credit card, your credit score and credit history have a big impact on your eligibility and interest rate. However, having no credit does not have to be a roadblock for getting a credit card, especially if you are serving in the military.

Whether you are attending basic training right out of high school or simply want to work on improving your credit score, there is a credit card that will fit your needs. Typically, secured credit cards are the best option for people who want to build credit.

Here are some of the best credit cards for military personnel with no credit (or low credit) and their main features.

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Top Credit Cards for Military With No Credit in 2026

• Best for investment features: USAA Secured Visa Platinum®
• Best for travel benefits: USAA Secured American Express®
• Best for unlimited cash back: Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards Secured
• Best for no over-the-limit fees: Armed Forces Bank Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card

USAA Secured Visa Platinum®

• Why we like it: When you open a USAA Secured Visa Platinum® card, you deposit money in a certificate of deposit (CD), which earns interest. You can make a deposit between $250 and $5,000, which becomes your credit limit. USAA reports your credit card activity to the three main credit bureaus, and with regular card use and on-time payments, you can build your credit over time. The USAA Secured Visa Platinum® card also comes with a few travel protections, like rental car coverage, travel accident coverage, and trip cancellation coverage.
• Fees: No annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or penalty APR.
• Intro offer: None
• Minimum credit score: None
• Best for: Service members who want to invest in a CD while building credit.

USAA Secured American Express®

• Why we like it: The USAA Secured American Express® card is almost identical to the USAA Secured Visa Platinum® card, but it uses the Amex network. You will open a CD with USAA, which acts as your security deposit and sets your credit limit. You can make a deposit anywhere from $250 to $5,000, depending on your budget and your spending goals. Like the USAA Secured Visa Platinum®, this Amex card provides travel insurance and extended protection on certain product warranties. With consistent, responsible card use, you might qualify for an upgrade to an unsecured USAA Bank credit card.
• Fees: No annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or penalty APR.
• Intro offer: None
• Minimum credit score: None
• Best for: People looking for a credit card with generous travel protections, either for PCS or vacations.

Navy Federal Credit Union cashRewards Secured

• Why we like it: Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) only serves military members and their families, and it is known for providing excellent customer service. The cashRewards Secured card requires a minimum deposit of $200, and after three months of responsible use, you might be eligible for a credit line increase. After six months, NFCU will review your credit card activity and potentially upgrade you to an unsecured cashRewards credit card. One of the best features about this card is cash back rewards, which many secured cards do not offer. You can earn unlimited 1% cash back on eligible purchases, with no cap on rewards.
• Fees: No annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or cash advance fees.
• Intro offer: None
• Minimum credit score: None
• Best for: Those who want to earn rewards on their everyday spending while building credit.

Armed Forces Bank Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card

• Why we like it: The Armed Forces Bank Credit Builder Secured Visa® Credit Card is designed for military personnel who want to build credit. When you open an account, you will deposit any amount between $300 and $3,000 into an Armed Forces Bank savings account. You can increase your credit limit by depositing money in $50 increments into your savings account. Armed Forces Bank will report your credit activity to the three major bureaus, and with improvements to your credit score, you could get upgraded to an unsecured credit card. We also like that this credit card has no over-the-limit fee if you spend more than what is in your savings account.
• Fees: No annual fee or application fee.
• Intro offer: None
• Minimum credit score: None
• Best for: People who want to avoid paying a high fee if they exceed their allotted spending limit.

What to Consider When Choosing a Credit Building Card

When your credit history is limited, there are some specific things you should consider when selecting a credit card. Here are some of the key criteria to think about:

• Secured vs. unsecured: If your main goal is building credit, a secured card is probably the best option. Secured cards are backed by a deposit and are easier to qualify for if you have no credit or low credit. You can still get an unsecured card with no credit, but it is usually much harder, and you will likely have a very high interest rate.
• Deposit size: If you are going with a secured credit card, you will need to decide how much money you want to put down, which will become your credit limit. Consider the minimum and maximum deposits that the credit card issuer allows. If you have a limited amount of money to put down, look for cards that only require a deposit of $200 or less.
• Fees: Some secured credit cards have fees, like an annual fee or application fee. While these fees may be waived or limited under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) or Military Lending Act (MLA), it is not a guarantee. If you have a tight budget, look for a credit card that has low fees or no fees to avoid unexpected charges.
• Credit reporting: Because secured credit cards are meant for building credit, the credit card company should report your activity to the three credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. However, it is still important to confirm that the card issuer will report your payments to the credit bureaus. Otherwise, you might not actually build credit.
• Other card benefits: Many secured credit cards lack the features that secured cards have, like cash back, travel benefits, or spending rewards. However, you can find secured credit cards with these cardholder perks. Look for credit cards that provide benefits that match your lifestyle, whether you want simple cash back or like to travel.

Tips for Building Credit With a Secured Card

Having the right card for credit building is important, but how you use it is what really matters. Here are some best practices for building or improving credit with a secured credit card:

• Deposit wisely: For secured cards, like the USAA Secured Visa Platinum® card, choose a deposit you can afford without over-leveraging yourself. Remember - the higher your deposit is, the higher your credit limit will be. While that can give you spending power, it can also tempt you to spend more than you can pay off each month.
• Use your card regularly, but responsibly: It is best to use your credit card for small, everyday expenses, like gas and groceries, to show consistent usage. If you never use your credit card, or if you are spending close to your limit each month, that could hurt your credit-building efforts.
• Pay on time or in full: Ideally, you should pay the full credit card statement balance every month to avoid interest and maintain low credit utilization. If you can only afford the minimum payment, make sure you are paying on time. To avoid missing payments, consider setting up automatic payments.
• Monitor your credit: Building a credit history takes time, but you should use tools to monitor your credit score regularly. Oftentimes, you can check your FICO credit score through your bank's mobile app. You can also request a free copy of your credit report every year from AnnualCreditReport.com.

Final Thoughts

If you are a service member with no credit or low credit, several credit cards can help improve your financial situation. Secured credit cards, like the ones from USAA and NFCU, are designed to help you build credit, not just take on more debt. When you use these cards responsibly and make on-time payments, you will build credit and eventually unlock better credit cards, lower interest rates, and broader financial opportunities.

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