Best Rewards Credit Cards for Military Personnel in 2026

Choosing a credit card is a big financial decision for anyone, and for military personnel, the stakes can be even higher. Military families often juggle PCS moves, unpredictable schedules, and overseas assignments, all of which can impact spending patterns and financial stability.

With a rewards credit card, you get the most value on the money you are already spending, whether it is on gas, dining, travel, entertainment, or even on-base purchases. In this guide, we will break down some of the best rewards credit cards for military personnel and what to consider when choosing a rewards credit card.

Top Rewards Credit Cards for Military Personnel in 2026

• Best for cash back on gas and on-base spending: USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card
• Best for everyday cash back plus travel benefits: Chase Sapphire Preferred®
• Best for luxury worldwide travel perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Best for unlimited cash back: USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature® Credit Card
• Best for rewards on dining: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card

• Why we like it: With the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card, you can get 5% cash back on your first $3,000 in combined gas station and military base purchases, 2% cash back on your first $3,000 in grocery purchases, and unlimited 1% cash back on everything else. You can redeem your cash back as a statement credit or for rewards through the USAA Rewards Center or at participating retailers.
• 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 to your account within 90 days of account opening.
• Minimum credit score: 700 or higher
• Best for: Military members who regularly shop on-base or fill up on gas often and want to earn generous rewards.

Chase Sapphire Preferred®

• Why we like it: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card offers some of the best rewards of any credit card, including 5X points on Chase travel, 2X points on all other travel, 3X points on dining worldwide, 3X points on online grocery purchases, 3X points on select streaming services, and 1X points on everything else. This card also provides great travel perks, like a $50 annual hotel credit, rental car damage coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and more.
• Fees: $95 annual fee (potentially waived for military), no foreign transaction fees.
• Intro offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• Minimum credit score: 700 or higher
• Best for: Service members looking for a rewards credit card that provides excellent travel benefits and protections.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

• Why we like it: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card offers generous benefits for a steep annual fee of $795, plus $195 for each authorized user. However, those fees can be waived for military personnel. With this card, you can earn 8X points on all purchases through Chase Travel, 4X points on flights and hotels booked through Chase Travel, 3X points on dining worldwide, and 1X points on all other purchases. You will also get a $120 credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, a Priority Pass Select Membership for airport lounges, a $300 annual travel credit, and more.
• Fees: $795 annual fee (potentially waived for military), no foreign transaction fees.
• Intro offer: Get 125,000 points after spending $6,000 in purchases in the first three months from account opening.
• Minimum credit score: 740 or higher
• Best for: High spenders looking for luxury travel benefits, either for PCS or vacations.

USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature® Credit Card

• Why we like it: The USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature® Credit Card offers unlimited rewards for USAA members. It is a great credit card for simple cash back, with 2X points on dining, 2X points at gas stations, and 1X points on all your other purchases. Once you earn enough points, you can redeem your rewards in the form of a statement credit, travel rewards, merchandise or gift cards, or charitable contributions. Your points never expire as long as your account is open.
• 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 to your account within 90 days of account opening.
• Minimum credit score: 700 or higher
• Best for: Service members who want to earn unlimited rewards, with no annual or lifetime maximums.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards

• Why we like it: Capital One Savor Rewards offers 3% cash back at grocery stores, and on dining, entertainment, and some streaming services. You will also get 1% cash back on everything else. If you are looking for travel rewards, the Capital One Savor Rewards card can provide 8% cash back on Capital One entertainment and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. To get the Savor Rewards card, you will need excellent credit, but there are several other cards in the Savor lineup for people with lower credit scores.
• Intro offer: Get $100 to use toward flights, hotels, and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel during your first year. Plus, get a $200 cash bonus when you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months.
• Minimum credit score: 700 or higher
• Best for: People who spend the most money on dining and restaurants.

How to Choose the Right Rewards Card for You

Here are a few things to think about when picking a rewards credit card as a service member or military family.

Match the Card to Your Lifestyle

A rewards credit card is only beneficial if you earn rewards for the things you already spend money on. For example, if you mostly spend money on base, consider a card like the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card that rewards on-base purchases. If you travel often, pick a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® that offers great rewards on flight and hotel purchases.

Take Advantage of Military Fee Waivers

Many rewards credit cards have a high annual fee, but military personnel often qualify for reduced or waived fees under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) or Military Lending Act (MLA). That means you might be able to get a premium card, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, without paying an expensive annual fee.

Consider the Flexibility of Rewards Redemption

Some rewards credit cards are more flexible than others when it comes to redeeming rewards. For example, some cards offer cash back as a statement credit, while others only allow you to redeem rewards at select retailers or as gift cards. Consider how you want to redeem your points and rewards, and look for rewards credit cards that offer those options.

Look for Enticing Sign-Up Bonuses

One of the biggest benefits of rewards credit cards is that you can often take advantage of great sign-up bonuses, like automatic points when you spend a certain amount in the first few months. These intro offers can provide excellent value and jumpstart your rewards, but do not choose a card based on special offers alone. Make sure the card will also work for your lifestyle long-term.

Final Thoughts

Finding the best rewards credit card as a military service member is not just about earning cash back or travel points. It is also about choosing a card that fits the unique demands of military life. Whether you are stationed stateside, deployed overseas, or navigating frequent PCS moves, the right credit card can help you earn rewards on your everyday spending and unlock valuable perks that support your lifestyle and financial goals.

Frequently asked questions