← BENEFITS
// SCRA & MLA BENEFITS
MILITARY CREDIT CARD GUIDE
Active duty service members can get annual fees waived on the best premium credit cards — legally, permanently, while serving. Here's every card worth knowing about.
$1,945
Max Annual Savings
Amex Platinum + Gold + Venture X stacked
0%
Annual Fees
On all major premium cards while active duty
Both
Laws Apply
SCRA (pre-service) + MLA (during service)
SCRA
SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT
- ✓ Covers accounts opened before active duty
- ✓ Applies from activation date
- ✓ Interest rate capped at 6% on pre-service debts
- ✓ Most issuers waive annual fees retroactively
Strategy: Apply for premium cards before MEPS or activation date
MLA
MILITARY LENDING ACT
- ✓ Covers accounts opened during active duty
- ✓ Military APR cap of 36% (blocks most fees)
- ✓ Issuers must check MLA status before opening account
- ✓ Annual fees waived on accounts opened while serving
Strategy: You can still open new premium cards while on active duty
// PREMIUM CARDS WITH MILITARY FEE WAIVERS
| Card | Normal Fee | Military Fee | Coverage | Key Benefits | Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Amex Platinum American Express | $695 | WAIVED | Both SCRA & MLA | $200 hotel credit, $200 airline credit, $240 digital entertainment, Priority Pass lounge, Global Entry/TSA Pre✓ | 5x flights booked direct, 5x Amex Travel, 1x everything else |
Amex Gold American Express | $250 | WAIVED | Both SCRA & MLA | $120 dining credit, $120 Uber Cash, 4x at restaurants, 4x at US supermarkets | 4x restaurants & groceries, 3x flights |
Chase Sapphire Reserve Chase | $550 | WAIVED | MLA (apply after activation) | $300 travel credit, Priority Pass, 50% bonus on travel redemption, Global Entry/TSA Pre✓ | 3x travel & dining, 10x hotels & car rentals via Chase Travel |
Chase Sapphire Preferred Chase | $95 | WAIVED | MLA (apply after activation) | $50 hotel credit, 25% bonus on travel redemption via Chase Travel, travel protections | 3x dining, 3x streaming, 2x travel, 5x hotels via Chase Travel |
Capital One Venture X Capital One | $395 | WAIVED | Both SCRA & MLA | $300 travel credit, 10,000 bonus miles annually, Priority Pass, Capital One lounge access | 2x on all purchases, 5x on flights, 10x on hotels via Capital One Travel |
Capital One Venture Capital One | $95 | WAIVED | Both SCRA & MLA | Global Entry/TSA Pre✓ credit, flexible travel redemption, transfer to 15+ airline partners | 2x miles on all purchases |
Hilton Honors Aspire American Express | $450 | WAIVED | Both SCRA & MLA | Automatic Diamond status, $400 Hilton resort credit, $200 flight credit, free weekend night award annually | 14x at Hilton, 7x at US restaurants & flights, 3x everywhere else |
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express | $650 | WAIVED | Both SCRA & MLA | Automatic Platinum status, $300 dining credit, free night award annually, Priority Pass | 6x at Marriott, 3x at restaurants, 2x everywhere else |
USAA Cashback Rewards Plus USAA | $0 | $0 | Military-exclusive card | 5% on military base purchases, 2% on gas & groceries, no foreign transaction fees | 5x on base, 2x gas/groceries, 1x everything |
// HOW TO APPLY FOR FEE WAIVER — STEP BY STEP
1
Apply for the card
Apply for premium cards at least 1–2 months before your activation date to establish them under SCRA. Or apply anytime during active duty for MLA coverage.
2
Call the issuer
Call the number on the back of your card. Tell them: "I am active duty military and I am requesting the SCRA/MLA annual fee waiver." Have your account number and SSN ready.
3
Provide documentation
Most issuers will verify your status via the DoD SCRA database (servicemembers.defense.gov) — you may not need to provide orders. Some ask for a signed copy of orders.
4
Confirm fee waiver in writing
Ask for written confirmation (email or mail) that the fee waiver has been applied. Check your next statement to verify the fee was removed or refunded.
// RECOMMENDED CARD COMBINATIONS
Traveler Stack
Amex Platinum + Chase Sapphire Reserve
Best for flights and hotels. Priority Pass through both cards, $300 + hotel + airline credits, best point transfer partners.
$1,245 saved/yr
Everyday Earner
Amex Gold + Capital One Venture X
4x on food (Gold) + 2x on everything else (Venture X). $300 travel credit practically makes Venture X free even after separation.
$645 saved/yr
Hotel Maximizer
Hilton Aspire + Marriott Brilliant
Diamond + Platinum hotel status. Free night awards alone worth $300+. Best for PCS travel and lodging upgrades.
$1,100 saved/yr
Full Stack
Amex Platinum + Amex Gold + Chase Sapphire Reserve + Venture X
Maximum coverage across all categories. Experienced military cardholders with good credit only. Manage responsibly.
$1,890 saved/yr
// FAQ
What is the difference between SCRA and MLA for credit cards?
SCRA (Servicemembers Civil Relief Act) applies to debts and accounts opened BEFORE active duty. MLA (Military Lending Act) applies to accounts opened AFTER activation. For maximum benefit, open premium cards before activation to get SCRA, or use MLA for cards you open while serving.
How do I apply for the military fee waiver?
Call the number on the back of your card and say you are active duty military requesting the SCRA/MLA fee waiver. Have your SSN, account number, and a copy of your orders ready. Most issuers process this quickly — American Express is known for the smoothest process.
Can I have multiple cards with fee waivers?
Yes. There is no limit to how many cards you can hold. Many military members stack Amex Platinum + Gold + a hotel card + Chase Sapphire Reserve for maximum value. Combined, you could be getting $1,500+ in annual benefits at no cost.
Does the waiver continue after I separate?
No. Fee waivers end when your active duty period ends. You will typically receive the final annual fee in the year after separation. At that point, you can decide whether to keep the card (and pay the fee), downgrade, or cancel.
Is there a limit on the number of American Express cards I can hold?
Amex allows up to 5 credit cards and 10 charge cards simultaneously. For military, getting both Platinum and Gold is very common and both fees get waived.