Active duty service members can hold a card with an $895 annual fee and pay nothing for it. Two federal laws, the Military Lending Act and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, force many issuers to waive those fees, which turns premium travel cards into some of the best deals in the military.
This guide names the strongest cards for active duty members as of June 2026, explains how the fee waivers work, and offers alternatives if you are still building credit. Terms and conditions apply, and waiver policies vary by issuer.
How the military fee waivers work
Under the Military Lending Act, or MLA, covered borrowers get an interest rate cap of 36% and many issuers waive annual fees entirely. Covered borrowers include active duty members, plus spouses and dependents, and Guard or Reserve members on orders of 30 days or more.
Apply normally and the issuer runs an MLA check against the Department of Defense database at the moment of application. Amex and Chase both honor these waivers automatically for eligible applicants, so you do not have to ask. The waiver applies for as long as you stay covered. Because the check runs at application, it is worth knowing how much a hard inquiry affects your credit score before you apply.
Our Top Picks
The Platinum Card from American Express. $695 annual fee, waived for eligible active duty members under the MLA. Best for: travelers who want lounge access and travel credits with no fee to recover.
Chase Sapphire Reserve. $795 annual fee, waived for MLA-eligible members. Best for: members who value the dining and travel credits plus strong travel insurance.
American Express Gold Card. $325 annual fee, waived under the MLA for eligible members. Best for: heavy dining and grocery spenders who want 4x points without paying the fee.
USAA Eagle Navigator. Modest annual fee, built for the military community with travel rewards and no foreign transaction fees. Best for: members who already bank with USAA.
Navy Federal More Rewards American Express. $0 annual fee with strong category rewards. Best for: members who want a no-fee everyday card from a military-focused credit union.
As of June 2026. Fee waiver eligibility depends on your covered status and the issuer's policy.
Why premium cards become a no-brainer
The math changes completely once the fee disappears. The Amex Platinum carries well over a thousand dollars in annual statement credits, and if you are not paying the $695 fee, those credits are close to pure value.
The same logic applies to the Sapphire Reserve. Its hotel and dining credits can offset most of the $795 fee on their own, and with the fee waived, the credits and points stack in your favor. This is the rare case where the most expensive cards become the smartest pick.
A caution: the MLA cap and fee waiver apply while you are covered. If your covered status ends, the fee can return, so confirm your status before you count on it.
If you are still building credit
These premium cards expect good to excellent credit. If your score is not there yet, applying invites a denial and a wasted hard inquiry. A card built to grow your credit is a better first move, and if you are starting low, our roundup of the best credit cards for a 500 credit score shows realistic options.
The Aspire Mastercard is one option for service members early in their credit journey. It helps you build positive payment history so you can qualify for the premium military cards later. You can review Aspire Mastercard to see if it fits where your credit stands today. If you are a military spouse, our guide to free credit building resources for military spouses covers tools you can use at no cost.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
Build credit while you pay down what you buy
Deployments and moves can make a traditional card balance hard to manage. A no-interest, build-as-you-go option can help you establish history without the APR risk.
Perpay lets you shop and pay over time through payroll-style installments, and it can report your activity to help build credit without a hard credit check to start. For a member who wants to build credit while spreading out purchases, that structure can fit military pay cycles well. You can look at Perpay to see how it works. Adding a second account type this way also helps, since credit mix has a measurable impact on your score.
Perpay Credit Card
Perpay Credit Card
Meet the only card powered by your paycheck. With automatic transfers from your paycheck, you can manage payments stress-free and build credit with ease.
Fee
$9/month plus $9 account opening fee
APR
Marketplace: 0% / Credit Card: 27.74% to 29.99% depending on your creditworthiness.
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
2% reward on purchases made in Perpay Marketplace
Benefit
2% rewards, no security deposit
An unsecured option with no deposit
If you want to build credit without tying up cash in a deposit, an unsecured starter card can get you moving fast.
The Arro Card is an unsecured starter card with no security deposit and no hard credit check; you start with up to $300 and grow toward $2,500 by completing in-app tasks. It reports to the major bureaus and earns 1% cash back on gas and groceries. For a service member starting from a thin file who wants a disciplined way to build, it is a reasonable path toward the premium cards above. If you would rather understand the deposit route first, our explainer on what a secured credit card is lays out the trade-offs.
Arro Card
Arro Card
No deposit. No hard credit check. Start with up to $300 and grow your credit line to $2,500 by completing in-app tasks. Earn 1% cash back on gas and groceries — including Walmart and Target.
Standout feature
Unsecured — no deposit required
Fees
up to $60/ year
Pros
1% cash back on gas & groceries
Cons
Starting credit limit: $50–$300
Picking your card
If you have good credit and are MLA-covered, a premium card with a waived fee is hard to beat. The Amex Platinum, Sapphire Reserve, and Amex Gold all hand you their credits and rewards without the usual price of entry.
If you are still building, start with a card designed to grow your score, then upgrade once you qualify. Our guide on when to switch from a secured to an unsecured card helps you time that upgrade. Confirm your covered status with each issuer, apply normally so the MLA check runs, and pay in full each month so interest never eats your rewards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my annual fee waived as active duty military?
Apply for the card normally. Issuers like Amex and Chase run an automatic check against the Department of Defense MLA database at application, and if you are a covered borrower, the fee waiver applies without you asking.
Who counts as a covered borrower?
Covered borrowers include active duty service members, their spouses, and dependents, plus Guard and Reserve members on active orders of 30 days or more. Coverage is what triggers the MLA rate cap and many fee waivers.
Does the fee waiver last forever?
The waiver applies while you remain a covered borrower. If your covered status ends, the annual fee can return, so confirm your status with the issuer before relying on it long term.
What if my credit is not strong enough for a premium card?
Start with a card built to grow your credit, build positive payment history, then apply for a premium military card once you qualify. This avoids a denial and a wasted hard inquiry.
