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Discover the best credit cards of 2024 tailored for military families and veterans. Choose from options with no annual fees, low APRs, premium travel perks, and reward opportunities.
No single credit card is the best option for every military family, purchase, or budget. The Military Wallet has chosen the best credit cards of 2024 to be the most helpful to the widest variety of readers for multiple situations.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is a standout choice for military servicemembers and veterans who value luxury travel and premium benefits. It offers an unparalleled suite of travel perks, including access to exclusive airport lounges worldwide, substantial travel credits, and comprehensive travel insurance. This card not only elevates travel experiences but also acknowledges and rewards the service and dedication of military personnel, offering them a level of comfort and convenience that matches their lifestyle.
The Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card stands out as the best credit card for everyday spending for military servicemembers and veterans, offering a perfect blend of rewards and benefits. With no annual fee, this card maximizes the value of daily transactions by offering 3X points on essential categories such as restaurants, food delivery, groceries, gas, and transit. Its favorable rates, combined with the lack of balance transfer and foreign transaction fees, make it a highly economical choice for the military community. Additionally, the opportunity to earn significant bonus points upon meeting spending thresholds and special offers like the Walmart+ membership credit further enhance its appeal. Tailored to fit the lifestyle of those who serve, this card not only rewards everyday purchases but also provides financial flexibility and savings on the go.
The USAA Rate Advantage Credit Card is our top pick for the best credit card for balance transfers, particularly for military servicemembers and veterans. Its standout feature is its exceptionally low APR, which can significantly reduce the cost of carrying a balance, making it an ideal choice for those looking to consolidate debt and save on interest. Additionally, it maintains the no-fee structure characteristic of USAA products, including no annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for managing and paying down balances. With its straightforward benefits and commitment to providing value to the military community, this card offers a practical financial solution for servicemembers and veterans aiming to optimize their credit card strategy and minimize expenses.
The PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card earns its spot as the best credit card for gas and groceries due to its competitive cash back rates in these essential spending categories, making it particularly appealing for military servicemembers and veterans. Members who qualify for PenFed's Honors Advantage program enjoy an elevated cash back rate, further boosting the card's value for everyday necessities. Additionally, its no annual fee policy ensures that cardholders can maximize their rewards without worrying about offsetting a cost, while its simple cash back redemption process offers straightforward value. For those in the military community looking to get the most out of their grocery and fuel purchases, this card presents a compelling option.
The Self - Credit Builder Account + Secured Visa® Credit Card is our top choice for military servicemembers and veterans aiming to build or rebuild their credit. This innovative financial tool combines a credit builder loan with a secured credit card, offering a unique pathway to improve credit scores. By making timely payments on the credit builder loan, users can demonstrate financial responsibility, which is reported to the credit bureaus, potentially boosting their credit scores. Once enough savings are accumulated in the Credit Builder Account, it secures the Visa card, enabling users to access and build credit with a card, without requiring a traditional credit check. This dual approach makes it an exceptional tool for those in the military community starting their credit journey or working to enhance their credit profile, all with minimal upfront costs and without the need for an existing credit history.
The Amazon Visa is heralded as the best credit card for online shopping for military servicemembers and veterans due to its robust rewards on Amazon and Whole Foods purchases, essential for daily needs and household essentials. With no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, it's perfectly suited for both stationed and traveling military members, offering flexibility without extra costs. The card's tiered rewards system, including enhanced rates for Prime members, ensures maximum return on online shopping, while additional benefits like travel insurance and purchase protection add value beyond purchases. This card stands out for its immediate reward redemption on Amazon, making it an ideal choice for servicemembers seeking convenience and value in their financial tools.
The Capital One Spark Cash Plus earns its title as the best business rewards credit card for military servicemembers and veterans, thanks to its uncomplicated and generous cash back rewards on all purchases. Ideal for those managing business expenses, this card offers a straightforward 2% cash back on every transaction, without any categories to track or spending limits to worry about. Additionally, its lack of a foreign transaction fee aligns perfectly with the global lifestyle of many military families, ensuring they earn rewards wherever they are stationed or travel. Coupled with an annual cash bonus for high spenders and robust fraud protection, the Spark Cash Plus provides significant value and peace of mind for servicemembers aiming to maximize their spending efficiency.
The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card claims the top spot as the best credit card for airline rewards for military servicemembers and veterans, thanks to its blend of travel benefits and earning potential. With generous rewards on Delta purchases, dining, and at U.S. supermarkets, it's tailored for those who value both everyday spending rewards and travel perks. The card's standout features include a free first checked bag on Delta flights, priority boarding, and an annual flight credit, enhancing travel experiences for servicemembers whether traveling for duty or leisure. Additionally, the waived foreign transaction fees make it an excellent companion for international travel. Its benefits package is designed to offer significant value to military families who frequently fly, making it an indispensable tool in their travel arsenal.
The Upgrade Cash Rewards Visa® earns its place as the best credit card for gas rewards for military servicemembers and veterans by offering an impressive and uncomplicated cash back rate on all purchases, including gas. This card stands out with its unique combination of fixed payments with installment plans that help manage large fuel expenses over time, making it particularly suited for those who travel or commute frequently. Additionally, its no-fee structure on annual, foreign transaction, or late fees aligns with the financial well-being focus for military members, providing a straightforward and cost-effective way to earn rewards on essential spending without worrying about accruing unnecessary charges.
The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card earns its title as the best credit card for hotel rewards for military servicemembers and veterans due to its exceptional value in the hospitality space. Offering a generous earning rate on Marriott stays, the card accelerates the path to free nights at a vast range of properties worldwide, fitting the varied travel needs of military families. Additional benefits, like automatic Gold Elite status, enhance every stay with room upgrades and late checkout, ensuring comfort and convenience on the move. The inclusion of annual bonus points after meeting spending thresholds further bolsters its appeal, making it an indispensable tool for those seeking to maximize their travel benefits while honoring their service.
Credit card information featured on The Military Wallet may be provided by CardRatings.com, the card issuer, or other sources. The Military Wallet uses reasonable efforts to maintain accurate information on the site — and prior to applying for any credit card offers found on The Military Wallet, all visitors should review other features of such credit cards including but not limited to interest rates, annual fees and transaction fees, and should determine the suitability of such credit cards considering their own individual financial position.
