A woman in a military uniform sits at a table looking at a laptop while holding a credit card.

How to Find the Best Military Credit Card for Your Needs

5 min read

Published October 9, 2025

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

In the United States, active duty military personnel receive financial and legal benefits and protections through the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).
The SCRA impacts existing debts, while the Military Lending Act (MLA) impacts new debts.
The best credit cards for military members may offer perks and rewards in addition to MLA and SCRA benefits.

Active duty U.S. military members may qualify for some benefits that ease financial burdens during their military service. Those benefits may make it easier to manage old credit card balances and get new cards with premium perks. The best military credit card can help you make the most of those benefits so you can focus on your service without stressing about your credit.

How do military credit cards work?

“Military credit cards” are standard credit cards with unique benefits for members of the Armed Forces.

While some credit cards are designed specifically for military personnel, you don’t need a special credit card to access exclusive features and protections. Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and the Military Lending Act (MLA), active duty military members are entitled to certain benefits.

What's the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act?

The SCRA is a federal law that helps protect active duty military personnel, including reservists and members of the National Guard, from certain legal and financial challenges so they can devote their attention to their service.

Under the SCRA, credit card companies and other lenders can’t charge over 6% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) interest on an active duty soldier’s existing debts, including:

Credit card debt
Auto loans
Mortgages
Student loans
Personal loans

After your active duty service concludes (or, for mortgages, one year after the conclusion of your military service), creditors can increase your interest rate. But they can’t retroactively charge you the interest you would have paid.

The interest rate reduction isn’t automatic—you have to request it and provide your credit card issuer or other lender documentation of your service to opt in. Lenders can’t close your account or change your terms for claiming your SCRA rights.

This protection only covers debts you incurred before becoming a servicemember.

How does the Military Lending Act affect credit cards?

The SCRA only applies to pre-existing debts. But according to the Federal Trade Commission, its sister law, the Military Lending Act, applies to debts you accrue while you’re on active duty, like new loans or credit cards. The MLA interest cap is 36% APR, much higher than the SCRA cap. However, the 36% APR also includes some other fees, so it may be able to still save you money.

What to consider when picking a credit card for military members

The right military credit card for you should offer features that align with your spending habits and goals.

In addition to special benefits for servicemembers, look for a credit card that earns rewards on the types of purchases you already make and offers perks relevant to your lifestyle.

Credit card fees for military members

Many credit card issuers waive annual fees during active military service, but military members aren’t guaranteed free credit cards. Even if a credit card company waives fees, you’ll likely have to begin paying after your service concludes. So, it’s worth considering whether the card’s benefits will be worth any eventual annual fee. Discover^® has no annual fee on any of our cards, even after your service concludes.

You should also consider foreign transaction fees, especially if your service includes travel abroad. Discover^® has no foreign transaction fee, but some credit card companies do charge a foreign transaction fee for purchases in other currencies. These extra costs can add up quickly if you use your card often.

Other costs to ask your card issuer about include penalties for late payments and balance transfer fees. Some credit card issuers may exempt servicemembers from these costs or offer discounts.

Credit card interest rates for military members

Before you apply for a new credit card, it’s worth asking the issuer about low interest rate offers for servicemembers. While lenders are only compelled to apply SCRA benefits to existing debts, some credit card issuers may extend them to new credit card accounts for active military personnel. And remember, under the MLA, interest can’t exceed 36% APR during your service.

Depending on your credit score, you may also qualify for low introductory APR promotions, which can help you save on interest if you repay your balance in full during the promotional period.

Compare credit card rewards

A rewards credit card allows you to earn cash back or travel rewards on your everyday expenses. Some credit cards offer rewards at a fixed rate across all eligible purchases. Others offer tiered rewards, which means transactions in a certain bonus category earn a higher reward rate than other purchases. You could maximize your rewards by choosing a credit card with bonus categories that match your spending habits.

If you’re unsure of the right fit, try tracking your purchases for a month or two before applying. You might notice that you tend to spend a lot stocking up on groceries on the weekends or going out to dinner after a long day. Try to find a credit card that rewards those purchases.

Did you know?

If you often dine out or have a regular commute from your military base, consider the Discover it^® Chrome Gas & Restaurant Credit Card. Earn 2% Cashback Bonus^® at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. Plus earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.¹

Learn More

Travel perks for military members

Travel rewards credit cards with perks can make flying more comfortable and convenient. But some major airlines may offer military members similar benefits, like priority boarding, discounted checked bags, and access to airport lounges.

If your airline of choice already provides travel perks, then you should consider whether the miles you may earn on a travel rewards credit card alone might make it worthwhile.

The bottom line

Under the SCRA and the MLA, military personnel receive some protections that make managing credit card debt during active duty easier. The best credit card option may help you make the most of those benefits and earn rewards. But you’re ultimately still responsible for your debts, so it’s important to maintain responsible credit habits throughout your service.

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