Best Chase Credit Cards for Military Members

Members of the United States military have access to special bank privileges and credit card offers.

Chase Bank offers several benefits for active-duty military members and their families. In addition to certain protections and perks – like free checking accounts and no minimum balances – Chase also offers high-end credit cards with a wide variety of cardholder rewards.

Chase Military Credit Card Fee Waivers

Usually, Chase cardholders must pay hefty annual fees for some of Chase Bank’s highest-end credit cards. However, under the Military Lending Act (MLA) and Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act (SCRA), Chase waives fees for military members, unlocking access to some significant credit card rewards free of charge.

Which Act Applies, SCRA or MLA?

The military benefits you receive on Chase credit cards depend on when you establish or open the account.

Open an account before active duty = SCRA

Open an account while on active duty = MLA

If you apply for the account prior to active duty orders, you are eligible for Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) benefits while you are on active duty orders.

If you apply for the credit card account while you are on active duty orders, a Guard and Reservists on 30 day or greater active orders, or a dependent of an active duty servicemember, you are eligible for Military Lending Act (MLA) benefits while you are on active orders or a dependent of someone on active orders.

Chase may deny you SCRA benefits if you opened the account while on active duty. In that case, confirm they are applying MLA benefits, and if they are not, check the MLA database and then apply for MLA benefits.

Many Chase credit cards have travel-focused rewards that can be especially helpful when you and your family are deployed or stationed overseas. When you travel, you’ll get extra points and discounts, reimbursements, or travel credits.

Here are a few Chase military credit cards with special rewards for the armed forces, and what you need to qualify for them.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• Fees: The Chase Sapphire Preferred card has no foreign transaction fees and annual fee for active-duty service members under the SCRA. According to Chase’s website, the fee is per year.

• Interest: Cardholders will get between APR, which means your interest rate fluctuates based on index interest rates, such as prime rates located in the Wall Street Journal. You can read up on these details in your cardholder agreement.

• Rewards: Many of this card’s rewards favor exchanging points for travel. You can earn up to 5x points on Chase Travel^SM, 3x points on dining, and up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel.
• Sign-Up Bonus:

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Once you’ve had a Chase Sapphire Preferred account for one year, you can qualify for the credit card.

• Fees: This card comes with a hefty annual fee, but Chase waives it for active-duty military members.

• Interest: APR

• Rewards: The updated Chase Sapphire Reserve® now offers over $2,700 in annual value, including up to 8x points on travel, 4x on direct flights and hotels, and generous statement credits for dining, luxury hotel stays, Apple subscriptions, and more. Enhanced redemptions through Points Boost, complimentary elite hotel status, premium travel protections, and exclusive perks like Sapphire Lounges and personalized travel planning further elevate this top-tier travel rewards card.

• Sign-Up Bonus: .

IHG® One Rewards Premier Credit Card

Another good credit card available through Chase is the .

• Fees: The fee is per year, but Chase waives the fee for service members under the SCRA.

• Interest: The Chase IHG Premier card carries a APR.

• Rewards: The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card offers up to 26x points per $1 spent at IHG Hotels & Resorts, 5x points on travel, gas stations, and restaurants, and 3x points on all other purchases. Cardholders receive a free night each year after their account anniversary (worth up to 40,000 points), enjoy a fourth night free when redeeming points for four or more consecutive nights, and get automatic IHG Platinum Elite status with perks like room upgrades and late checkout—making it a valuable choice for frequent IHG travelers.

• Sign-Up Bonus: .

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

If you’re looking for a travel credit card that will pay for your flights, the is a good option.

• Fees: Chase waves the usual annual fee for service members.

• Interest: This card has between APR.

• Rewards: This card unlocks a $75 Southwest travel credit every year. Cardmembers can also upgrade four flights throughout the year when the seat is available and receive 25% cashback on in-flight purchases. Transactions made with Southwest will also get you four points on the dollar. On each account anniversary, you will receive 7,500 points.

Eligibility Requirements to Qualify

To qualify for any credit card with Chase, you need good to excellent credit. Ideally, your score should be 720 or higher.

The Chase 5/24 Rule

Chase also has a strict 5/24 rule for approving new credit card applications.

This rule refers to the number of new accounts you have opened. If you have opened five new accounts within the last two years (or 24 months), you won’t be approved.

Instead, you’ll need to wait until 24 months from the day you opened your most recent account. So, if you opened your fifth account on March 24, 2020, you won’t be approved for a Chase credit card until after April 1, 2022.

This rule helps Chase ensure you don’t have too many open credit accounts at once.

What Are Chase Credit Cards’ Military Benefits?

Chase waives all annual fees for active duty service members.

So, military members can access Chase’s competitive rewards programs for free. Additionally, Chase Bank mortgages offer SCRA protections against home foreclosure and repossession for military members, including forbearance and repayment plans.

Does Chase Have SCRA Benefits?

Through the Servicemembers’ Civil Relief Act, active-duty service members – including reserve and National Guard members on active orders – can access annual fee waivers, reduced interest rates and help with early vehicle lease termination.

How to Apply for a Chase Credit Card with Military Benefits

To apply for a Chase Credit Card, visit their website, choose the card that fits your needs, provide your information and hit send. Once you’re approved, you can then apply for your SCRA benefits, like the annual fee waiver.

To access SCRA benefits, you’ll need to upload supporting documents like a copy of your military orders or an official letter from your commander to a secure message on Chase bank’s online portal.

Chase Military Credit Cards Pros and Cons

As with any decision, choosing a Chase military credit card has pros and cons.

Depending on your specific spending habits and desired rewards, some Chase cards may serve you better than others, though each provides access to travel perks.

How to Access Cash Rewards on a Chase Military Credit Card

Accessing cash rewards on a Chase military credit card is easy through the bank’s online portal.

Log into your Chase account to visit the rewards portal. You should see a dashboard where you can see how many rewards you have available and choose where and how you’d like to spend them.

Various options are available on the site, including cashing your points out or exchanging them for travel or other items.

Is the Chase Military Credit Card Worth It?

If you can meet the credit requirements, owning a Chase credit card comes with valuable rewards and benefits to help you travel more while earning more points.

While you are on active duty, they’ll waive their high annual fees, which can potentially save you hundreds of dollars per year. Once you’ve left active duty, it’s up to you whether Chase Travel and other benefits are worth the price.

If you’re on active duty now, consider taking advantage of the military fee waiver to try the card out for free while you can.