Citi Credit Cards and Military Benefits: What You Need to Know

Citi offers a robust selection of credit cards and banking services with significant perks for military service members, particularly under the Military Lending Act (MLA).

Whether you’re looking to maximize travel rewards, earn cashback, or enjoy top-tier benefits with no annual fees, Citi’s lineup of cards can make a solid addition to your wallet.

Let’s take a closer look at Citi’s MLA benefits, how to access them, and the best credit card options for military members.

Citi MLA Explained

Under the Military Lending Act (MLA), Citi waives annual fees for active-duty service members and their spouses on a wide range of their credit cards.

These fee waivers are credited to your account once you apply for and receive your card, provided you submit your active-duty documentation (more on how to submit your documentation below).

Citi Cards with Annual Fees Waived for Military

Citi waives annual fees on several of its premier credit cards for active-duty service members under the MLA. Here are some of the top options:

Citi® Prestige® Card

The card_name is a high-end travel rewards card that offers impressive benefits for frequent travelers. With perks like an annual travel credit, the ability to earn rewards across major spending categories, and access to luxury services, this card provides excellent value—especially when the annual fee is waived for military members under the MLA.

Below is a quick overview of the key features and why it’s a strong choice for military members looking to maximize travel benefits.

Key Features and Benefits

• Annual Fee: annual_fees (waived for military members under MLA)
• Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles bonus_miles_disclaimer (redeemable for $500 in airfare or $400 in gift cards).
• APR: reg_apr,reg_apr_type
• Air Travel Credit: $250 annual credit for airline fees.
• Fourth Night Free: Complimentary fourth night at hotels when booked through the Citi Prestige® Concierge.
• Lounge Access: Free Priority Pass™ Select membership.
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit: Up to $100 credit every 5 years.
• Rewards:
  • 3X points on air travel and hotels.
  • 2X points on dining and entertainment.
  • 1X points on all other purchases.
• Point Transfer: Transfer points to a wide range of travel loyalty programs.

This combination of luxury travel perks, waived annual fees for military members, and strong rewards earning potential makes the card_name ideal for servicemembers who travel frequently.

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The card_name is an excellent choice for travelers and everyday spenders alike, offering valuable rewards across multiple spending categories.

With a strong welcome bonus, no foreign transaction fees, and the ability to transfer points to various travel partners, this card is ideal for those looking to maximize everyday purchases and travel rewards.

Key Features and Benefits

• Annual Fee: annual_fees (waived for military members under MLA)
• Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full.
• APR: reg_apr,reg_apr_type
• $100 Hotel Credit: Annual $100 discount on hotel stays of $500 or more, booked through the Citi Travel portal.
• Rewards:
  • 3X points on air travel, hotels, gas stations, dining, and supermarkets.
  • 1X points on all other purchases.
• Point Transfer: Transfer points to numerous airline and hotel loyalty programs.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Great for international travel without extra charges.

With generous rewards on both travel and everyday spending, plus valuable travel credits, the card_name is a versatile option for military members who want to earn significant rewards while avoiding annual fees.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

The card_name is the ideal choice for frequent American Airlines flyers who value premium perks, including Admirals Club® access and a high earning potential for American Airlines AAdvantage® miles.

With a robust welcome bonus, loyalty benefits, and various travel enhancements, this card delivers substantial value—particularly for military members who benefit from a waived annual fee under the MLA.

Key Features and Benefits

• Annual Fee: annual_fees (waived for military members under MLA)
• Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
• APR: reg_apr,reg_apr_type
• Admirals Club® Membership: Complimentary access for the cardholder and up to two guests, or immediate family members.
• First Checked Bag Free: On domestic American Airlines flights for the cardholder and up to 8 companions on the same itinerary.
• Rewards:
  • Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.
  • 2X miles on American Airlines purchases.
  • 1X miles on all other purchases.
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit: Up to $100 statement credit every five years.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international travel without additional charges.

This card is a premium option for those who regularly fly American Airlines and want luxury benefits such as lounge access, free checked bags, and valuable mileage earning potential. For military members, the waived annual fee makes the card_name even more attractive, turning it into a powerful tool for maximizing travel rewards.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

The card_name is a well-rounded travel rewards card tailored for frequent American Airlines travelers.

With perks like a generous welcome bonus, accelerated mileage earning opportunities, and travel benefits like free checked bags and preferred boarding, this card offers solid value—especially when the annual fee is waived under the MLA for military members.

Key Features and Benefits

• Annual Fee: annual_fees and for military members under MLA.
• Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full.
• APR: reg_apr,reg_apr_type
• First Checked Bag Free: On domestic American Airlines flights for the cardholder and up to four companions on the same reservation.
• Rewards:
  • 2X miles on gas stations, restaurants, and American Airlines purchases.
  • 1X miles on all other purchases.
• Flight Discount: Earn a $125 American Airlines flight discount after spending $20,000 within a membership year.
• In-Flight Discounts: Save 25% on in-flight food and beverage purchases.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Perfect for international travelers.

The card_name provides excellent value for American Airlines loyalists, offering a blend of mileage-earning and cost-saving travel perks. With the first checked bag free and priority boarding, it helps improve your travel experience while keeping costs down, especially for military members who benefit from the waived annual fee.

How to Request Citi MLA Benefits

• Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility
  Visit the MLA Database website to confirm your active-duty status. You’ll need a copy of this certificate when submitting your request to Citi.
  • If you are not listed as eligible in this database, you will not receive MLA benefits applied to your account.
• Step 2: Contact Citi’s Military Response Unit
  Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, send an email to [email protected]M with your MLA certificate attached. A simple email, as shown below, will start the process:

Hello Citi Military Response Unit,

My name is [Name], and I recently applied and was approved for a [Citi card name]. I am requesting to have Military Lending Act (MLA) protections applied to the account in connection with my current military service.

Please see my attached Status Report Pursuant to Military Lending Act from the MLA Database as evidence of military service.

Thank you,
[Your Name]

• Step 3: Check Your Account Balance
  Some users have reported that for the MLA waiver to apply, your statement must show a balance in the month the annual fee is charged—between $0 and 36% of the annual fee. While this is not always required, having a small balance ensures the fee will be credited back.
  • For example, on the Citi Prestige card with a $495 annual fee, the MLA waiver is triggered if your balance is less than $1,375 (495 ÷ 0.36). If the balance exceeds this amount or there’s no balance at all, the waiver may not apply automatically.

How Citi’s SCRA and MLA Policies Compare to American Express and Chase

When it comes to supporting active-duty military members, Citi, American Express, and Chase all offer excellent benefits under the Military Lending Act (MLA) and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).

However, there are key differences in how each issuer handles fee waivers, interest rate caps, and additional protections. Understanding these distinctions can help military servicemembers choose the best card issuer for their specific needs.

Citi’s MLA and SCRA Policies

• MLA Benefits:
  Citi waives annual fees on its credit cards for active-duty servicemembers and their spouses under the MLA. This benefit covers some of their most popular travel and rewards cards, including the Citi Prestige®, Citi Premier®, and Citi AAdvantage® cards. Citi also caps the Military Annual Percentage Rate (MAPR) at 36% for military members, which includes interest, fees, and other costs associated with credit products.
• SCRA Benefits:
  For pre-service debt, Citi offers an interest rate cap of 6% on obligations incurred before entering active-duty service. However, annual fees may not be waived under SCRA unless the credit card was obtained after joining the military and is eligible under MLA. Citi’s SCRA protections mainly focus on capping interest rates rather than waiving fees.
• How to Apply:
  To receive MLA or SCRA benefits, military members must submit their active-duty orders or MLA certificate via email to [email protected] and allow up to two weeks for processing.

American Express SCRA and MLA Policies

• MLA Benefits:
  American Express is highly regarded for its military benefits, offering waived annual fees for active-duty service members and their spouses on all personal credit cards under MLA. This includes premium cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express, which normally carries a $695 annual fee. Amex’s MLA policy is straightforward: all fees are waived, including late fees, balance transfer fees, and cash advance fees.
• SCRA Benefits:
  American Express also extends generous SCRA benefits, offering waived annual fees even for credit cards opened before active duty. This goes beyond the MLA by covering both pre-service and in-service accounts. Like Citi, Amex also provides a 6% interest rate cap on pre-service debt, but Amex’s SCRA policy is unique in that it applies to both credit cards and loans obtained before active-duty service.
• How to Apply:
  Amex makes it easy for service members to apply for MLA or SCRA benefits through an online form or by calling their customer service team. Benefits are usually applied within a few weeks of verification.

Chase SCRA and MLA Policies

• MLA Benefits:
  Chase offers a strong MLA program as well, waiving annual fees for active-duty military members on all personal credit cards. This includes cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Chase Freedom Flex?. Additionally, Chase waives foreign transaction fees, late fees, and balance transfer fees under the MLA. Military members with Chase credit cards enjoy full access to these waived fees, making the cards more affordable for servicemembers and their families.
• SCRA Benefits:
  Chase, like Citi, adheres to the SCRA’s 6% interest rate cap on pre-service debt but does not automatically waive annual fees on cards obtained before military service unless they qualify under the MLA. Chase’s SCRA benefits focus primarily on interest rate protections rather than fee waivers for pre-service accounts, aligning closely with Citi’s SCRA policies.
• How to Apply:
  To request MLA or SCRA protections, military members can contact Chase’s Military Services Department, either by phone or through their website, and submit documentation verifying their active-duty status. Chase’s process is typically fast, with benefits applied within a few weeks of submission.

Comparison of Citi, American Express, and Chase SCRA/MLA Policies

Feature	Citi	American Express	Chase
Annual Fee Waivers (MLA)	Yes, for active-duty service members	Yes, for active-duty service members	Yes, for active-duty servicemembers
Annual Fee Waivers (SCRA)	May not be waived unless under MLA	Yes, waived even for pre-service accounts	Yes, for active-duty service members
Interest Rate Cap (SCRA)	6% on pre-service debt	6% on pre-service debt	6% on pre-service debt
Foreign Transaction Fees	Waived under MLA	Waived under MLA	Waived under MLA
Late Fees and Other Fees	Waived under MLA	Waived under MLA & SCRA	Waived under MLA
Application Process	Email documents to Citi’s Military Unit	Online form or call customer service	Online submission or phone request

Which Issuer Offers the Best Benefits?

• Best for Comprehensive Fee Waivers: American Express offers the most comprehensive fee waivers, applying both MLA and SCRA protections broadly across all accounts, including those opened before service. This makes Amex an excellent choice for service members who want premium benefits with no out-of-pocket costs.
• Best for Travel Rewards: For service members looking to maximize travel rewards, both Chase and Citi offer excellent options. Cards like the Citi Prestige® and Chase Sapphire Reserve® provide high-value rewards and travel benefits, with annual fees waived under the MLA. The choice between the two may come down to which loyalty programs and transfer partners better suit your travel needs.
• Best for Interest Rate Caps: All three issuers comply with the SCRA’s 6% interest rate cap, but Citi and Chase are more aligned in focusing primarily on pre-service debt protections. Amex stands out here by providing broader protections that include waiving annual fees for both SCRA and MLA accounts.

Final Thoughts

Citi’s credit cards offer significant value, especially for military members who can take advantage of waived annual fees and generous travel rewards. Whether you’re interested in earning miles, getting access to airport lounges, or building up points for future travel, Citi’s lineup of cards has options to suit your needs.

If you’re eligible for MLA or SCRA protections, don’t hesitate to reach out to Citi and request your benefits—it’s an easy way to get more out of your credit cards without the added cost.

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