ZDNet presents this year’s list of best credit cards for members of the military, providing unique benefits and rewards designed for those who serve and defend our country. For more recommendations on credit cards, check out our expert picks for the best rewards credit cards, the best high-limit credit cards, and the best international travel credit cards. An introductory offer includes a $100 bonus credit when you make at least $1,500 in purchases during the first 90 days. You also skip the interest on any balance transfers you make, thanks to a generous introductory APR, although a 3% transaction fee applies. Overall, the Power Cash Rewards Visa gives you a competitive APR with no annual or foreign transaction fees, making for an even more attractive offer. Pros:
No feesIntro offerCashback program
Cons:
Excellent credit recommendedFee applies for balance transfers
You only have to spend $300 on travel before the rewards kick in for your road warrior lifestyle, giving you 5x the points on flights and 10x the points on hotels and car rentals annually. You get 3x the points on all other travel, plus 10x the points on Chase Dining purchases to help boost your trip. All other purchases earn one point per dollar. Plus, every year, you receive a $300 annual travel credit. However, there is a high annual fee, plus you have to pay for each authorized user. Pros:
Impressive introductory offerPremium benefitsNo foreign transaction fee
Cons:
Annual fee appliesExcellent credit recommended
To help with that initial deposit, there are few fees with no annual fees, balance transfer fees, or foreign transaction fees. Once approved, all you need is a $200 minimum to get started, and Navy Federal will review your account twice a year to see if you are eligible for an upgrade to a secured card. In the meantime, you will earn rewards in the form of 1x the points per dollar spent. Pros:
Accepts bad creditFew feesExcellent for credit-building
Cons:
Must be a Navy Federal Credit Union memberMust pay deposit
You also receive up to a $240 digital entertainment credit each year that includes popular services like Audible, Disney+, Hulu, and SiriusXM. American Express also gives you access to its Global Lounge Collection to over 1,400 airport lounges in 650 cities and 140 countries for even greater flexibility. You receive 5x the points on flights and prepaid hotels and 2x the points on other purchases for regular rewards. Pros:
Built-in Elite statusLuxury benefitsLounge access
Cons:
Steep annual feeMust have good credit
It is also attractive because there are no annual or foreign transaction fees, saving you even more money each year. Travel benefits come included with the auto rental and travel accident coverage, as well as protections for trip cancellations and interruption coverage with baggage reimbursement. Pros:
Competitive APRIntroductory offerExcellent rewards
Cons:
Excellent credit requiredSpending caps apply
These are some of the factors we considered in our search:
APR: The APR on your credit card dictates how much interest you will pay for your purchases and balance transfers. The higher the APR, the more you will spend on interest.Fees: Watch out for credit card fees that can quickly cost a ton of money, like annual fees, foreign transaction fees, and balance transfer fees.Introductory offer: Many cards offer an intro offer when you first open a card. This could be in the form of a lower APR or a welcome bonus. Rewards: Several credit cards on our list come with extra perks, like travel benefits and cashback. Credit score: In order to qualify for a credit card, there may be a specific credit score you will need to apply. Be sure to check these requirements first so you don’t risk harming your credit in the process.
American Express® Gold Card: Great for groceriesCapital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card: Skip the annual feeUSAA® Rate Advantage Visa Platinum® Card: Save on interestWells Fargo Reflect® Card: An impressive introductory APR
