Best Credit Cards for Military (SCRA and MLA Fee Waivers)
SCRA and MLA, briefly
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) caps interest at 6 percent on debt taken on before active duty, and the Military Lending Act (MLA) caps the all-in rate (the MAPR) at 36 percent and bans certain fees for covered borrowers. Beyond those legal minimums, several issuers voluntarily waive credit card annual fees for active-duty military, which is where the real value sits.
Why premium cards become a no-brainer
When an issuer waives the annual fee on a premium card, you keep all the perks (lounge access, travel credits, elite status) for free. That flips the usual math: a high-fee card you would normally have to justify becomes pure upside. Active-duty members often hold cards like the Amex Platinum specifically because the fee is waived. Which cards and which fees are waived varies by issuer, so check each policy.
How to get the waiver
Issuers verify military status through the SCRA database, usually automatically. If a fee is not waived, call the issuer and ask them to apply SCRA or MLA benefits. Confirm the policy before applying, and read the issuer rules in credit card application rules and the Amex rules. Then judge the perks as if the fee were zero, using are annual fees worth it.
Frequently asked questions
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