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We salute those currently serving active duty in the military or who have served. We appreciate that military service carries major responsibilities, personal sacrifices, and even financial challenges.
The financial challenges that many military families face came to the forefront years ago, resulting in the government passing key legislation. These laws were designed to help alleviate and restrict burdensome lending practices affecting military members.
The laws applied to financial transactions such as vehicle leases, payday loans, mortgages, and housing rights. They also affected credit card practices, including fees and interest rates.
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act of 2003, or SCRA, applies to accounts opened prior to active military service, while the subsequent Military Lending Act, or MLA, governs the limiting of fees and interest rates on debt acquired by active military members, their spouses, domestic partners, and child dependents (as defined in 38 USC 101(4)).
While credit card issuers must follow the law as written, they are also free to go above and beyond to offer additional concessions.
American Express is one of the credit card issuers embracing the purpose of the laws and extending benefits beyond what is required by the legislation. The issuer does this by setting annual fees to $0 for qualifying active-duty military members.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best examples of a value-added card that offers active military members an opportunity to enjoy hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in complimentary benefits.
Here’s how to take advantage of this annual fee benefit and the potential value you could receive.
The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card than The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits including best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.
American Express Membership Rewards
If you decide to apply, we advise reviewing the credit score requirements of the Amex Platinum card before you apply and let them pull your credit.
Put simply, the Military Lending Act provides benefits that apply to credit accounts opened by a service member (or another covered borrower) during that service member’s active-duty military service.
The Servicemember’s Civil Relief Act covers eligible products opened by a service member prior to their active-duty military service.
The MLA provides coverage for debt like automobile loans, consumer credit, and payday loans, while the SCRA includes transactions such as home mortgages, debts, auto leases, life insurance, and more.
According to its printed guidelines, American Express provides annual fee of $0 benefit under the MLA (cards obtained during active duty) for the following individuals:
American Express lists the following qualified individuals as eligible for benefits under SCRA (cards obtained before active duty):
You can contact American Express directly to ask any questions regarding qualifications at 800-253-1720.
The Amex Platinum card comes with several benefits a military traveler can utilize. Complimentary access to airport lounges worldwide, hotel elite status, and car rental privileges, can make travel more comfortable. A generous welcome offer, an annual fee reduction benefit, and statement credits for airline incidentals all result in extraordinary value for the active-duty military member.
The Amex Platinum card, without a doubt, is one of the best credit cards for military members. Here’s a review of the benefits offered by the Amex Platinum card and an estimate of the value, where possible, that you receive by having the card.
Usually, the Amex Platinum card charges an annual fee of $695 (rates and fees). In our view, the benefits of the Amex Platinum card easily outweigh the annual fee, but the fact remains that the fee is quite a bit higher than most other travel rewards cards.
Fortunately, qualifying military service members can have the annual fee on the Amex Platinum card reduced to $0. This benefit allows access to all of the fantastic perks of the card, including airport lounge access and hotel elite status, without you needing to pay the card’s fee.
While the annual fee of the Amex Platinum card is rather high, the annual fee is also $0 for spouses and domestic partners. This includes adding your spouse as an authorized user on your card and if your spouse has their own Amex Platinum card.
Reserve service members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard under a call or order not specified as 30 days or less, and their spouses and dependents, also qualify for the fee reduction.
Under the SCRA (cards acquired prior to active duty) American Express will extend fee-reduction benefits to active-duty commissioned officers of the Public Health Service and U.S. citizens serving with U.S. allied forces in war or military action.
Commissioned officers with the Public Health Service or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration may also qualify to have an existing Amex Platinum card fee reduced under the SCRA.
Before applying for any card, visit the MLA Website to ensure your and your spouse’s information is updated and your active-duty status is showing correctly.
Welcome offers vary, but you can count on a value of at least 1 cent per Membership Reward point when redeeming those bonus points for travel. For example, this translates to at least $600 in travel if the welcome offer is 60,000 points or $1,000 if the offer would be 100,000 points.
You may receive additional value by transferring your Membership Rewards to Amex airline partners, but you should earn at least 1 cent per point in redemptions.
The annual fee of $695 is waived for active military members, spouses, domestic partners, and child dependents (as defined in 38 USC 101(4)). This is a huge savings that American Express offers to military members as a thank you for their service.
In addition to the annual fee, American Express doesn’t charge late and returned payment fees, over-limit fees, and statement copy request fees for active-duty military.
Adding an authorized user to your Amex Platinum card normally costs $195 (rates and fees). For active-duty military members, this fee is $0.
While authorized users, including spouses, do not receive any statement credit benefits or Uber Cash, they receive full airport lounge access privileges, hotel elite benefits, and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement.
Read about all the benefits of adding an authorized user to your Amex Platinum card for even more information.
In addition to lounge access, authorized users on the Amex Platinum card receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors Gold hotel loyalty program elite status. Authorized users can also enjoy rental car program benefits. Authorized users do not receive separate statement credit benefits for airline incidentals, Uber Cash, SAKS Fifth Avenue, entertainment streaming, Equinox+, or Walmart+.
One of the most valuable benefits of having the Amex Platinum card is worldwide lounge access to more than 1,400 lounges. For travelers, including active military, this translates to having a comfortable place to relax, grab a beverage, and have a bite to eat — all for simply being a cardmember.
The cardholder can enjoy complimentary access to the following lounge networks:
If we value a single lounge visit at $50 (the approximate cost of bringing a guest), you’d simply need to visit an airport lounge 14 times a year to get $700 in value in our estimation. That’s 7 round-trip journeys, assuming you’re visiting the lounge on both legs.
*(Effective February 1, 2025, Amex Platinum cardholders will only receive 10 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. To earn an unlimited number of visits, you need to spend at least $75,000 on your Amex Platinum card between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, and each calendar year thereafter.)
Use your card to purchase seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other airline incidentals and receive a statement credit, up to a maximum of $200 per year. Here’s a guide to maximizing the airline incidental credit to ensure you maximize the credit fully.
Travel becomes so much easier when you breeze through immigration and customs. Pay for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee with your Amex Platinum card and receive a statement credit reimbursement of up to $120 once every 4 years for Global Entry or every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck. We suggest applying for Global Entry, as it comes with TSA PreCheck.
CLEAR is an airport security program similar to TSA PreCheck. Charge the membership to your card and receive a statement credit of up to $199 each year.
It can be challenging to set a value on hotel elite status, as it depends on how frequently you stay at the associated hotel brand’s properties.
Receive Marriott Bonvoy Gold and Hilton Honors Gold elite status. Elite status instantly qualifies you for perks such as upgraded rooms, late checkout, free Wi-Fi, and bonus earnings. Make sure to enroll in this benefit through your American Express account to get the most out of your card.
Splurge a little at The Hotel Collection and receive hotel credit of up to $100 for qualifying purchases when staying 2 consecutive nights. You also receive an upgraded room at check-in.
Fine Hotels + Resorts steps it up a notch with even more benefits. A stay of 1 night or more qualifies.
Hot Tip: Learn more about these 2 hotel programs and the benefits provided in our comparison of the Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels + Resorts.
Receive complimentary National Emerald Club Executive status, Avis Preferred Plus status, and Hertz President’s Circle status just for having the Amex Platinum card and enrolling in the benefit through your American Express account. Benefits include vehicle upgrades, discounted rental rates, return-time grace periods, no second-driver fees, and more.
To ensure you receive the most from this benefit, dive into our guide on the Amex Platinum card’s car rental benefits.
You receive $15 in Uber Cash monthly, plus a $20 bonus in December, for up to $200 in Uber Cash per year. You can use this Uber Cash for U.S. Uber rides or U.S. Uber Eats orders for that month. You can even use this Uber Cash for multiple purchases, although any balance does not roll over from month to month.
Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
Even if you don’t normally shop at Saks, it’s fun to splurge once or twice a year and use your shopping credit. Enroll via your online Amex Platinum card account and receive up to $100 in statement credits each year. You can receive up to $50 in statement credits between January and June and up to $50 between July and December.
Receive up to $20 monthly in statement credits after charging select streaming services to your card. Enrollment is required.
Get up to $300 back each year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your card after enrollment.
Get $12.95 per month toward a Walmart+ membership, with benefits including free shipping and discounted gas prices.
Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which require a minimum 2-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your card.
Get $300 in statement credits each time you buy a SoulCycle at-home bike. Just note that a 12-month Equinox+ membership is required to purchase a SoulCycle bike.
This program could help you save thousands on your next new vehicle purchase.
The Amex Platinum card offers several additional benefits that could save you money.
This is not a complete list of additional card benefits, and descriptions have been abbreviated. Full terms and conditions may be found in the Amex Platinum card guide to benefits.
Here’s how to complete the Amex Platinum card application as a military member.
Applying for the Amex Platinum card is simple: Click on the link in the card snapshot at the beginning of this article. Add your name as it appears on your military ID, date of birth, address, telephone number, Social Security number, and income.
Under Income Source, select Military. American Express will then attempt to match your Social Security number to the DoD database and apply the benefits automatically. If, for any reason, this does not happen automatically, you can request benefits after card approval.
American Express makes it very easy for active-duty military members. Any MLA relief for which you are eligible is automatically applied to your account at account opening.
If MLA benefits are not applied, contact American Express for assistance at 800-253-1720.
Applying to receive SCRA benefits, which includes waiving the annual fee on your current Amex Platinum card, is simple. Just log in to your Amex Platinum card account online and select Account Services at the top of the page. Then select Credit Management and choose SCRA Benefits.
You can upload any requested information after answering a few questions.
Additionally, you can request benefits via the following methods:
American Express will verify your information and then process the benefit, which can take several weeks.
You can also check your eligibility before you apply for the card.
The benefits of the SCRA and MLA only apply to those serving on active duty. American Express will send you a notification letter at least 45 days before the date relief ends on your account. This gives you time to provide additional documentation should you still be on active duty.
After the fee waiver expires, American Express begins charging you any applicable fees previously waived on your account.
No set credit score guarantees approval for the Amex Platinum card. Additionally, your credit score is just 1 factor in the approval decision. American Express also considers factors like your income, years of credit history, history with American Express, and the amount of credit already extended to you.
That said, most applicants with a credit score of 670 or higher usually have high approval odds.
You earn the welcome bonus offer on the Amex Platinum card after meeting minimum spending requirements within the specified period after card approval.
You can find a list of ideas on meeting these minimum spending requirements in our article on the topic.
Many Amex Platinum card benefits, such as Priority Pass Select membership, car rental privileges, and hotel elite status, require registration. Register online by signing into your Amex Platinum card account and accessing the Benefits section.
Hot Tip: American Express issues over 60 cards with waived annual fees for active-duty military members.
While American Express has several cards that do not charge an annual fee, active military members receive the most value from those cards that do.
You’ll find greater earning potential, flexible redemption options, luxury travel benefits, shopping and travel protections, and more on cards with higher annual fees.
Here are a few of the additional American Express cards we recommend for active-duty military:
This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.
When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.
American Express Membership Rewards
If you have a small business, even a side hustle that brings in a modest amount of extra income, the Amex Business Platinum card could add tremendous value. Learn more about how the Amex Business Platinum card compares to the personal Amex Platinum card.
This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
The American Express® Gold Card is a game-changer.
With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants, up to $50,000 per calendar year, and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1x.
There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.
American Express Membership Rewards
Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 90k points with the Amex Gold card. The current public offer is as high as 100,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)
Note that enrollment is required for some benefits, so make sure you’re enrolled to get the most out of your card’s benefits.
Dive into all the card benefits and benefits for the military of the Amex Gold card if this card sounds right for your spending habits.
Automatic Hilton Diamond status, an annual free night, and a travel and resort credit make this the perfect card for those who stay in Hilton hotels.
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
Paying hundreds of dollars for an annual fee on a co-branded hotel card might seem ridiculous, but you should know that the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is much more than your run-of-the-mill hotel credit card.
The Hilton Aspire card is not only a phenomenal card for Hilton Honors loyalists, but even those who visit Hilton hotels just a few times a year can still get excellent value out of all the benefits that are packed into this card.
So let’s have a look at what makes the card so valuable to travelers.
For even more details about this card, explore the top benefits of the Hilton Aspire card.
Delta loyalists will love the fast track to Delta elite status, lounge access, baggage benefits, and upgrade priority with the Delta Reserve card.
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is a stellar option for frequent travelers who always fly with Delta thanks to its lounge access, status boost, annual companion certificate, and many other great benefits.
Here is a full look at everything the Delta Reserve card can offer to you to help you decide whether the card deserves a place in your wallet.
Delta SkyMiles Airline Loyalty Program
A premium card for Marriott fans who want perks like an annual statement credit and Free Night Award, plus a fast track to Marriott elite status.
If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a premium card designed with road warriors and Marriott Bonvoy loyalists in mind.
So is the card a worthwhile addition to your wallet?
Marriott Bonvoy
The best cards for active military will be those charging a high annual fee as these cards offer the most valuable benefits. With the annual fee being $0 for qualifying military members, these cards become the best value.
American Express benefits for active military members can be worth thousands of dollars annually. If you’re anticipating entering active duty, currently on active duty, or know someone who is, consider sharing this information or taking advantage personally.
Other credit card issuers also offer active-duty military credit card benefits. To learn more about the best credit cards for active-duty military, start with our article that lists our favorites, including cards from other issuers.
For the cell phone protection benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12 month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
For the extended warranty benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, when an American Express® card member charges a covered purchase to an eligible card, extended warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
For the purchase protection benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, click here.
For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® card, click here.
Yes, American Express waives credit card fees for active-duty U.S. military members.
Fees that are eligible to be waived include annual membership fees, over-limit fees, late payment fees, returned payment fees, and statement copy request fees.
Yes, you can have more than 1 American Express card. You can have as many as 5 American Express cards, but keep in mind there are other card issuers you may want to consider, such as Chase.
Chase has a 5/24 rule that you cannot have acquired more than 5 credit cards in the past 24 months and get approved for one of its cards.
Also, if you do apply for more than 1 American Express card, there is a limit of 2 within a 90-day period, so space out your applications accordingly.
American Express waives credit card fees for active-duty military members only. Check out our guide to the best credit cards for military veterans.
American Express will waive fees for the spouse of an active-duty member of the U.S. armed forces.
You can call the number on the back of your card. Go online to your credit card account, fax in your information, or mail it in.
The easiest way is to call 800-253-1720 to start the process. You can also log in to your Amex Platinum card account online. Select Account Services, then Credit Management, then SCRA Benefits.
No, you do not. American Express will send you a notification letter at least 45 days before the date relief ends on your account. This gives you time to provide any needed documentation to support benefit qualifications.
MLA benefits are automatically applied when an active-duty service member applies for a card. The service member must be the one applying for the card.
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Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services offices. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.
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