The Best Military Credit Cards: Low APRs, Waived Annual Fees, and More

securely on the issuer's website

Highlights
Rewards
Key Features
Runners Up6

Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Balance Transfer Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.99% – 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
Balance Transfers do not earn cash back.
If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.99% – 23.99% based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi’s discretion.

If you want a way to earn decent cash back on every purchase, without worrying about bonus reward categories, the Citi^® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer (Review) should be on your radar.

Spending Rewards
2% cash back for every purchase (must pay at least the minimum due on time): 1% back when you make a purchase 1% back when you pay for that purchase

It’s a good option to pair with a card that does have some bonus reward categories, like some of the others on this list. You’ll be able to earn more rewards in the bonus categories, while using the Double Cash to get a flat rate on everything else.

Citi Concierge: Call for non-emergency help whenever you need it, like assistance making travel reservations.
ShopRunner membership: Use ShopRunner to get free two-day shipping and returns at participating retailers.
Free credit score: Check your FICO Bankcard Score 8 for free, based on your Equifax credit report.
Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 18 months on Balance Transfers, then 13.99% – 23.99% (Variable) (for transfers made during the first four months)
Annual fee: $0
Fee waivers: There are no fees of any kind for SCRA-eligible cardholders.

Runners Up6

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card

Spending Rewards
2% cash back on all purchases

Introductory Bonus
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months

Perks: Free FICO Score 9 credit score; Visa Signature Concierge; Luxury Hotel Collection
Shopping and travel protections: Cellular Telephone Protection; Roadside Dispatch; Travel and Emergency Assistance Services
Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months, then 14.99%, 19.99%, or 24.99% Variable
Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 15 months, then 14.99%, 19.99%, or 24.99% Variable
Balance Transfer fee: 3% for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5
Annual fee: $0

PenFed Power Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Card

Spending Rewards
1.5% cash back on all purchases made with your card 2% cash back on all purchases for PenFed Honors Advantage Members

Introductory Bonus
$100 statement credit after spending $1,500 in the first 90 days

$100 statement credit after spending $1,500 in the first 90 days
Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 12 months, then 17.99%
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $0
Eligibility: To get any PenFed products, you must become a member of the credit union. PenFed is federally insured by NCUA.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

5% cash back on:
- Travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- Lyft rides (through March 2022)
- Grocery store purchases (not including Target or Walmart) up to $12,000 spent in the first year
3% cash back at:
- Restaurants
- Drugstores
1.5% cash back on all other purchases

$200 bonus for spending $500 in the first 3 months
Perks: DoorDash membership; Shop through Chase/Chase Offers; ShopRunner membership; Lyft credits; Boxed rewards
Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months, then 14.99% - 23.74% Variable
Annual fee: $0
Fee waivers: There are no fees of any kind for SCRA-eligible cardholders.

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

1.5% cash back on all purchases

$200 cash bonus for spending $500 within 3 months of account opening
Perks: World Elite Concierge; Shopping and travel protections
Purchase APR: 0% 15 months, then 14.99% - 24.99% Variable
Balance transfer APR: 0% for 15 months, then 14.99% - 24.99% Variable
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $0
Fee waivers: There are no fees of any kind for SCRA-eligible cardholders.

American Express Cash Magnet® Card

Spending Rewards
1.5% cash back for every eligible purchase

Introductory Bonus
$150 cash back for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months

Perks: Amex Offers; ShopRunner membership
Travel protections: Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Global Assist Hotline
Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months, then 13.99% - 23.99% Variable
Annual fee: $0

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

American Express Cash Magnet® Card (Rates & Fees)

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Military STAR Card

2X points per dollar spent on all purchases

10% discount for purchases within 24 hours of receiving your card
Restricted to spending at select military-related locations, including the on-base exchanges for all branches of services
Only available to military members, veterans with exchange access, and family dependents
Perks: 10% food court discount, interest-free military clothing, five-cent discount on each gallon of gas purchased at military installation gas stations
Annual fee: $0

Citi is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.

Premium Travel

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Our rating:

securely on the issuer's website

Highlights
Rewards
Key Features
Runners Up5

Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year. Through December 31, 2021, gas station & grocery store purchases will also count towards earning your Travel Credit
Earn 5X total points on air travel and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 50,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 50% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Review) is a high-end travel credit card, normally meant only for frequent travelers. But Chase will waive the annual fee of any card eligible for SCRA benefits — in this case a $550 fee! So the Reserve could be quite valuable even if you don’t travel very much, especially when you consider its vast selection of benefits.

Spending Rewards
10X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar: Chase Dining through Ultimate Rewards Hotel stays and Car rentals through Ultimate Rewards (after the full travel credit is used) Lyft rides (through 3/31/22)
5X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on Air travel through Ultimate Rewards (after the full travel credit is used)
3X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar: Travel (after the full travel credit is used) Dining
1X Ultimate Rewards point per dollar on all other purchases

Introductory Bonus
50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months

This card is all about travel spending. And you’ll need to redeem your points for travel expenses too, if you want to get the best value for them.

When redeeming through Chase Ultimate Rewards you’ll get a 50% bonus, so your points will be worth 1.5 cents each.

You’ll also be able to transfer your points to several airline and hotel travel partners. You could find a better deal through one of them, and we’ve seen transfers that could provide 2 cents per point or more, for the equivalent of at least 6% cash back when spending in the 3X categories.

Point transfer: Transfer your points at a 1:1 rate to a variety of airline and hotel loyalty programs, like United, JetBlue, and Marriott Bonvoy
$300 annual travel credit: A $300 travel credit every year that will be automatically applied toward a broad range of travel-related expenses charged to the card
Priority Pass Select membership: Enjoy access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide plus a selection of restaurants. The cardholder and two guests can enter for free; additional guests cost $27 each.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: Get a statement credit to offset the cost of applying for Global Entry ($100) or TSA PreCheck ($85), once every four years.
Visa Infinite Concierge: Call for non-emergency help of all kinds, like making dinner reservations or finding good tickets to a show.
Special car rental privileges: Rental upgrades, discounts, and promotional offers at Avis, Silvercar, and National Car Rental
Lyft Pink membership: One free year of Lyft Pink, which includes 15% off rides, relaxed cancellations, surprise offers, and priority airport pickup
DoorDash membership: A free membership (DashPass) for a year, which provides free delivery and reduced service fees on orders over $12
$60 annual DoorDash credit: Get $60 in DoorDash credits in 2020, and $60 in credits in 2021.
$120 Peloton credit: Enroll to get up to $120 back for an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership (through 2021). No fitness equipment is required.
Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection, a Primary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Trip Delay Reimbursement, and more
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $550 (waived for SCRA-eligible members)
Fee waivers: Chase will waive all fees as part of its SCRA benefits, including foreign transaction fees, late fees, etc

Runners Up5

Citi Prestige® Card

5X ThankYou points per dollar spent on:
- Air travel
- Restaurants
3X ThankYou points per dollar spent on:
- Hotels
- Cruise lines
1X ThankYou point per dollar spent on everything else

50,000 ThankYou points for spending $4,000 within 3 months of account opening
Perks: Annual $250 travel credit; Fourth night free when booking via thankyou.com; Priority Pass Select membership; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $495 (waived for SCRA-eligible cardholders)
Fee waivers: Citi will waive all fees as part of its SCRA benefits, including foreign transaction fees, late fees, etc.

U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card

5X points per dollar spent on:
- Prepaid hotels booked in the Altitude Rewards Center
- Car rentals booked in the Altitude Rewards Center
3X points per dollar spent on:
- Travel
- Mobile Wallet purchases
- Restaurants (until 7/1/21)
1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases

50,000 bonus points for spending $4,500 in the first 90 days of membership
Perks: Annual $325 travel credit; Limited Priority Pass Select membership; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit; Airline WiFi credits
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $400

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Spending Rewards
5X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar: Travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards Lyft rides (through March 2022)
3X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar: Dining Select streaming services Online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
2X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar for other Travel purchases
1X Ultimate Rewards point per dollar on all other purchases

Introductory Bonus
60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months

Perks: 10% annual point bonus; 25% redemption point bonus; Point transfer; DoorDash membership; $60 Peloton credit; Shop through Chase/Chase Offers; Visa Signature Concierge
Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty Protection; Primary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver; Roadside Dispatch; Trip Delay Reimbursement; Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption Insurance; Baggage Delay Insurance; Lost Luggage Reimbursement; Travel Accident Insurance; Travel and Emergency Assistance Services
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $95

American Express® Gold Card

Spending Rewards
4X Membership Rewards points per dollar at: Restaurants U.S. Supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X)
3X Membership Rewards points per dollar on: Flights booked directly with airlines Flights booked through amextravel.com
1X Membership Rewards point per dollar for every other eligible purchase

Introductory Bonus
60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 6 months

Perks: Up to $120 annual dining credit; Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash; Uber Eats Pass; The Hotel Collection; Amex Offers; ShopRunner membership; Point transfer
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $250

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

American Express® Gold Card (Rates & Fees)

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

American Express® Green Card

3X points per dollar for:
- Travel
- Restaurants
1X point per dollar for other eligible purchases

30,000 bonus points for spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
Perks: $100 annual CLEAR credit; $100 annual LoungeBuddy credit; Point transfer; Amex Offers
Shopping and travel protections: Extended Warranty; Purchase Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $150 (waived for SCRA-eligible cardholders)
Fee waivers: Certain other fees are waived for SCRA-eligible cardholders as well, like late and returned payment fees.

American Express® Green Card (Rates & Fees)

Premium Travel & Airport Lounge Access

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Our rating:

Learn More

Highlights
Rewards
Key Features

Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Plus, earn 10x points on eligible purchases on the Card at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the U.S., on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, during your first 6 months of Card Membership.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
$200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 in statement credits each month when you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at your choice of one or more of the following providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
$155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.
American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Now there are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
$200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
$200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
$300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $25 back each month on select Equinox memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required.
$179 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $179 back per year on your CLEAR® membership.
$695 annual fee.
Terms Apply.

The Platinum Card® from American Express (Review) is another high-end travel card to consider. It has a hefty annual fee, but you won’t need to worry about that because American Express will usually waive annual fees as part of its SCRA benefits. (Rates & Fees)

Spending Rewards
5X Membership Rewards points per dollar on: Flights booked directly through airlines or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 spent per calendar year, then 1X) Prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
2X Membership Rewards points per dollar on other eligible travel expenses booked through Amex Travel
1X Membership Rewards point per dollar on other eligible purchases

Introductory Bonus
100,000 bonus points for spending $6,000 in the first 6 months; 10X points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the U.S., on up to $25,000 in combined purchases, during the first 6 months

This card is focused mainly around spending through the American Express Travel service, although flights booked directly through airlines are included too.

That makes it a bit more restricted than the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Review), which isn’t limited to a single travel service.

Global Lounge Collection: Enroll for complimentary access to Priority Pass, Centurion, American Express International, Delta Sky Club, Escape, Airspace, Lufthansa, and Plaza Premium Lounges.
Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash: Add your Platinum card to the Uber App to get up to $15 in Uber Cash per month, plus a bonus $20 in December; U.S. Eats orders and rides only.
$200 hotel credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits each year for prepaid hotels booked through The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels & Resorts; must pay with the Platinum card.
$300 Equinox credit: Pay with your Platinum card to get up to $300 in statement credits annually with Equinox (up to $25 per month), for Equinox All Access, Destination, E by Equinox, or Equinox+ membership fees.
$240 digital entertainment credit: Pay with your Platinum card to get up to $240 in statement credits annually for digital entertainment (up to $20 per month), only for eligible purchases from Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM, and The New York Times.
CLEAR credit: Up to $179 in statement credits annually for CLEAR biometric security, enough for a membership.
Uber Eats Pass: Get unlimited $0 delivery fees and 5% off orders at eligible restaurants for 12 months; must enroll by 12/31/21. Taxes and service fees may apply and do not count toward the order minimum. Eats Pass will start auto-billing 12 months from enrollment, at then-current monthly rate. Learn more.
Uber VIP status: Add your Platinum card to the Uber App to get Uber VIP status where available.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit: A statement credit for the application fee of either Global Entry ($100 every four years) or TSA PreCheck ($85 once every four and a half years)
Complimentary elite hotel statuses: Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
The Hotel Collection: A $100 hotel credit and room upgrades when available for every eligible two-night stay
Fine Hotels & Resorts Program: Daily breakfast for two, room upgrades when available, amenities valued at $100, and more at eligible properties
$100 annual Saks credit: Up to $100 in statement credits each year for Saks Fifth Avenue: $50 from January through June, and $50 from July through December
Global Dining Access by Resy: Resy provides access to exclusive reservations and dining experiences.
Point transfer: To a selection of airline and hotel loyalty programs
Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $695

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)

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Airline Rewards

United Club℠ Infinite Card

Our rating:

securely on the issuer's website

Highlights
Why We Picked It
Rewards
Key Features
Runners Up7

Earn 75,000 Bonus Miles.
Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United purchases including tickets, Economy Plus, inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi, and other United charges.
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining at restaurants and eligible delivery services
Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit
Free first and second checked bags – a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip. Terms Apply
25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights when you pay with your Club Card.

Some cards are co-branded with certain airlines, and most of these cards are issued by American Express, Chase, and Citi.

Luckily for you, all three of these issuers will waive the annual fees of cards that are eligible for SCRA benefits. So a large swath of airline cards will have their annual fees waived, along with certain other fees depending on the issuer.

The right card for you will depend on which airline you spend the most time and money with. Check out our picks for the best airline credit card offers and you’ll probably find a match.

Let’s take a closer look at one airline card. The United Club℠ Infinite Card (Review) from Chase has a hefty annual fee, but if you’re a frequent United traveler you might want to go big. It’s just one of several travel rewards cards designed for United Airlines enthusiasts.

Spending Rewards
4X miles per dollar spent on United purchases
2X miles per dollar spent for: Restaurants Travel
1X mile per dollar spent on all other purchases

Introductory Bonus
75,000 bonus miles for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months

A typical good redemption value would probably be around 1.5 cents per mile for United. That means you’ll be earning the equivalent of about 13.5% cash back when spending with United, which is pretty good.

United Club membership: Complimentary membership to the United Club airport lounge, with free access for you and two guests
Premier Access Airport Travel Services: Includes priority check-in and security screening, and boarding/baggage handling privileges
Complimentary Premier Upgrades on United award flights: MileagePlus Premier members can get award ticket upgrades when available.
Free first and second checked bags: For you and one traveling companion
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit: Get a $100 credit for the application fee of Global Entry, or $85 for TSA PreCheck, once every four years.
World of Hyatt Discoverist status: A 10% point bonus, room upgrades, and other benefits at Hyatt properties.
Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection: Hotel perks like daily breakfast for two, complimentary WiFi, and room upgrades when available.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle Elite Status: Get a 25% point bonus, upgrades, and exclusive offers at Hertz.
Annual fee: $525 (waived for SCRA-eligible members)
Fee waivers: Chase will waive all fees as part of its SCRA benefits, including foreign transaction fees, late fees, etc.

Runners Up7

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Spending Rewards
3X SkyMiles per dollar for purchases made directly with Delta Air Lines
1X SkyMile per dollar for other eligible purchases

Introductory Bonus
80,000 bonus miles and 20,000 MQMs for spending $5,000 in the first 3 months (offer expires 11/10/2021)

Perks: Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access; Annual Companion Certificate; First checked bag free, Priority Boarding, and 20% in-flight discount on Delta flights; Complimentary upgrades; Status Boost
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $550

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees)

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card

Spending Rewards
3X SkyMiles per dollar for: Eligible purchases made directly with Delta Eligible purchases made directly with Hotels
2X SkyMiles per dollar at: Restaurants U.S. Supermarkets
1X SkyMile per dollar for other eligible purchases

Introductory Bonus
90,000 bonus miles and 10,000 MQMs for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months (offer expires 11/10/2021)

Perks: Annual Companion Certificate; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit; First checked bag free, Main Cabin 1 Priority boarding, and 20% in-flight discount on Delta flights; Delta Sky Club access for $39 per person; Status Boost
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $250

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Rates & Fees)

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

2X AAdvantage miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
1X AAdvantage mile per dollar spent on all other purchases

50,000 AAdvantage bonus miles for spending $5,000 in the first 3 months of account opening
Perks: Admirals Club membership; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit; Reduced Mileage Awards; Enhanced Airport Experience; First checked bag free; 25% in-flight discount
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $450 (waived for SCRA-eligible members)
Fee waivers: Citi will waive all fees as part of its SCRA benefits, including foreign transaction fees, late fees, etc.

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

2X AAdvantage miles per dollar at:
- American Airlines
- Gas stations
- Restaurants
1X AAdvantage mile per dollar on all other purchases

50,000 AAdvantage bonus miles for spending $2,500 in the first 3 months
Perks: First checked bag free; Preferred Boarding; 25% discount on eligible in-flight purchases
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $99, waived for first 12 months (waived for SCRA-eligible members)
Fee waivers: Citi will waive all fees as part of its SCRA benefits, including foreign transaction fees, late fees, etc.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card

3X points per dollar on eligible purchases from Southwest Airlines
2X points per dollar on eligible purchases from:
- Rapid Rewards hotel and car rental partners
- Local transit/commuting/rideshares
- Internet, cable, phone services
- Select streaming
1X point per dollar on all other purchases

Earn up to 100,000 bonus points; earn 50,000 bonus points for spending $2,000 in the first 3 months your account is open, plus 50,000 more bonus points after spending $12,000 total in the first 12 months
Perks: 7,500 annual bonus points; $75 annual Southwest credit; Four Upgraded Boardings per year; 20% in-flight discount
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $149 (waived for SCRA-eligible members)
Fee waivers: Chase will waive all fees as part of its SCRA benefits, including foreign transaction fees, late fees, etc

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® Credit Card

3X miles per dollar spent on Alaska Airlines & Virgin America purchases
1X mile per dollar spent on all other purchases

40,000 bonus miles and a Companion Fare for spending $2,000 in the first 90 days
Perks: Annual Companion Fare credit; First checked bag free; 20% in-flight discount; Shopping portal; 50% discount on Alaska Lounge day passes
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $75 (waived for SCRA-eligible members)

JetBlue Plus Card

6X points per dollar on JetBlue purchases
2X points per dollar at:
- Restaurants
- Grocery stores
1X point per dollar on all other purchases

70,000 bonus points for paying the annual fee and spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
Perks: 10% point redemption bonus; 5,000 annual bonus points; First checked bag free; 50% in-flight purchase discount; $100 vacation package credit
Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 12 months (for balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening), then 18.24%, 22.24%, or 27.24% Variable
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $99

Hotel Rewards

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Our rating:

Card Details

Highlights
Why We Picked It
Rewards
Key Features
Runner Up5

Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points with the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card after you use your new Card to make $4,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, enjoy a free Weekend Night Reward within your first year and every year after renewal.
Earn 14X Hilton Bonus Points when you make eligible purchases on your Card at participating hotels or resorts within the Hilton Portfolio.
Earn 7X Bonus Points for eligible purchases: on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com, on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies & at U.S. restaurants.
Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Enjoy up to $250 in Hilton Resort Credits on your Card each anniversary year, when you stay at participating resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
Enjoy complimentary Diamond status with your Hilton Honors Aspire Card.
$450 annual fee.
Terms Apply.

Just like with airline cards, many hotel credit cards are issued by American Express, Chase, and Citi. These issuers all waive the annual fees for cards that are eligible for SCRA benefits, making them good picks if you stay at hotels often.

The right hotel card for you will depend on where you like to stay. If you prefer Hilton, there’s a card for that. If you like Marriott, Hyatt, or IHG, there are co-branded cards for them too. See our picks for the best hotel credit cards to find some great cards for major hotel brands.

One option you might like is the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card. Its $450 annual fee will be waived by Amex, so you can use its rewards and benefits for free under the SCRA (as long as you avoid interest charges). (Rates & Fees)

Spending Rewards
14X Hilton Honors Bonus points per dollar for eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort in the Hilton portfolio
7X Hilton Honors points per dollar for: Flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com Car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies U.S. restaurants
3X Hilton Honors points per dollar on other eligible purchases

Introductory Bonus
150,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening

This card is very rewarding, offering plenty of Hilton Honors points when you spend with Hilton. You’ll get those additional 20X points because this card comes with automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status, which is the highest possible elite membership tier.

That means when you spend with Hilton you’ll be able to earn the equivalent of around 13.6%–34% cash back, depending on how you redeem those points. This is an excellent value, especially considering that you won’t have an annual fee to pay.

That’s a lot of cash back, but you’ll also get benefits and statement credits that can be worth hundreds of dollars every year.

Hilton Honors Diamond status: Includes a 100% bonus on Base points earned, room upgrades to suites when available, executive lounge access, a 48-hour room guarantee, and more
Annual free Weekend Night Award: One free night every year, and earn another free weekend night by spending $60,000 in a calendar year
Annual $250 Hilton resort statement credit: Get up to $250 in Hilton Resort Credits on your Card each anniversary year, when you stay at participating resorts within the Hilton portfolio
Annual $250 airline fee statement credit: For incidental fees only
$100 Hilton on-property credit: Good for every eligible stay of two nights or more at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts and Conrad Hotels & Resorts, valid for incidental fees only
Priority Pass Select membership: Complimentary access to Priority Pass airport lounges (excludes non-lounge experiences)
American Express Concierge: Call for help with select services, like buying event tickets, making dining and other reservations, and finding hard-to-find items.
Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $450

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (Rates & Fees)

Runner Up5

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card

Spending Rewards
6X Marriott Bonvoy Bonus points per dollar for eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels
3X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar: U.S. restaurants Flights booked directly with airlines
2X Marriott Bonvoy points per dollar on other eligible purchases

Introductory Bonus
150,000 Bonus points and a bonus Free Night Award for spending $5,000 in the first 3 months. Resort fees may apply. Terms apply. Offer expires 11/3/2021.

Perks: $300 annual Marriott Bonvoy hotel credit; Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status; Free Night Award; Priority Pass Select membership; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit; 15 Elite Night Credits annually; Bonus points for airline transfers
Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $450

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card (Rates & Fees)

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card

17X Marriott Rewards points per dollar at Marriott Bonvoy hotels
- 6X Bonus points per dollar from the card
- 11X Base points per dollar for Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status
2X Bonus points per dollar on all other purchases

125,000 Bonus points + 1 Free Night (valued up to 50,000 points) for spending $5,000 in the first 3 months
Perks: Annual Free Night Stay; Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status; Premium in-room WiFi; Annual 15 Elite Night Credits
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $95 (waived for SCRA-eligible members)
Fee waivers: Certain other fees are waived for SCRA-eligible cardholders as well, like late and returned payment fees.

Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card

12X Hilton Honors Bonus points per dollar for eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio
6X Hilton Honors Bonus points per dollar at:
- U.S. Restaurants
- U.S. Supermarkets
- U.S. Gas stations
3X Hilton Honors Bonus points per dollar on other eligible purchases

150,000 bonus points for spending $2,000 in the first 3 months; 50,000 bonus points for spending a total of $10,000 in the first 6 months
Perks: Hilton Honors Gold status; 10 Priority Pass lounge visits; Weekend night reward for spending $15,000
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $95, $0 first year (waived for SCRA-eligible members)
Fee waivers: Certain other fees are waived for SCRA-eligible cardholders as well, like late and returned payment fees.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (Rates & Fees)

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

9X points per dollar on eligible net purchases at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts:
- 4X Bonus points from the card
- 5X Base points from Discoverist member status
2X Bonus points per dollar on:
- Restaurants
- Airline tickets purchased directly from the airline
- Local transit/commuting
- Fitness clubs and gym memberships
1X Bonus point per dollar on all other purchases

30,000 bonus points for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months; 2 bonus points per $1 on purchases that earn 1 bonus point, up to $15,000 spent in the first 6 months; apply by 9/30/21 to get 2 Tier-Qualifying Night Credits for eligible stays from 8/16/21–12/31/21
Perks: Annual Free Night Stay; World of Hyatt Discoverist status; Shopping and travel protections
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $95 (waived for SCRA-eligible members)
Fee waivers: Chase will waive all fees as part of its SCRA benefits, including foreign transaction fees, late fees, etc.

IHG® Rewards Club Premier Credit Card

25X points per dollar at IHG hotels and resorts:
- 10X points from the IHG credit card
- 15X points for IHG Platinum Elite status
2X Bonus points per dollar at:
- Gas stations
- Restaurants
- Grocery stores
1X Bonus point per dollar for all other purchases

150,000 bonus points for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months
Perks: Annual Free Night Stay; Platinum Elite status; 20% discount when purchasing points; Shopping and travel protections
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $89 (waived for SCRA-eligible members)
Fee waivers: Chase will waive all fees as part of its SCRA benefits, including foreign transaction fees, late fees, etc.

American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.

The information related to Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected by Credit Card Insider and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product.

Groceries

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Our rating:

Card Details

Highlights
Rewards
Key Features
Runner Up6

Earn a $300 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months after account opening. Plans created after that will have a plan fee up to 1.33% of each purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
Low intro APR: 0% for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 13.99% to 23.99%
6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit.
Terms Apply.

The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Review) is currently the best card for buying groceries. It has a generous cash back rewards program, and usually comes with a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee (Rates & Fees). But American Express will waive that fee as part of its SCRA benefits, making this card even better.

Spending Rewards
6% cash back: U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent annually, then 1%) Select U.S. streaming services
3% cash back: U.S. gas stations Transit
1% cash back on other eligible purchases

Introductory Bonus
$300 statement credit for spending $3,000 in the first 6 months

6% is the best normal rate you’ll find for grocery store purchases, compared to other cards. And with no annual fee to pay thanks to your military benefits from Amex, the cash back you earn will be all profit.

Amex Offers: Find offers for extra cash back at a changing selection of merchants.
$120 Equinox+ Credit: Get up to $10 per month for a stand-alone monthly membership to the Equinox+ app. Will not apply if you purchase the membership through the Equinox app or a third party.
ShopRunner membership: ShopRunner provides free two-day shipping and returns at participating online retailers.
Shopping protections: Return Protection, Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection
Travel protections: Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Global Assist Hotline
Purchase APR: 0% for 12 months, then 13.99% - 23.99% Variable
Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees)

Runner Up6

American Express® Gold Card

Spending Rewards
4X Membership Rewards points per dollar at: Restaurants U.S. Supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X)
3X Membership Rewards points per dollar on: Flights booked directly with airlines Flights booked through amextravel.com
1X Membership Rewards point per dollar for every other eligible purchase

Introductory Bonus
60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 6 months

Perks: Up to $120 annual dining credit; Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash; Uber Eats Pass; The Hotel Collection; Amex Offers; ShopRunner membership; Point transfer
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $250

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

American Express® Gold Card (Rates & Fees)

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Chase Freedom Flex℠

Spending Rewards
5% cash back on: Travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards Lyft rides (through March 2022) Grocery store purchases (not including Target or Walmart) up to $12,000 spent in the first year
5% cash back in rotating categories, up to $1,500 spent per quarter, then 1%
3% cash back at: Restaurants Drugstores
1% cash back on all other purchases

Introductory Bonus
$200 bonus for spending $500 in the first 3 months

Perks: DoorDash membership; Shop through Chase/Chase Offers; ShopRunner membership; Lyft credits; Boxed rewards; Fandango discount
Shopping and travel protections: Cell Phone Protection, Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty Protection, Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Travel and Emergency Assistance Services
Purchase APR: 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 15 months, then 14.99% - 23.74% Variable
Annual fee: $0

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

Spending Rewards
3% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (earned as a statement credit; up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)
2% cash back at: U.S. gas stations Select U.S. department stores
1% cash back on other eligible purchases

Introductory Bonus
$200 statement credit for spending $2,000 in the first 6 months.

Perks: Amex Offers; ShopRunner membership; Entertainment Access
Travel protections: Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Global Assist Hotline
Purchase APR: 0% for 15 months, then 13.99% - 23.99% Variable
Annual fee: $0

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees)

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Spending Rewards
7X Hilton Honors Bonus points per dollar for eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio
5X Bonus points per dollar at: U.S. supermarkets U.S. restaurants U.S. gas stations
3X Bonus points per dollar for other eligible purchases

Introductory Bonus
80,000 Bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months; 50,000 Bonus points for spending a total of $5,000 in the first 6 months

Perks: Hilton Honors Silver status, with a fast track to Gold status; ShopRunner membership; Entertainment Access program
Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty, Car Rental Insurance Plan, Global Assist Hotline
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $0

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Hilton Honors American Express Card (Rates & Fees)

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Card

3% cash back in one category of your choice:
- Gas
- Online shopping
- Dining
- Travel
- Drugstores
- Home improvement/furnishings stores
2% cash back at:
- Grocery stores
- Wholesale clubs
1% cash back on all other purchases
3% and 2% rewards only up to $2,500 spent per quarter, then 1% cash back

$200 cash rewards bonus for spending $1,000 in the first 90 days
Perks: Free FICO credit score; Shopping and travel protections
Annual fee: $0

Discover it® Cash Back

5% cash back in rotating categories (up to $1,500 spent per quarter, then 1%; activation required):
- January – March: Grocery Stores, Walgreens, CVS
- April – June: Gas Stations, Wholesale Clubs, Select Streaming Services
- July – September: Restaurants, PayPal
- October – December: Amazon.com, Target.com, Walmart.com
1% cash back on all other purchases

Cashback Match: Get double cash back for the first year, provided at the end of the first year
Perks: Free FICO credit score; New account and credit inquiry alerts
Annual fee: $0

American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.

Restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

Our rating:

Learn More

Highlights
Rewards
Key Features
Runners Up5

Rose Gold is back. You can now choose between Gold or Rose Gold.
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Boxed, and participating Shake Shack locations. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
Get up to 12 complimentary months of an Uber Eats Pass subscription when you enroll with your Gold Card by 12/31/21.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $250.
Terms Apply.

Going out tonight? The American Express® Gold Card (Review) has you covered, with excellent rates for dining (and groceries, too).

If you transfer your points to an Amex airline or hotel partner, they could be worth 2 cents or more; that’d give you an 8% cash back equivalent at restaurants. That won’t cover a good tip at a fancy eatery, but it could cover a delivery fee.

Spending Rewards
4X Membership Rewards points per dollar at: Restaurants U.S. Supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X)
3X Membership Rewards points per dollar on: Flights booked directly with airlines Flights booked through amextravel.com
1X Membership Rewards point per dollar for every other eligible purchase

Introductory Bonus
60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 6 months

Along with solid rewards you’ll also get a $120 annual dining credit, broken up into $10 per month. That’s a pretty nice deal, considering the card’s annual fee can be waived as part of your SCRA benefits.

$120 annual dining credit: Earn up to $10 in statement credits per month for purchases at eligible restaurants and food delivery services.
Point transfer: To airline and hotel loyalty programs, like JetBlue, Southwest, Marriott, and Hyatt
Up to $120 in Uber Cash: Add the Gold Card to the Uber App to get up to $10 in Uber Cash per month; U.S. Eats orders and rides only.
Uber Eats Pass: Get unlimited $0 delivery fees and 5% off orders at eligible restaurants for 12 months; must enroll by 12/31/21. Taxes and service fees may apply and do not count toward the order minimum. Eats Pass will start auto-billing 12 months from enrollment, at then-current monthly rate. Learn more.
The Hotel Collection: Provides up to $100 in credits for every eligible hotel stay of two nights or more, along with other perks.
Amex Offers: Find discounts and extra point opportunities at a changing selection of merchants (offers are limited; enrollment required).
ShopRunner membership: ShopRunner provides free two-day shipping and returns at participating online retailers.
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $250

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

American Express® Gold Card (Rates & Fees)

Runners Up5

Citi Prestige® Card

5X ThankYou points per dollar spent on:
- Air travel
- Restaurants
3X ThankYou points per dollar spent on:
- Hotels
- Cruise lines
1X ThankYou point per dollar spent on everything else

50,000 ThankYou points for spending $4,000 within 3 months of account opening
Perks: $250 annual travel credit; Complimentary 4th night stay (twice per year); Priority Pass Select membership; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $495
Fee waivers: There are no fees of any kind for SCRA-eligible cardholders.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

10X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar:
- Chase Dining through Ultimate Rewards
- Hotel stays and Car rentals through Ultimate Rewards (after the full travel credit is used)
- Lyft rides (through 3/31/22)
5X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on Air travel through Ultimate Rewards (after the full travel credit is used)
3X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar:
- Travel (after the full travel credit is used)
- Dining
1X Ultimate Rewards point per dollar on all other purchases

50,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
Perks: $300 annual travel credit; Priority Pass Select membership; 50% point bonus for eligible redemptions; Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit; $120 Peloton credit; One-year Lyft Pink membership; One-year DoorDash membership
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $550
Fee waivers: There are no fees of any kind for SCRA-eligible cardholders.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

Spending Rewards
14X Hilton Honors Bonus points per dollar for eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort in the Hilton portfolio
7X Hilton Honors points per dollar for: Flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com Car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies U.S. restaurants
3X Hilton Honors points per dollar on other eligible purchases

Introductory Bonus
150,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months after account opening

Perks: Hilton Honors Diamond status; Annual free Weekend Night Award; Annual $250 Hilton resort statement credit; Annual $250 airline fee statement credit; $100 Hilton on-property credit; Priority Pass Select membership; American Express Concierge
Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty; Return Protection; Baggage Insurance Plan; Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance; Trip Delay Insurance; Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $450

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card (Rates & Fees)

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

Spending Rewards
8% cash back on tickets at Vivid Seats
4% cash back on: Dining Entertainment Streaming Services
3% cash back at Grocery Stores
1% cash back on all other purchases

Introductory Bonus
$300 cash bonus for spending $3,000 in the first 3 months

Perks: World Elite Mastercard benefits
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $95
Fee waivers: There are no fees of any kind for SCRA-eligible cardholders.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Spending Rewards
5X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar: Travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards Lyft rides (through March 2022)
3X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar: Dining Select streaming services Online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
2X Ultimate Rewards points per dollar for other Travel purchases
1X Ultimate Rewards point per dollar on all other purchases

Introductory Bonus
60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months

Perks: 10% annual point bonus; 25% redemption point bonus; Point transfer; DoorDash membership; $60 Peloton credit; Shop through Chase/Chase Offers; Visa Signature Concierge
Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection; Extended Warranty Protection; Primary Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver; Roadside Dispatch; Trip Delay Reimbursement; Trip Cancellation / Trip Interruption Insurance; Baggage Delay Insurance; Lost Luggage Reimbursement; Travel Accident Insurance; Travel and Emergency Assistance Services
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $95

American Express is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.

Gas

USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card

Our rating:

securely on the issuer's website

Highlights
Rewards
Key Features
Runners Up3

Earn 5% cash back on your first $3,000 in gas and military base purchases annually on these categories combined
Earn 2% on your first $3,000 on supermarket purchases per year
Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
USAA membership is available to active and former military and their eligible family members

The USAA Cashback Rewards Plus American Express® Card (Review) is a rare beast that provides 5% cash back for gas all year round. But, like some other good cards, it has a $3,000 annual spending limit for the gas category.

But this is mainly just a credit card for buying gas, and a few other types of purchases, without much else to recommend it.

Spending Rewards
5% cash back on the first $3,000 spent per year (then 1%) on: Gas Military base purchases
2% cash back on the first $3,000 spent per year on Groceries (then 1%)
1% cash back on all other purchases

USAA Concierge: Get non-emergency assistance with travel and dining reservations, finding gifts, and more.
Free credit score: Cardholders can check their FICO Score 8 credit scores for free, based on their Experian credit reports.
Special active duty rate: 4% APR for eligible balances for members who are on active duty, until one year after they have completed active duty.
Specially trained customer service: Dedicated, military-specific customer support to provide assistance before, during, and after deployment.
Shopping and travel protections: Extended Warranty Protection, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Travel Accident Insurance, Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, and more
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $0

Runners Up3

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express

Spending Rewards
6% cash back: U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 spent annually, then 1%) Select U.S. streaming services
3% cash back: U.S. gas stations Transit
1% cash back on other eligible purchases

Introductory Bonus
$300 statement credit for spending $3,000 in the first 6 months

Perks: Amex Offers; $120 Equinox+ credit ($10 per month); ShopRunner membership
Shopping and travel protections: Return Protection, Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance, Global Assist Hotline
Purchase APR: 0% for 12 months, then 13.99% - 23.99% Variable
Annual fee: $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees)

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

PenFed Platinum Rewards Visa Signature® Card

Spending Rewards
5X points per dollar: Gas purchases at the pump Electric vehicle charging stations
3X points per dollar: Supermarkets Restaurants/dining Cable, satellite, and other television/radio/streaming services
1X point per dollar on all other purchases

Introductory Bonus
15,000 points for spending $1,500 in the first 3 months

Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 12 months, then 11.74% to 17.99% Variable
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $0
Eligibility: To get any PenFed products, you must become a member of the credit union. PenFed is federally insured by NCUA.

Hilton Honors American Express Card

Spending Rewards
7X Hilton Honors Bonus points per dollar for eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with a hotel or resort within the Hilton Portfolio
5X Bonus points per dollar at: U.S. supermarkets U.S. restaurants U.S. gas stations
3X Bonus points per dollar for other eligible purchases

Introductory Bonus
80,000 Bonus points for spending $1,000 in the first 3 months; 50,000 Bonus points for spending a total of $5,000 in the first 6 months

Perks: Hilton Honors Silver status, with a fast track to Gold status; ShopRunner membership; Entertainment Access program
Shopping and travel protections: Purchase Protection, Extended Warranty, Car Rental Insurance Plan, Global Assist Hotline
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $0

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Hilton Honors American Express Card (Rates & Fees)

Enrollment required for select benefits; terms and limitations apply.

Balance Transfers

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Our rating:

securely on the issuer's website

Highlights
Why We Picked It
Key Features
Runners Up5

0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 13.74% – 23.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Get free access to your FICO^® Score online.
With Citi Entertainment^®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
Shop with confidence knowing that you have dependable protection benefits, including $0 Liability on Unauthorized Purchases and Citi^®Identity Theft Solutions.
The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.74% – 23.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi’s discretion.

If you’re carrying a large balance at a high interest rate, you may be able to transfer that balance to a card with a 0% intro APR. That’ give you time to pay it off without accruing extra interest as you go, potentially saving you thousands of dollars.

The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card (Review) currently has one of the best offers you’ll find, at 0% APR for 21 months for balance transfers (from the date of the first transfer; all transfers must be completed in the first four months). There’s typically a fee for balance transfers, but as part of its SCRA benefits, Citi waives all fees associated with its cards — including that transfer fee.

That gives you quite a long time to pay off a balance at no interest. Purchases will get 12 months at 0% APR.

After the introductory rates expire, you’ll get a regular APR of 13.74% - 23.74% (Variable).

Check out the runners up for some balance transfer cards without balance transfer fees (but their introductory periods are a bit shorter).

Citi provides a 0% APR for existing balances as part of its SCRA benefits. This means you’ll get that 0% rate for as long as you qualify for the SCRA, and that could give you even more time to pay off a balance.

However, remember that the special SCRA 0% rate will only apply to balances and cards that exist before you enter active duty. So if you transfer a balance after entering active duty it will be subject to the regular APR, even though you’ll get the fee waived (assuming the card was opened before active duty began).

Free credit score: Check your FICO Score 8 whenever you’d like, based on your Equifax credit report.
Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 21 months, then 13.74% - 23.74% (Variable)
Purchase APR: 0% for 12 months, then 13.74% - 23.74% (Variable)
Annual fee: $0
Fee waivers: There are no fees of any kind for SCRA-eligible cardholders.

Runners Up5

Citi Simplicity^® Card

Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 21 months, then 14.74% - 24.74% (Variable)
Purchase APR: 0% for 12 months, then 14.74% - 24.74% (Variable)
Balance transfer fee: 5%, $5 minimum
Annual fee: $0
Fee waivers: There are no fees of any kind for SCRA-eligible cardholders.

U.S. Bank Visa® Platinum Card

Balance Transfer APR: 0%* intro on BTs for 20 billing cycles on balance transfers*, then 14.49% - 24.49%* Variable
Purchase APR: 0%* for 20 billing cycles on purchases, then 14.49% - 24.49%* Variable
Balance transfer fee: Either 3% of the amount of each transfer or $5 minimum, whichever is greater
Annual fee: $0*

Navy Federal Credit Union Platinum Card

Purchase and balance transfer APR: 0% for 12 months, 5.99% - 18.00% Variable
Balance transfer fee: None
Balance transfer limit: $15,000
Annual fee: $0

Wells Fargo Platinum card

Balance Transfer APR: 0% intro APR for 18 months on qualifying balance transfers, then 16.49%-24.49% Variable
Purchase APR: 0% intro APR for 18 months from account opening, then 16.49%-24.49% Variable
Balance transfer fee: 3% intro for 120 days from account opening, then up to 5%; min: $5
Annual fee: $0

Citi^® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer

Spending Rewards
2% cash back for every purchase (must pay at least the minimum due on time): 1% back when you make a purchase 1% back when you pay for that purchase

Balance Transfer APR: 0% for 18 months on Balance Transfers, then 13.99% – 23.99% (Variable)
Balance transfer fee: Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 3% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum
Annual fee: $0
Fee waivers: Citi will waive all fees as part of its SCRA benefits, including foreign transaction fees, late fees, etc.

Citi is a Credit Card Insider advertiser.

Fair Credit

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Our rating:

Card Details

Highlights
Why We Picked It
Rewards
Key Features
Runners Up2

Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
Earn cash rewards without signing up for rotating categories
Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
Monitor your credit profile with the CreditWise® app, free for everyone
$0 fraud liability if your card is ever lost or stolen
No limit to how much cash back you can earn, and cash back doesn’t expire for the life of the account
Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
Get customized alerts and manage your account with the Capital One mobile app

If you have fair or average credit (a FICO Score 8 of about 580–669), you may not be able to qualify for the most rewarding cards on the market. But you don’t have to go with a secured card either.

Our top pick for people with fair credit is the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card (Review). It’s advertised as being designed for average credit, unlike most cards which don’t tell you what credit level they’re made for.

You can build up your credit over time by using this card responsibly. Eventually, as your credit improves, you may get approved for better cards with more rewarding bonus categories.

Spending Rewards
1.5% cash back on all purchases

It’s as simple as that. The QuicksilverOne doesn’t have a very strong rewards program, but you should expect this with cards meant for fair or average credit.

Access a higher credit line: You may be automatically considered for a higher credit line after six months.
CreditWise: Use the CreditWise tool to monitor your TransUnion credit report, and your VantageScore 3.0 based on that report.
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $39 (waived for SCRA-eligible members)
Fee waivers: Capital One will waive all fees as part of its SCRA benefits, including foreign transaction fees, late fees, etc.

Runners Up2

Journey Student Rewards from Capital One

Spending Rewards
1% cash back on all purchases Pay on time and that goes up to 1.25% cash back

Perks: $60 streaming credit ($5 per month for 12 months), when you pay on time; Potential access to a higher credit line after six months; Capital One CreditWise
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $0

Discover it® Secured

2% cash back on up to $1,000 in purchases per quarter (then 1%), at:
- Restaurants
- Gas Stations
1% cash back on all other purchases

Cashback Match: Double all cash back earned in the first year; awarded at the end of the first year
Perks: Free credit score; New account and credit inquiry alerts
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $0
Security deposit: $200–$2,500

Bad Credit

Discover it® Secured

Our rating:

Why We Picked It
Rewards
Key Features
Runner Up2

With bad or limited credit (a FICO Score 8 of less than about 579), you’ll have a hard time being approved for most credit cards. But some cards are designed for bad credit, including secured credit cards. A secured card requires a one-time refundable security deposit when you’re approved, which will fund the credit limit.

If you’re in this situation, we recommend using the Discover it® Secured (Review). While some secured cards seem almost like a punishment for having bad credit, this card stands out for actually having a pretty good rewards program. It’s about on par with (or perhaps better than, given your spending habits) the QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards above, which is meant for average credit.

Use this card responsibly. That means paying your bills on time, but we also recommend always paying off your statement balance in full each month. This will be good for your credit utilization and it will also prevent any interest from accruing on purchases, helping you avoid credit card debt.

Every eight months, Discover will review your account and your credit to decide whether to return your deposit and allow you to continue using the card. This is a great feature because it means you don’t have to close this account and open a new card, which isn’t as good for your credit in general.

Spending Rewards
2% cash back on up to $1,000 in purchases per quarter (then 1%), at: Restaurants Gas Stations
1% cash back on all other purchases

Introductory Bonus
Cashback Match: Double all cash back earned in the first year; awarded at the end of the first year

You’ll normally get 2% back for those common purchases, but Discover’s Cashback Match will double all the rewards you earn in your first year. So you’ll be getting 4% cash back in the reward categories and 2% cash back for all other purchases.

That’s an excellent offer to find because most other secured cards don’t come with any rewards at all. Compared to them the Discover it Secured seems very generous, especially given the Cashback Match.

Free credit score: Check your FICO Score 8 for free, based on your TransUnion credit report.
New account and inquiry alerts: Get notified of any new accounts or credit inquiries on your Experian credit report.
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $0
Security deposit: $200 to $2,500
Fee waivers: Discover will waive late and overlimit fees for SCRA-eligible cards

Runner Up2

Petal® 1 No Annual Fee Visa® Card

No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $0
Card issued by WebBank, Member FDIC

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Free credit score: Check your FICO Score 8 for free, based on your TransUnion credit report.
No foreign transaction fee
Annual fee: $0
Security deposit: $200 to $2,500
Fee waivers: Capital One will waive all fees for SCRA-eligible cards