Top 6 Best Military Credit Cards | 2017 Ranking | Best Credit Cards for Military (Active & Veterans)

2017 RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP RANKING BEST CREDIT CARDS FOR MILITARY

Taking Care of the Military with Military Credit Cards

When it comes to taking care of both our active military members and our veterans, there are many companies and businesses that offer special offers and discounts. One of these common offers is given by financial companies that offer military credit cards.

It is estimated that there are more than 21 million veterans in the United States. There are 1.4 million active frontline members and 1.1 million active reserve members. These faithful men and women deserve quality veteran credit card or active military credit card choices.

Award Emblem: Top 6 Best Military Credit Cards

But with countless options of credit cards for military, how do our service people know which offers are the best military credit cards? That is where this guide comes in. We have outlined the best credit cards for military members in 2017.

We will also answer popular questions about the best military credit cards including:

What are the best credit cards for veterans or active military for saving money on interest fees?
Are there credit cards for veterans with bad credit? Credit cards for military with bad credit?
Is there a great military travel card option? Or a cash back veteran credit card?

This information will help our service people find the top credit cards for veterans and active military that will serve them well.

AdvisoryHQ’s List of the Top 6 Best Military Credit Cards

List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the credit card names below to go directly to the detailed review section for that credit card):

nRewards® Secured Credit Card
PenFed Defender Visa Signature® Card
PenFed Premium Travel Rewards American Express® Card
Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature®
Security Service Power MasterCard®
Visa Titanium Signature Rewards

Top 6 Best Credit Cards for Military | Brief Comparison & Ranking

Best Military Credit Cards	APR Range	Annual Fee	Unique Benefits
nRewards® Secured Credit Card	9.24 –18.00%	NONE	Credit cards for military with bad credit
PenFed Defender Visa Signature® Card	10.24 –17.99%	NONE	No fee credit cards for military members
PenFed Premium Travel Rewards American Express® Card	10.24 –17.99%	NONE	Military travel card
Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature®	12.15 –26.15%	NONE	Military credit cards with cash back
Security Service Power MasterCard®	6.74 –14.74%	NONE	Low APR credit cards for military
Visa Titanium Signature Rewards	5.99% –18.00	$59	Low APR military credit cards with rewards

Table: Top 6 Best Credit Cards for Veterans and Military | Above list is sorted alphabetically

What Sets the Best Military Credit Cards Apart?

When it comes to military credit cards, you will find some of the best offers among all card options. These credit cards are for both those currently serving the country as well as veterans.

Often you will find low annual percentage rates (APR) with credit cards for military, as well as longer grace periods. It is also common to see low fees and nice rewards or cash back.

Image Source: Best Military Credit Cards

You can even find options of credit cards for military with bad credit. These cards can be easier to come by in the realm of credit cards for military members more often than they can in regular credit cards.

Essentially, you can typically find “sweeter” deals with credit cards for veterans and active military members than you can in the average financial market. They may not be the highest rewards cards (which often come with higher fees/APRs), but you will find excellent offers that save money and help service families.

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AdvisoryHQ’s Selection Methodology

What methodology does AdvisoryHQ use in selecting and finalizing the credit cards, financial products, firms, services, and products that are ranked on its various top-rated lists?

Please click here “AdvisoryHQ’s Ranking Methodologies” for a detailed review of AdvisoryHQ’s selection methodologies for ranking top-rated credit cards, financial accounts, firms, products, and services.

Detailed Review—Top Ranking Best Military Credit Cards

Below, please find the detailed review of each credit card on our list of best credit cards for military members. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these credit cards for veterans and military to score so high in our selection ranking.

Don’t Miss: Best Credit Cards (Comparison & Ranking) | Compare Credit Card Rewards, Travel Points, Rates & Benefits

nRewards® Secured Credit Card Review

First on our list of the best military credit cards is the nRewards® Secured Credit Card from Navy Federal Credit Union. When it comes to credit cards for military with bad credit (or credit cards for veterans with bad credit), this is one of the best options.

The active military/veteran credit card allows you to apply for a card with no credit or bad credit. Yet, these come without too many fees and a decent APR. These credit cards for military with bad credit are secured credit cards. This means you make a deposit as collateral. Your monthly spending and payments will be reported to credit bureaus to then build back up your credit.

Credit Cards for Veterans & Active Military #1: The Other Highlights

1 point earned for each dollar spent
Points for these credit cards for military with bad credit can be redeemed for gift cards or merchandise
No balance transfer or foreign transaction fees
Chip technology enabled

PenFed Defender Visa Signature® Card Review

Next on our list of the best credit cards for military is the PenFed Defender Visa Signature® Card. Beyond having a fairly low APR range, this particular military/veteran credit card is special because you pay practically no fees whatsoever. On top of that, these military credit cards offer nice rewards.

When it comes to credit cards for military members, offering savings is a common feature. But with these best credit cards for veterans and active military in particular, you do not have to pay the following five common credit card fees:

No annual fee
No balance transfer fee
No cash advance fee
No foreign transaction fee
No penalty fee

Credit Cards for Veterans & Active Military #2: The Other Highlights

1.5% unlimited cash back on all purchases
Chip technology enabled
Travel and emergency service assistance
Special discounts from some retailers

PenFed Premium Travel Rewards American Express® Card Review

If you are looking for a military travel card, the next card on our list of the best military credit cards is the PenFed Premium Travel Rewards American Express® Card. When it comes to earning travel points, you cannot beat this active/veteran credit card. This is perfect for military members who love to travel.

Source: PenFed Premium Travel Rewards American Express Card

All purchases earn you 1 point per dollar spent. But airline purchases earn you 5 points for every dollar spent. The rewards from these best credit cards for military can be redeemed for travel and also for gift cards and merchandise. Plus this military travel card offers 20,000 bonus points when you spend $2,500 in the first three months.

Credit Cards for Veterans & Active Military #3: The Other Highlights

0% introductory APR for the first 12 months
No annual fee
No foreign transaction fees (an important aspect for a military travel card)
Chip technology enabled

Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® Review

When it comes to military credit cards with cash back, the Preferred Cash Rewards Visa Signature® card from USAA made it on our list of the best credit cards for military. With these credit cards for military members, you earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases every single day.

Keep in mind this active military/veteran credit card has the highest APR of all other best credit cards for military on this list. This means if you tend to carry a balance from month to month, you will not necessarily make enough cash back to cover interest fees. These military credit cards are best for those who pay off their balance each month.

Credit Cards for Veterans & Active Military #4: The Other Highlights

No APR penalty for late payments
No annual fee
No cash back limitations
No foreign transaction fees

Security Service Power MasterCard® Review

When it comes to choosing the best credit cards for veterans or active military cards, low APR is an extremely important factor. That is why next on our list of top credit cards for military is the Security Service Power MasterCard® from Security Service Federal Credit Union.

The APR range for these best credit cards for military members is between 6.74% and 14.74%. Of course, whichever interest rate you get depends upon your creditworthiness. But even the highest APR of these credit cards for military is still a relatively low APR. All balance transfers are under 10% as well.

Source: Security Service Power MasterCard®

Credit Cards for Veterans & Active Military #5: The Other Highlights

Zero liability protection
No cash advance fee
No annual fee
Possible entertainment discounts

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Visa Titanium Signature Rewards Review

The final card on our list of the best credit cards for military is another low APR card, but this time with a nice rewards system: the Visa Titanium Signature Rewards card. These best military credit cards only charge between 5.99% and 18.00% APR. But you can earn money at the same time you are saving money.

For every dollar you spend with these credit cards for military members, you earn 1.5 points. For gas or groceries, you earn 3 points per dollar. This rewards system easily makes this Visa one of the best credit cards for military members. But as the only card on our list of military credit cards with an annual fee, you do have to pay for these perks.

Credit Cards for Veterans & Active Military #6: The Other Highlights

First year $0 annual fee (then $59)
0% APR introductory rate for 12 months
Chip technology enabled
BONUS OFFER: 7,500 points when you spend $500 in the first 90 days

Conclusion—Top 6 Credit Cards for Veterans and Military

We have now taken a closer look at the top 6 best military credit cards in 2017. It is now time to start processing through which of these credit cards for military members are right for you and your credit needs.

The best way to start choosing the right veteran credit card or active duty credit card is to ask yourself important questions about each of these credit cards for veterans and active military. Here are a few to get you started:

Do you have no credit or bad credit? Then choose the credit cards for veterans with bad credit or credit cards for military with bad credit/no credit.

Do you want rewards? Then choose a military travel card or generalized rewards card.

Are you interested in earning cash back? Then choose one of the best credit cards for military that offer cash back.

Do you want to avoid paying too many fees? Than choose one of the no-fee best credit cards for veterans/active military.

Are you expecting to carry a balance from month to month? Then choose of the low APR best credit cards for military to avoid heavy interest payments.

Figure out what you will be needing from credit cards for military and your specific wants or needs. Then you can confidently choose one of these best credit cards for military members for 2017.

AdvisoryHQ (AHQ) Disclaimer:

Reasonable efforts have been made by AdvisoryHQ to present accurate information, however all info is presented without warranty. Review AdvisoryHQ’s Terms for details. Also review each firm’s site for the most updated data, rates and info.

Note: Firms and products, including the one(s) reviewed above, may be AdvisoryHQ's affiliates. Click to view AdvisoryHQ's advertiser disclosures.