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Active-duty members and their spouses can get premium card annual fees waived. Most people never ask.
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The short answer
Active duty: yes. Veterans: no.
- Active duty + spouses: Amex waives annual fees on new personal cards under the Military Lending Act. Chase and Citi do too, per many reports.
- Capital One: only on cards opened before active duty (SCRA).
- Veterans and retirees: no waivers. The laws stop when active duty ends.
- Not the law: fee waivers are bank policy. The CFPB says the law doesn't require them.
Who waives fees, by bank
| Bank | New card on active duty (MLA) | Card from before (SCRA) | What they say | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express | Yes | Yes | Amex says MLA relief is applied automatically at account opening (it checks the DoD database) and that when relief ends it "will resume charging any applicable fees that were not charged." Covers dependents too. Personal cards only. Official: SCRA caps interest at 6%, and Amex counts annual membership fees as interest. Accounts opened before active duty. Request online, by phone, fax or mail, up to 180 days after leaving active duty. | americanexpress.com (official) |
| Chase | Yes (reported) | Partial | Chase's site doesn't publish its card fee policy. Since Sept 20, 2017, cardholders and The Points Guy report Chase waives annual fees on personal cards for active duty and DEERS-enrolled dependents. Confirm in writing. Official: Chase lists "reduction of interest rate" under SCRA. Its page doesn't say fees are waived on pre-service accounts. | chase.com (official) + cardholder reports |
| Citi | Yes (reported) | Partial | Citi officially caps cost at a 36% MAPR under MLA. Cardholders widely report Citi waives annual fees for MLA-covered borrowers, sometimes only after emailing proof. Confirm in writing. Official: during SCRA enrollment Citi waives "certain applicable servicing fees" and caps APR at 6% on pre-service debt. | citi.com (official) + cardholder reports |
| Capital One | No | Yes | No fee waiver under MLA found. Cards opened while you're already on active duty pay the annual fee. Official: under SCRA, Capital One caps interest at 4% and charges no fees (except bona fide insurance). Accounts opened before active duty only. Covers Guard and Reserve while on active duty. | capitalone.com (official) |
| U.S. Bank | Yes (reported) | Yes | Not published on usbank.com. Cardholders report MLA fee waivers on personal cards. Confirm before you apply. Official: SCRA can cap interest at 6% and waive fees on cards opened before active duty. You must send orders. | usbank.com (official) + cardholder reports |
| Bank of America | Unclear | Yes | Mixed reports. Some cardholders since 2024 say BofA waived fees on premium cards under MLA; others didn't get it. Ask first. Official: 6% cap on pre-service card balances for the whole active-duty period, plus selected card fee waivers. | bankofamerica.com (official) + cardholder reports |
“Reported” = many cardholders and military finance sites report it, but the bank doesn't publish it. Confirm in writing. Checked October 17, 2026.
Card by card
| Card | Normal fee | $0 for active duty? | Key perks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Platinum Card from American Express | $895 | Yes | Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, 10 Delta Sky Club visits on Delta flights. Credits: $600 hotel (prepaid FHR/Hotel Collection), $200 airline fee, $200 Uber Cash, $400 Resy, $300 digital entertainment, $219 CLEAR+, $155 Walmart+ and more (enrollment required). | 5x on flights booked with airlines or Amex Travel. Lots of credits, many monthly or semiannual. |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $795 | Likely (reported) | $300 annual travel credit (applies automatically), Priority Pass and Chase Sapphire Lounges, The Edit hotel credits, plus dining, Lyft, DoorDash and Peloton credits. Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every 4 years. | Earn rates simplified; Chase Travel bookings earn more. |
| United Club Card | $695 | Likely (reported) | United Club membership, 2 free checked bags, partner credits. | Best if you fly United often. |
| Citi AAdvantage Executive | $695 | Likely (reported) | Admirals Club membership, first checked bag free on American. | |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express | $650 | Yes | Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta (visit limits apply), annual Companion Certificate, first checked bag free, $240 Resy credit. | 3x on Delta purchases. |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express | $650 | Yes | Marriott Platinum Elite status, annual Free Night Award, $300 dining credit ($25 a month). | Marriott points counted at 0.7¢. |
| Citi Strata Elite | $595 | Likely (reported) | Up to $300 off a 2+ night hotel via Citi Travel, $200 Splurge credit, Priority Pass, 4 Admirals Club passes a year. | Higher earn on hotels, cars and air booked via Citi Travel (not counted). |
| Hilton Honors American Express Aspire | $550 | Yes | Hilton Diamond status, annual Free Night Reward, $400 Hilton resort credit, $200 flight credit, $219 CLEAR+. | Points are Hilton points (worth less than 1¢ each; we count them at 0.5¢). |
| Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite | $550 | Unclear | Up to $570 in combined airline incidental, TSA PreCheck/Global Entry and lifestyle credits. Priority Pass. 2x travel and dining, 1.5x everything else. | MLA waiver unclear. Ask first. |
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | No (SCRA only) | $300 Capital One Travel credit, 10,000 anniversary miles, Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass, $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. | Fee is NOT waived if opened on active duty. Open before orders and use SCRA. |
| United Quest Card | $350 | Likely (reported) | $200 United travel credit, 2 free checked bags, 10,000-mile award discount, Group 2 boarding. | |
| American Express Gold Card | $325 | Yes | 4x at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (caps apply), 3x flights. Credits: $120 dining, $120 Uber Cash, $100 Resy, $84 Dunkin' (enrollment required). | Best for food spending. |
| Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority | $229 | Likely (reported) | Anniversary points and Southwest perks; see Chase's page for the current list (Southwest changed perks in 2025). | |
| IHG One Rewards Premier | $150 | Likely (reported) | Anniversary free night, IHG Platinum Elite status, 4th reward night free, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. | IHG points counted at 0.5¢. |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | Likely (reported) | $100 Chase Travel hotel credit each year, 3x dining, 2x travel, DashPass promo. | Low fee even after you leave. |
| Marriott Bonvoy Boundless | $95 | Likely (reported) | Annual free night (up to 35,000 points), Silver Elite status, 15 Elite Night Credits. | Marriott points counted at 0.7¢. |
| World of Hyatt Credit Card | $95 | Likely (reported) | Annual Category 1-4 free night, Discoverist status, elite night credits. | |
| Citi Strata Premier | $95 | Likely (reported) | 3x air, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and gas. $100 annual hotel benefit on a $500+ stay via Citi Travel. | |
| Capital One Venture | $95 | No (SCRA only) | 2x miles on everything, 5x on hotels and rental cars via Capital One Travel. | Fee waived only under SCRA (opened before active duty). |
| Bank of America Premium Rewards | $95 | Unclear | 2x travel and dining, 1.5x everything else. No foreign transaction fees. | MLA waiver unclear. |
Fees checked on each issuer's own card page, October 17, 2026. Perks change often; open the card page before you apply. U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve is closed to new applicants.
How to claim it
- Check your status on the DoD MLA website (mla.dmdc.osd.mil). Spouses need to be in DEERS.
- Apply while on active duty. Most banks check the MLA database automatically.
- Look for the letter or the “covered borrower” line in your card agreement.
- Fee still charged? Message the bank with your MLA certificate (Citi: [email protected]).
- Older cards? Send SCRA requests with your orders. Ask within 180 days of leaving active duty at the latest.
Get the most from a $0 premium card
- Turn on every credit you'll actually use (many need enrollment).
- Put them on your calendar: monthly, quarterly and semiannual credits reset.
- Add your spouse as an authorized user (Chase and Amex fees on MLA accounts are reported waived; confirm).
- Get Global Entry or TSA PreCheck with the credit.
- Use lounge access on PCS and leave travel.
- Pay the full balance every month with autopay.
- Keep points flexible; don't cash them out at under 1¢.
- Before you separate, decide which cards to keep, downgrade or close.
By situation
Active duty
New cards: MLA. Amex applies it automatically and says that when relief ends it resumes “fees that were not charged.” Chase (since Sept 20, 2017) and Citi are widely reported to waive fees on personal cards. Capital One doesn't. Business cards aren't covered by MLA.
Cards you had before active duty
SCRA caps interest, including fees, at 6% for the time you serve. Amex counts annual fees as interest. Capital One goes further: 4% and no fees. You must ask, with orders.
Guard and Reserve
Covered only while on active-duty orders over 30 days. Not on orders = no waiver. Plan ahead: Capital One cards opened before orders can get SCRA relief once you're activated.
Spouses and dependents
MLA covers spouses and dependents (in DEERS) on cards in their own name while the servicemember is on active duty. SCRA doesn't cover a spouse's own pre-service cards; it covers the servicemember's debts, including joint ones.
Veterans and retirees
No waivers. That's the honest answer. A $0-fee 2% card or a credit union card usually wins. Pay a premium fee only if you'll use more than it costs.
Leaving active duty
Relief ends. Amex gives at least 45 days' notice, then fees return. Before the next fee posts: product-change to a $0-fee card, or cancel. Fees are usually refundable only for a short time after they post (Amex: 30 days).
FAQ
Do credit cards waive annual fees for military?
Some do, by policy. Amex waives annual fees on personal cards opened on active duty (MLA). Chase and Citi are widely reported to do the same. Capital One waives fees only under SCRA on cards opened before active duty. The CFPB notes the law doesn't specifically require waivers.
Is the Amex Platinum free for military?
For active-duty members and dependents covered by the MLA, yes: Amex applies MLA relief automatically, so the $895 fee isn't charged while you're covered.
Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve free for military?
Widely reported, yes, for personal cards opened since Sept 20, 2017 by active-duty members and DEERS dependents. Chase doesn't publish it, so confirm. Normal fee: $795.
Does Capital One waive the Venture X fee for military?
Only under SCRA, on a card opened before active duty. Capital One says SCRA accounts get no fees and max 4% interest. Open it on active duty and you pay $395.
Do veterans get annual fee waivers?
No. SCRA and MLA protect people on active duty (and MLA covers their dependents). Veterans and retirees pay normal fees.
Do Guard and Reserve members qualify?
Only while on active-duty orders over 30 days. Drilling status alone doesn't qualify.
Do military spouses get the waiver on their own card?
Under MLA, yes, if you're a covered dependent in DEERS and your sponsor is on active duty. Banks check the DoD MLA database.
What's the difference between SCRA and MLA?
SCRA: debt from before active duty, capped at 6% including fees; you must request it. MLA: credit opened during active duty, capped at a 36% Military APR; banks check it automatically.
What happens to my fees when I get out?
They come back. Plan a downgrade to a $0-fee card or cancel before the next fee posts.
Sources
- CFPB: Five myths in the military community about personal finance — law doesn't require fee waivers
- CFPB: SCRA and MLA protections handout
- U.S. DOJ: 6% interest rate cap on pre-service debts
- DoD MLA database
- American Express: SCRA & MLA
- Chase: SCRA
- Capital One: military benefits
- Citi: military / SCRA
- U.S. Bank: SCRA
- Bank of America: military benefits
- The Points Guy: Chase MLA policy (Sept 20, 2017) — cardholder-reported policy
Boxes marked “Partner offer” are placeholders and aren't live yet. When they go live they'll be labeled, and they won't change our rankings or what we say (disclosure). Written by The MilTech Deals Team. Not financial, tax or legal advice.
Checked October 17, 2026.