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3 Best Credit Cards for Military in 2020

Author : Pat Howard | 17th 12, 2019  | Category Name : Reward Travel

Based on the thorough research we’ve conducted on the topic, the best credit cards for military in 2020 are the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and/or the American Express Platinum credit cards. While all of these cards come with different benefits and rewards, the one thing that all three have in common is that they offer incredible rewards to help you take some awesome vacations this year!

Credit card companies are notorious for switching up benefits year-to-year or even every quarter. We know keeping up with the rewards and points associated with all the credit cards out there can be a bit overwhelming. Therefore, we took a look at the 3 best credit cards for military members to utilize in 2020.

Everybody’s financial situation looks a little different, so there might be aspects of one card that suit you well. Like everything else, there are pros and cons associated with each of these cards. And that is the beauty of having multiple options to choose from – you are more likely to find an amicable fit.

In this blog post, we are going to examine what these cards have to offer. Additionally, why they are ideal for members of the Armed Forces and any fees associated with each one. Our hope is that by the time you are done reading through the article, you will know which card (or cards) you should seriously consider getting so you can take advantage of your active duty military status. After all, you have earned it!

#1 Best Credit Cards for Military: Chase Sapphire Preferred

One of the first travel cards you should consider is the Chase Sapphire Preferred. In fact, we wrote a whole article about why it is the ideal credit card here.

If you are an active-duty U.S. Armed Forces member who frequently travels, the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is perfect for you. This card really sets the foundation for reward travel credit cards. If and when you choose to leave the service, you will likely continue to use this card due to the $95 annual fee. Therefore, it is a great option while you consider if you want to keep the next two credit cards with the $550 annual fee!

Pros of the Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card offers perks such as the following…

• 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months from opening the account
• 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide 
• One point per dollar spent on all purchases
• 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards
• No foreign transaction fees
• Trip cancellation insurance

One of the key arguments for this credit card is the incredible sign-up bonus. With this card, you will get 10,000 more points than the Chase Sapphire Reserve. More importantly, you don’t have to spend any more money to get them! All you have to do is charge $4,000 to the credit card within the first three months of signing up, and the 60,000 bonus points are yours. 

Drawbacks of the Chase Sapphire Preferred

Out of the three cards we will discuss, the Chase Sapphire Preferred packs the weakest punch in terms of accruing points. The points system is not as rewarding as the American Express Platinum, and you don’t get as many perks as the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Furthermore, the sign-up bonus is subject to change so it just as quickly can scale back down from 60,000 to 50,000, the amount that Chase was offering only a couple of years ago. 

Verdict

The Chase Sapphire Preferred has a lot of excellent features that you can take advantage of. Especially if you spend a lot on flights, hotels, and dining. While the card isn’t as flashy, it’s a safe bet for military members to use because of your inevitable departure from the military. We definitely think it is worth looking at getting. Out of all three cards we discussed, it is a great starter option if you are new to the world of credit cards.

#2 Best Credit Cards for Military: Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a prime choice for any customer to use in 2020. This is due to the extraordinary travel benefits and rewards linked to the credit card. For example, if you spend $4,000 within the first three months from the time of signing up, you amass a handsome amount of bonus points… 50,000 to be exact.

What’s even more impressive about the Chase Sapphire Reserve is that members of the U.S. Armed Forces do not have to pay the $550 annual fee attached to the card. A lot of customers that use this credit card often agonize over this expense. They often extend themselves to put more purchases on the card so they can get enough points. Unfortunately, they use the cashback to cover the annual cost. However, we recommend you use all of the points accumulated by this card towards travel. This will get you the greatest value per point.

Military members do not have to think twice about justifying the $550 expense. Instead, they can enjoy all of the incredible perks the card has to offer, including a $300 annual travel credit and 3x points on travel and dining worldwide. All you have to do is work with the Chase Military Department to ensure that the fee will be waived.

Between the sign-up bonus, travel rewards, and no annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card has a ton of upside.

Pros of the Chase Sapphire Reserve

Beyond the sign-up bonus of 50,000 points, $300 annual travel credit, and 3x points on travel and dining worldwide, there is still plenty to like about the Chase Sapphire Reserve…

• 3X the points on travel available instantly after earning the $300 travel credit
• 1X point per $1 spent on all purchases put on the card
• Complimentary Lyft Pink Membership ($199 value)
• No foreign transaction fees
• $100 towards TSA Pre-Check
• Complimentary Priority Pass Select lounge membership
• 1:1-point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide after enrolling into Priority Pass Select

While all of these additional perks are great, you also get 50% more in travel redemption when you book your travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, the sign-up bonus of 50,000 points is worth $750 toward travel.

Drawbacks of the Chase Sapphire Reserve

In order to get the $550 annual fee waived, you have to contact Chase. Fill out an application online and call Chase’s Military Department directly at 877-469-0110. Once you are approved, the $550 fee will immediately be waived. If you attempt to discuss the military fee waiver with anyone outside of Chase’s Military Department, they will not know what you are talking about. Understand that this is a request that most Chase employees don’t come across every day. Therefore, it is imperative to discuss this only with the right department!

While Chase’s policies are a little murky, it is still well worth the time it takes to apply to have the annual fee waived. And you can always close out the card if it becomes too much of a hassle for you. Or, you can close it if you decide you aren’t using all of the benefits to justify the $550 fee when you transition to civilian life.

Verdict

You should sign up for the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card if you travel often. Nolan, MilitaryTravelPro’s founder, uses this card for all of his everyday purchases. 

We recommend putting all of your travel expenses (flight, hotel, etc.) on the card so you can rack up more points. However, even if you want to play it conservatively, this credit card will net you a lot of points that you can use on more flights, hotels, restaurants, and more.

Before you make a final decision about getting the Chase Sapphire Reserve, make sure you monitor your spending habits for a couple of months to see just how much you put on credit. The reasoning behind this is that you really want to hit that $4,000 mark within the first three months so you can get those 50,000 bonus points.

Lastly, keep in mind that the offers on credit cards can change from time to time, so be sure to double-check that the offer and sign up bonus is still the same on the Chase Sapphire Reserve by clicking or tapping here.

#3 Best Credit Cards for Military: American Express Platinum

The American Express Platinum comes with excellent sign-up incentives. You get a total of 60,000 bonus points when you spend at least $5,000 within the first three months. That is a significant reward for a card to offer, and it eclipses what the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers by 10,000 points.

Additionally, the American Express Platinum comes with a $550 annual fee but similar to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, this can be waived. The good news is that the folks at American Express are much more candid, making the process of waiving the fee rather seamlessly. If you have any reservations based on poor past experiences with other credit card companies, we hear you. But rest assured when we say that you won’t have to agonize or explain yourself with this card.

The American Express Platinum is an ideal card if you serve on active duty status and like to travel.

Pros of the American Express Platinum

One of the greatest strengths of the American Express Platinum is that it is significantly easier to get the annual fee waived as it compares to its Chase Sapphire Reserve counterpart. The process through American Express is very straightforward. 

All you have to do is apply for the card online here. After you apply, follow the prompt for “Credit Management,” then select “Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) Benefits.” This can all be done online and, in most cases, within minutes.

After you sign up and confirm that you will not be charged the $550 annual fee, you are then free to enjoy plenty of perks such as the following…

• $200 annual credits with a major qualifying airline (you have to choose one on the approved list of participating carriers)
• $15 a month in Uber credit ($20 in December)
• AmEx’s Fine Hotels & Resorts Program offers $550 of average value in complimentary benefits. These include dining, spa, resort activities, room upgrades (when available), and early check-in/late check-out
• 5X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel
• No foreign transaction fees
• Global Lounge Collection gives access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide
• Fee credit for global entry or TSA Pre-Check

Lastly, a lot of credit cards out there have a lackluster points system. However, the American Express Platinum card will actually help you get cash back to pay off debt or use it towards a major purchase. Instead of getting measly points that never seem to add up, the American Express Platinum card will net you one point per dollar spent as well as five points per dollar spent at participating hotels. In our experience, this point system rivals Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Drawbacks of the American Express Platinum

While the 60,000 sign up bonus is enticing, you still have to hit that $5,000 mark within the first three months in order to receive it. It is imperative that you do a little research on your end before electing to get the card. Some people will have a hard time spending at least $5,000. If you get close, for example, $4,150, it really isn’t worth it to stretch yourself that extra $850 just to get the sign-up bonus.

Another drawback to the American Express Platinum is that it is a charge card. In layman’s terms, you must pay off your balance in full each month. While there is no interest rate associated with the card, it can be easy to forget that you aren’t supposed to carry a balance. Therefore, you must be budget-conscious every time you charge something to the American Express Platinum. And always think of it as a debit card or cash instead of a credit line… Because it’s not credit! 

Verdict

Get the American Express Platinum card if you are good at sticking to your budget and paying your bills monthly. If you can accomplish this, the benefits for military members almost seems too good to be true.

Where we see people go wrong is when they really try to stretch themselves to hit that $5,000 of spending to acquire the 60,000 points as a sign-up bonus. But keep in mind, if you are a military member, you won’t be paying that $550 annual fee anyway, so it is not imperative that you get those 60,000 points. 

Furthermore, the American Express Platinum point system truly has some power behind it. This is more than what can be said for a lot of other cards. Since it is a charge card, you will get used to the idea of making purchases on it, acquiring points, and using them towards your next trip.

This card really puts your money to work for you in a smooth, effortless way.

Closing Remarks for the Best Credit Cards for Military in 2020

While there are plenty of credit cards on the market and a number of other products you can choose from, it is our humble opinion that the Chase Sapphire Preferred, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and the American Express Platinum are the best credit cards for military in 2020. From no annual fees, travel benefits, cash back, and no foreign transaction fees, any of these products will work to your advantage. They can even help towards rebuilding your credit through smart uses and paying your balance off in full each month. 

We are always doing a lot of research on our end to give you the most up to date insight on the best way to cut out a path to financial success. And if you have made it this far in the article, you have just absorbed an exceptional amount of information about the best credit cards for military to use in 2020 and why we have objectively chosen these three. 

One of the cornerstones of achieving a healthy financial profile is getting credit cards that actually work for you. And military members have earned their right to enjoy exclusive credit card perks. Make your cards work for you by getting points back on the categories that you use the most often. Whether you frequently travel (which is typical even afterlife as an active duty member), frequent restaurants, or buy groceries and gas on credit, put your money work so you can get more cash back and take advantage of the exclusive military benefits these cards have to offer.

Leave a comment below and tell us what your favorite travel credit card is!

Chase Sapphire Preferred for Military: Your Ideal Card!

Author : Pat Howard | 04th 11, 2019  | Category Name : Credit Card Reviews , Reward Travel

The Chase Sapphire Preferred for military service members is the ideal choice for your first credit card for several reasons. In this blog post, we are going to cover (in detail) the benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred. This should leave you with a wealth of knowledge so you can apply with confidence. This will be the first of many excellent choices you will make in choosing the best credit card for your needs. Remember, if you start building your travel reward reserve now, you will be that much closer to taking some incredible vacations in the future! If you just want to check out the current Chase Sapphire Preferred offers, click here.

As sworn members of the United States military, young soldiers commit themselves to an honorable vocation that is respected by Americans everywhere. It also means entrusting one’s self to a lifestyle that is largely based on a group mentality, so there are a few key components that can get a little lost along the way.

Military families have been facing financial challenges for years. So, in 2003, the U.S. government issued the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). Subsequently, the Military Lending Act (MLA) followed and offered additional support for the troops. While these programs have done a lot to help active service members with the natural problems that arise from being in the military, there is still a lot that young soldiers can do to help themselves even more.

The SCRA and MLA allow two major advantages for you when you are selecting a credit card. The first advantage is that it allows you to waive the annual fee for active-duty military. The second advantage is that it reduces your APR to a much lower rate. With these incredible perks, it doesn’t make choosing a credit card any easier. But we are here to put those worries to rest by making it as simple as possible.

Understanding the Basics of the Chase Sapphire Preferred for Military

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the ideal “first-ever” credit card for the military. There is an exceptional amount of travel benefits and rewards associated with the credit card. That means you can take your money farther, especially if you take advantage of the sign-up bonus. One of the major appeals of the Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card is that if you spend $4,000 within the first three months from the time of signing up, you receive a hefty 60,000 bonus points that you can use for airfare, hotels, material goods, or simply as cashback into your bank account.

So, with all these benefits to getting the Chase Sapphire Preferred, you might be wondering what the catch might be. We are here to tell you that really isn’t a catch, especially for active members of the U.S. Armed Forces. While the Chase Sapphire Preferred has a $95 annual fee, soldiers do not have to pay it. This fee is waived for active service members. So, this means you can enjoy all of the benefits of the card without worrying about the annual fee. It’s a great perk and it’s a shame that not everybody knows about it. But at least you do now! So tell everyone that the Chase Sapphire Preferred for the military is the best first credit card!

Beyond the sign-up bonus of 60,000 points, 2x points on travel and dining worldwide, there is still plenty to like about the Chase Sapphire Preferred:

• 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide. It helps you earn more when you are already going to be traveling and going out to eat!
• One point per dollar spent on all purchases!
• 5x Points on Lyft rides through March 2022.
• No delivery fees for a minimum of one year with a DashPass subscription at DoorDash.
• 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. When you look to book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, you can see that your points are going a lot further than if you only paid with cash.
• No foreign transaction fees–imperative when going international!
• Trip cancellation insurance-Don’t waste your money buying the trip cancellation insurance from airlines.
• No blackout dates. Yep, travel 365 without having to worry about if it will or will not fall within your block leave period.
• No expiration dates. Can’t travel this year? Don’t worry, points are good for life.
• No point limits. Save all of your points for one awesome vacation.
• Redeem points for $.01 cash. This is an option but would recommend you save them for travel–your points will go much further.
• 1:1 point transfer to frequent flier partner. This is a strategy we will have to discuss in detail. With proper planning, you can stretch your points even further and possibly get international airfare for free.
• Pay for travel with partial points. Want to budget for a specific trip but don’t have all of the points? No worries, pay half in cash and half using points.
• Combine points from other Chase cards if you decide to get another one down the road. When you are ready to upgrade to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can combine all of your points and really build a huge travel reserve.

As a young soldier, you won’t have to think twice about whether or not the Chase Sapphire Preferred for military is a good decision. The card is designed to be a low risk which means it doesn’t offer the best rewards on the market, but they are still valuable, especially when you don’t have to pay the annual fee of $95. Upon signing up for the card, all you have to do is work with the Chase Military Department to make sure that the fee will be waived. This should be a relatively seamless process online but if you encounter any hiccups, you can always jump on the phone or use Chase’s messaging platform.

Getting Into the Credit Card Game and What the Chase Sapphire Preferred for Military Can do for You!

Now that you know about the Chase Sapphire Preferred, let’s discuss the ins and outs of credit card ownership. Many people, especially college students and young soldiers, dig themselves into a financial hole with credit cards. This is mainly because they don’t understand the basics of using a credit card. Even the most disciplined young men and women have found themselves buried up to their necks in debt. This is because the experience of purchasing on credit is so new. Don’t let this be you!

There are several important questions about owning a credit card that you must be considering right off the bat:

• How much credit line should I ask for?
• What percentage of my credit line should I use?
• What happens if I don’t pay my bill on time?
• Is it okay if I only make my minimum payment each month?
• How does credit card interest work?

Every first-time credit card user should be asking themselves the preceding five questions. Don’t worry, you won’t have to do any more Google searches because we are going to provide the answers below!

For starters, when you first receive your Chase Sapphire Preferred card, it will come with something called a “credit line.” This is the total amount of credit you are allowed to charge to the card and you always want to make sure you have some space on it. For example, if you have a $2,000 credit line on your Chase Sapphire Preferred and you decide to use it to make a big purchase like a $500 television, your credit allowance shrinks to $1,500.

Many people think that simply because they have a $2,000 credit line, they should go ahead and use all of that allowance on material goods, travel, or anything else. This is a classic mistake. While you do have the option to max out your credit card allowance, you most definitely shouldn’t. Your credit line is not free cash. It’s essentially borrowing from the credit card company while you promise to pay it back later. When it comes to our example regarding the $500 television, you can feel confident putting that on your card so long as you expect to pay back that full $500 with your own cash once your credit card bill arrives one month later.

Let’s say that you don’t pay your $500 credit card bill in full and instead elect to pay the minimum amount of $75. In the moment, this might seem great because it feels like you are only paying a small fraction of the price for the TV and you paid off the minimum bill so you feel like you’re good to go. Wrong! Time is the most valuable asset that works in favor of credit card companies. They bank on the consumer’s thought process of only ever paying the minimum amount on their monthly bills because they can charge interest on the debt that they carry around with them month after month.

The solution? Don’t let this be you! Find the right balance between putting purchases on your first credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and paying your bills on time. If you do this, you will reap the benefits of the card without accruing any debt. And that’s the end goal of getting a credit card in the first place. It’s a helpful financial tool that will earn you rewards. This something that paying with debit card or cash won’t be able to do for you.

Since you understand the credit card game, let’s take a look at how the Chase Ultimate Rewards works.

Comparing the Chase Ultimate Rewards Point System to other Reward Programs

We have talked a lot about points, rewards, benefits, and all sorts of other credit card buzz words. But that doesn’t really help us if we don’t know where to locate them. Also if you don’t know how it works, or why we should even care (spoiler alert- you should care a lot). That’s why we are going to talk about the Chase Ultimate Rewards Point System. This is the online hub where you can easily view your account, learn the most advantageous way to earn points, and of course, where you can redeem those well-deserved points as you see fit.

The Chase Ultimate Rewards Point System is one of the most popular flexible point currencies on the market. What we mean by that is the points can be used for flights, hotels, rental cars, cash, or material goods. These differ from the more traditional cashback programs that you find with a lot of other cards. The main difference being that Chase allows you the flexibility (hence the term “flexible point currency”) to turn your points into plane tickets, hotel rooms, etc. instead of just cash.

The Chase Ultimate Rewards Program

Chase Ultimate Rewards is one of four major flexible point programs. Others are the Citi ThankYou Program, American Express Membership Rewards Program, and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Loyalty Program. While these three reward programs are nice, the Chase Ultimate Rewards Point System stands head and shoulders above them. Here’s a list of why we prefer Chase Ultimate Rewards and some of the perks you will get to enjoy by having a Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card in your wallet:

• Bonus categories that match up with everyday purchases. For example, Chase will reward you more for spending on common things like grocery stores and gas stations, amongst other popular categories.
• If you eventually decide to get another card with Chase, you can pool the points you accrue from that card together. Since they all participate in the same points program, you can acquire them much quicker.
• A wide range of travel partners that will allow more flexibility when it comes to booking a trip. Since Chase has relationships with some of the biggest airlines and hotels in the country, your points will go much further so you can save big on travel expenses.

When you first log onto the Chase Ultimate Rewards website, you will notice that it is broken up into two different types of cards: Travel Rewards and Cash Back. The Chase Sapphire Preferred falls into the travel rewards category and it’s extremely beneficial for active service members, especially when you need to arrange your own travel itinerary for a trip back home. Since the Sapphire Preferred is a premium card (that military members don’t have to pay to use!), it essentially unlocks more point potential for other cash back cards if you ever decide to get an additional card. But for now, we are focusing on making the Chase Sapphire Preferred your first credit card. Just know that you are building a foundation for continued rewards, and the potential amount of benefits you can receive increases if your next card falls under the Chase Ultimate Rewards umbrella.

How to Redeem Your Chase Ultimate Rewards

Since the Chase Ultimate Rewards system is so flexible, there are so many different ways that you can redeem those points. But if you want to make sure you are getting the best value possible, we are going to focus on doing it one of two ways.

• Transfer your points to a travel partner through the Chase Ultimate Rewards online hub. By assigning these points to one of Chase’s dedicated travel partners like Marriott, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, or Hyatt (amongst many more), you can book your travel itinerary directly with that partner. No exchange of money is necessary unless your total points balance does not cover the total cost of your travel plans. If the points you exceed the total value of your trip, you are essentially traveling for free. And that is one of the best feelings in the world.
• Purchase your travel directly on the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. Once you find a flight or hotel that you wish to book, visit the Ultimate Rewards online hub to redeem your travel at a fixed rate. The strategy behind this method is to book your ticket or room while simultaneously reimbursing yourself with points. Another added bonus of using your points this way is that you are also accruing mileage and loyalty points. The true cash value of these mileage and loyalty points will vary depending on the season. Also, certain airlines and hotels will run specials for you to maximize your rewards!

While redemption points will differ in value depending upon which of the two methods you choose to follow, you can expect to get 1.5 to 2.2 cents per point. This might not sound like a lot, but it’s actually really good compared to other competing cards and programs on the market. And keep in mind that you will accrue more as you spend more.

Annual Fee Waiver for Chase Sapphire Preferred Military

Takes a deep breath

Phew. Now that you have learned the basics of getting into the credit card game and just about everything an individual could possibly know about the Chase Sapphire Preferred for military and the Chase Ultimate Rewards Point System, remember the following tips before you apply:

• You might see multiple portions of the Chase website disclose the $95 annual fee. Don’t sweat it because this will be waived for active military members.
• When filling out the online form, make sure to follow the on-screen instructions. Contact the Chase Military Services at 1-877-469-0110 concerning what military members should include as part of the application process.
• Have your military ID ready to include as part of your paperwork.
• Remember, you are still responsible for how much of the credit line you use.
• Pay your bill in full and on time every single month.
• Treat your credit line like cash. In other words, live within your means and don’t spend money that you don’t have.
• Don’t be afraid to ask a Chase employee about any questions you have. The bank’s website is super accessible and you can send an inquiry via online message or by phone.

If you understand credit cards and why the Chase Sapphire Preferred for military benefits, go ahead and apply. This will hopefully be a great first step towards gaining financial independence. You can take comfort knowing that you will be able to build your credit while earning incredible travel points. Start working towards a bad-ass vacation, you earned it!