American Express military benefits offer a significant financial advantage for military personnel, thanks to the protections provided by the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).
One of the standout perks is the waiver of annual fees on many American Express credit cards for active-duty military members. This includes premium cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express, which normally has a $695 annual fee, and the everyday favorite, the American Express® Gold Card.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to access these cards without paying an annual fee. It’s a fantastic perk that active service members should definitely take advantage of.
These benefits aren’t limited to service members alone; their spouses are also eligible, extending the financial relief to the entire family. By taking advantage of these offers, military personnel can enjoy luxury perks and financial flexibility without the added cost.
In addition to the annual fee waivers, SCRA caps interest rates on eligible loans and credit products at 6%, covering fees such as late charges and returned payment fees. This comprehensive financial protection underscores American Express’s commitment to supporting military families.
Here’s what you need to know about what protections service members get and how to maximize the benefits offered by American Express.
» Next Step: Unlock Your American Express Platinum Card Benefits Today
Military Relief Offered by American Express
American Express provides significant financial relief to active-duty military members through compliance with the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and the Military Lending Act (MLA). These acts limit the amount of interest that can be charged on credit lines, with the SCRA also considering annual membership fees as part of the interest calculation. To adhere to these laws, American Express generally waives annual membership fees for eligible service members.
However, it’s important to note that American Express doesn’t automatically waive all annual fees for every service member. Eligible military personnel need to apply for this relief, and each application is reviewed on an individual basis.
Duration of Amex’s Military Relief Provisions
The protections provided under the SCRA and MLA are only applicable during active duty. Once a service member leaves active duty, they are no longer eligible for these financial protections. American Express periodically reviews accounts to verify eligibility. If it determines that an account is no longer eligible for relief, the cardholder will receive a notification letter at least 45 days before the relief ends.
Why the Amex Platinum Is a Great Card for Active Duty Military
The Platinum Card® from American Express stands out as an exceptional choice for active-duty military personnel. While most cardholders pay a annual_fees annual fee for the extensive perks that come with this card, service members are exempt from this fee, making it an incredible value.
Platinum cardholders enjoy extensive travel benefits, including access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide through Amex’s Global Lounge Collection. This includes Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (with enrollment), and Delta Sky Clubs when flying with Delta on the same day. Starting February 1, 2025, Amex Platinum card members will have 10 Delta Sky Club visits per year, with unlimited visits possible after spending $75,000 in a calendar year.
Additional travel perks include savings on flights through Amex’s International Airline Program and exclusive benefits at luxury hotels through the Fine Hotels & Resorts Program.
The Platinum Card also offers a variety of annual credits: up to $200 for airline fees on a selected airline, up to $200 in Uber Cash for U.S. Uber purchases when linked to the card, up to $100 for Saks Fifth Avenue purchases (with enrollment), and up to $85 for TSA PreCheck® or $100 for Global Entry application fees. These credits can total up to $600 annually.
Cardholders earn 5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, up to $500,000 per calendar year. They also earn 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.
Moreover, service members can still benefit from the welcome bonus despite not paying the annual fee. New Platinum cardholders can earn 80,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first six months of membership.
Features:
- bonus_miles_full
- Access to the Global Lounge Collection, including over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide
- $200 a year for airline incidental fees
- $200 Uber credit each year
- Fine Hotels & Resorts program, offering exclusive benefits at over 1,000 luxury hotels worldwide
- Complimentary Platinum Concierge service, available 24/7 to assist with travel, dining, and entertainment reservations
- No foreign transaction fees
Benefits:
- Enjoy VIP treatment and exclusive access to luxury experiences
- Earn Membership Rewards points, which can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, and more.
- Receive automatic elite status with hotel and car rental loyalty programs
- Travel with peace of mind, thanks to travel insurance and other protections
- Enjoy the convenience of contactless payment technology and mobile wallet compatibility
» MORE: Read more about The Platinum Card® from American Express and learn how to apply in our review.
American Express® Gold Card
The annual_fees annual fee for the American Express® Gold Card might seem steep, but the card offers many valuable benefits.
At a glance, this card offers some fantastic rewards rates. You can earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for every dollar spent at restaurants worldwide, up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, and then it drops to 1X points for the rest of the year.
Similarly, you’ll earn 4X points at US supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points after that.
For travel enthusiasts, you get 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. Additionally, you’ll earn 2X points on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases made through AmexTravel.com.
And for all other eligible purchases, you can still earn 1X point per dollar spent. This card is designed to maximize your rewards across a variety of spending categories.
Additionally, you can bonus_miles_full This is a generous window to earn one of the card’s largest bonus offers.
Further perks include up to $10 monthly dining credits at select restaurants and Uber Cash for rides or eats in the U.S., adding up to substantial annual savings.
» MORE: Learn more about the American Express Gold Card and how to apply in our full review.
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
For those who focus their spending on domestic necessities, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card offers 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $6,000 per year) and on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses, and more), and 1% back on other purchases. Given its cash back on everyday purchases, it’s an excellent complement to the travel-focused benefits of other AMEX cards.
Other American Express Cards Eligible for SCRA or MLA Benefits
The following cards from American Express are also eligible for SCRA or MLA benefits:
- American Express Platinum Card® for Schwab
- American Express® Green Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
Why Does American Express Offer These Military Credit Card Incentives?
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and the Military Lending Act (MLA) are federal laws designed to provide various protections to military personnel. These laws aim to ease financial burdens and offer legal protections that allow servicemembers to devote their full attention to their duties while securing their peace of mind about certain financial and legal obligations.
Key Provisions of SCRA and MLA
SCRA Benefits:
- Reduced Interest Rates: SCRA caps interest rates at 6% per year on credit obligations incurred before military service, including credit cards, mortgages, and other loans.
- Foreclosure and Eviction Protections: Provides protection from eviction and foreclosure under certain conditions for active duty members.
- Contract Termination Rights: Allows servicemembers to terminate certain contract obligations such as automobile leases, cellphone contracts, and housing rentals without penalty in instances of deployment or reassignment.
MLA Benefits:
- Cap on Interest and Fees: The MLA limits the total charge on most types of consumer loans to a military annual percentage rate (MAPR) of 36%, which includes interest and other fees.
- No Mandatory Waivers: Prohibits creditors from requiring servicemembers to submit to mandatory arbitration or give up certain rights under federal or state law.
- Loan Disclosure Requirements: Lenders must provide clear disclosures about the loan costs and terms.
This military interest rate limit is set so that military credit users are charged “no more than six percent per year, including most fees.” But this is not an automatic benefit; it must be applied for including when you apply for an American Express Platinum card or any other type of AMEX credit. Claiming both your military discount on a credit card AND getting additional SCRA consideration is a smart move.
» MORE: The American Express Platinum Card offers strong benefits for Military
Requesting SCRA Benefits from American Express
If you’re an existing American Express cardholder or plan to apply, initiating your SCRA benefits is straightforward. You can contact American Express directly at 1-800-253-1720 to inform them of your active duty status. If initial customer service interactions don’t recognize the SCRA request immediately, asking for a supervisor is advisable. Online options are also available, allowing you to log into your account and request these benefits digitally, followed by mailing necessary documentation to confirm your eligibility.
Once American Express verifies your active duty status through the Department of Defense Manpower Data Center, your SCRA benefits will be applied to your account, retroactively forgiving any interest over 6% and ensuring you receive all applicable fee waivers.
Claiming Your Military Credit Card Benefits And SCRA Protections
There are two basic things that need to be done to claim both your no-annual-fee American Express military discount and SCRA benefits on your account. One is done when you first apply for the card. It’s important to choose “military” as your income source when applying in order to be recognized as eligible for SCRA benefits.
If you did not do this when you applied for an American Express card in the past, don’t worry. You can claim your military credit card benefits by informing AMEX customer service of your status as an active-duty military member.
That is the second step you should take when claiming your military discount and your benefits under SCRA. You will be required to submit military orders and/or other proof of service to show you are on active duty and in good standing with your branch of military service.
Remember, if you are a current AMEX card holder, call customer service to request your SCRA benefits and military credit card benefits. If you encounter a customer service rep that does not know about these issues, ask to speak to a supervisor.
How to Check if You Will Receive SCRA or MLA Protections
The simplest way to check if you will receive MLA or SCRA protections on your account is to check theMLA DatabaseorSCRA Database.
The MLA and SCRA database are the same databases that the credit card companies check to determine if you qualify for MLA or SCRA benefits.
If you are not listed as eligible in these databases, you will not receive MLA and SCRA benefits applied to your account. You must be listed as eligible in these databases for the credit card companies to apply your military benefits.
SCRA Benefits Do Expire
When you claim SCRA benefits under any credit card provider, including American Express, your benefits include forgiveness of interest incurred above six percent, which is applicable retroactively for debts you had before starting your military career. That means that if you already had an American Express card before you served, you could find a refund is due depending on the interest rate and other factors.
The catch is that you have a time limit to claim such SCRA benefits-you can claim them as many as 180 days after the end of military service. When you file your SCRA notice with any creditor, AMEX or otherwise, the creditor is required to fully forgive, rather than defer until later, the amount of interest greater than six percent per year that may be affected by your SCRA rights.
» Next Step: Learn more about The Platinum Card® from American Express
To see the rates and fees for the American Express cards featured, please visit the following: Rates and Fees.
