Best Credit Card For Veterans in 2026

Other Options to Consider

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Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

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[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "260", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Everyday Spenders", "headerHint": "Consistent Cash Back"} ]]

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

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‍[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3041", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Excellent Choice" } ]]

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How to Choose a Credit Card for Veterans

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Choosing a credit card can be a daunting task, but for veterans, specific perks and legal protections can simplify the process and unlock significant value.

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While cards with military-centric branding might seem appealing, a common pitfall is overlooking general market options that offer superior rewards. Many veterans don't realize that legal protections can waive hefty annual fees on premium cards, so it's crucial to compare all cards based on your spending habits, not just their marketing.

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Key Factors

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• Annual Fee Waivers: Under federal laws like the Military Lending Act (MLA) and Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), active-duty servicemembers can have annual fees waived on many premium credit cards, a benefit some issuers voluntarily extend to veterans.
• Rewards Program: Look beyond military branding and analyze whether a card’s rewards structure—be it points, miles, or cash back—aligns with your actual spending patterns to maximize returns.
• Welcome Offers: A lucrative introductory offer can provide substantial upfront value, often in the form of bonus points or cash back after meeting an initial spending threshold.
• Travel Benefits: Premium cards often come with valuable perks like airport lounge access, annual travel credits, and complimentary hotel status, which offer significant savings for frequent travelers.
• Interest Rates (APR): While the SCRA provides an interest rate cap for debts incurred before active duty, veterans should carefully compare the ongoing APRs of different cards, especially if they anticipate carrying a balance.
• Issuer Policies: It's crucial to verify each bank's specific military benefits policy, as some are more generous than others and may offer perks that go beyond legal requirements.

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What to Watch Out For

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One major pitfall is opting for military-branded cards that may offer weaker rewards than top-tier travel cards, especially since some issuers waive the hefty annual fees on premium cards for veterans. Another mistake is assuming these benefits apply automatically; you must verify each bank's policy, as their interpretations of MLA and SCRA protections can differ significantly. Lastly, don't let lucrative rewards distract you from high interest rates, which can quickly cancel out any perks if you carry a balance.

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Decision Flow

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• If you prioritize premium travel perks... then focus on top-tier travel cards. Thanks to potential fee waivers under MLA/SCRA, cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve® become incredibly accessible. These offer benefits like airport lounge access, annual travel credits, and elite hotel status. For the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, remember that points on travel are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases, as this spending goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.
• If your spending is concentrated in specific areas... then choose a card that maximizes those categories. For example, if a large portion of your budget goes to U.S. supermarkets and dining, a card like the American Express® Gold Card could be a strong contender. These cards often provide accelerated rewards, but be mindful of any spending caps, such as earning a high rate on up to a certain amount annually, after which the rate drops to 1%.
• If you prefer simple, no-fuss rewards... then a flat-rate cash back card is your best bet. Instead of tracking points and transfer partners, you earn a straightforward percentage back on every purchase. Look for cards that offer 1.5% to 2% back on all spending, which can add up quickly without any extra effort.
• If you pay rent every month... consider a specialized card like the Bilt Mastercard® (See Rates & Fees). It allows you to earn Bilt Points on rent payments without a transaction fee, a rare feature. To earn points, you must use the card 5 times each statement period, and note that you can earn up to 100,000 points per calendar year from these payments.
• If you are building or rebuilding your credit... your priority should be cards that help establish a positive payment history. Secured cards, which require a cash deposit, are an excellent starting point. While they may not offer flashy rewards, they are accessible and report to all three major credit bureaus, which is crucial for improving your credit score over time.

_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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Maximize Your Return with Veterans

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To get the most out of every dollar you spend, here are some key strategies for maximizing your credit card rewards with Veterans:

• Stack your rewards: Combine your credit card rewards with store-specific sales, coupons, or online shopping portal bonuses to multiply your savings on a single purchase.
• Redeem wisely: Get the highest value for your points by transferring them to airline or hotel partners instead of redeeming them for cash back or gift cards, which often yield a lower return.
• Use the right card: Always use the credit card that offers the highest rewards rate for the specific spending category to ensure you're earning the maximum points on every transaction.
• Time your big purchases: Align significant purchases with a new credit card's welcome offer period to help you meet the minimum spending requirement and earn a large influx of bonus points.

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Supercharge your Rewards with Kudos

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This free tool automatically picks your best card at checkout, ensuring you always maximize your rewards without the guesswork. Get started for free.

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Other Things to Consider

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Beyond comparing annual fees and reward structures, it's crucial to consider how a new card fits into your overall financial picture. For instance, a store-specific card might seem limiting, but it can offer significant savings if you're a frequent shopper at a particular retailer. However, no card benefit can outweigh the importance of responsible financial management. It's essential to have a clear plan for paying down your balance each month to avoid accumulating debt, especially when juggling other obligations like Buy Now, Pay Later plans. Ultimately, the best credit card is one that complements your spending habits and supports your long-term financial health, not one that complicates it.

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Our Methodology

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We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

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Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Are there credit cards available only for veterans?

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While some financial institutions offer military-affiliated cards, there are generally no credit cards available exclusively to veterans. Instead, veterans can apply for any consumer credit card and may be eligible for special benefits under certain laws.

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Do veterans receive special credit card benefits?

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Veterans typically do not receive ongoing special benefits like fee waivers on personal credit cards after leaving the service. However, active-duty servicemembers receive significant benefits under laws like the Military Lending Act (MLA), which some issuers may extend for a period post-service.

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How does the Military Lending Act (MLA) apply to veterans?

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The Military Lending Act (MLA) provides protections like interest rate caps and fee waivers, but these benefits apply to active-duty servicemembers and their dependents. These specific MLA protections generally do not extend to veterans after they have separated from the military.

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