Military members and their families have particular banking and financial needs. For many military members, it’s not surprising for military members to relocate or travel frequently, work uncommon or irregular hours, live overseas for long periods of time or maintain multiple addresses during a short time period.
All of this can make banking difficult, especially at many traditional banking institutions. This can improve by using a military financial institution. Military and federal credit unions and banks are better at preparing for and accommodating the needs of military families.
If you are a member of the military or a qualifying federal employee or have access to membership via a qualified sponsor, you have some additional options that are not available to the general public. For example, you qualify for USAA membership, one of the leading financial institutions in the country.
Important Consumer Note!Want to get a prepaid Visa with no monthly fees with direct deposit and with more benefits and features such?
If so, then consider the Go2Bank Cash Rebate Visa- Click Here for More Info and to Apply Online in Just Mins (No Fee with Direct Deposit).
(Sponsor Link)
You also qualify for membership with Pentagon Federal Credit Union or Navy Federal Credit Union, two of the country's largest credit unions. These institutions offer great rates and financial products that are typically competitive to top offers elsewhere, if not better, in many areas.
Important Consumer Note!
No Credit/Bad Credit? Click here to build your credit score using a real credit card (not a prepaid or debit card that won't help your credit)!A high credit score can allow you to get a lower rate loan, lower your insurance premiums and may even help you get a job! (sponsor link)
Apply Online in Mins for the New PenFed PathFinder Rewards American Express Card and Earn:
3X Points on all travel purchases- Our Editors have Given this Card 4.5 Stars
4x Points on all travel purchases for PenFed Honors Advantage Members
25,000 Bonus Points after you Spend $2,500 within 90 days of opening an account
PenFed has a great reputation and has been helping military families since 1935.
Take a look below at some of the best military credit cards for travel rebates and also secured cards for building you rebuild or rebuild your credit (secured cards generally don't have rebates, though there is one card featured below that does). If you don't find what your looking for, there are some great travel cards for non military members that you can still apply for (sponsor link- click to read reviews and apply online).
Consumer Note! As with any rebate card, please exercise discipline when using travel rebate credit cards and don't spend over your budget- reward credit cards are designed to get you to charge more, but you can beat the banks at their own game! 🙂 If you find yourself overspending, then you should stop using and switch to a non reward card or debit card. The rebates aren't worth the hassle in this case. 🙁
Best Travel Credit Cards for Members of the Military (Summary)
USAA SECURED CARD® PLATINUM VISA® CARD
Note: A military affiliation or existing family relationship to USAA is required to be eligible for this card.
- USAA Eligibility Requirement: Today, USAA membership is only open to U.S. military service members, veterans who have received a discharge type of Honorable, and their eligible family members.
- This card is designed for members of the military with poor or no credit- it helps you build or improve your credit score (no travel rewards).
Editor's Rating
| Annual Fee | APR | Credit Needed | Grace Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35 | 11.65-21.65% | Bad Credit | 25 Days |
NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION nREWARDS VISA or MASTERCARD SECURED CREDIT CARD
- Earn rewards while building or repairing credit
- A military affiliation or existing family relationship to Navy Federal is required to be eligible for this card.
- No annual fee1
- Earn one point per $1 spent (rare travel benefit for a secured card)
- Start redeeming at 1,000 points
- Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) coverage
- MasterCard Standard MasterRental® Insurance Coverage available
- Click here for full review.
Editor's Rating
| Annual Fee | APR | Credit Needed | Grace Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | 18% | Bad Credit | 24-30 Days |
ARKANSAS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION VISA SECURED CARD
- $0 – $10 Annual Fee
- A military affiliation or existing family relationship to AFCU (mainly Arkansas residents) is required to be eligible for this card.
- $0 Liability Fraud Protection
- Falcon Alert Helps Prevent Debit and Credit Card Fraud
- Skip A Payment
- Visa Alerts
- Mobile Bill Pay
- Online Bill Pay
- Click here for full review.
Editor's Rating
| Annual Fee | APR | Credit Needed | Grace Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | 14-18% | Bad Credit | 25 Days |
USAA SECURED CARD® AMERICAN EXPRESS® Card
Note: A military affiliation or existing family relationship to USAA is required to be eligible for this card.
- USAA Eligibility Requirement: Today, USAA membership is only open to U.S. military service members, veterans who have received a discharge type of Honorable, and their eligible family members.
- This card is designed for members of the military with poor or no credit- it helps you build or improve your credit score (no travel rewards).
- Chip technology has added security when used at a chip-enabled terminal and greater acceptance worldwide.
- Before starting your application, USAA will ask you a few questions to establish your online access and eligibility with USAA.
- If you are not eligible, USAA credit cards and other products may still be available.
- Click here for full review.
Editor's Rating
| Annual Fee | APR | Credit Needed | Grace Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35 | 11.65-21.65% | Bad Credit | 25 Days |
If you are looking for rebate or reward credit cards and would one with prefer travel benefits, we have rated the PenFed PathFinder Rewards Card with 5 stars. (Ad Link) Please note that you need good credit to qualify (as is true with any reward or rebate card) and must join the PenFed Credit Union, which is a very simple process.
This reward card has the premium benefits often associated with a high annual fee travel card (many similar civilian cards charge around $100 in annual fees for similar cards), but boasts no annual fee.