Richard Kerr is a veteran naval officer and founder of the Award Travel 101 Facebook community. He’s one of the foremost experts in points and miles strategy, featured in Forbes, US News, Money Magazine, Kiplinger Personal Finance and presented at #SXSW 2017. Richard has visited over 45 countries, lived in England and Japan, and spends his spare time dissecting loyalty program award charts to maximize the value of points and miles. Richard holds a BBA in International Business and has his wife and two small children in tow for his travels as often as possible.
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
also contributed to this story
June 20, 2024 • 13 min read
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Quick summary
Active-duty military members can access premium travel cards without paying the typical annual fee, unlocking significant lounge access, travel credits and elite hotel status.
Key benefits include entry to airport lounges, credits for rideshares and airlines, and statement credits for expedited airport security programs.
Hotel elite status upgrades and additional perks for authorized users extend value to families and dependents.
These benefits are available due to federal protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and Military Lending Act (MLA).
What to consider
Enrollment is required for several benefits, such as lounge access, hotel status and statement credits.
Some travel credits and perks are limited to use within the U.S. or have monthly/annual caps and do not roll over.
Eligibility for waived fees depends on when you apply for the card relative to your active-duty service, and relief must be requested through the appropriate act.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed guide to maximizing travel card benefits and understanding military-specific legal protections for service members and their families.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
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I have my nine years of active-duty service in the Navy (Beat Army!) to thank for getting me interested in points and miles. Traveling and moving all the time was hurting my family’s wallet, and I knew there had to be a better way to cover some, if not all, of our travel expenses.
Among the many travel strategies and benefits I took advantage of during my service, one of the best was getting and maximizing The Platinum Card® from American Express, which I continue to have and use to this day. While the Amex Platinum normally has a $895 annual fee (see rates and fees), the true out-of-pocket annual fee for those on active duty is $0. Here's how that works and what makes this card one of the most beneficial for active-duty military members.
Why the Amex Platinum is the best card for military members
The Amex Platinum is revered in military circles because its high $895 annual fee (see rates and fees) is not charged by Amex each year you’re on active duty. Plus, the card comes with perks that align nicely with the needs of those in the military. For example, the Amex Platinum gets you into American Express Centurion lounges and Priority Pass lounges, comes with multiple annual credits valid toward airlines and Uber, provides credits you can use toward streaming services and more. Enrollment is required in advance for some benefits.
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Additionally, this card elevates your hotel elite status to Gold with programs such as Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy when you enroll.
American Express does not charge the annual fee not only for Amex cards — such as the Amex Platinum — but also for any accounts when an active-duty member is registered as an authorized user, including on your spouse’s account. With the Amex Platinum, that’s a savings of $195 a year per authorized user you add — up to three per main account (see rates and fees).
As a result, my fellow officers all became familiar with the card and carried it themselves. We even had office pools where we rotated referral links so the new person coming to the office could apply, and one of us would earn a referral bonus.
Amex Platinum benefits
Now, let's dig into some of the top benefits that come with being an Amex Platinum cardholder.
Delta Sky Club access
Because of the Fly America Act, and the rule that all official federal government travel must be booked through the Defense Travel System, Delta is often the airline for your official government travel. When you’re flying on a Delta-operated flight and have the Amex Platinum in your wallet, you get Delta Sky Club access on your day of travel (limited to 10 annual visits from Feb. 1, 2025).
DELTA AIR LINES
Amex Centurion Lounge
If you’re not flying on Delta and your airport has one of these Amex Centurion Lounges, they’re also an excellent option to visit before or between flights since your Amex Platinum card will get you in — regardless of what airline you’re flying that day.
Centurion Lounges has an impressive list of 25+ locations throughout the U.S. and globally, with some notable locations such as Dallas (DFW), London (LHR), Los Angeles (LAX), Hong Kong (HKG), Seattle (SEA), and Miami (MIA)
Cardholders can enjoy complimentary amenities such as seasonally-inspired food from renowned local chefs, signature cocktails, premium spirits and curated wines. Some lounges offer spa services, wine-tasting areas, family rooms and shower suites as well.
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Priority Pass membership
U.S. military personnel travel the world, requiring more than just Delta Sky Club access for comfort. A Priority Pass membership allows you and two guests to enter any of the 1,500-plus Priority Pass lounges for no additional charge. I was consistently pleased to find a Priority Pass lounge in almost every airport the Navy required me to visit across Asia and the Middle East. Enrollment required for select benefits.
Up to $200 in Uber credit
In order to go out and enjoy yourself while traveling, all ranks in the military are required to have a plan to avoid potential DUI situations. Uber comes in handy here, and it’s even better when you have up to $15 in Uber credit every month (with up to $20 credit in December) courtesy of your Amex Platinum. Credits are only good for use in the U.S. (one of my biggest pet peeves right now with Uber), and they do not carry over to the next month. They can also be used toward Uber Eats if you don’t need or want a ride that month. Make sure your Amex Plat is added to your account and you can redeem with any Amex card.
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Up to $120 in Uber One statement credit
After the Amex Platinum refresh in September, this card now offers up to a $120 statement credit that fully covers an auto-renewing $96 annual or $9.99 monthly membership. Enrollment is required. This is a great addition to the monthlly credit as it helps avoid select fees and earns additional cash back in the app.
Up to $200 in airline credits
Every calendar year, you receive up to $200 in statement credits from a participating airline of your choice to cover any incidental fees — such as checked bags and inflight food and beverage — you charge to your Amex Platinum. I view this benefit as the icing on the cake for the Amex Platinum when you aren’t paying an annual fee. Enrollment required for select benefits.
Hotel elite status
Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Gold status come with being an Amex Platinum cardholder. These will make your hotel stays worldwide more comfortable, may score you breakfast in some Hilton properties, and should give you bonus points in your hotel loyalty accounts on government-paid room nights.
Remember, you have to use your Government Travel Charge Card to pay for the room. This means you won’t earn points via your credit card, but you can keep the points earned for staying the night in your hotel account. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY
Up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit
If you’re in the military, you need Global Entry. If you stay in service for more than a few years, you’ll travel internationally, and there’s a good chance it will be via commercial air.
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With Global Entry, you skip the immigration line upon returning to the U.S. You can be reimbursed for your application fee if you pay with your Amex Platinum card, which offers a statement credit of $120. You’ll be reimbursed once every four years for the fee. If you already have Global Entry, use it to sign up a friend or family member.
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and Military Lending Act
The ability to get cards such as the Amex Platinum without paying an annual fee during active duty service is largely thanks to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and the Military Lending Act (MLA). SCRA offers financial and legal protection for, among other things, credit cards, mortgages and taxes. Some of the most important of these benefits include:
Reduced interest rates. The interest rate on debt — including credit cards, car loans, business obligations and some student loans, as well as fees, service charges and renewal fees — is cut to 6 percent for anything incurred before entering active-duty service. For mortgages, the lower interest rate extends for a year after active-duty service.
Foreclosures are postponed. No sale, foreclosure or seizure of property for nonpayment of pre-service mortgage debt is allowed if done during or within nine months after your service on active duty, unless there’s a valid court order. This is especially helpful in states that allow foreclosures to proceed without involving the courts.
Deferred income taxes. The Internal Revenue Service, along with state and local taxing authorities, must defer your income taxes due before or during your military service if your ability to pay is materially affected by military service. Also, no interest or penalty can be added because of this deferral.
Protection for small-business owners. If you own a small business, your nonbusiness assets and military pay are protected from creditors while you’re on active duty. This also applies to business debts or obligations.
Termination of automobile leases. You may terminate an automobile lease under circumstances that include: signing a lease agreement before being called to active duty; signing an agreement and then receiving permanent change-of-station orders outside the continental U.S.; or signing an agreement and then receiving orders to deploy.
The MLA protects service members as well as their dependents from certain lending practices. The highlight of the MLA is the implementation of the Military Annual Percentage Rate (MAPR) regulation. This prevents creditors from exceeding 36% annually in total credit-related charges to covered borrowers under the MLA.
MARK EDWARD ATKINSON/TRACEY LEE/GETTY IMAGES
The MLA has been amended multiple times since it was enacted in 2006. This expansion of covered services prompted many credit card companies to not charge annual fees in order to avoid complications.
Whether your annual fee is not charged based on the SCRA or MLA depends on the time you apply for the card versus when you entered active service. If you held the card prior to active service, your fee is not charged based on the SCRA. If you apply for the card after you are active duty, you need to request relief under the MLA.
You can request Amex SCRA benefits online but must call or chat with an Amex rep to request MLA benefits.
When should you apply for the Amex Platinum?
The Amex Platinum is one you can utilize and maintain throughout your military service without being charged an annual fee. However, if you’re on active duty and planning to maximize your credit card benefits, consider your Chase 5/24 status first, ensuring you have a path to earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Applying for the Amex Platinum will add to your 5/24 standing, so keep that in mind if you're also interested in getting other cards in the near future.
Other military-friendly Amex cards
American Express® Gold Card
Like the other Amex cards, this card’s $325 annual fee (see rates and fees) is not charged for active-duty military personnel.
The card earns a generous:
5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App™
4 points per dollar at restaurants (up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar) and at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar)
3 points per dollar on flights booked directly with the airline, on amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App
2 points per dollar spent on car rentals booked through amextravel.com or the Amex Travel App, and on cruises booked through amextravel.com
1 point per dollar on everything else
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Receive up to $120 in annual dining credits with select merchants. The card also has a $10 monthly credit you can use towards Uber or Uber Eats in the U.S. (up to $120 annually). The card must be added in your Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card. Enrollment required for select benefits.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
The card’s $650 annual fee (see rates and fees) is not charged for active-duty members. Right now, new card members can earn up to 125,000 bonus miles: 100,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus earn 25,000 bonus miles after spending an additional $3,000 on purchases (for a total of $9,000) in the first six months of card membership.
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The card also gives you an annual companion pass valid on select flights in Main Cabin, Comfort or first class at each renewal, 20% off in-flight purchases, and gets the cardholder into the Delta Sky Club when flying Delta (limited to 15 annual visits from Feb. 1, 2025).
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
The Hilton Aspire card awards more credits each year than the $550 annual fee costs (see rates and fees), even if you had to pay the annual fee. The card offers instant Hilton Diamond elite status, up to three free reward nights a year, and National Car Rental elite status (enrollment required).
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It also awards up to $200 in airline statement credits each year (up to $50 each quarter) and up to $400 in annual resort statement credits at Hilton properties (up to $200 biannually).
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
The card’s $650 annual fee (see rates and fees) is not charged for military members, and the current welcome offer lets new cardholders earn up to 150,000 bonus points: 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership, plus an additional 50,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 on purchases (for a total of $8,000) in the first six months of card membership.
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This card awards 6 points per dollar of eligible purchases spent at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program, 3 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with an airline and 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases. Perks include an up to $300 annual statement credit on eligible spending with the Bonvoy Brilliant at restaurants (up to $25 in monthly dining credits), an annual free award night (worth up to 85,000 points) every card anniversary, and Platinum Elite status.
Bottom line
I’ve had the Amex Platinum Card since 2012 and was sad when I saw the annual fee for the first time after leaving the Navy.
Every time I use my card now, it reminds me of the years of value my wife and I received from the card all around the world — for absolutely nothing out of our pockets. There are several other benefits not listed above for the card, and these could also provide significant value based on your own individual situation, but the bottom line is that those who are active duty military may be well served to get the Amex Platinum and enjoy all the perks while not paying an annual fee.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
