EDITOR’S NOTE: The MILITARY STAR card, and the USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card offers mentioned in this article are expired and are no longer available
Serving in the military comes with certain perks, one of which is the ability to qualify for credit cards designed specifically for members of the Armed Forces. Depending on which military credit card you choose, you may be able to earn valuable rewards in the form of cash back or points that you can later redeem for a statement credit, gift cards and more.
The MILITARY STAR card is one option available. If you’re on active duty or you’re retired from military service, keep reading to learn more about the card’s benefits and how it stacks up against other rewards card offerings.
MILITARY STAR card highlights
At a glance
| Annual Fee: | None |
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| Foreign Transaction Fee: | None |
| Rewards Program: | Earn two points for every dollar you spend in qualifying net purchases at exchange facilities and Armed Forces Recreation Center resort hotels, as well as qualifying net purchases made online at shopmyexchange.com, myNavyExchange.com and ShopCGX.com. Also earn points at Army and Air Force Exchange Service food courts, Express® locations, mall vendors and more. |
| Bonus: | Save 10% off your first day’s purchases upon card approval |
| Additional Notes: | Restrictions and limitations apply |
| We think these folks may be interested: | • Individuals who regularly shop with military exchanges • Individuals who want to earn rewards with no annual fee |
| We think these folks should keep looking: | • Individuals who prefer to earn miles or cash back in lieu of points • Individuals who want more flexibility in redeeming their rewards |
| Verdict: | For Military members and their families who want to save on military exchange purchases |
MILITARY STAR card basics
EDITOR’S NOTE: The MILITARY STAR card, and the USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card offers mentioned in this article are expired and are no longer available
The MILITARY STAR card is offered by the Exchange Credit Program (ECP). This program is operated and funded by the Army and Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES), which is a branch of the Department of Defense. The ECP operates the MILITARY STAR program on behalf of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines Corps and Coast Guard.
This line of credit is designed to assist military members with their financial needs whether it’s for everyday purchases or for something that’s unique to their military lifestyle, such as PCS, deployment or retirement. Card Members receive a personal dividend with the MILITARY STAR Rewards Program as a thank you for shopping the exchange. Unlike a bank-issued military credit card which can be used virtually anywhere, the MILITARY STAR card can only be used at the following locations:
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- Army and Air Force Exchange Service shopping facilities
- Armed Forces Recreation Center resort hotels
- Online at shopmyexchange.com
- Online at myNavyExchange.com
- Online at ShopCGX.com
- Army and Air Force Exchange Service food courts, Express® locations, mall vendors and more
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The MILITARY STAR credit card pays back military members by paying members rewards, which we’ll discuss a little later on, the Exchange Credit Program uses part of the earnings from the card program to fund Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Programs for service members and their families.
The MILITARY STAR card offers a variable Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for Retail Plan Purchases currently at 10.24% and this APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate. There is a 0.00% purchase APR for Military Clothing Plan purchases.
Applying for a MILITARY STAR card
You’ll need a MyECP account to apply for a MILITARY STAR credit card. To create a profile and complete the application, provide your name, date of birth, Social Security number, verification of your military credentials and correct answers to security questions. If you apply online through the ECP Military Star website, you save 10% on your first day’s purchases. Certain restrictions and limitations may apply.
You can also fill out a MILITARY STAR credit card application at your local exchange. You’ll need the same information outlined above to apply. If you have questions about your application or your account, you can follow up with MILITARY STAR customer service.
MILITARY STAR card vs. other rewards cards
To offer a little perspective here, we decided to compare the MILITARY STAR card to another rewards credit card:
USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card
EDITOR’S NOTE: The MILITARY STAR card, and the USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card offers mentioned in this article are expired and are no longer available
Annual fee: $0
Card highlights we want to feature:
- Special Features for Military Members
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fee
- No penalty APR
The USAA Rewards™ Visa Signature® Card offers 2X points whenever you’re using this card for dining out or buying gas. 1X point for every dollar spent on all other purchases with no limit on the amount of points you can earn. This card offers more flexibility in how you can use those rewards than the MILITARY STAR card. Redeem your points for airline travel rewards, for available merchandise and gift card reward, cash reward credited to your account or deposited to your USAA savings or checking account, donate to a participating charity or toward the purchase of a cruise ticket. Redemption values vary based on how and on what you redeem your points for.
You need to be a member of USAA to be considered for this card, currently USAA membership is open to current and former military and their spouses, children of USAA members can join too. Who can join USAA – U.S. Military and Veterans, Precommissioned Officers, and eligible family members. Please note, membership in USAA does not guarantee approval of this card or any other product, you still need to go through the application process for the specific product you are interested in.
One potential pitfall to watch out for is the higher range of the Annual Percentage Rate (APR). This card comes with a variable Annual Percentage Rate (APR) for purchases, balance transfers and cash advances ranging from 9.90% to 25.90%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors. This APR will vary with the market based on the Prime Rate.
Terms apply.
MILITARY STAR card rewards
Now that you’ve seen what the competition has to offer, let’s take a look at the MILITARY STAR card’s rewards program. The rewards structure is fairly straightforward. Any time you use your card at one of the approved locations mentioned earlier, you’ll earn two points for every $1 in net purchases. You can use the card for Military Clothing plan purchases but you won’t earn points for those purchases.
Once you reach 2,000 points, you automatically earn a $20 MILITARY STAR Rewards Card. That means each point is worth one cent. That redemption value is comparable to what other rewards cards offer.
MILITARY STAR Rewards Cards can be redeemed for merchandise or services anywhere that exchange gift cards are accepted – which includes exchange facilities, shopmyexchange.com and myNavyExchange.com, exchange mall vendors and more. There’s no limit on how many gift cards you can earn in a year. If you spend $10,000 at the exchange annually, you’ll receive $100 back in rewards.
Your rewards points will not expire as long as you have purchase activity at least once every 12 months, however, rules are subject to change without prior notice. If you close your account or the ECP closes it for any reason, you forfeit any unused points.
Besides earning two points per $1 on qualifying purchases, you have other ways to save with the card. Some of the savings you can take advantage of include:
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- Free standard shipping on shopmyexchange.com and myNavyExchange.com purchases
- Five cents off per gallon fuel when you fill up at Army and Air Force Exchange Service and participating facilities
- 10% discount on Army and Air Force Exchange food court purchases at participating facilities
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MILITARY STAR card pros
The MILITARY STAR card is an option for service members and their spouses who are looking for a card that can help them kick-start their credit history or enhance their credit score. This card can be used as a tool to help you grow your credit score over time. Be sure to clarify with the customer service representative if your transactions will be reported to the three major credit bureaus. Be sure to manage your account responsibly, pay at least the minimum due each month making sure your payment is received and posted on time, and keep your balance low in relation to your credit limit – to demonstrate consistent responsible use.
The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is a fairly low variable rate of 10.24% for qualifying Retail Plan purchases made through a shopping exchange. A purchase APR of 0% applies to qualifying Military Clothing Plan purchases, so if you have to carry a balance, you won’t be gouged by high interest rate. You also don’t have to worry about paying an annual fee, or foreign transaction fees.
The Exchange Credit Program (ECP) makes special concessions for eligible Active Duty and Mobilized or Activated Reservists or National Guard Military Members who have valid orders to deploy to qualifying contingency locations and who provide proof of their deployment orders or a letter from their unit commander to ECP, and meet other criteria, such as an account that’s in good standing (no more than one payment past due). You may still make purchases with your card, however you’re not required to make monthly payments and your interest rate is reduced temporarily to 6% while you are deployed. After your deployment ends, your interest rate reverts to the rate in the current Exchange Credit Program Credit Agreement and you’re obligated to make monthly payments as long as your account still has a balance.
MILITARY STAR card cons
The card’s biggest drawback is that it can only be used at exchange facilities or Military Clothing plan purchases. Other military-friendly credit cards, such as the USAA card, offer more flexibility as to where you may use your Card. Some may also come with more generous rewards structures and promotional offers for new Card Members.
The fact that you can only redeem rewards for military exchange purchases also limits its usefulness. If you want to be able to earn cash back, points or travel miles on non-exchange spending, you may want to consider pairing the MILITARY STAR card with another rewards card. You can look further into the rewards cards mentioned in this article or check out these options from our partners by clicking here.
Should you get the MILITARY STAR card?
If you’re in the military and you need a credit line or you do a lot of shopping through the exchange, the MILITARY STAR card may have the kind of benefits you’re looking for. Also, the fact that you can delay payments and reduce interest while on deployment is a mark in its favor. If you’re interested in using this card to raise your credit score, be sure to clarify with the customer service representative if your transactions will be reported to the three major credit bureaus.
When you’re weighing different military credit card options, take a look at how the rewards, interest rate and additional card benefits stack up. The more research you do beforehand, the better the odds of finding a card that fits your spending style and your needs.
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