Chase Sapphire Reserve Military Benefits and Waiver Explained

The Chase Sapphire Reserve military benefits are a game-changer for service members. The card offers a $300 travel credit, which can be a huge help when planning trips.

One of the most significant military benefits is the annual fee waiver. If you're a service member, you can get your annual fee waived, saving you $550 per year. This waiver applies to both the primary cardholder and authorized users.

The waiver is automatic, so you don't need to do anything extra to receive it. This is a huge perk for service members who can use the card's benefits without worrying about the annual fee.

For your interest: Cost of Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Military Waiver is a benefit that waives annual credit card fees for active duty military personnel, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve card with a $550 annual fee. This waiver is designed to help military members avoid exceeding the Military Lending Act (MLA) interest cap.

Additional reading: Chase Sapphire Reserve Annual Fee Increase

Chase waives fees for active duty military personnel, including spouses, and provides an MLA Benefits letter stating that they won't charge fees, except for late fees and non-sufficient funds fees. This waiver is not advertised by Chase but can be obtained verbally by calling 1-800-235-9978.

The Military Lending Act (MLA) caps the Military Annual Percentage Rate (MAPR) at 36%, including fees and other credit-related products, which is a significant reduction from the average credit card APR of over 20%.

For more insights, see: Chase Sapphire Preferred Military

A waiver is essentially an exemption or a cancellation of a rule or regulation. In the context of the Chase Sapphire Reserve military waiver, it's a benefit that allows active-duty military personnel to avoid paying annual credit card fees.

The waiver is designed to help military personnel avoid exceeding the Military Lending Act (MLA) interest cap, which is 36%. This is important because the average credit card APR is over 20%, and annual fees are billed in a single month, making it difficult to calculate the monthly MAPR.

To qualify for the waiver, military personnel must apply as an active-duty cardholder or spouse. They will receive an MLA Benefits letter stating that they won't be charged fees, except for late fees and non-sufficient funds fees.

Here are the key benefits of the waiver:

The Chase Sapphire Reserve Military Waiver is a game-changer for veterans and servicemembers who use the card. With the waiver, the annual fee is effectively reduced to $250, making the card's benefits even more valuable.

The card offers a $300 travel credit, which reduces out-of-pocket expenses annually and applies automatically to travel-related purchases. This credit alone is worth considering.

The rewards earning potential is also significant, with 48,000 points earned from moderate spending on travel and dining, and other purchases, totaling $720 when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel at a 50% bonus.

Lounge access is another perk, with a $429 value if fully utilized, and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck provides an additional $25 annualized value.

Additional reading: American Express Use Points for Travel

Here's a breakdown of the card's benefits and their value:

The total annual value of these benefits is $1,300+, minus the annual fee of $550, resulting in a net gain of $750+. This makes the Chase Sapphire Reserve a valuable card for veterans and servicemembers who can utilize its benefits.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a range of benefits for military personnel beyond the annual fee waiver.

The card's APR is variable, based on the Prime Rate, and typically ranges from 17.99% to 23.74% on purchases and balance transfers.

One of the standout benefits of the card is its welcome bonus, which offers 60,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.

Foreign transaction fees are waived for cardholders, making it a great option for international travel.

To qualify for the card, you'll need a good credit score, typically 700 or higher.

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To apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve military waiver, you'll need to follow these steps. Start by checking your MLA status to ensure you're eligible for the fee waiver.

Spouses can also apply under this waiver as long as they are correctly registered. This means making sure your spouse is enrolled in the correct system.

You can check your MLA status online or by calling Chase Military Services for more information. Their representatives will provide precise details regarding the program, including eligibility requirements and the application process.

To apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, simply use the online application and Chase will review your eligibility based on your Social Security number. If approved, you'll receive your card in the mail within 10 to 14 days.

If your fee isn't automatically waived, you can submit supporting documentation through Chase's secure message system. This can be done by logging in to your Chase account and uploading documentation directly.

Chase indicates that documents should be uploaded directly rather than taking photos. You can also mail a copy of your documentation to Chase, but uploading it is preferred.

Worth a look: Chase Sapphire Reserve New Card

The Amex Platinum offers a range of perks that may appeal to military personnel.

One of the main benefits of the Amex Platinum is its lounge access, including Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass.

The card also offers a $200 airline fee credit, which can be a significant savings for frequent travelers.

For military personnel who value airline credits, the Amex Platinum may be the better choice.

Here's a comparison of the Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits:

Ultimately, the choice between the Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve comes down to personal travel habits and which perks you value most.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is an excellent option for military members, offering a range of benefits that make it a top choice.

The annual fee of $550 is completely waived for US military and spouses, making it a more affordable option.

You can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, which is worth at least $900 toward travel.

Suggestion: Chase Sapphire Preferred 85000 Points

The card also comes with an easy-to-use, annual $300 travel credit.

You can earn 5X points on air travel and 10X on hotels and rental cars when purchased through Chase Travel℠ after the first $300 spent on travel purchases annually.

The card offers comprehensive travel insurance coverage and a TSA Pre-Check/Global Entry statement credit, up to $120 once every four years.

The benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card remain the same even when Chase waives the fees under MLA for military members.

Here are the key benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve card for military members:

The Chase Sapphire Reserve military benefits are quite impressive.

If you're a military member, you can get a 50% points bonus on all purchases, in addition to the 3X points you already earn on travel and dining purchases.

You'll also get a $300 credit towards travel purchases within your first year of opening the card.

Related reading: 300 Travel Credit Chase Sapphire Reserve

Chase Sapphire Reserve offers a 100,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, which can be redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.

In addition to these benefits, the card has no foreign transaction fees, making it a great choice for international travel.

The annual fee for the Chase Sapphire Reserve is $450, but it's worth it for the rewards and benefits you'll receive.

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