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Citi Credit Card Benefits for Active-Duty U.S. Military Members [2024]

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How Citi Applies Military Benefits

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You’ll find value in today’s article on Citi military benefits if you’re an active-duty military member holding a Citi credit card or a service member not on active duty who is considering one.

Decades ago, laws were enacted to help alleviate some of the financial burdens our active-duty military members face. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) in 2003 and the Military Lending Act (MLA) in 2006 set the foundation for how financial transactions involving military members should be handled.

We’ll discuss the acts briefly in a moment, but today’s article will focus specifically on how Citi applies the benefits of the laws to its range of credit cards. Plus, we’ll look at how these benefits can create bottom-line value for active-duty military.

The 6 Best Citi Credit Cards With Benefits for Active-Duty Military

• Citi Premier ® Card — Best for Travel
• Citi ® / AAdvantage ® Executive World Elite Mastercard ® — Best Premium Card for American Airlines Flyers
• Citi ® / AAdvantage ® Platinum Select ® World Elite Mastercard ® — Best Mid-Tier Card for American Airlines Flyers
• Citi Custom Cash ® Card — Best for Cash-Back on Your Highest Spend Category
• Citi Double Cash ® Card — Best for Everyday Cash-Back
• Costco Anywhere Visa ® Card by Citi — Best for Costco Loyalists

How Do the SCRA and MLA Work?

The SCRA and MLA , when initially passed, applied to financial transactions such as mortgages, auto loans, other installment loans, rental agreements, and banking in general. In 2017, the laws were amended to include credit cards .

After this addition, credit card issuers instituted policies to ensure credit granted to military members met the laws’ requirements.

Here’s how the laws apply to credit cards:

• Credit cards acquired prior to active-duty military service would have a maximum interest rate of 6% (SCRA).
• Credit cards acquired during active-duty military service would have a maximum interest rate of 36%. This was called the Military Annual Percentage Rate (MAPR) and included all associated credit card fees as well as interest charges.

Citi applies military benefits to those who are on active duty, for credit cards acquired prior to active-duty service and after September 2017. Citi will waive associated credit card fees, including annual fees, along with interest charges, for active-duty service members.

Let’s look at some of the best credit cards issued by Citi and how each one might provide value for the active-duty military member.

If you are not on active duty but considering a Citi credit card, you’ll find significant value in the welcome offers that come with some of the best Citi credit cards. These offers allow you to earn a large number of rewards when meeting minimum spending requirements in a specified period after card approval.

We’ve included the current welcome offers in the following summary for comparison purposes.

Before we look at each key benefit individually, and its potential value for active-duty members, let’s look at a high-level overview of the best Citi credit cards, welcome offers, annual fees, and general benefits.

Now let’s look closer at our featured Citi credit cards and the key benefits you can expect on each card.

Frequent flyers will enjoy 3x ThankYou Points at restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, air travel, and hotels.

The Citi Premier ® Card is an excellent option for anyone looking for an all-around travel rewards credit card. The card helps you earn points fast with great 3x bonus categories such as restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels. Plus, it offers access to airline and hotel transfer partners, doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, and has a reasonable annual fee!

• 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotel purchases
• Access to Citi transfer partners
• $95 annual fee
• Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou ® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou ® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
• Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
• 60,000 ThankYou ® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
• APR: 21.24% - 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None
• Credit Card Reviews
• Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Best Sign Up Bonuses

Citi ThankYou Rewards

Why We Like the Card for Active-Duty Military Members

• Waiver of annual fee for cards acquired prior to active duty
• Bonus category earnings on everyday purchases
• Earns flexible ThankYou Points that can be transferred to hotel and airline partners
• Annual hotel savings benefit
• No foreign transaction fees

Read our guide to find more information on the Citi Premier Card benefits for Military Members .

Access to Admirals Clubs, tons of added benefits, and a way to spend towards elite status make this a great option for American Airlines loyalists.

The Citi ® /AAdvantage ® Executive World Elite Mastercard ® is a go-to card thanks to its exclusive perks and benefits for people who love to fly American Airlines. With a complimentary Admirals Club membership, free checked bags, inflight discounts, and the ability to earn Loyalty Points for every $1 you spend, there is plenty to love about the card.

• Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage ® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening
• Earn 10 miles per $1 spent on eligible car rentals booked through aa.com/cars
• $595 annual fee
• Doesn’t earn many miles on all other eligible purchases
• Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage ® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
• Admirals Club ® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
• Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage ® mile earned from purchases
• First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation
• APR: 21.24% - 29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees:
• Airline Credit Cards

American Airlines AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program

• Waiver of higher annual fee for active-duty military members who acquired the card prior to active duty
• Generous welcome bonus offer
• 4x miles per dollar spent on American Airlines
• Complimentary Admirals Club lounge access for cardholders, immediate family, or 2 guests; authorized users also have lounge access
• First free checked bag for cardholder and traveling companions (up to 8), priority boarding
• Global Entry / TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement, up to a $100 statement credit

Status lovers will enjoy the variety of benefits that come with this card. From free bags to reduced-price inflight beverages, AA still flies in style.

Blue skies and fair winds make for a good day to fly! Choosing your airline can be difficult, since factors like location, time, and destination all go into whether or not you can fly somewhere.

An easy choice for many people is American Airlines, because they’re the largest airline in the world. If you’re an American, you’ve probably flown American Airlines at least once.

Frequent fliers tend to enjoy the treatment they can get, from boarding privileges to free bags to lounge access. There’s many reasons to fly with AA, and if so then getting a Citi ® / AAdvantage ® Platinum Select ® World Elite Mastercard ® could be for you.

• Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage ® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
• Earn 2 AAdvantage ® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases
• Earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after you spend $20,000 or more in purchases during your card membership year and renew your card
• No Foreign Transaction Fees
• First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation
• Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 0%

American Airlines AAdvantage Program

• Waiver of the annual fee for active-duty military members who acquired the card prior to active duty
• 2x miles on American Airlines purchases
• Free checked bag for cardholders and up to 4 travel companions, preferred boarding
• Earn a $125 flight credit after spending $20,000 on the card in a card membership year
• 25% statement credit for inflight purchases

Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, with no annual fee!

The Citi Custom Cash ® Card is inventive when it comes to cash-back credit cards. Instead of earning a set amount of cash-back on predetermined bonus categories, the Citi Custom Cash card earns 5% cash-back on your highest eligible spend category each billing cycle, without an annual fee.

Thanks to that unique perk, you’ll never need to worry about whether you’re using the right card for the right purchase, as your Citi Custom Cash card will always pay you 5% back on whichever category you end up spending the most on each month.

• 5% cash-back (on up to $500 each billing cycle) from your largest purchase category, including restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment
• No annual fee
• Your 5% category is limited to $500 in spend ($25 in cash-back) each month
• Not particularly rewarding for any purchases outside of your top 5% cash-back category
• Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou ® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked via the Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
• No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
• No Annual Fee
• Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash ® Card account per person.
• APR: 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%
• Cash Back Credit Cards
• No Annual Fee Cards
• 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%
• Balance transfer fees waived for active-duty military
• Earn 5% cash-back each billing cycle in your highest spending category, up to $500 in purchases each period, then 1%; categories include restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

The Citi Double Cash ® Card  has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!

This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points . This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.

Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.

• Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
• Flexible redemption options
• No bonus categories
• 3% foreign transaction fees
• Bonus Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou ® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
• To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
• Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
• If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
• There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
• Citi Double Cash ® Card Travel Portal Limited Time Offer: Earn a total of 5 ThankYou Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rental, and attractions, excluding air travel, when booked through the Citi Travel SM portal on ThankYou.com or by calling 1-800-Thankyou and saying “Travel.” Offer is valid through 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) 12/31/2024.
• APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase
• 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months . After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%
• 2% total cash-back earnings on every purchase (1% when made, 1% when paid)
• Cash-back can be redeemed via the ThankYou Points portal for travel

The Costco Anywhere Visa ® Card by Citi is a great Citi’s cash-back rewards card designed specifically for Costco Members.

• Discover one of Citi’s best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
• 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
• 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
• 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
• 1% cash back on all other purchases
• No annual fee with your paid Costco membership and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases
• Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico
• APR: 20.49% Variable
• One of the best credit cards for gas station purchases , earning 4% cash-back , including EV charging stations, up to $7,000 in purchases each year, then 1%
• 3% cash-back on dining and travel and 2% cash-back at Costco and Costco.com
• Available with a $0 annual fee to all military members who have a Costco membership

Active-duty military members, including veterans, retired military, spouses, and dependents, may receive a digital Costco gift card when signing up for a Costco membership.

One of the most valuable Citi military benefits for active-duty military members is the waiver of the card’s annual fee . Although not all Citi credit cards charge an annual fee, the best Citi cards, with the most earning potential and benefits, typically do.

Here are examples of the potential savings for Citi credit cards (that charge an annual fee) when the annual fee is waived for active-duty military members:

0% APR for Active-Duty Military Members

Another significant military benefit provided by Citi for active-duty service members is the waiver of interest charges on card balances.

There are 2 ways to take advantage of the lack of interest charges and fees.

If you have Citi credit cards with balances accrued prior to active duty, you’ll want to take advantage of Citi’s 0% APR during your active-duty status to pay down those balances during your service.

If you have credit cards from other financial institutions with high-interest balances, Citi will waive the balance transfer fees during active-duty service. Since balance transfer fees can be 3% to 5% of the total transfer amount, this option can provide significant savings. You can leverage this benefit even further by utilizing Citi credit cards with an introductory 0% APR period for balance transfers .

If your primary goal is to pay off card balances, these Citi credit cards offering an introductory 0% APR rate for balance transfers could be appropriate choices:

• Citi Custom Cash Card — 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%
• Citi Double Cash Card — 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months . After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%
• Citi ® Diamond Preferred ® Card — 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.99%
• Citi Simplicity ® Card — 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.99%
• Citi Rewards+ ® Card — 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from date of first transfer and on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 18.74% - 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness.

Military members can take advantage of 0% APR periods while on active duty to pay off eligible Citi credit card balances accrued prior to active duty. In addition, Citi will waive balance transfer fees (during active duty) for balances transferred from other credit cards. Utilizing a Citi credit card with a 0% APR period can result in significant savings on transfer fees and interest charges.

Additional Citi Card Benefits and Protections

Citi credit cards will earn flexible rewards such as ThankYou Points, cash-back, or frequent flyer miles.

While both ThankYou Points and cash-back may be redeemed for gift cards, travel, merchandise, statement credits, or charitable donations, the best value is to transfer ThankYou Points to airline or hotel partners .

ThankYou Points earned on the Citi Premier card allow the most flexible redemption options , including transferring to airline and hotel partners to redeem for award flights or free hotel nights.

Take a look at our full guide covering some of the best ways to redeem Citi ThankYou Points .

Co-branded Citi credit cards will earn the affiliated rewards currency . For example, American Airlines’ cards earn AAdvantage miles that can be redeemed with the airline, and Costco-branded cards will earn cash-back that can be redeemed via Costco stores.

While benefits and protections differ by card, here are some you may find on Citi credit cards:

• Citi Merchant Offers — Log in to your online card account and select from retail and service provider offers that provide statement credits for making eligible purchases.
• Purchase Protection — Eligible items purchased can receive coverage for damage and theft for up to 90 days from the purchase date.
• Extended Warranty Protection — The manufacturer’s warranty is extended on eligible purchased items.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees — Citi cards with no foreign transaction fees travel well. These fees are normally 3% of the total transaction.

Earning and redeeming rewards earned on Citi credit cards adds tremendous value to card membership. Plus, if you can use any of the cards’ travel/shopping benefits, you will realize even more value.

Qualification and Applying for Citi Military Benefits

Citi military benefits for active-duty servicemembers can result in serious savings. Let’s look at the qualifications and how to apply for benefits.

You’ll want to check the Citi SCRA website for complete information, but here’s an outline of who qualifies for Citi military benefits:

• Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Space Force, and National Guard full-time active-duty members
• Federal active-duty reservists
• Active-duty National Guard members called to service by the President, Secretary of Defense, or by State orders for a period of 30 or more consecutive days
• Active-duty servicemembers who are absent due to covered illness
• U.S. citizens who are members of an allied nation’s military service
• Commissioned officers of NOAA of the Public Health Service
• Spouses or dependents of the eligible servicemembers listed above

You’ll want to verify that your status is current on the Department of Defense website as this is the source financial institutions will use to verify your status. Visit the MLA website to access your records.

If you acquired your Citi credit card(s) prior to active duty, you’ll want to skip the next step and jump right to applying for benefits.

If you are not on active duty and considering a Citi credit card, here are some tips for applying for a card.

While applying for a Citi card during active duty will not qualify you for military benefits, you can still do so. Plus, if you’re not on active duty, but will be in the future, here are some tips for making the process go smoothly:

• Review Citi’s Card Rules — Each financial institution has specific rules for how often and how many cards for which you can be approved as well as how much credit they’ll extend to you. You’ll want to review Citi’s rules before you apply.
• Review Card Requirements and Know Your Credit Score — The majority of Citi’s credit cards will require a good to excellent credit score to be approved. A good score is generally considered 670 and above but we recommend at least a 700 credit score to apply for the best cards . If your score is below 670, you will still find several Citi cards that you may qualify for.

If you acquired a Citi credit card prior to active-duty service, you’ll want to apply for Citi military benefits. The waiver of credit card fees and interest charges could save you money and help you pay off any debt.

The easiest way to ask questions and apply for benefits is to contact Citi’s Military Response Unit at 877-804-1082.

Additionally, you can fax your request with a cover page that includes your name, Social Security number, branch of service, your active-duty date, plus supporting documentation to 866-533-0503.

Finally, you could mail your request , including the above information, to this address: City Military Response Correspondence Unit, Attention: SCRA Request, P.O. Box 790398, St. Louis, MO, 63179.

Once your request is approved, it can take up to 3 statement periods for the benefits to be applied.

According to Military Money Matters , a popular military finance blog, data points suggest that in the statement period when your annual fee hits, you should have a balance on your card to trigger the fee reimbursement. Evidently, this is due to the balance causing the maximum 36% interest rate (MLA requirement) to kick in.

For active-duty military members who acquired Citi credit cards prior to active duty , you should definitely apply for Citi military benefits. In addition to having your annual fee waived, you could also benefit from a 0% interest rate on previously incurred card debt. The waiver of transfer fees, should you use the balance transfer option on a card with an introductory 0% APR balance transfer offer, could also be a money-saver.

For those military members not on active duty but anticipating it, you may find value in card welcome offers, everyday earning potential, flexible redemption options, and a few shopping benefits.

If travel protections and benefits are a priority to you, as an active-duty military member, you may do better with Chase or American Express-issued travel rewards cards. Our companion articles on the best Chase credit cards for military members , military credit cards and the best American Express credit cards for military members would be worth reading.

The information regarding the Citi ® / AAdvantage ® Platinum Select ® World Elite™ Mastercard ® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Citi Simplicity ® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does citi waive credit card fees for active-duty military.

Yes, Citi will waive fees, including annual fees, for credit cards acquired prior to active duty and after September 2017.

Does Citi waive interest charges on credit cards?

For credit cards acquired prior to active duty, Citi will waive interest charges during the period of active duty. Citi will also waive balance transfer fees during active duty.

Are Citi military credit card benefits worth it?

Yes, Citi military benefits are worth it if you hold Citi credit cards that were acquired prior to active duty. Citi waives fees and interest rates which can result in significant savings.

How can I apply for Citi military benefits?

The best way to learn about Citi’s military benefits and apply is to call Citi’s Military Response Unit at 877-804-1082.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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The Military Wallet

The Dos and Don’ts of Government Travel Charge Cards

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What is a Government Travel Charge Card?

Obtaining a government travel charge card, types of government travel charge cards, uses of a government travel card, the rules of a government travel card, how to responsibly use your government travel card, incorrect uses of a government travel card, resources and contacts.

You just received your first GTCC — the federal government’s version of a corporate travel credit card. But before your “ Wolf of Wall Street ” fantasies about perks and points come alive, it’s best to learn a bit more about how the GTCC program works, what’s expected of you as a cardholder, and how to use the card appropriately and legally.

Within this article, we explore the basics of the GTCC program at the Department of Defense, the different types of charge cards offered, and ways to obtain a card. Read on for some savvy tips on how to use (and how not to use) your government charge card so that you remain in control and out of trouble.

A GTCC is a commercial credit card offered to DoD personnel (both military and civilian) to pay for costs related to government-specific travel. For military members, this may include Permanent Change of Station moves and temporary duty assignments so that the service member doesn’t have to pay for work-related expenses out of pocket.

Currently, credit cards issued under the GTCC program are from the commercial partner, Citibank. However, the program itself is managed by DoD program coordinators within the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), who provide troubleshooting assistance to service members and federal employees. While Citibank issues GTCC credit card statements, DTMO set policy regarding GTCC use. It is the main agency that does so.

In general, military members will not have access to the GTCC program until it becomes a job requirement. Those who become eligible for holding a GTCC must first complete an online training course and then be invited to apply for the card through Citibank.

There are two main classifications for government charge cards: 

• Individually Billed Accounts (IBAs) 
• Centrally Billed Accounts (CBAs)

Individually Billed Accounts (IBAs)

Individually Billed Accounts are issued to service members for travel and travel-related expenses. With these types of cards, the service member is responsible for settling the account. 

According to the DoD , the Standard card options within this category are typically issued to those with a 660 or higher credit score. They have a credit limit of $7,500. 

In contrast, the Restricted card option is issued to those with lower credit scores (500-659) and has a lower credit limit of $4,000. Restricted government charge cards are closely monitored. They are sometimes deactivated during periods when travel has not been approved.

Centrally Billed Accounts (CBAs) 

Centrally Billed Accounts can also be used to pay for travel expenses. 

These cards are settled directly by the U.S. government (so the cardholder has fewer personal responsibilities). They have limited use. Unlike Individually Billed Accounts, where the service member is personally liable for card charges, Centrally Billed Accounts assume government liability.

Approved uses of a government travel charge card include, but are not exclusively:

• Meals (not including alcohol)
• Transportation (airfare, train, etc.)

For additional guidance on what constitutes “official travel,” see page 14 in the GTCC Regulations (2020) and the newly amended Joint Travel Regulations (2021) .

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Responsible use of your government charge card entails three main activities: 

• Ethical use of the card for official government travel expenses only;
• Timely and accurate reporting of charges (often with printed receipts);
• Timely payment of the card’s balance

The cardinal rule to follow: the government charge card is not to be treated as a personal card in any way. It should be used only for official travel . (Commuting to work or going on a family vacation do not constitute “official travel”). 

Following the travel event such as PCS or TDY , cardholders are expected to submit a “travel claims” report within five days of its conclusion in the Defense Travel System. This should include scanned receipts of individual charges as well as amounts, dates and descriptions. Foreign currency charges must be converted into U.S. dollars.

Additionally, cardholders with Individually Billed Accounts are responsible for ensuring that the government travel card is ultimately paid off. When entering trip report details in the Defense Travel System, cardholders are encouraged to use the split disbursement option to ensure that the service member is reimbursed for all out-of-pocket expenses and per-diem rates while the charges on the government credit card are settled in full.

Although it isn’t difficult to imagine the multitude of ways that service members can get into hot water for misuse of government travel cards, the most common missteps involve:

• Using the card for unofficial/non-approved travel or personal use
• Overspending
• Using the split disbursement feature incorrectly
• Failing to submit timely and/or accurate travel reports in DTS
• Failing to pay the card balance on time
• Including alcohol on receipts for DTS submission 

In addition to accruing late fees, which begin at 75 days past the due date, cardmembers can have their accounts suspended or terminated for improper use of a GTCC. For more serious offenses, service members may receive formal counseling, an Article 15, or even a court-martial . Therefore, it’s best to be on the safe side and remember the basics for proper GTCC etiquette:

• Use it only for official/approved government travel;
• Provide a timely and accurate report in DTS, using the split reimbursement option;
• Ensure that the GTCC is paid off in full by the due date

For more information on the DoD GTCC:

Citibank Customer Service: 1-800-200-7056 (or 757-852-9076 when calling collect)

GTCC Travel Assistance Center: 1-888-HELP1GO (1-888-435-7146)

Citi’s DoD Travel Card Webpage

Email of the DoD Travel Card Helpdesk

DoD GTCC Regulations (2020)

DoD Joint Travel Regulations (2021)

About Post Author

Meaghan Doherty Myers

Meaghan Doherty Myers is a freelance writer, specializing in military benefits, personal finance, and defense and security issues. She holds an M.A. in Strategic Studies and International Relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and recently graduated from the Russian language program at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA. She is an Army spouse, a former ballet dancer, and a former management consultant who lives with her husband and daughter in Alexandria, VA.

See author's posts

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Save major money with these citibank credit card military benefits.

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We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies .

In gratitude for their service to us and our country, business owners strive to give back to military members by offering them exclusive discounts and promotions. These military discounts can provide an appreciated financial break for those who can take advantage of them. They’re often seen at restaurants, retail stores, airlines, car dealerships, and many more locations.

Although many military members may know about certain discounts, they may not be as familiar with others. For instance, members of the military can save big on credit cards . Most credit card companies, including Citibank, provide benefits specifically for active-duty military. These benefits can vary by the credit card issuer, but they all aim to decrease the financial burdens military members may experience.

Here, we’ll take a look at the military benefits associated with Citi credit cards and the value they can bring you.

Understanding MLA and SCRA benefits for active-duty military

How citibank military credit card benefits work, the most valuable citibank credit card military benefits, a special note on spousal benefits, consider these citibank credit cards for active-duty military, bottom line.

Most credit card companies offer military benefits because they’re required to by law, at least to some degree. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act , enacted in 2003, is a law designed to relieve the financial stress of military members while they’re on active duty. Along the same lines, the Military Lending Act of 2006 was enacted to protect active-duty military members and their families from certain lending practices.

Among its many benefits, the SCRA forgives interest rates above 6% on pre-service debts. This doesn’t completely erase any debts you may have before entering active duty, but it will at least cap the amount of interest that can accrue on those debts. One of the featured benefits of the MLA is the military annual percentage rate. The MAPR restricts creditors from charging covered borrowers more than 36% in combined annual interest, fees, and other credit-related charges.

Overall, these are helpful credit card benefits that active-duty service members can take advantage of. But if we look closer at certain credit card programs, we can find many additional benefits that go beyond what’s required by law.

Let’s explore Citibank’s military credit card benefits and see how valuable they can be for you.

Citibank military credit card benefits are available for any Citi credit card, whether it’s an American Airlines credit card , Costco credit card , or one of the  best travel credit cards . If the card was issued by Citigroup Inc., you can get the applicable military benefits for it.

These credit cards and their associated benefits can help you save money in the military , but you must qualify for them. With Citibank, you’re eligible for military credit card benefits only if your Citi accounts were opened before you entered active-duty military service. So if you open a new card while currently on active duty, you will most likely not be eligible for special military benefits on that account.

The military benefits from Citibank are offered only to the current active-duty military member and their spouse. So other family members and dependents wouldn’t be eligible for these benefits.

If you have questions about Citi’s military benefits, you can contact the Citi SCRA customer service team at 877-804-1082 or email [email protected] for more information.

1. Waived fees

As an eligible military member, you can have all of your credit card fees waived. This includes any annual fees and late fees. It’s a straightforward benefit that can save you a lot of money while you’re on active duty.

For example, let’s say you already had the Citi ® / AAdvantage ® Executive World Elite Mastercard ®  card opened before starting your active-duty military service. It’s a great travel card that comes with plenty of premium perks and benefits. However, it also has a whopping $595 annual fee. After entering active duty, you wouldn’t have to pay that $595 each year.

You also wouldn’t have to worry about any other fees associated with already-opened credit card accounts. So if you have the Citi Simplicity ® Card, you could avoid the balance transfer fee of 3% of each balance transfer ($5 minimum) within 4 months of account opening; then 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) after the 4 month intro period ends. If you were to transfer a $5,000 balance, that would be $250 in fees you wouldn’t have to pay. Taking advantage of this benefit could save you a lot of money in credit card interest .

Check out our Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard review.

2. APR down to 0%

Citibank also offers 0% intro APR on its credit cards for eligible active-duty military members. This means you won’t accrue any interest on credit card balances you built up before becoming active duty. If you’re paying down a large balance, you could save loads of money on interest each month. In turn, this benefit can help you manage your debt and pay it down quicker.

An efficient way to leverage both this benefit and the waived fees at the same time is with a balance transfer . The way balance transfers work is that you transfer debt from one credit card account to another. It’s best if you transfer to a 0% intro APR credit card that doesn't accrue interest for a certain period of time. You normally have to pay a balance transfer fee on the amount of money you move to the new credit card. But with these Citibank military benefits, you won’t have to pay a balance transfer fee.

Using this strategy, you can avoid both the transfer fee and paying interest on your credit card balance. This should allow you to get a better handle on your financial situation and get out of debt much faster.

Check out our  Citi Simplicity Card review.

3. Free premium benefits

Waived fees and 0% APR are the only official Citibank military credit card benefits, but you can also get heaps of value from each card’s already existing perks and benefits. For instance, in our earlier example about the Citi ® / AAdvantage ® Executive World Elite Mastercard ® , because you get the $595 annual fee waived, that means you’re getting all of the card’s premium benefits at no additional cost.

Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard benefits include:

• First checked bag free on American Airlines flights

TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee reimbursement

Admirals club membership.

• Opportunity to earn Loyalty Points each year to help earn American Airlines elite status
• Priority check-in, boarding, and airport screening (where available)
• 25% savings on in-flight food and beverages

As you can see, the bonus value you can get from card benefits is huge. With the annual fee waived on this card, you’re essentially getting free profit in the form of card perks. And this same principle applies to any Citi credit card with an annual fee. However, you would likely get the most benefit from the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard because it comes with plenty of high-value perks.

Let’s dig a little deeper into some of this card’s best assets:

Free checked bag

Your first checked bag is free on all domestic American Airlines flights. Even better, this benefit is extended to up to eight travel companions on the same reservation. Considering a checked bag can typically cost around $30, that's up to $60 saved for you on round-trip flights. And if you're traveling with a large group, you might save as much as $540 on a round-trip flight with eight travel companions.

Once every five years, you can receive a fee credit for either the TSA PreCheck or Global Entry programs. TSA PreCheck applications cost $78, and Global Entry applications cost $100. So, you can save yourself up to $100 in application fees to a program that can improve your overall airport experience.

Because a Global Entry membership includes TSA PreCheck benefits, it would make the most sense to use this benefit toward Global Entry fee reimbursement. Make sure you pay for the fee with your Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard and you’ll receive an automatic statement credit to cover that cost within two billing cycles.

Admirals Clubs are airport lounges that offer loads of amenities while you wait for your flight to depart. This includes a more comfortable and relaxing area to sit and relax while enjoying food and beverages, as well as free Wi-Fi. American Airlines advertises nearly 50 Admirals Club locations worldwide. Since an Admirals Club membership typically costs upward of $650 per year, this is easily one of the most premium benefits you'll find on the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard.

Admirals Club lounges can include:

• Free food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages
• Wi-Fi internet access
• Comfortable seating

Active-duty military members and their spouses are eligible for Citibank military credit card benefits. That means you could potentially double the value of your military benefits if your spouse has Citibank cards as well.

For example, you could both have the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard and leverage its premium benefits, such as the Admirals Club membership and TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit (up to $100) — all without having to pay an annual fee. With those two benefits alone, that’s up to $1,500 worth of value.

The best credit cards for military members will vary depending on each person’s situation. You may want a cashback credit card for rewards on everyday purchases, or a travel credit card with unique perks and benefits. Our list of the best cashback credit cards is a great place to start. 

Although every Citibank credit card could be useful for active-duty military, we think these are some of the best choices:

• Citi Double Cash ® Card
• Citi Rewards+ ® Card

Citi ® / AAdvantage ® Executive World Elite Mastercard ®

• Citi Prestige ® Card  (no longer available for applications)

Both the Citi Double Cash and Citi Rewards+ cards are some of the  best no annual fee credit cards , so the waived annual fee for military members wouldn’t add anything extra to these cards. Still, these cards are a few of the best rewards credit cards if you want to earn rewards on everyday purchases.

If you specifically want a card for grocery and gas trips, the Citi Rewards+ earns 2X points on supermarkets and gas stations (on the first $6,000 in purchases per year, then 1X points thereafter). For a broader selection, the Citi Double Cash earns 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases; plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.

If you like travel benefits, it’s hard to go wrong with the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard or Citi Prestige. They both have large annual fees that will be waived to save you a bunch of money. Here’s a closer look at who would benefit most from each of these cards:

• The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is co-branded with American Airlines. Cardholders earn AAdvantage miles so this card is best for frequent flyers of American Airlines. You’ll receive Admirals Club airport lounge membership and up to $100 in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee credit. This card also provides priority check-in and boarding privileges for you and up to eight companions on the same American Airlines (or another eligible airline) reservation.
• Because the Citi Prestige isn’t co-branded with an airline, you can apply its rewards and benefits more generally. This makes it a better fit for someone who isn’t as brand loyal. Its $250 annual travel credit is great for airfare from any airline, and earned ThankYou Points have flexible redemption options.

The SCRA and MLA provide helpful financial benefits for active-duty military members, but some credit card issuers such as Citibank go even further than what’s required. If you’re in active-duty military service (or about to be), you can leverage Citibank’s military credit card benefits to save on fees and interest. You can also get some additional card benefits at the same time.

To be eligible for these benefits, your Citi credit card accounts must have been opened before you go on active duty. And keep in mind, your spouse would also be eligible for these benefits.

Admirals Club Membership and More

FinanceBuzz writers and editors score cards based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Current Offer

• Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening (limited time offer)

Rewards Rate

• 10X miles on hotels booked through aa.com/hotels and eligible car rentals booked through aa.com/cars, 4X miles on eligible American Airlines purchases (after spending $150,000 per calendar year this increases to 5X for the remainder of the calendar year), and 1X miles for every $1 spent on other purchases
• 4X miles on eligible American Airlines purchases (after spending $150,000 per calendar year this goes up to 5X for the remainder of the calendar year)
• First checked bag free
• Admirals Club membership and priority check-in
• Has high annual fee
• Low earnings rate

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Por favor, tenga en cuenta que las comunicaciones verbales y escritas de Citi podrían estar únicamente en inglés, ya que, tal vez, no podamos proporcionar comunicaciones relacionadas con los servicios en todos los idiomas. Estas comunicaciones podrían incluir, entre otras, contratos, divulgaciones y estados de cuenta, cambios en los términos o en los cargos, así como cualquier documento de mantenimiento de su cuenta.

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Por favor, tenga en cuenta que las comunicaciones verbales y escritas de Citi podrían estar únicamente en inglés, ya que, tal vez, no podamos proporcionar comunicaciones relacionadas con los servicios en todos los idiomas. Estas comunicaciones podrían incluir, entre otras, contratos, divulgaciones y estados de cuenta, cambios en los términos o en los cargos, así como cualquier documento de mantenimiento de su cuenta. Si necesita ayuda en un idioma distinto al inglés, por favor, comuníquese con nosotros, ya que tenemos servicios de idiomas que podrían serle útiles.

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Welcome to the Citi Training Series website for DoD Travel training! Please find the schedule for upcoming webinar, classroom, and onsite sessions below. These sessions are open to all DoD APCs. Click on the sessions titles for a course description.

To register, simply log into CitiManager® and access the Citi® Learning Center from the Web Tools icon. Click here and navigate to page 7 for detailed instructions.

Citi recommends that APCs take the webinar sessions in the following order: CitiManager, Online Applications and Maintenance (OLA/M) & Bulk Online Applications and Maintenance (BOLA/M), Reporting, and then Visa Intellilink.

For more experienced APCs Citi recommends the CitiManager – New Look and Feel and Visa Intellilink webinars.

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