If you’re currently serving in the military or are a veteran, or a family member of either, you could be eligible for some of our picks for the best Navy Federal Credit Union credit cards. Here are our top picks.
| Best for | NFCU Card |
|---|---|
| Everyday spending | NFCU More Rewards American Express® Card |
| Cash back | NFCU cashRewards Credit Card |
| Low purchase and balance transfer APR | NFCU Platinum Credit Card |
| Establishing or rebuilding credit | NFCU nRewards® Secured Credit Card |
| Business expenses | NFCU GO BIZ™ Rewards Mastercard |
| Travel | NFCU Visa Signature® Flagship Rewards |
Best for everyday spending: NFCU More Rewards American Express® Card
Here’s why: The Navy Federal Credit Union More Rewards American Express® Card is a good option for those who want to earn rewards every time they spend.
- Rewards — You can earn three points per $1 at supermarkets, gas stations, restaurants, and on transit, plus one point per $1 for all other purchases and there are no rewards limits or expirations.
- Sign-up bonus — New cardholders can earn 30,000 points, which is valued at $300, when they spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within 90 days of account opening.
No annual fee — This card does not charge an annual fee.
For other rewards options, check out our picks for the best credit union credit cards.
Best for cash back: NFCU cashRewards Credit Card
Here’s why: This card offers a competitive cash back rate on all eligible purchases, with no annual fee.
- Sign-up bonus — You can earn a $200 welcome bonus after spending $2,000 on eligible purchases within 90 days of account opening.
- Cash back — This card earns 1.5% cash back which you can redeem for cash, merchandise or gift cards. Plus, there are no reward limits.
No annual fee — This card doesn’t charge you an annual fee.
For more info on this category, take a look at cash back cards on Credit Karma.
Best for low interest: NFCU Platinum Credit Card
Here’s why: This card offers the potential for the lowest ongoing potential variable APR on purchases and balance transfers out of all the Navy Federal Credit Union cards. If could be a good option for those who may carry a balance from month to month.
- Low variable APR — Cardholders can enjoy a low variable APR at 11.49% – 18.00%, depending on your credit.
- No annual fee — You won’t be charged an annual fee.
Intro balance transfer APR offer — This card offers an intro 0.99% APR for 12 months from account opening on balances that are transferred within 60 days. After that, the variable APR is 11.49% – 18.00%.
Best for no or limited credit: NFCU nRewards® Secured Credit Card
Here’s why: We like this secured card option for the ways it can help cardholders establish or rebuild their credit, all while taking advantage of a few rewards offers.
- Secured card with rewards — This secured card offers one rewards point for every $1 spent — points that can be converted into cash back, statement credits, gift cards or merchandise.
- Deposit required — Before applying, cardholders deposit a minimum of $200 into a savings account, which earns interest while serving as the collateral to secure your card. This deposit will determine your credit limit.
Pathway to unsecured credit — Starting after six months of activity, the card will have a regular review process could result in the return of your deposit and a transition to an unsecured credit card.
If you’d prefer an unsecured card from the start, read our article on the best unsecured credit cards for building credit.
Best for business: NFCU GO BIZ™ Rewards card
Here’s why: This card is great for business owners who want a card with no annual fee.
It’s recommended that business owners separate their business and personal finances, which makes getting a specific card for business a good idea.
- Rewards — Earn up to one point for every $1 spent.
- No annual fee — This card doesn’t charge an annual fee.
No limits or earning caps — Your rewards points won’t have limits or earning caps.
Compare business credit card offers on Credit Karma.
Best for travel: NFCU Visa Signature® Flagship Rewards Credit Card
Here’s why: This card is great for Navy Federal Credit Union members who want rewards they can use toward travel.
- Rewards — You can earn three points for every $1 you spend on travel and two points on all other purchases.
- Annual fee — This card does charge a $49 annual fee.
Travel perks — With no foreign transaction fees and a $120 statement credit toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years, this card makes for a great travel companion.
Compare other travel rewards credit cards on Credit Karma.
How we picked these cards
We chose these Navy Federal Credit Union credit cards by looking at the overall perks compared to the costs for the consumer.
We also tried to pick cards in categories that would be relevant to current and potential Navy Federal Credit Union members, including active-duty military personnel and their families.
How to apply for a Navy Federal credit card
If you’re interested in any of these NFCU cards, you’ll have to make sure you’re eligible for them.
Card applications are only open to members of the credit union, and eligibility is restricted to current and former service members, certain Department of Defense civilian employees, family members of both groups, and others. You can look up more information on membership requirements on the NFCU website.
Once you’re a member of Navy Federal Credit Union, you can start looking at what credit card you may want. Checking on your credit score is a good first step to see what your options may be. Once you have a card in mind, see if you can prequalify first to get a better idea of what the terms of your card may be. If you’re happy with the terms, you can apply for a Navy Federal Credit Union credit card online.
How to make the most of Navy Federal Credit Union credit cards
Once you have one of these cards, you’ll want to make sure you’re clear on the perks that come with each. Every Navy Federal card has unique perks, so make sure to check your card terms. Your credit card agreement should include the details, and customer service could help clarify matters too.
It’s also worth remembering that credit unions tend to provide more-personalized customer service to their members. Navy Federal’s 24/7 access to representatives is a major benefit of membership, and you shouldn’t be shy about asking for their help when you need it.
*Approval Odds are not a guarantee of approval. Credit Karma determines Approval Odds by comparing your credit profile to other Credit Karma members who were approved for the card shown, or whether you meet certain criteria determined by the lender. Of course, there’s no such thing as a sure thing, but knowing your Approval Odds may help you narrow down your choices. For example, you may not be approved because you don’t meet the lender’s “ability to pay standard” after they verify your income and employment; or, you already have the maximum number of accounts with that specific lender.