Chase Sapphire Reserve for Military — MLA Fee Waiver & Travel Perks

Why Military Members Love the Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the most powerful travel cards available — and active duty military get the $550 annual fee waived under the Military Lending Act (MLA).

Key Benefits at a Glance

• $300 annual travel credit — Automatically applied to any travel purchase
• Priority Pass Select — Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide
• 3X points on dining — Includes restaurants, delivery services, and travel
• 1:1 point transfers — Transfer to United, Hyatt, Southwest, and more
• Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit — Up to $100 every 4 years

MLA Fee Waiver: How It Works

Active duty service members are eligible for MLA protections, which cap interest rates and waive annual fees on personal credit cards.

Steps to Apply

1. Apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve online
2. Chase will identify you as active duty through the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) database
3. Your annual fee will be automatically waived
4. If you already had the card before active duty, call Chase to request SCRA benefits

Maximizing Your Points

Travel Partners

Transfer points to:

• United MileagePlus — For Space-A backup flights
• Hyatt — Great redemption value at 1.5-2+ cents per point
• Southwest Rapid Rewards — Companion Pass eligible

Spending Strategy

• 3X on dining & travel — Use for all restaurant and travel purchases
• Chase Freedom Unlimited (no fee) — Pair for 1.5X on everything else
• Combine points — Transfer Freedom points to Reserve for better redemption

Editorial Note: We may earn a commission if you apply through our links. This does not affect our recommendations — we only suggest products that benefit the military community.