What Navy Federal Credit Cards Offer
Navy Federal Credit Union offers credit cards to its members with rewards, cash back, and travel benefits. The cards are issued by Navy Federal itself, not by a bank, because Navy Federal is a credit union. You must be a Navy Federal member to open a card, which means you need to join the credit union first.
Navy Federal's main card products include the Navy Federal Cash Rewards Card, the Navy Federal Visa Signature Card, and the Navy Federal American Express Card. Each one has different rewards rates, annual fees, and benefits. The cash rewards card has no annual fee and returns cash on all purchases. The other cards charge annual fees but offer higher rewards in specific categories like travel and dining.
All Navy Federal cards report to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — so using one responsibly will build your credit history. The cards come with fraud protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage on may be able to access items.
Key Takeaways
- You must be a Navy Federal member before you can open a credit card, which requires joining the credit union through military service, family membership, or employer sponsorship.
- Navy Federal offers cards with no annual fee and cards with annual fees that provide higher rewards in travel, dining, and other categories.
- All Navy Federal cards report to the three major credit bureaus and include fraud protection and purchase protection as standard features.
- The cash rewards card returns a flat percentage on all purchases, while other cards offer bonus rates in specific spending categories.
- You can manage your Navy Federal card through their online portal or mobile app, and payments can be made online, by phone, or by mail.
How to Become a Navy Federal Member
Before you can open a Navy Federal credit card, you must first open a Navy Federal membership account. Navy Federal membership is not open to everyone — you must fall into one of their membership categories. The main categories are active duty military, retired military, military veterans, Department of Defense civilians, and family members of people in these groups.
If you are may be able to access, you can join online at navyfederal.org or visit a Navy Federal branch in person. Online membership takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, date of birth, and a valid government-issued ID. You will also need to open a Navy Federal savings account as part of membership, though you do not need to keep a large balance in it.
Once your membership is approved, you can then open a credit card. Some people are approved for membership and a card on the same day, while others may wait a few business days for the membership to fully process before they can explore for the card.
Navy Federal Credit Card Types and Rewards
Navy Federal Cash Rewards Card returns 1.5% cash back on all purchases with no annual fee. This is the simplest card if you want a flat rate on everything you buy. The cash back posts to your account monthly and can be redeemed as a statement credit, transferred to your Navy Federal savings account, or left to accumulate.
Navy Federal Visa Signature Card has a $49 annual fee and offers 3% cash back on travel and dining, 2% on gas and groceries, and 1% on all other purchases. This card makes sense if you spend heavily on travel and restaurants and can earn back the annual fee in rewards.
Navy Federal American Express Card has a $95 annual fee and offers bonus points on travel, dining, and military-related purchases. Points can be redeemed for travel, cash, or gift cards. This card is designed for people who travel frequently and want premium travel benefits like trip cancellation insurance and baggage delay reimbursement.
All three cards earn rewards on every purchase. The cash rewards card is the lowest-friction option if you do not want to track bonus categories. The other two cards require higher spending to justify their annual fees but offer more value if you use the bonus categories regularly.
How to Open a Navy Federal Credit Card
Once you are a Navy Federal member, opening a credit card takes about 15 minutes online or in person. You can start the process at navyfederal.org, on the Navy Federal mobile app, or at a Navy Federal branch.
The process asks for your name, address, Social Security number, income, employment status, and the card type you want. Navy Federal will pull your credit report to make a decision. You do not need perfect credit to be approved — Navy Federal considers applications from people with fair credit and sometimes approves people who have been declined elsewhere.
After you submit the process, you will get a decision within minutes to a few business days. If you are approved, your card will be mailed to your address and usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up it online or by phone as soon as it arrives, and you can start using it right away.
Managing Your Navy Federal Card Online and by Phone
Navy Federal members can manage their credit cards through the Navy Federal website or mobile app. You can log in with your Navy Federal username and password to view your balance, make payments, set up automatic payments, and see your rewards balance.
Payments can be made online through your Navy Federal account, by phone at 1-888-842-6328, by mail to the address on your statement, or in person at a Navy Federal branch. Online and phone payments usually post within one business day. Mail payments take 5 to 7 business days to arrive and post.
You can also set up automatic payments so your bill is paid on the same day each month. This prevents late payments and helps you build a strong payment history. The app lets you turn your card on and off, report fraud, and view detailed transaction history.
Navy Federal Card Benefits Beyond Rewards
All Navy Federal credit cards include fraud protection, which means you are not responsible for unauthorized charges if your card is stolen or compromised. You report the fraud to Navy Federal, and they investigate and remove the charges from your account.
Navy Federal cards also include purchase protection, which covers items you buy if they are damaged or stolen within a certain time frame. If you buy a laptop and it breaks, you can file a claim and Navy Federal may reimburse you. The coverage period and limits vary by card.
Extended warranty coverage is included on may be able to access items. If an item you buy has a manufacturer's warranty, Navy Federal extends that warranty by one additional year at no cost. This applies to electronics, appliances, and other covered items.
The Visa Signature and American Express cards also include travel benefits like trip cancellation insurance, baggage delay reimbursement, and emergency medical and dental coverage while traveling outside the United States.
Navy Federal Credit Card Fees and Interest Rates
The Navy Federal Cash Rewards Card has no annual fee. The Visa Signature Card has a $49 annual fee. The American Express Card has a $95 annual fee. These are the only recurring fees — Navy Federal does not charge foreign transaction fees, balance transfer fees, or cash advance fees on any of their cards.
Interest rates on Navy Federal cards vary based on your credit score and credit history. When you are approved, Navy Federal will tell you your starting interest rate. Rates are typically lower for Navy Federal members than for non-members at other banks, because Navy Federal is a credit union and returns profits to members.
If you carry a balance, interest accrues daily on the unpaid amount. Paying your full balance by the due date avoids interest charges entirely. If you cannot pay the full balance, paying as much as you can reduces the interest you owe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need military service to join Navy Federal?
No. While active duty and retired military are the primary members, Navy Federal also accepts Department of Defense civilians, military veterans, and family members of may be able to access people. If you are not sure whether you may have access to, you can check the Navy Federal website or call 1-888-842-6328 to confirm your may be able to access.
What credit score do I need to open a Navy Federal card?
Navy Federal does not publish a minimum credit score requirement. The credit union reviews applications from people with fair credit and sometimes approves applicants who have been declined elsewhere. Your actual approval depends on your full credit history, not just your score.
Can I use my Navy Federal card outside the United States?
Yes. Navy Federal cards work at merchants and ATMs worldwide. There are no foreign transaction fees on any Navy Federal card, so you pay the same rate whether you are buying in the United States or abroad. Your card will work anywhere Visa or American Express is accepted.
How long does it take to receive my card after approval?
Navy Federal mails approved cards within 1 to 2 business days of approval. Standard mail delivery takes 7 to 10 business days, so most people receive their card within 10 to 12 days of being approved. You can set up your card online or by phone as soon as it arrives.
Can I transfer a balance from another credit card to my Navy Federal card?
Navy Federal does not offer balance transfer options on their credit cards. If you have a balance on another card, you would need to pay it down separately. However, the cash back and rewards you earn on Navy Federal can help you pay down other balances faster.