Navy Federal's main cards ranked by what they actually cost and reward
Navy Federal offers five credit cards, and the best one depends on what you spend money on and whether you carry a balance. The Navy Federal Cash Rewards American Express card has no annual fee and returns 1.5% cash on everything, making it the straightforward choice if you want one card that works everywhere. The Navy Federal Visa Signature card also has no annual fee but gives no rewards — it exists mainly for people rebuilding credit or who want a basic card. The Navy Federal More Rewards American Express card costs $95 per year but returns 3% on gas and groceries and 1% on everything else, so it only makes sense if you spend at least $6,300 a year on those categories. The Navy Federal Visa Infinite card costs $450 per year and is built for people who travel constantly and use premium benefits like lounge access. The Navy Federal Visa Signature Secured card requires a cash deposit and is for people with no credit history or a damaged one.
The card that works best for most people is the Cash Rewards American Express — no annual fee, no categories to track, and the same 1.5% back on groceries, gas, restaurants, and everything else. If you spend heavily on gas and groceries and can afford the annual fee, the More Rewards card pays for itself at around $6,300 in annual spending on those two categories alone. If you are rebuilding credit or have never had a credit card, start with the Visa Signature or the Secured card, then move to the Cash Rewards card once your credit score rises.
Key Takeaways
- The Navy Federal Cash Rewards American Express has no annual fee and returns 1.5% cash on all purchases, making it the best choice for most cardholders.
- The More Rewards American Express costs $95 per year but returns 3% on gas and groceries, breaking even only if you spend more than $6,300 annually on those categories.
- The Visa Signature card has no rewards and no annual fee, designed for people new to credit or rebuilding after past damage.
- The Visa Infinite card costs $450 per year and targets frequent travelers who use airport lounges and premium travel protections.
- Navy Federal membership requires military service, veteran status, or family connection to someone who qualifies.
How Navy Federal membership works before you pick a card
You cannot open a Navy Federal credit card unless you are already a Navy Federal member. Membership is open to active-duty military, retirees, veterans, Reserve and National Guard members, and their families. If you do not fall into one of those categories, you cannot use Navy Federal at all — there is no workaround. If you do may have access to, you can open a membership online or at a branch, which takes about 15 minutes.
Once you are a member, you can open a credit card when ready. Navy Federal does not require you to have a checking account with them first, though many cardholders do. Your credit score matters — Navy Federal typically approves people with scores of 650 and above for the standard cards, though the Secured card is available to anyone with a membership.
Cash Rewards American Express: the no-fee card that works for most people
The Cash Rewards American Express has no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and returns 1.5% cash back on every purchase. That flat rate means you do not have to track categories or remember which card to use — you swipe it everywhere and earn the same percentage. The cash back posts to your account monthly and you can use it to pay your statement, transfer it to a Navy Federal savings account, or request a check.
The card comes with basic protections: purchase protection (covers items damaged or stolen within 90 days), extended warranty (adds one year to manufacturer warranties), and roadside information. There is no sign-up bonus. The card works everywhere American Express is accepted, which is most places but not all — some smaller merchants and gas stations do not take Amex.
This card makes sense if you spend less than $6,300 per year on gas and groceries combined, or if you want one card instead of juggling multiple cards for different categories. The 1.5% flat rate beats the More Rewards card's 1% on non-gas, non-grocery purchases, so unless you are heavy on those two categories, the Cash Rewards card wins.
More Rewards American Express: only worth it if you spend heavily on gas and groceries
The More Rewards American Express costs $95 per year and returns 3% cash back on gas and groceries, 1% on everything else. The math is straightforward: you need to spend at least $6,300 per year on gas and groceries to break even on the annual fee. At $6,300 in gas and groceries, you earn $189 in cash back (3% of $6,300), minus the $95 fee, for a net gain of $94. Below that spending level, you lose money.
The card also comes with purchase protection, extended warranty, and roadside information — the same benefits as the Cash Rewards card. There is no sign-up bonus. The card works only where American Express is accepted.
This card makes sense only if you spend more than $6,300 per year on gas and groceries and want to maximize rewards on those categories. If you spend $10,000 per year on gas and groceries, you earn $300 in cash back (3% of $10,000), minus the $95 fee, for a net gain of $205 — that is worth it. If you spend $5,000 per year on those categories, you lose money and should stick with the Cash Rewards card instead.
Visa Signature and Visa Infinite: for travelers and people with limited credit history
The Navy Federal Visa Signature card has no annual fee and no rewards. It exists for two groups: people new to credit who need a basic card to build a credit history, and people rebuilding credit after past damage. The card comes with fraud protection and purchase protection, but no cash back or travel benefits. Once your credit score reaches the mid-600s or higher, you can move to the Cash Rewards card.
The Navy Federal Visa Infinite card costs $450 per year and is built for frequent travelers. It includes airport lounge access (Priority Pass Select), travel insurance (trip cancellation, baggage delay), rental car insurance, and concierge services. It also returns 3% cash back on travel and dining, 1% on everything else. This card only makes sense if you travel multiple times per year and use the lounge access and travel insurance regularly. The $450 annual fee is steep, and you need to use the benefits to justify it.
Visa Signature Secured: for people with no credit history or damaged credit
The Navy Federal Visa Signature Secured card requires a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit. If you deposit $500, your credit limit is $500. The deposit stays in a Navy Federal savings account and earns interest, but you cannot touch it while the card is open. There is no annual fee and no rewards.
This card is for people who have never had a credit card or whose credit was damaged by missed payments, collections, or bankruptcy. It reports to all three credit bureaus, so on-time payments build your credit score. Once your score reaches 650 or higher, you can move to the Visa Signature or Cash Rewards card and close the Secured card — Navy Federal will return your deposit.
How to compare Navy Federal cards to cards from other banks
Navy Federal cards are competitive on annual fees and cash back rates, but they have limits. All Navy Federal cards work only where American Express or Visa is accepted, so if a merchant takes neither, you cannot use them. Other banks offer cards with higher cash back rates on specific categories — for example, some cards return 5% on groceries or 3% on gas — but those cards usually charge annual fees or have spending caps.
The Cash Rewards American Express at 1.5% flat with no annual fee is competitive with cards from other banks that offer similar flat-rate rewards. The More Rewards card at 3% on gas and groceries is competitive with category-specific cards, but only if you spend enough to justify the $95 annual fee. The Visa Infinite is expensive compared to travel cards from other banks, though the lounge access and travel insurance are real benefits if you use them.
The main trade-off with Navy Federal is membership — you can only use these cards if you may have access to for Navy Federal membership. If you do not have military ties, you cannot open an account, so other banks are your only option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one Navy Federal credit card?
Yes. You can open multiple Navy Federal credit cards at the same time or over time. Some people carry the Cash Rewards card for everyday spending and the More Rewards card for gas and groceries, though that requires tracking two cards. Most people do better with one card that fits their spending pattern.
What credit score do I need to get approved?
Navy Federal typically approves people with credit scores of 650 and above for the standard cards (Cash Rewards, More Rewards, Visa Signature, Visa Infinite). The Secured card is available to anyone with a Navy Federal membership, regardless of credit score, because your deposit secures the credit line. If your score is below 650, start with the Secured card and move to a standard card once your score rises.
Does Navy Federal offer a sign-up bonus?
No. Navy Federal credit cards do not come with sign-up bonuses. You earn rewards only on purchases you make after the card opens. Other banks often offer sign-up bonuses (for example, $200 cash back after you spend $500), so if a sign-up bonus matters to you, compare Navy Federal cards to cards from other banks.
Can I use Navy Federal cards outside the United States?
Yes, but with limits. Navy Federal cards work where American Express or Visa is accepted internationally. The Cash Rewards and More Rewards cards have no foreign transaction fees, so you pay the same cash back rate abroad as you do at home. The Visa cards may charge foreign transaction fees depending on the specific card — check your cardholder agreement.
What happens if I carry a balance and pay interest?
Navy Federal credit cards charge interest on balances you do not pay in full each month. The interest rate (APR) depends on your credit score and credit history, and Navy Federal will tell you the rate before you open the card. Carrying a balance costs you money in interest, which usually outweighs any cash back you earn. If you cannot pay your full statement each month, focus on paying down the balance rather than chasing rewards.