What the Navy Federal Travel Rewards Card offers

The Navy Federal Travel Rewards Credit Card is a rewards card issued by Navy Federal Credit Union, available only to Navy Federal members. It earns points on all purchases — typically 1 point per dollar spent — with bonus points on travel and dining categories. Points convert to cash back or travel statement credits at a fixed rate, usually 1 cent per point.

The card has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, which matters if you travel internationally. There is no sign-up bonus. The rewards structure is straightforward: you spend, you earn points at the same rate whether you're buying groceries or booking a flight, and you redeem those points either as a statement credit toward travel charges or as cash back to your Navy Federal account.

Because this card is only for Navy Federal members, you must already have a membership or open one before you can request the card. Navy Federal membership is open to active-duty military, veterans, retirees, Reserve and Guard members, and their families — the may be able to access rules are specific to Navy Federal and are separate from the card itself.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be a Navy Federal Credit Union member before you can open this card; membership rules are separate from card approval.
  • The card earns 1 point per dollar on all purchases with no annual fee or foreign transaction fees.
  • Points redeem as either a statement credit for travel charges or as cash back deposited to your Navy Federal account.
  • There is no sign-up bonus, so your rewards start only when you begin spending.
  • The card's main advantage over other travel cards is the lack of annual fee and foreign transaction fees if you already have Navy Federal membership.

How to become a Navy Federal member first

You cannot open the Navy Federal Travel Rewards Card without a Navy Federal membership. The membership itself is free and has no annual fee. Navy Federal accepts active-duty service members, retired military, Reserve and Guard members, veterans, and their when ready family members. If you fall into one of these categories, you can open a membership online or at a Navy Federal branch.

To open a membership online, you will need a valid government-issued ID, your Social Security number, and proof of military affiliation. This might be a military ID card, a DD Form 214 (discharge papers), or a letter from your employer confirming your status. Navy Federal will verify your information during the process, which usually takes a few minutes.

Once your membership is approved, you can request the credit card. Some members are offered the card automatically when they open their membership; others must request it separately. You can ask about the card during the membership process or log into your Navy Federal online account afterward and look for the card process under "Products."

Earning and redeeming points

The Navy Federal Travel Rewards Card earns points on every purchase. The base rate is 1 point per dollar spent on all transactions. Some cards in this category offer bonus categories — for example, 2 or 3 points per dollar on travel or dining — but the Navy Federal card's structure is simpler: the same earning rate applies everywhere.

Points accumulate in your Navy Federal account and do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. You redeem points through your Navy Federal online account or mobile app. You have two redemption options: convert points to a statement credit that covers travel purchases (airfare, hotels, car rentals, cruises), or convert points to cash back deposited directly to your Navy Federal checking or savings account.

The redemption rate is fixed at 1 point = 1 cent, so 10,000 points equals $100 in value. There are no redemption minimums or fees. If you redeem for travel statement credit, the credit posts to your account and offsets charges as they post; if you redeem for cash back, the money appears in your linked Navy Federal account within a few business days.

Annual fees and costs

The Navy Federal Travel Rewards Card has no annual fee. This is its main cost advantage over many other travel rewards cards, which charge $95 to $550 per year. If you are a Navy Federal member who travels occasionally and wants rewards without paying for the privilege, this card's zero annual fee is the primary reason to consider it.

The card also has no foreign transaction fees. When you use the card outside the United States, Navy Federal does not charge a percentage fee on top of the purchase. This is valuable if you travel internationally, because foreign transaction fees on other cards often run 2 to 3 percent of each purchase.

Like all credit cards, the Navy Federal Travel Rewards Card charges interest on balances you carry month to month. The interest rate (APR) varies based on your credit profile and Navy Federal's current rates. If you pay your full statement balance by the due date each month, you pay no interest. Carrying a balance erases the value of any rewards you earn.

How this card compares to other travel rewards cards

The Navy Federal Travel Rewards Card is designed for members who want a no-annual-fee rewards card without bonus categories. Other travel cards in the market offer higher earning rates — often 2 or 3 points per dollar on travel and dining — but charge annual fees of $95 or more. Some cards offer sign-up bonuses worth thousands of points if you spend a certain amount in the first few months.

The Navy Federal card's advantage is simplicity and cost: if you spend modestly and do not want to track bonus categories or pay an annual fee, it works. Its disadvantage is that you earn rewards more slowly than cards with bonus categories, and there is no sign-up bonus to accelerate your rewards early on. If you travel frequently or spend heavily on dining, a card with bonus categories and a higher annual fee might earn you more value overall.

The card is also only available to Navy Federal members, which is a hard boundary. If you are not may be able to access for Navy Federal membership, this card is not an option. For those who are members and want a straightforward, fee-free rewards card, it fills that niche well.

How to request the card

Once you are a Navy Federal member, you can request the Travel Rewards Card through your online account, the Navy Federal mobile app, or by visiting a branch in person. Online, log in to your Navy Federal account, navigate to the "Products" or "Cards" section, and look for the Travel Rewards Card. You will answer questions about your income and employment, and Navy Federal will perform a credit check.

The process takes about 10 minutes. Navy Federal will tell you when ready whether you are approved, pending additional review, or denied. If approved, your card ships to the address on file, usually within 5 to 7 business days. You can set up the card through your online account or app as soon as it arrives, or by calling the number on the back of the card.

If you explore in person at a Navy Federal branch, a representative can walk you through the process and answer questions about how the rewards work. Some branches can issue a temporary card number on the spot so you can start earning rewards before the physical card arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be active-duty military to get this card?

No. Navy Federal membership is open to active-duty service members, veterans, retirees, Reserve and Guard members, and their when ready family members. If you fall into any of these categories, you can become a Navy Federal member and then request the card. Family members do not need their own military service — they just need to be related to someone who qualifies.

Can I earn bonus points on specific categories like travel or dining?

The Navy Federal Travel Rewards Card earns 1 point per dollar on all purchases with no bonus categories. Unlike some other travel cards that offer 2 or 3 points per dollar on flights, hotels, or restaurants, this card's earning rate is the same everywhere. The trade-off is no annual fee and no need to track which purchases earn more.

What happens to my points if I close the card?

Your points remain in your Navy Federal account as long as your membership stays open. If you close the card itself but keep your Navy Federal membership, your points do not disappear. You can still redeem them. If you close your Navy Federal membership entirely, the points are typically forfeited, so redeem any remaining points before closing your account.

Can I use points to pay for anything other than travel?

Yes. You can redeem points as cash back to your Navy Federal checking or savings account, which you can then use for any purchase. You can also redeem points as a statement credit toward travel charges only — hotels, airfare, car rentals, and similar travel expenses. The cash back option gives you more flexibility if you do not travel frequently.

Is there a sign-up bonus if I open this card?

No. The Navy Federal Travel Rewards Card does not offer a sign-up bonus. Your rewards begin only when you start spending. If sign-up bonuses are important to you, other travel cards in the market offer them, though those cards typically charge annual fees.