Every Tuesday, The Mile Addict will feature a short segment focusing on a quick and easy tip to maximize value for traveling (or sometimes, just to maximize value anytime).  Today, this tip focuses on a great perk available from AMEX for all of my military friends!

 What does AMEX offer to Active Duty Military?

In yesterday’s post I mentioned some of the lounge access benefits provided by the American Express Platinum Card.  This card does have a hefty annual fee of $450 but can be well worth this fee if you maximize its benefits. Currently the card is offering 40,000 Membership Reward points (transferable to several airline and hotel programs), free lounge access at over 800 lounges across the globe (AMEX Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and Priority Pass Lounges), a $200 airline fee credit each year, and a $100 credit towards Global Entry or TSA Pre Check.

American Express also offers several other great cards that will help you achieve great value for travel via points/miles. These include:

• The AMEX Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Card which will earn points that can be transferred to several different airlines and are considered one of the most valuable mileage currencies.
• The AMEX Delta Gold and the AMEX Delta Platinum SkyMiles Credit Cards, which earn miles and benefits on Delta.
• The AMEX Gold Card which earns Membership Rewards points that are transferable to several different airline and hotel programs.

AND MANY OTHERS!!!

Here is the best part!

AMEX offers several benefits to active duty military members. Perhaps the best perk is that AMEX will actually waive the annual membership fees of its credit cards–allowing you to achieve HUGE value! Additionally, AMEX will often reduce your interest rate and waive other fees associated with your account like late fees, over-limit fees, etc.  All you have to do is ask!

Although I cannot guarantee that AMEX will waive any or all of your fees, there appears to be near universal agreement that these perks are offered to most active duty service members.  In order to take advantage of this benefit, call AMEX customer service once you have received and used your credit card for some purchases (or once the annual fee comes due). Tell them you are active duty (they will ask for verification) and tell them that you heard that they offer some benefits to active duty members. Likely, you will have your annual fee waived, and may even receive a refund for interest or fees you have paid previously.  These benefits even apply to the ultra high-end $450 annual fee AMEX Platinum card with AMAZING benefits.

Bottom Line

American Express cards offer excellent benefits and can offer huge value and savings, especially towards traveling. When these benefits are combined with no annual fees and reduced interest rates they are a tremendous benefit to all of us serving in uniform.  Do not miss the opportunity to maximize the value of these cards and realize your travel goals!

Please feel free to share your individual experiences below. Good luck maximizing the value of this Travel Tip Tuesday!