Amex Platinum Military Guide: Step-by-Step Application and Fee Relief

From key trends to fundamental details, understand everything about Amex Platinum Military Guide: Step-by-Step Application and Fee Relief in our latest feature.

Two distinct pieces of federal legislation govern financial protections for uniforms: the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and the Military Lending Act (MLA). The SCRA focuses on obligations incurred before entering active duty, capping interest rates at 6% and restricting aggressive debt collection. The MLA, dramatically expanded by the Department of Defense in 2015 and enacted through 2017, covers credit extended while a service member is actively serving.

The MLA establishes the Military Annual Percentage Rate (MAPR), which cannot exceed 36%. Under federal rules, standard annual fees on charge and credit cards factor directly into MAPR calculations. Rather than navigating complex calculations that risk regulatory non-compliance, American Express waives the annual fee entirely for covered borrowers. This policy applies across its premium consumer portfolio, covering the Platinum Card, Gold Card, and select co-branded hotel and airline products.

Service branches eligible for this relief include active-duty Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard personnel. Activated National Guard and Reserve members serving under Title 10 orders, or Title 32 orders exceeding 30 consecutive days, qualify under identical standards for the duration of their active deployment or operational tour.