SCRA & MLA Credit Card Benefits, Explained

Two federal laws — the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and the Military Lending Act (MLA) — protect service members in credit relationships. On top of the legal minimums, some card issuers voluntarily offer far more, including annual fee waivers on premium cards. This guide separates what the laws require from what issuers choose to offer, and shows how to request and track relief.

What SCRA actually requires

SCRA applies to financial obligations you took on before entering active duty. Its best-known protection is a 6% interest rate cap on those pre-service obligations while you serve, along with protections around default judgments, lease terminations, and repossessions. SCRA does not require issuers to waive annual fees.

What MLA actually requires

MLA covers certain credit extended to covered borrowers (active-duty members and their dependents) while serving. It caps the Military Annual Percentage Rate (MAPR) at 36% and restricts certain loan terms. Like SCRA, it does not mandate fee waivers on credit cards.

Where fee waivers actually come from

Some issuers voluntarily apply generous policies to accounts covered by SCRA or MLA — up to and including waiving annual fees on premium travel cards for eligible servicemembers and, in some policies, spouses. Three things to understand:

• Policies are voluntary and issuer-specific. They can change at any time and differ card by card.
• Relief is never automatic. You must contact the issuer, and the issuer decides eligibility.
• Timing matters. Whether an account falls under an issuer's SCRA policy or MLA policy often depends on when it was opened relative to active-duty service.

How to request relief from your issuer

1. Find your issuer's SCRA/military benefits page or phone line.
2. Ask what their policy covers for your situation and card.
3. Submit requested documentation (orders or status verification — many issuers check the DMDC database directly).
4. Get the outcome in writing and note the effective dates.

Track confirmed card benefits in the app

Once an issuer confirms relief or you hold cards with statement credits, the hard part is not letting value expire unused:

1. Download Military Benefits Tracker on the App Store.
2. Open the Cards tab and add your eligible cards from the catalog.
3. Record issuer-confirmed fee relief — the app does not assume or add waivers on its own.
4. Track statement credits (hotel, dining, entertainment) and how much value is left each period.
5. With Pro, card credit reminders nudge you before credits reset.

Track your card benefits

Issuer-confirmed fee relief and statement credits in one dashboard — nothing assumed, nothing guaranteed.

Download on the App Store

Frequently asked questions

Does SCRA waive credit card annual fees?

Not by law — SCRA caps interest at 6% on pre-service obligations. Some issuers voluntarily waive fees under their own SCRA/MLA policies; you must apply and the issuer decides.

What's the difference between SCRA and MLA?

SCRA covers pre-service obligations (6% interest cap); MLA covers certain credit extended during active duty (36% MAPR cap for covered borrowers and dependents).

How do I request benefits from my issuer?

Contact the issuer's military benefits line, ask what their policy covers, submit documentation, and keep written confirmation of the outcome.

Related guides

Sources

• CFPB — Servicemember resources (SCRA & MLA)
• U.S. Department of Justice — Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative
• Military OneSource — Financial & Legal

Military Benefits Tracker is an independent resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or any government agency. This guide is educational and is not legal or financial advice. Fee waivers, credits, and eligibility are determined solely by card issuers.