Navy Federal offers five main credit cards, and the best one depends on what you spend on most
Navy Federal Credit Union issues five cards: the Navy Federal Cash Rewards, Navy Federal American Express, Navy Federal Limitless, Navy Federal More Rewards, and Navy Federal nRewards. Each one rewards different spending patterns. If you spend heavily on groceries and gas, one card makes more sense than another. If you travel frequently, a third card wins. The card that is "best" is the one that matches how you actually spend money.
All Navy Federal cards require membership in the credit union. Membership is open to active-duty military, retirees, veterans, Department of Defense civilians, and their families. If you are not yet a member, you must open a Navy Federal account before you can request a card.
Key Takeaways
- Navy Federal Cash Rewards returns 1.5% on all purchases with no annual fee, making it the simplest choice if you want one card for everything.
- Navy Federal More Rewards returns up to 3% on groceries and gas but requires you to set up categories each quarter, and it has a $99 annual fee.
- Navy Federal American Express earns 3% on gas and 1% on everything else, with no annual fee, and is best if gas is your largest category.
- Navy Federal Limitless returns 1.75% on all purchases with no annual fee and no category tracking, making it a middle ground between flat-rate and bonus-category cards.
- Navy Federal nRewards is travel-focused and earns points that transfer to airline and hotel partners, best for people who book their own flights and hotels.
Navy Federal Cash Rewards: The straightforward flat-rate card
The Navy Federal Cash Rewards card returns 1.5% cash back on every purchase, everywhere, with no annual fee. You do not set up categories, track spending, or worry about whether a purchase counts. Every dollar spent earns the same reward.
This card is best if you want one card that works for everything and do not want to think about bonus categories. The 1.5% return is lower than what some other Navy Federal cards offer in their top categories, but it is higher than many cards offer on everyday purchases outside bonus categories. If your spending is spread across many categories, or if you forget to set up quarterly categories, this card will earn you more than a card with higher bonus rates you do not use.
There is no sign-up bonus, no foreign transaction fees, and no annual fee. The card comes with purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and roadside information.
Navy Federal More Rewards: The highest bonus rates if you stay on top of it
The Navy Federal More Rewards card returns up to 3% cash back on groceries, gas, and travel, but only if you set up those categories each quarter. It returns 1% on all other purchases. The card has a $99 annual fee.
This card pays the most in the categories where most people spend the most money — groceries and gas. If you spend $400 a month on groceries and $300 on gas, the 3% return on those categories alone covers the annual fee and then some. The catch is that you must log into your Navy Federal account every three months and set up each category you want to earn on. If you forget to set up, you earn only 1% that quarter.
The More Rewards card makes sense if you spend heavily on groceries and gas, remember to set up categories, and do not mind paying $99 a year. If you forget to set up or if your spending is split across many categories, the flat-rate cards will earn you more.
Navy Federal American Express: Best if gas is your biggest expense
The Navy Federal American Express card returns 3% cash back on gas and 1% on everything else, with no annual fee. Unlike the More Rewards card, you do not set up anything — the 3% on gas is automatic.
This card is best if gas is your single largest spending category and you want a card with no annual fee. If you spend $400 a month on gas, the 3% return ($144 a year) is meaningful. The 1% on other purchases is lower than some other cards offer, but there is no fee to offset it.
One limitation: this card is a Visa, not an American Express card, despite the name. It works everywhere Visa is accepted. The card includes purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.
Navy Federal Limitless: The middle ground between flat-rate and bonus categories
The Navy Federal Limitless card returns 1.75% cash back on all purchases, everywhere, with no annual fee and no categories to track. It sits between the 1.5% flat rate of the Cash Rewards card and the higher bonus rates of the More Rewards card.
This card is best if you want a higher return than the standard 1.5% but do not want to manage bonus categories or pay an annual fee. The 1.75% return is lower than what you would earn on groceries and gas with the More Rewards card, but higher than what you would earn on non-bonus purchases with that card. If you spend evenly across categories, the Limitless card will often earn more than the More Rewards card without the $99 fee.
There is no sign-up bonus. The card includes purchase protection and extended warranty coverage.
Navy Federal nRewards: For people who book their own travel
The Navy Federal nRewards card earns points on all purchases that can be transferred to airline and hotel partners. It has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. The card earns 1 point per dollar on all purchases.
This card is best if you book your own flights and hotels and want to transfer points to partners like United, Southwest, Hilton, or Marriott. The value of points depends on which partner you choose and how you redeem them. Points are worth more when you redeem them for premium cabin flights or luxury hotel nights, and less when you redeem them for economy flights or budget hotels.
The nRewards card is not the best choice if you rarely travel, if you book through travel agents or corporate travel programs, or if you prefer cash back. Points expire after five years of account inactivity, so you must use them or lose them.
How to compare these cards for your own spending
To find the best card for you, write down how much you spend each month on groceries, gas, travel, and everything else. Then multiply each category by the cash back rate for each card, and add them up for a yearly total.
For example, if you spend $400 a month on groceries, $300 on gas, and $800 on everything else, here is what each card would earn you in a year:
| Card | Groceries (3%) | Gas (3%) | Other (1-1.75%) | Annual Fee | Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash Rewards (1.5% all) | $144 | $108 | $144 | $0 | $396 |
| More Rewards (3% groceries/gas, 1% other) | $144 | $108 | $96 | −$99 | $249 |
| American Express (3% gas, 1% other) | $72 | $108 | $144 | $0 | $324 |
| Limitless (1.75% all) | $84 | $63 | $168 | $0 | $315 |
In this example, the Cash Rewards card earns the most because the spending is spread across categories. If your spending pattern is different — say, $600 a month on gas and $500 on everything else — the American Express card would win. The point is to use your own numbers, not a generic example.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one Navy Federal credit card?
Yes. Many members hold two Navy Federal cards — for example, the More Rewards card for groceries and gas, and the Cash Rewards card for everything else. You can request a second card after your first card has been open for at least six months and is in good standing.
Do Navy Federal cards have a sign-up bonus?
The Cash Rewards, American Express, Limitless, and More Rewards cards do not currently offer sign-up bonuses. The nRewards card may offer a sign-up bonus in points, but this changes periodically. Check Navy Federal's website for current offers before you request a card.
What if I am not yet a Navy Federal member?
You must open a Navy Federal savings account before you can request a credit card. Membership is open to active-duty military, retirees, veterans, Department of Defense civilians, and their families. You can open an account online or at a Navy Federal branch. The savings account has no monthly fee and no minimum balance.
Can I switch from one Navy Federal card to another?
You can request a different card, but Navy Federal will not automatically convert one card to another. You would close the old card and request a new one. Closing a card can affect your credit score, so ask Navy Federal whether you can keep the old card open with a zero balance instead.
Which card has the best rewards for online shopping?
All Navy Federal cards earn the same rate on online purchases as they do on in-store purchases — there are no bonus categories for online shopping. The card that earns the most for you depends on what you are buying, not where you buy it.