Active-duty servicemembers can get annual fees waived on American Express cards by requesting relief under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). The process takes just a few minutes online, and Amex typically processes requests within two billing cycles. Here’s exactly how to do it and what to expect.
Who Qualifies
The SCRA fee waiver applies to servicemembers on active duty. You can request relief from the start of your active-duty period up to 180 days after you leave active duty. That 180-day window is important if you recently separated and haven’t yet filed your request.
The key distinction is between accounts opened before and during active duty. The SCRA was originally designed to protect servicemembers from financial obligations they took on before being called to active duty. However, American Express has historically been generous in extending fee waivers to cards opened during active-duty service as well. When you submit your request, Amex will review your account and let you know what relief applies.
Spouses may also benefit. If you’re the primary cardmember on active duty, authorized user cards tied to your account fall under the same SCRA protections. Spouses who hold their own separate Amex accounts should contact Amex directly to discuss eligibility, as coverage can depend on the specific circumstances.
What Gets Waived
The annual fee is the big one. That means cards like the Platinum Card (with its $695 annual fee), the Gold Card, the Green Card, Delta co-branded cards, Hilton cards, and Marriott cards can all potentially be carried at no annual cost while you’re on active duty. You keep all the card benefits, including lounge access, statement credits, and elite status perks, without paying the fee.
Beyond annual fees, SCRA relief also caps interest rates at 6% on balances that existed before you entered active duty. If you’re carrying any balance on an Amex card, that rate reduction can save significant money.
Documents You’ll Need
Amex needs proof that you’re on active duty. Acceptable documents include:
- Active-duty orders showing your service dates
- Change of station orders
- DD-214 form (if you’ve recently separated and are within the 180-day window)
- A letter from your commanding officer confirming active-duty status
The documentation needs to come from a branch of the military, the Department of Defense, or your commanding officer. Amex won’t accept unofficial paperwork. Have a digital copy ready before you start, since the fastest method involves uploading documents online.
How to Submit Your Request
You have three options, and the online route is the quickest.
Online
Log into your American Express online account, navigate to the SCRA relief page, and upload your active-duty documentation through the Document Center. Your card account must be enrolled in American Express Online Services for this to work. If it isn’t, you can enroll first and then submit the request. Make sure to submit a request for each account you want covered, since Amex processes them individually.
Phone
Call the number on the back of your card, or use the dedicated line at 1-800-253-1720. If you’re stationed overseas, you can call collect at 1-336-393-1111. The representative will walk you through what’s needed and may ask you to follow up with documentation by fax or through the online portal.
Fax
Fax your active-duty documentation to 623-444-3000. Include your American Express account number(s) on the fax so the team can match the paperwork to the right accounts.
Whichever method you choose, Amex will notify you of your status within two billing cycles after you submit the request. If approved, the fee waiver typically applies retroactively to the start of your active-duty period.
Timing Your Request
You don’t need to wait for your annual fee to post before requesting SCRA relief. In fact, it’s better to submit early. File as soon as you have your active-duty orders so the waiver is already in place when your next annual fee would normally hit. If a fee has already been charged, Amex will credit it back once your SCRA request is approved.
If you have multiple Amex cards, submit a request for each one. Many servicemembers strategically open premium cards while on active duty specifically because the fees will be waived, allowing them to enjoy benefits like airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and travel credits at no cost.
What Happens After You Leave Active Duty
Your SCRA protections don’t vanish the day you separate. You have up to 180 days after leaving active duty to request relief, and benefits that are already in place continue through that transition period. After that window closes, your annual fees will resume at their normal rates on the next billing cycle.
This gives you time to decide which cards are worth keeping at full price and which to downgrade or cancel. If you’re holding a card with a $695 annual fee and the benefits no longer justify the cost without the waiver, you can call Amex to downgrade to a no-fee card and preserve your account history and points balance. Plan this before the 180-day window expires so you aren’t caught off guard by a large annual fee posting to your statement.