Best Credit Card to use on Base (Commissary, DFAC, Exchange, etc)

I’m writing this post because I eat at the DFAC every day at the hospital. I occasionally get frustrated because when checking out, there are always long lines and it’s mostly because 75% of people pay with cash instead of a credit card. It takes literally 10X longer to pay with cash than just swiping your credit card. AND if you pay with the right credit card you get 2% or more off your purchase every time.

So let’s compare some places on base and what credit card you should use:

1.) Best Credit Cards to Use at the DFAC (Dining Facilities)

This is coded by credit card companies as “government services, not otherwise classified.” AKA this means it’s not a special category that will give you bonus cash back.

• Recommendation: Use a 2% cashback credit card (Citi Double Cash, Fidelity Rewards, or the Mastercard Gold by Barclay are all examples of credit cards that give 2% back on every purchase)
• My experience: Earlier this year, Discover had a promotion where they gave 10% back on all purchases made by ApplePay and they had a 2X promotion so I technically got 20% back on all my purchases. Unfortunately, that promotion only lasted 2 months and is over now.

2.) Best Credit Card to Use at the Base Commissary

This is coded by credit cards as a grocery store.

• • Recommendation: The American Express Preferred Card is hands down the best card in this scenario. It gives 6% cashback on all grocery purchases. It has a $75 annual fee but that is waived for military members.

• A close 2nd place would be the USAA American Express Cashback Rewards Plus Card that gives 5% back on all purchases on base. Chase Freedom will also be giving 5% cash back from April – June.

3.) Best Credit Card to use at the Base Exchange

The best card to use at the exchange is the USAA American Express Cashback Rewards Plus Card that gives 5% back on all purchases on base. There is the Military Star Card, but that only gives 2% back.

• Recommendation: USAA American Express Cashback Rewards Plus Card

4.) Best Credit Card to Use at Gas Stations on Base

Again the USAA American Express Cashback Rewards Plus Card gives 5% back on all purchases on base. You could also use Discover/Chase Freedom when they do their 5% cash back quarterly bonuses. Sams Club and PenFed also have essentially 5% cash back cards on gas as well.

• Recommendations: There are a lot of different choices that give 5% back on gas. Pick whichever one works best for you

5.) Best Credit Card to Use at the Food Courts on Base

This is typically coded as restaurants/fast food. Depending on locations, the Military Star Card gives 10% back on food purchases made at the food courts on base. If you don’t have that card, the USAA Cashback Rewards Plus Card gives 5% and Discover/Chase Freedom both have 5% rotating categories with restaurants/fast food

• If your base gives 10% cashback with the Military Star Credit Card then that is definitely the clear winner.
• If you are going to apply for this card, I would do this at the Exchange in person. From March 18-March 24 they have a promotion going on that they will give 15% off everything on your first day. This includes uniforms.

Did I miss anything? Please comment below. Thanks.