Best Navy Federal Credit Union Cards of March 2026
Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
With over 8 million members, Navy Federal is the nation's largest credit union, and its mission is to provide financial products to those who have served our country. Its membership is restricted to current or former members of the military, current or former employees of the Department of Defense or DOD contractors, or immediate family members of someone who fits the criteria.
Navy Federal's roster of credit cards includes some standout features, including no foreign transaction fees, no balance transfer fees and rewards that never expire. Read on to see our picks for best-in-class.
Our pick for: Everyday spending
Annual fee$0Rewards rate1x-3xPointsIntro offer20,000pointsRegular APR14.40%-18.00%, Variable APRRecommended credit scoreRewards breakdown
Card details
NerdWallet's take
Our pick for: Flat-rate cash back
Annual fee$0Rewards rate1.5%CashbackIntro offer$250Regular APR14.40%-18.00%, Variable APRRecommended credit scoreRewards breakdown
Card details
NerdWallet's take
Our pick for: Travel card
Annual fee$49Rewards rate2x-3xPointsIntro offer35,000pointsRegular APR14.99%-18.00%, Variable APRRecommended credit scoreRewards breakdown
Card details
NerdWallet's take
Our pick for: Low interest
Annual fee$0Rewards rateN/AIntro offerN/ARecommended credit scoreBalance transfer intro APR0.00% intro APR on qualifying balance transfers for 12 monthsRegular APR10.49%-18.00%, Variable APRCard details
NerdWallet's take
Last updated on February 20, 2026
How we choose the best credit cards
Our team of credit card experts has developed a rigorous methodology to determine how much value a card delivers and how it stacks up against its competitors.
400+
Cards reviewed
400+
Cards reviewed
NerdWallet’s experts have reviewed more than 400 cards, from the most popular options at the biggest banks to store cards to niche cards from startups and small issuers.
8
Categories scored
8
Categories scored
Credit cards are so diverse that properly rating them with a single formula is impossible. We’ve built eight rubrics, plus variations, so we can score each card on what matters.
50+
Data points analyzed
50+
Data points analyzed
Our ratings consider not just a card’s rates, fees, rewards and perks, but also how easy or hard it is to get that card, manage it and enjoy its advertised benefits.
Star rating categories
What you want out of, say, a cash back credit card is fundamentally different from what you’re looking for in a balance transfer card or a card for building credit. That’s why we have different scoring models that put weight on different features.
Cash back cards
General travel cards
Balance transfer cards
Branded airline cards
Branded hotel cards
Credit builder cards
College student cards
Small business cards
Cash back cards
Our formula looks at how much cash back you could expect to earn from typical household spending. We consider rewards rates and categories, bonus offers and the cash value of other benefits, as well as any annual fee. The rating is also influenced by the complexity of the rewards structure.
General travel cards
We consider how many points you could expect to earn from typical household spending, along with per-point values and redemption options. We add in the cash value of bonus offers and other benefits, subtract annual fees and other costs, and take into account the complexity of the rewards structure.
Balance transfer cards
Our balance transfer rubric calculates how much money a card could save you with a low or 0% interest rate. Primary factors include the length and structure of the introductory APR period and the balance transfer fee. We also consider long-term value, such as whether the card offers rewards.
Branded airline cards
We calculate how many miles you could expect to earn from typical household spending and what those miles are worth based on our valuations. We add in the cash value of bonus offers and perks such as free checked bags and lounge access, and we subtract annual fees and other costs.
Branded hotel cards
We calculate how many points you could expect to earn from typical household spending and what those points are worth based on our valuations. We add in the cash value of bonus offers and perks such as free nights and automatic elite status, and we subtract annual fees and other costs
Credit builder cards
Our rubric focuses on accessibility (such as whether a credit check is required), out-of-pocket costs (such as annual fees or minimum security deposits), credit-building features (such as bureau reporting and access to a free credit score) and upgrade options when you’re ready to move on.
College student cards
Our formula calculates the rewards you could expect to earn on spending typical for a college student and takes into account the cash value of bonus offers and other benefits. Accessibility to students without established credit is a key consideration, as is the effort required to manage the card.
Small business cards
Our star ratings criteria for small business credit cards are similar to those for consumer cards, although they account for potentially higher spending levels and higher credit limits, as well as rewards structures and bonus categories tailored specifically to entrepreneurs and business operators.
NerdWallet's Credit Cards team selects the best credit cards in various categories based on overall consumer value, as evidenced by star ratings, as well as their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluations include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. Because different consumers can have markedly different needs, preferences and spending habits, we recognize that there is rarely a single credit card that is "best" for everyone. That's why this page includes a variety of options to suit an array of circumstances. Also, a single card is eligible to be chosen as among the "best" in multiple categories.
Our star ratings provide a quick way to compare credit cards. We assess the features of a card, score those features according to how they compare with other options on the market, and assign the card a rating of 1 to 5 stars based on those features. In general, a card that rates 4.5 stars will be a better value for more people than a card that rates 4.0 stars. However, the 4.0 card might be better than the 4.5 card for an individual consumer depending on that person’s circumstances. Further, ratings are only comparable within categories. If you're looking for rewards, for example, a 3.5-star cash back card will be of greater value than a 5.0-star balance transfer card or a 4.5-star credit-builder card. Star ratings are an important consideration in which cards appear on our "best" pages, but they are not the sole determining factor. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.
