Most civilians won’t necessarily be able to ‘easily’ get a department store credit card worth $7,500. This is especially the case if they have bad credit. However, military personnel are eligible to get such a generous credit limit even without perfect credit. It is through the AAFES military credit card, a little-known perk available to service men and women whether or not they are active-duty or even in veteran status.
What is the AAFES military credit card? It is a department store card that has a low interest rate, (usually around 6 percent), and a credit line that goes up to $7,500. Although there are military persons that get a little bit less than this amount, it is still pretty generous. For example, if a person can’t qualify for the full $7,500, they might instead get $5,000.
The AAFES military credit card can be used at any AAFES store. This is a department store that is very similar to Walmart or Target. Although it is much smaller than these civilian-based enterprises, the concept in selling variety is the same. At AAFES, a person can buy clothes, electronics, books, hygiene products, furniture, cleaning supplies and much more. Price-wise, unfortunately, there isn’t as much of a discount. However, the store does not charge sales tax, so customers may see some savings in that area.
If a military person or their families do not feel like going to the physical, brick-and-mortar AAFES, they can order from AAFES online. The online store contains much of the same inventory that is available if an individual went in person. Sales tax is also not charged, though customers will have to pay for shipping.
How does payment work for the AAFES military credit card? Just like any other type of credit card, military men and women can make their payments online or through the mail. The company won’t be any more lax towards payment arrangements just because their clientele are men and women in uniform. However, if a person is going through a financial slump, like any company, they will work with them.
The only downside with the AAFES military credit card is that it can only be used through AAFES, either at one of the stores located on base or online. The credit card cannot be used at other retail chains, nor can it be used anywhere else on base, even the commissary. A person is also not able to do balance transfers nor take cash out on the credit card.
So, ultimately, the credit card isn’t perfect, but one must keep in mind that the AAFES chain offers a very thorough selection of merchandise. Indeed, why tie up one’s credit trying to apply for a credit card at a civilian-based department store, when they can get an AAFES card and get significantly more? If a person is a part of the military, they really have no reason venturing to other stores, unless they truly believe that the deals and service is better, (which for many it just isn’t).
