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We’ve all seen annual fees for certain credit cards slowly creep up over the years. If you’re looking to make a change to your portfolio, one of the biggest aspects of a credit card you should consider is the annual fee.
Whether you’re considering upgrading from a no-frills credit card without an annual fee or downgrading from an ultra-premium credit card you can’t justify the high annual fee for, there’s plenty of reasons why you would want to stick to a card with an annual fee of around $100.
That’s because banks and credit card issuers have invested billions of dollars to innovate in this space, as the “premium credit card” customer segment with annual fees of under $100 tends to have the most headspace for growth.
So in this guide, we’ll show you the best credit cards with annual fees under $100, whether you’re looking for maximum transferable rewards points, cash-back, or travel perks!
What To Look for in a Credit Card With an Annual Fee Under $100
When you look at a credit card with an annual fee, the most common range of annual fees is within the ballpark of $95 to $99.
And it’s generally pretty well-known that this is the largest segment in the context of credit card rewards enthusiasts.
So while those ultra-premium cards with massive annual fees (and similarly massive benefits) are frequently written about in blogs and articles, the reality is that premium credit cards are more applicable than ultra-premium cards.
When looking for a credit card with an annual fee under $100, you’ll want to make sure that the value you’re getting from the rewards and benefits exceeds the cost of the annual fee.
In this next section, we’ll walk you through our favorite personal cards with an annual fee under $100.
The 5 Best Personal Credit Cards With an Annual Fee Under $100
Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel portal through June 30, 2024.
Annual fee of $95
3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotel purchases
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® card is one of the best travel rewards cardson the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.
Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.
Pros
5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
5x points on select Peloton purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
2x points on all other travel worldwide
$50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
Excellent travel and car rental insurance
10% annual bonus points
No foreign transaction fees
1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
Complimentary Spot Club Platinum status with The Parking Spot for 2 years, 20% off of your first reservation, and points for 1 free day of parking (enroll by October 26, 2023)
Cons
$95 annual fee
No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
Our top pick of the best personal credit card with an annual fee under $100 is the legendary Chase Sapphire Preferred card. Also known in the points realm as the best beginner rewards credit card, you’ll find some tremendous value in the perks offered here.
Then, the Chase Sapphire Preferred card earns according to the following structure:
5x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 spent on Lyft purchases through March 2025
5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards
5x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 (through March 31, 2025)
3x points on dining
2x points on all other travel purchases
1x Ultimate Rewards points everywhere else
According to our valuation of 2 cents per point, your Chase Sapphire Preferred card could net you a return on spend of 10%, 4%, or 2%, depending on what type of purchases you’re making.
One of the biggest perks is the ability to redeem your Ultimate Rewards points for 25% more value (1.25 cents per point) on travel booked via the Chase travel portal.
To round out the benefits, you’ll have best-in-class travel insurance and protections, including primary rental car coverage, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay insurance, lost/delayed baggage insurance, travel accident insurance, as well as essential shopping safeguards like purchase protection, extended warranty, and zero fraud liability.
Why We Like Earning Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
The points that you earn on the Chase Sapphire Preferred card are called Ultimate Rewards points; since these are some of the most valuable points in the world, it’s in your best interest to learn how to redeem them for maximum value.
Once you’ve stockpiled enough points, you can then use them for cash-back, travel booked through the Chase travel portal, gift cards, charity, merchandise, and most importantly, premium cabin flights booked through the Chase transfer partners.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Frequent flyers will enjoy 3x ThankYou Points at restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, air travel, and hotels.
Frequent flyers will enjoy 3x ThankYou Points at restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, air travel, and hotels.
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
The Citi Premier® Card is an excellent option for anyone looking for an all-around travel rewards credit card. The card helps you earn points fast with great 3x bonus categories such as restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels. Plus, it offers access to airline and hotel transfer partners, doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, and has a reasonable annual fee!
Pros
3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotel purchases
Access to Citi transfer partners
Annual hotel credit
No foreign transaction fees
Cons
$95 annual fee
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
60,000 ThankYou® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
The Citi Premier card offers the absolute best earning categories for a mid-tier points credit card. Why?
You can earn 3x ThankYou Rewards Points per $1 spent in many different categories, including airfare, hotels, dining, supermarkets, and gas. You’ll earn 1x ThankYou Rewards Points per $1 spent everywhere else.
We have a huge appreciation for this for a couple of reasons:
Earning 3x transferable rewards points on a credit card with an annual fee under $100 is rare
The sheer variety of bonus categories makes this one of the most attractive cards to keep in your wallet forever
A few other perks include a $100 annual hotel savings benefit, which gets you $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, when your booking is made via thankyou.com or 800-THANKYOU (once per calendar year).
While you won’t get travel protections and coverage like you would with the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you will still have benefits like Citi Concierge, Citi Entertainment, and standard World Elite Mastercard benefits like purchase protection, extended warranty coverage, and zero fraud liability protection. There are also no foreign transaction fees.
Why We Like Earning Citi ThankYou Rewards Points
Citi ThankYou Rewards points are among the world’s most valuable types of points — it’s also one of the major transferable rewards points, which means that these points can be transferred to airline partners for award travel.
By doing so, you can unlock some aspirational first and business class travel!
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!
As a frequent traveler with excellent credit, you’re always on the lookout for a credit card that comes with all the bells and whistles. And the easier it is to understand, the better!
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Cardis one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great sign-up bonus, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.
Pros
5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge or Plaza Premium Lounges each year
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Capital One transfer partners
Cons
$95 annual fee
Limited elite benefits
Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options
Miles won’t expire for the life of the account and there’s no limit to how many you can earn
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Enjoy two complimentary visits per year to Capital One Lounges or to 100+ Plaza Premium Lounges through the Partner Lounge Network
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Enrich every hotel stay from our Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
The Capital One Venture card is Capital One’s flagship rewards credit card, offering fantastic rewards with the possibility of redeeming them for more complex uses or sticking to the basics.
It also boasts an unlimited 2x Capital One miles on all purchases without any caps. That means this credit card allows you to earn rewards headache-free on all purchases without worrying about what types of purchases you make!
In addition, you’ll be able to make use of the $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit, which is very rare among credit cards with sub-$100 annual fees. Similarly, you’ll get travel protections such as secondary rental car coverage, lost baggage insurance, and roadside dispatch.
Lastly, you can utilize the purchase security, extended warranty protection, zero fraud liability, and, of course, access to the transferable rewards program known as Capital One Miles.
Why We Like Earning Capital One Miles
Although Capital One miles aren’t quite as valuable as Amex or Chase points, they’re still one of the handful of flexible rewards systems out there, and they’re worth around 1.4 cents each, which makes a 2x earning structure equal to a 2.8% return on spend!
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This card is great for those who want to earn cash-back with U.S. supermarkets, U.S. streaming subscriptions, transit, and U.S. gas stations.
With bonus categories like U.S. supermarkets, select streaming services, U.S. gas stations, and transit purchases, this card rewards you for the items you spend the most on in a big way! For those looking to earn up to 6% cash-back on their purchases, this could be the card for you!
Pros
6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year) and on select streaming services
6% cash-back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions
3% cash-back on U.S. gas stations and transit (including rideshares, parking, etc.)
1% cash-back on all other purchases
Cons
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee (rates and fees)
Earn a $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months.
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
Buy Now, Pay Later: Enjoy $0 intro plan fees when you use Plan It® to split up large purchases into monthly installments. Pay $0 intro plan fees on plans created during the first 12 months from the date of account opening. Plans created after that will have a monthly plan fee up to 1.33% of each eligible purchase amount moved into a plan based on the plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the purchase, and other factors.
Low Intro APR: 0% on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months from the date of account opening. After that, your APR will be a variable APR of 19.24% - 29.99%. Variable APRs will not exceed 29.99%.
6% Cash Back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year in purchases (then 1%).
6% Cash Back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions.
3% Cash Back at U.S. gas stations and on transit (including taxis/rideshare, parking, tolls, trains, buses and more).
1% Cash Back on other purchases.
Cash Back is received in the form of Reward Dollars that can be redeemed as a statement credit
Get up to $120 in statement credits annually when you pay for an Equinox+ membership at equinoxplus.com with your Blue Cash Preferred® Card. That’s $10 in statement credits each month. Enrollment required.
Thinking about getting The Disney Bundle which includes Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+? Your decision made easy with $7/month back in the form of a statement credit after you spend $12.99 or more each month on an eligible subscription with your Blue Cash Preferred Card. Enrollment required.
Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
APR: 19.24%-29.99% Variable,0% on purchases for 12 months
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
One of our favorite cash-back credit cards happens to be a card with an annual fee under $100.
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card has a ton of benefits and perks going for it. If you’d generally describe yourself as someone pursuing cash-back, who doesn’t eat out much, and who spends a good chunk of money on at-home monthly subscriptions, this card could be an awesome fit for you.
You’ll earn up to 6% following this structure:
6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per calendar year in purchases; then 1%
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
An excellent high-earning Hilton credit card that comes with perks like Hilton Honors Gold status and Priority Pass lounge access.
If you’re someone who loves traveling and loves staying in Hilton hotels, adding a co-branded Hilton hotel card to your wallet is almost a no-brainer. From automatic Hilton elite status, to airport lounge access, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card can be a great fit for Hilton loyalists looking to up their travel game.
Pros
12x points per $1 at Hilton hotels
6x points per $1 U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. restaurants
3x points per $1 on all other purchases
Complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status
No foreign transaction fees
Cons
Annual fee of $95.
Earn 130,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
Earn a Weekend Night Reward from Hilton Honors after you spend $15,000 on purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio.
Earn 6X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases on your Card at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations.
Earn 3X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card.
Spend $40,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn Hilton Honors Diamond status through the end of the next calendar year.
The Hilton Surpass card is a tremendous credit card for those looking to enjoy premium hotel benefits without a huge price tag.
You can easily earn with this card’s massive earning structure:
12x Hilton Honors points per $1 spent for eligible purchases at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio
6x Hilton Honors points per $1 spent at U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets, and U.S. gas stations
3x Hilton Honors points per $1 spent everywhere else
The Hilton Surpass card also offers you complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, which makes this card the only credit card with an annual fee under $100 that bestows a free breakfast benefit!
Additionally, if you spend $15,000 on purchases on your card within a calendar year, you’ll earn a free night reward.
You’ll even get purchase protection, return protection, extended warranty, secondary rental car insurance, and the ability to earn Diamond elite status after spending $40,000 on this card in a calendar year.
Why We Like Earning Hilton Honors Points
Although Hilton Honors points are generally much easier to earn than World of Hyatt points; for example, they are still incredibly valuable.
You can redeem Hilton Honors points for luxury stays at some phenomenal properties like the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, and much more.
We value Hilton points at around 0.5 cents each, which makes earning 12x points equal to a return on spend of 6%! But remember, if you redeem points for luxury stays, you can easily double or even triple your redemption value!
The 6 Best Business Credit Cards With an Annual Fee Under $100
NEW OFFER: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Annual fee of $95
3x points on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
NEW OFFER: Earn $900 cash-back after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Annual fee of $0
5% cash-back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year
2% cash-back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% back on all other purchases
Earn 50,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
Annual fee of $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99
2x miles on United purchases, at restaurants including eligible delivery services, gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting
United benefits, including first free checked bag, 2 United Club passes, priority boarding, and more
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.
The Ink Business Preferred card is hard to beat, with a huge welcome bonus offer and 3x points per $1 on the first $150,000 in so many business categories.
Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash-back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card is a powerhouse for earning lots of points from your business purchases, especially for business owners that spend regularly on ads.
Plus the card offers flexible redemption options, including access to Chase airline and hotel transfer partners where you can achieve outsized value.
Business owners will also love the protections the card provides like excellent cell phone insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and more.
Pros
3x Ultimate Rewards points per $1 on up to $150,000 in combined purchases on internet, cable and phone services, shipping expenses, travel, and ads purchased with search engines or social media sites
Cell phone protection
Purchase protection
Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
Rental car insurance
Extended warranty coverage
Cons
No elite travel benefits like airport lounge access
Earn 100k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 cash back or $1,250 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
Our top-notch business credit card with an annual fee under $100 is the Ink Business Preferred card. Often referred to as the king of business credit cards, this incredible product is a keeper for numerous reasons.
This card makes earning points easy with 3x Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 in combined purchases across select business categories each anniversary year. After the $150,000 is maxed out, you’ll revert to 1x points per $1 spent.
These business categories are:
Advertising purchases with social media sites and search engines
Internet, cable, and phone services
Shipping purchases
Travel
So if you max out the 3x points on $150,000 in yearly spending, you’ll end up with 450,000 Ultimate Rewards points worth around $9,000, according to our valuations.
And for a limited time through March 2025, you can earn 5x points per $1 spent on Lyft.
And while you’ll want to redeem your points with transfer partners most of the time, you can also use Ultimate Rewards points for 1.25 cents apiece for travel booked through the Chase travel portal.
You’ll also enjoy extra benefits like cell phone protection insurance, travel insurance (including primary rental car coverage), purchase protection and extended warranty coverage, no foreign transaction fees, and free employee cards.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Ink Business Unlimited card is a stellar option for business owners looking for a no-fuss uncapped 1.5% cash-back card without an annual fee.
As a business owner, you likely keep pretty busy and probably prefer a credit card that just keeps things simple.
If so, the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card might be just the card for you. From zero annual fee to a flat cash-back rate, the card is a no-frills option that you don’t have to think twice about.
Don’t forget too, 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Pros
1.5% cash-back on all purchases
No annual fee
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Employee cards at no additional cost
Earn flexible rewards
Cons
3% foreign transaction fee
Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
No Annual Fee
Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
The earning structure is simple: get 1.5% cash-back on all business purchases with no caps. And if you convert your cash-back to Ultimate Rewards points, you’ll double your return on spend to 3%, thanks to a valuation of 2 cents per point.
Plus, the Ink Business Unlimited card currently offers a 0% introductory APR promotion, as well as primary rental car coverage, purchase protection, extended warranty, zero liability fraud coverage, and free employee cards.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
This card offers great rewards and no annual fee. Any new business owner that needs to get going will enjoy this card.
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card has a lot going for it that makes it a compelling choice for small business owners. The card features a very lucrative 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year.
When you factor in that the card has no annual fee, and 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter, you could be adding big value back into your business for no cost out of pocket.
Pros
Earn 5% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services each account anniversary year
Earn 2% back on up to $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% back on all other purchases
Travel insurance and purchase protection
0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months; variable 18.49% - 24.49% thereafter
Employee cards at no additional cost
No annual fee
Cons
Spending caps in bonus categories
Low points earning outside of bonus categories
3% foreign transaction fees
Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
No Annual Fee
Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
The Ink Business Cash is an impressive business credit card with relevant spending categories for most businesses. If you’re willing to pay attention to bonus categories in return for a higher earning structure, this might be the card for you.
In contrast with the other 2 Ink cards, however, you can earn up to 5% cash-back on the first $25,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year for internet, cable, and phone services and at office supply stores.
Additionally, you’ll earn up to 2% cash-back on the first $25,000 in combined purchases each account anniversary year at gas stations and restaurants. After that, and on all other purchases, you’ll earn 1% cash-back.
With an Ultimate Rewards credit card, though, you can even convert your 5%, 2%, and 1% cash-back to 5x, 2x, and 1x Ultimate Rewards points, for a return on spend of up to 10%!
Other impressive benefits include primary rental car insurance, travel insurance, purchase protection, and free employee cards.
The Ink Business Cash card doesn’t have an annual fee.
4. The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.
Earn Membership Rewards for your business spending the easy way: get 2x points for the first $50,000 in purchases per year.
N/A
N/A
$0
$0
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
With the Amex Blue Business Plus card, you’ll earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases throughout the year (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter) and receive purchase protections and no-additional-charge employee cards all for no annual fee (see rates and fees).
The simple and straightforward earning structure makes it a great fit for those looking to earn flexible rewards, without having to fixate on which purchases earn the most points.
Let’s take look at all that the Amex Blue Business Plus card has to offer.
Pros
2x Membership Rewards points per $1 on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000; 1x thereafter)
Purchase protection and extended warranty protection
No annual fee and employee cards at no additional cost
Cons
No unique bonus categories and 2x earnings are capped at $50,000 in annual spend
No elite travel benefits like lounge access or elite status
Charges foreign transaction fees
0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% – 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter.
You’ve got the power to use your Card beyond its credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power.
*The amount you can spend above your credit limit is not unlimited. It adjusts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors.
No Annual Fee
Terms Apply
Financial Snapshot
APR: 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 18.49% - 26.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APRs will not exceed 29.99%
Foreign Transaction Fees: 2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
The Amex Blue Business Plus card is one of the best everyday carry cards in Amex’s portfolio because if you hold this credit card, you will earn 2x Membership Rewards points on everyday business purchases (up to $50,000 in purchases per year, 1x points thereafter).
Without any bonus categories, this card offers seamless flexible rewards. It’s also one of the rare $0 annual fee cards that allow you to transfer points to airline and hotel partners! Do be sure to utilize access to Amex Offers, secondary car rental insurance, purchase protection, extended warranty, and even a feature called expanded buying power that allows you to spend past your normal credit limit. Plus, employee cards don’t come with additional fees (see rates and fees).
The only drawback is that your earnings get cut in half after hitting the $50,000 in spending every calendar year.
Why We Like Earning Amex Membership Rewards Points
According to our valuations, Amex Membership Rewards points are the most valuable points available, which is why Amex is a leader in the world of rewards.
Sure, you can redeem your points for cash-back, gift cards, Amex Travel bookings, statement credits, and merchandise, but the real appeal of Amex points is that you can use the American Express transfer partners for some phenomenal first and business class flights.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every $1 you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
The Capital One Spark Miles card is a low-annual-fee business card that earns 2x transferable miles on every $1 you spend. (Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
The Capital One Spark Miles for Business is a great option for business owners looking for an uncomplicated rewards card that earns double miles on every purchase they make and offers access to transfer partners, all for a low annual fee.
Pros
Unlimited 2x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
5x miles per $1 spent on hotel and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
2 complimentary visits to a Capital One Lounge per year
Up to a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
Access to Capital One transfer partners
No foreign transaction fees
Free employee cards
Extended warranty coverage
Cons
Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, $95 after that
Earn a one-time bonus of 50,000 miles – equal to $500 in travel – once you spend $4,500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
Earn unlimited 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, everywhere, no limits or category restrictions, and miles won’t expire for the life of the account
Unlimited 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to 15+ travel loyalty programs
Redeem your miles instantly for any travel-related purchases, from flights and hotels to ride-sharing services
Fly through security with one statement credit for either the $85 TSA PreCheck® application fee or the $100 Global Entry application fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year; $95 after that
Free employee cards which also earn unlimited 2X miles from their purchases
<ul><li><a href="/credit-cards/business/best-capital-one-business-credit-cards/" data-wpel-link="internal">Best Capital One Business Credit Cards</a></li><li><a href="/credit-cards/best-ways-to-redeem-capital-one-miles/" data-wpel-link="internal">Best Ways To Redeem Capital One Miles</a></li><li><a href="/credit-cards/capital-one-miles-program-review/" data-wpel-link="internal">Capital One Miles Program Review</a></li><li><a href="/credit-cards/capital-one-transfer-partners/" data-wpel-link="internal">Capital One Transfer Partners</a></li><li><a href="/credit-cards/capital-one-miles-faqs/" data-wpel-link="internal">How Much Are Capital One Miles Worth?</a></li><li><a href="/credit-cards/business/best-business-cards-with-high-limits/">Best High Limit Business Credit Cards</a></li></ul><p> </p>
The Capital One Spark Miles card is Capital One’s flagship business credit card. You’ll earn an uncapped 2x Capital One miles on every purchase — no bonus categories required. You can also earn 5x Capital One miles on hotel and rental car bookings made through Capital One Travel.
In addition, this is one of the few cards the offers its members a $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit! Plus, enjoy roadside assistance, extended warranty, purchase protection, zero fraud liability on unauthorized charges, and free employee cards. Plus, this card has no foreign transaction fees.
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.
A business card from Chase for United loyalists with benefits such as free checked bags and discounts on inflight purchases.
The United Business card is a compelling option for traveling business owners that are also frequent United flyers. Not only will the card help you earn more United miles, but it also offers great perks such as free checked bags, priority boarding, a discount on inflight purchases, and much more.
Pros
2x miles per $1 on United purchases
2x miles per $1 on dining
2x miles per $1 at gas stations and office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting
1x mile per $1 all other purchases
Free checked bag
2 United Club 1-time passes each year
25% back on United inflight purchases
Complimentary Premier Upgrades
Priority boarding
$100 United Annual Travel Credit after you make 7 United flight travel-related purchases, each totaling $100 or more, with your card
5,000 anniversary bonus miles when you have the United Business card and a personal United credit card
Employee cards at no added cost
Earn 500 PQPs towards United status for every $12,000 you spend on your United Business card (up to 1,000 PQP in a calendar year).
Travel and purchase protections
Cons
Doesn’t earn transferable rewards
Other United cards are more rewarding for United purchases
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99.
Receive a 5,000-mile "better together" bonus each anniversary when you have both the United℠ Business Card and a personal Chase United® credit card.
Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, dining including eligible delivery services, at gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting.
Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. Plus, employee cards at no additional cost - miles earned from their purchases accrue in your account so you can earn rewards faster.
Enjoy a free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip (terms apply), 2 United Club℠ one-time passes per year, and priority boarding privileges.
$100 United® travel credit after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more each anniversary year.
The United Business card offers an impressive suite of United-centric travel benefits with a shockingly low price tag!
With this product, you’ll earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases, at restaurants including eligible delivery services, gas stations, office supply stores, and on local transit and commuting. On all other purchases, you’ll earn 1 mile per $1 spent.
This card comes with a first free checked bag, 2 United Club 1-time passes per cardmember year, priority boarding privileges, and more.
Interestingly, if you have both the United Business card and a personal United credit card, you’ll also receive a 5,000-mile “better together” anniversary bonus!
Included travel coverages include primary rental car coverage, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay coverage, and more.
Plus, shop at ease with purchase protection, extended warranty protection, and free employee cards.
Why We Like Earning United MileagePlus Miles
The United Business card allows you to earn United miles directly, and if you’re looking for a frequent flyer program that offers easy redemptions, does not pass on fuel surcharges, and is approachable, United MileagePlus is a great fit.
In general, you’ll probably end up redeeming more miles, but you’ll likely save a lot of time when trying to figure out how to use them. We value United miles at approximately 1.6 cents each, which makes your return on spending up to 3.2%.
Final Thoughts
Just because your credit card has an annual fee of less than $100 doesn’t necessarily mean that the rewards you earn and the benefits you enjoy will be substantially less than that of an ultra-premium card.
In this guide, we’ve shown you the best credit cards that offer massive rewards without a corresponding gigantic price tag.
In addition, by signing up for some of these credit cards, you’ll get nifty perks like primary rental car insurance, hotel elite status, generous bonus categories, and much more.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
The information regarding the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
Information regarding the Capital One Spark Miles for Business was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. For rates and fees of the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, click here. For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.
Featured Image Credit: Blake Wisz via Unsplash
Frequently Asked Questions
The best annual fee credit cards under $100 are the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, followed by the Citi Premier card, the Capital One Venture card, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, and the Hilton Surpass card.
The best annual fee business credit cards under $100 are the Ink Business Preferred card, the Ink Business Unlimited card, the Ink Business Cash card, the Amex Blue Business Plus card, the Capital One Spark Miles card, and the United Business card.
In almost all situations, yes. Paying a small annual fee like $100 is absolutely worth it because you’ll get much more back in rewards, as long as you are making regular purchases on the card and are using the card’s other benefits.
Yes, you do. You have to pay for all annual fees as long as the card is open.
The best way to avoid paying a credit card’s annual fee is to close it altogether or downgrade it to a card with no annual fee. For example, if you have a Capital One Venture card with a $95 annual fee and don’t use the card, you can downgrade it to the Capital One VentureOne card, which has no annual fee but fewer benefits.
Stephen is an established voice in the credit card space, with over 70 to his name. His work has been in publications like The Washington Post, and his Au Points and Awards Consulting Services is used by hundreds of clients.
Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. No responsibility will be taken by the bank advertiser for these comments.
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This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.
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