The Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards To Maximize Your Rewards [October 2019]
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There are so many advantages of no annual fee credit cards. First, you’re not paying to have these cards so you’re able to keep them as long as you wish. Since one of the factors that makes up your credit score is the length of your credit history, holding on to a no annual fee credit card indefinitely can be a prudent move.
Another advantage of having a no annual fee card is that you’re earning rewards at no additional cost to you. If you’re purchasing items you’d purchase normally and earning rewards, it’s a win-win all around.
Some no annual fee cards come with additional benefits that can save you money. You’ll find 0% APR periods for purchases and balance transfers that can save you from incurring interest charges when you utilize these introductory offers.
You’ll also find cards that offer travel insurance and benefits, shopping protections, and even complimentary hotel elite status.
All these advantages are great but how do you select a no annual fee credit card that is right for your situation? Here are our recommended no annual fee credit cards to assist you in doing just that.
When you read through, contemplate your greatest expenses, how you might want to redeem the rewards you earn, and notice if there are any complimentary benefits on the card that you might actual use.
Table of contents
- Best No Annual Fee Credit Card for Travelers
- Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards with Rotating Bonus Categories
- Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards for Everyday Spending
- Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards for Hotel Purchases
- Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards for Airline Purchases
- Best No Annual Fee Cards for Dining
- Best No Annual Fee Card for Supermarket Purchases
- Best No Annual Fee 0% APR Credit Cards
- Best No Annual Fee Business Credit Cards
- Best No Annual Fee Credit Card for Low or No Credit
- Final Thoughts
- Full List of No Annual Fee Credit Cards
Table of Contents
- Best No Annual Fee Credit Card for Travelers
- Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards with Rotating Bonus Categories
- Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards for Everyday Spending
- Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards for Hotel Purchases
- Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards for Airline Purchases
- Best No Annual Fee Cards for Dining
- Best No Annual Fee Card for Supermarket Purchases
- Best No Annual Fee 0% APR Credit Cards
- Best No Annual Fee Business Credit Cards
- Best No Annual Fee Credit Card for Low or No Credit
- Final Thoughts
- Full List of No Annual Fee Credit Cards
Best No Annual Fee Credit Card for Travelers
It’s difficult to find a no annual fee that earns big and delivers good value specifically for travelers. However, these 3 cards may provide enough earnings, redemption options, and travel benefits to earn a place in a traveler’s wallet.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
| Credit Card | Benefits & Info |
|---|---|
Chase Freedom Unlimited® |
|
Top Reasons to Get the Card
- Welcome cash-back bonus
- Unlimited 1.5% cash-back on every purchase
- Travel and purchase protections
Having a card that earns on every purchase you make alleviates having to navigate complicated earning structures.
This is a good card for travelers because cash-back is earned in the form of Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for travel via the Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal at 1 cent per point. Or, if you have a premium Chase credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, you can transfer your points and redeem them for increased value of up to 50% more. You’ll then be able to transfer points to airline and hotel partners as well.
The card also comes with rental car insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage.
While the card does charge a 3% foreign transaction fee, it still remains a good choice for earning on non-foreign purchases and for travel redemptions.
If this card sounds like it may be a fit for you, read more about the Freedom Unlimited’s most valuable benefits, as well as more information on great reasons to apply for the card.
Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card
| Credit Card | Benefits & Info |
|---|---|
Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card |
|
If you’re a traveler who spends a lot on hotel purchases, and use Hotels.com, you’ll earn rewards quickly with the VentureOne card.
Top Reasons to Get the Card
- Welcome bonus worth a couple hundred dollars
- 10x miles earnings on Hotels.com/venture
- Unlimited 1.25 miles per dollar on every purchase
- Redeem miles for travel or erase previous travel purchases
The VentureOne card for great for the traveler who uses Hotels.com because you’re not only earning 10x miles per dollar spent at Hotels.com/venture, you’ll also earn free hotel nights. For every 10 nights stayed, you’ll receive a free hotel night certificate to use within the Hotels.com rewards program.
If you book on Hotels.com, you won’t find better earnings than the VentureOne card. If this card intrigues you, learn about more benefits of the VentureOne card to see if this card is a good addition to your wallet.
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card
Top Reasons to Get the Card
- Welcome bonus worth hundreds of dollars
- 3x earning on flights, hotels, car rentals
- 3x earnings on gas, rideshares and other transit
- 3x earnings at restaurants
- 3x earnings on streaming services
The Wells Fargo Propel card packs a lot of earning power in several bonus categories for a no annual fee card. Go Far Rewards points earned on the card can be redeemed for 1 cent each towards travel, cash-back, gift cards, and more.
Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards with Rotating Bonus Categories
Chase Freedom®
| CHASE CARD | BENEFITS & INFO |
|---|---|
| Chase Freedom® Card |
|
This simple card is a consistent earner of valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points.
Top Reasons to Get the Card
- Cash-back welcome bonus
- 5% cash-back in rotating quarterly bonus categories up to $1,500 spending per quarter
- Purchase protection and extended warranty coverage
The Chase Freedom card offers a simple way to earn Chase points. Each quarter, you’ll see bonus categories such as grocery stores, gas stations, wholesale clubs, home improvements stores, and more.
You’ll earn up to $75 in points each quarter and when transferred to a premium Chase credit card such as the Sapphire Preferred or Sapphire Reserve, your points are worth up to 50% more when redeemed for travel.
U.S. Bank Cash+™ Visa Signature® Card
Top Reasons to Get the Card
- 5% cash-back on quarterly bonus categories you select, up to $2,000 spent each quarter
- 2% on 1 bonus category that you select
- Visa Signature® benefits
If you don’t mind choosing your bonus categories each quarter, you can earn unlimited 2% earnings and up to $400 on 5% quarterly bonus earnings each year.
Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards for Everyday Spending
You’d like to earn rewards on every purchase you make but you’re busy and don’t have time to decipher complicated earning schemes on your credit cards. Plus, you have no interest in paying an annual credit card fee.
No worries, as these cards with simple earning structures make everyday spending a rewarding experience.
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Earning 1.5% cash back, in the form of valuable Ultimate Rewards points, warrants keeping this no annual fee card handy for the purchases you make every day.
Citi® Double Cash
Top Reasons to Get the Card
- Earn a total of 2% cash-back on every purchase, 1% when you make the purchase and 1% when you pay it off
While Citi has removed its core travel and purchase benefits from its cards, there’s plenty of value left over when it comes to earning simple cash back or transferring a high interest credit card balance to take advantage of the 0% introductory APR.
Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards for Hotel Purchases
Hilton Honors American Express Card
A Hilton Honors branded card should be in your wallet if you stay frequently at Hilton properties. And if you want good value but don’t want to pay an annual fee, the Hilton Honors Amex Card fits that criteria.
Top Reasons to Get the Card
- A generous welcome bonus worth several free hotel nights
- 7x Hilton Honors points spent on a hotel/resort within the Hilton Profile
- 5x points at U.S. supermarkets, U.S. gas stations, and U.S. restaurants
- 3x points on all other purchases
- Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver Elite status
- Upgrade to Gold Elite by spending $20,000 in a calendar year
This card is good for Hilton loyalists because of its ability to earn Hilton Honor points quickly, its complimentary Hilton Honors elite status, and the potential to earn higher elite status by spending on the card.
If you stay at Hilton properties and want to earn more free hotel nights, having a Hilton branded card is a wise choice.
To learn more about this card and additional Hilton Honors branded credit cards, explore our comparison of the benefits and perks.
Marriott Bonvoy® Bold
Top Reasons to Get the Card
- Generous sign-up bonus worth hundreds of dollars in free hotel nights
- 15 annual nights credited towards elite status
- Silver Elite status
- 3x points at Marriott
- 2x points on travel purchases
If you’re opposed to paying an annual fee and stay at Marriott even a few times each year, the Marriott Bonvoy Bold may be a good option. The annual 15 granted elite status nights automatically qualifies you for Silver elite status and offers a faster path towards achieving Gold and higher status.
However, since the card is subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule, you may receive better value, and an annual free hotel night, with other Marriott branded credit cards.
Capital One VentureOne Rewards
To receive 10x miles earning on your hotel purchases, simply use your VentureOne card to book your stay on Hotels.com/venture. Not only will you receive 10x rewards, you’ll also qualify for free hotel nights.
The Hotel.com rewards program issues a free night certificate after just 10 stays.
Best No Annual Fee Credit Cards for Airline Purchases
Wells Fargo Propel American Express® Card
The Wells Fargo Propel card offers 3x points earning on a long list of bonus categories include flights, hotels and car rentals. If you spend a lot on travel, including flights, you’ll earn rewards quickly.
Barclays Uber Visa Card
Earn 3% cash-back spent on airfare, plus hotels and vacation rentals, with the Uber Visa.
Best No Annual Fee Cards for Dining
Capital One® SavorOne℠ Cash Rewards Credit Card
Top Reasons to Get the Card
- Welcome bonus
- Unlimited 3% cash-back spent on dining and entertainment
- 2% at grocery stores
Foodies will love paying their dining tab with the CapOne SavorOne card and getting 3% cash-back on every dining and entertainment purchase.
Barclays Uber Visa Card
Earn 4% cash-back at restaurants, on takeout, at bars, and for Uber Eats purchases with the Uber Visa card.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Costco members can earn 3% back on dining worldwide with the Costco Anywhere Visa.
Bank of America® Cash Rewards
Select dining as your bonus category and receive 3% cash-back, up to $2,500 in spending per quarter.
Best No Annual Fee Card for Supermarket Purchases
Hilton Honors American Express Card
Earn 5x Hilton Honors points on U.S. supermarket purchases. That’s a free hotel night in a Category 1 Hilton property after spending as little as $1,000, or a Category 2 for spending $2,000.
Best No Annual Fee 0% APR Credit Cards
Many of the no annual fee credit cards we’re mentioning in this article offer introductory 0% APR periods for purchases and/or balance transfers.
Having this money-saving option on a no annual fee card can be reason alone to secure the card if you have major purchases coming up or need to transfer high-interest credit card balances. You’ll incur no interest charges during the entire period giving you time to repay the balance interest free.
The introductory 0% APR period begins when you are approved for the card and extends for a period specific to the card, usually 12 to 18 months.
You’ll want to make sure your balance is paid off prior to the period expiring as interest will be applied immediately, usually at a very high rate.
Here’s a sampling of no annual fee credit cards with current 0% APR introductory periods.
| 0% APR Credit Card With No Annual Fee | 0% APR Period for Purchases | 0% APR Period for Balance Transfers | Balance Transfer Fee | Regular APR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | 15 months | 15 months | Intro Fee: 3% when you transfer during the first 60 days of account opening, with a minimum of $5 Ongoing Fee: $5 or 5% of each transfer (whichever is greater) | 16.74% - 25.49% variable |
| Ink Business Unlimited℠ Credit Card | 12 months | N/A | Greater of $5 or 5% of amount transferred | 14.99% - 20.99% variable |
| Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card | 12 months | N/A | Greater of $5 or 5% of amount transferred | 14.99% - 20.99% variable |
| Citi® Double Cash Card | N/A | 18 months | Greater of $5 or 3% of amount transferred | 15.49% - 25.49% variable |
| Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card | 12 months | N/A | N/A | 13.74% - 23.74% variable |
There are many cards to offer 0% APR introductory periods if these cards aren’t really suited to your wallet.
Best No Annual Fee Business Credit Cards
Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card
When you’re operating a business, cash-back can make a viable difference to your bottom line.
| CREDIT CARD | BENEFITS & INFO |
|---|---|
Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card |
|
Top Reasons to Get the Card
- A welcome bonus worth hundreds of dollars
- 5% and 2% bonus earning categories for business purchases
- Travel and purchase protections/benefits
Small businesses have unique challenges. The Ink Cash Card can help manage those challenges by saving you interest charges on purchases in the first 12 months after card approval and providing benefits and protections without having to pay any annual fee.
You’ll also find it easy to earn lots of rewards on your business purchases with bonus earning categories. Rewards can be redeemed for travel or cash back that can make a positive impact on your business bottom line.
And while Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for 1 cent each, they can also be transferred to premium Chase cards for much more travel value.
Ink Business Unlimited℠ Credit Card
Selecting a card that earns valuable Ultimate Rewards points is always a positive move, especially if you’re looking for your first business credit card.
Top Reasons to Get the Card
- Welcome bonus worth hundreds of dollars
- Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
- Travel and shopping protections/benefits
Earning a solid 1.5% cash back on every purchase, regardless of the category, makes earning lots of rewards an easy task. You can then redeem those rewards for what your business needs most — cash back, travel, gift cards, or even Amazon purchases.
Pairing the Ink Business Unlimited with a premium Chase credit card increases the value of your points when transferred to one of those cards and then redeeming.
The card is just not great for earning and redeeming, it comes with valuable travel benefits such as primary car rental insurance, roadside dispatch, and travel emergency assistance. Additionally, you’ll have shopping benefits such as purchase protection and extended warranty.
To read more about the benefits of the card, explore the benefits of the Ink Business Unlimited card to see if this card is right for your business.
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express
Want simplicity in earnings from your business credit card? If you’re a busy small business owner, the Blue Business Plus card could be that simple solution.
| CREDIT CARD | BENEFITS |
|---|---|
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express |
|
Top Reasons to Get the Card
- 2x Membership Rewards points on all purchases up to $50,000 in purchases per year
If your small business is spending $50,000 or less per year, the Blue Business Plus Card could be an appropriate starter card. Spending $50,000 per year will earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points per year on this no annual fee card.
Best No Annual Fee Credit Card for Low or No Credit
Even if you’re not quite ready to qualify for a rewards earning credit card, you can start the journey to building a strong credit history with this no annual fee card.
Capital One Platinum® Credit Card
Top Reasons to Get the Card
- Doesn’t require high income or excellent credit to be approved
- No security deposit required
- Reports to all 3 credit bureaus
- Free credit monitoring
- Ability to earn a higher credit limit
- Travel and shopping benefits/protections
The CapOne Platinum card is a good option because it functions as a great vehicle to build credit without charging fees for the opportunity and comes with great benefits. It’s also a Mastercard so it is accepted worldwide.
Because it reports to all 3 credit bureaus, managing your account prudently will soon lead to improvement in your credit score.
Don’t get this card if you have to carry a balance or if you already have excellent credit. The card does not earn rewards but it can serve as an excellent way to build or rebuild your credit.
Final Thoughts
No annual fee credit cards make great starter cards that you can hold on to for many years.
Most no annual fee credit cards, however, do not have the level of benefits, earning potential, or flexible redemption options that might come with cards that have larger annual fees.
Of course, finding a balance between paying annual fees, earning rewards, and utilizing card benefits will depend on your own personal preferences.
However, a no annual fee card can certainly earn a place in your wallet if it adds any sort of value you can use.
Full List of No Annual Fee Credit Cards
| Credit Card | Welcome Offer | Info |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Freedom Unlimited® | $150 Cash Back | Apply Now Full review |
Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Card  |
| Apply Now Full review |
| Ink Business Cash℠ Credit Card | Earn $500 bonus cash back | Apply Now Full review |
The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express  The information for The Amex EveryDay® Credit Card from American Express has been collected independently by Upgraded Points. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Terms Apply |
| Apply Now Full review Rates & Fees |
Citi® Double Cash Card  | Apply Now Full review | |
American Express® Blue Business Cash Card  Terms Apply |
| Apply Now Full review Rates & Fees |
| The Plenti® Credit Card from Amex The information for the Plenti® Credit Card from Amex has been collected independently by Upgraded Points. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Terms Apply. |
| Apply Now Full review Rates & Fees |
Barclays Choice Privileges® Visa Signature® Card  |
| Apply Now Full review |
| American Express Serve® Card The information for the American Express Serve® Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Terms Apply. |
| Apply Now Full review Rates & Fees |
Discover it Miles Card  |
| Apply Now Full review |
Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card  |
| Full review |
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi  | Apply Now Full review | |
| Chase Slate® Card The information for the Chase Slate® Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. |
| Full review |
| Chase Disney Rewards® Visa® Card The information for the Chase Disney Rewards® Visa® Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. |
| Full review |
| Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card |
| Learn More Full review |
| The JetBlue Card The information for the JetBlue Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. |
| Full review |
Capital One® Quicksilver® Cash Rewards Credit Card  |
| Learn More Full review |
| The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express Terms Apply |
| Apply Now Full review Rates & Fees |
| Barclays CashForward™ World MasterCard® Information for the Barclays CashForward™ World MasterCard® has been collected independently by Upgraded Points. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. |
| Full review |
| Blue from American Express® The information for the Blue from American Express® has been collected independently by Upgraded Points. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Terms Apply. |
| Full review |
| Chase Freedom® Card The information for the Chase Freedom® Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. |
| Full review |
| Chase Amazon.com Rewards Visa Card The information for the Chase Amazon.com Rewards Visa Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. |
| Full review |
