If you’re looking for the most credit card value for your dollar, then credit cards with no annual fees are just what the doctor ordered. These cards offer plenty of the perks you get from credit cards that charge annual fees but without that yearly hit to your bank account. These perks include airline miles, cash back, and introductory 0% APRs, even if your credit score is less than perfect.
Another benefit of no-annual-fee credit cards is that it’s easy to keep using them over the long run, as you’ll have no annual fee to raise your blood pressure. That’s important because the credit bureaus look favorably upon a longer average age for your credit accounts and may reward you with a higher credit score. Check out our expert picks for the best no-annual-fee credit cards — one (or more) — might be perfect for you.
Best Overall | Cash Back | Signup Bonus | Air Miles | Travel | Rewards | Business | Student
Bad Credit | Fair Credit | No Credit | FAQs
Best Overall Cards With No Annual Fees
The Discover it® Cash Back card uses a quarterly system of revolving offers that lets you earn bonus cash back at different places throughout the year. All you have to do is activate the card each quarter to rack up cash back (up to the quarterly limit) at places like grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, wholesale clubs, and more. You can use your rewards immediately at Amazon.com checkout.
Your cash back never expires, and you can redeem your rewards whenever you want, in any amount. This card is ideal for the person seeking robust cash rewards while simultaneously looking to save money on things like fees and interest. Discover offers an impressive introductory APR time period on both purchases and balance transfers.
Moreover, your APR won’t go up if your payment is late. When you sign up, Discover will alert you for free if your Social Security number pops up on any of the thousands of risky websites it monitors.
Chase calls this card “unlimited” because you earn unlimited cash back rewards on all purchases. There is no annual fee, and you can receive a signup bonus if you meet the stated requirements. You can get more value from your rewards through monthly discounts on popular gift card brands and extra cash back at hundreds of online retailers through Chase’s online shopping portal. Cash back doesn’t expire, and there’s no minimum to redeem.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® packs many consumer protection features, including zero liability for unauthorized charges and a one-year extension on eligible U.S. manufacturers’ warranties. You also get 120 days of purchase protection against damage or theft. Add to that trip cancellation/interruption insurance, travel and emergency assistance services, and a free credit score anytime, and you can see this card provides a lot of value for no annual fee.
For those with good to excellent credit, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card offers 1.25 miles on everyday purchases, with no annual limit. Plus, miles earned don’t expire for the life of the account and are easy to redeem. You can also transfer your miles to any of Capital One’s available loyalty programs from airlines such as Air Canada, Air France KLM, and Qantas.
The card delivers many other benefits, beginning with no foreign transaction fees, 24-hour travel assistance services, auto rental collision damage waiver, travel accident insurance, and extended warranty protection. You can manage your account on the Capital One mobile app featuring fingerprint sign in, monitor your credit with the CreditWise app, and receive alerts from the Eno® intelligence assistant that also lets you make online purchases using virtual card numbers for added security. Speaking of security, you’re covered by $0 fraud liability and card lock on stolen or lost cards.
Best “Cash Back” Card With No Annual Fee
Is there any reward more versatile than cold hard cash? When you activate the quarterly revolving system from the Discover it® Cash Back, you earn bonus cash back up to the quarterly limit. The revolving categories include restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores, as well as immediate redemption at Amazon.com checkout. Your cash rewards never expire and can be redeemed at any time.
This card is serious about saving you money. With its introductory APR terms and cash back potential, this card is perfect for the frequent shopper trying to make the most bang for their buck. For added peace of mind, Discover monitors your Social Security number should it appear on any of the risky websites it scrutinizes.
Best “Signup Bonus” Card With No Annual Fee
The Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card welcomes new cardmembers with a cash back bonus when you use the card to make purchases and meet the minimum required spending amount during the initial three months. The card is also a good alternative for those who don’t care for quarterly rotating categories, as it pays you 1.5% cash rewards on all purchases all year long. During the first 12 months, you earn even more cash back on purchases made with your qualified mobile wallet. The card delivers special deals and bonus rewards to online shoppers on the Earn More Mall website.
5. Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card
You can easily redeem your rewards at any Wells Fargo branch or ATM, on your mobile device or computer, on the GoFarRewards website, or via direct deposit to your savings or checking account. You can even apply your cash rewards to the principal balance of your qualified Wells Fargo mortgage. When you sign up for the card, you’ll enjoy 0% APR on new purchases and balance transfers for a limited time. After that, your creditworthiness will determine your APR.
- Receive 0% APR on new purchases and balance transfers for 12 months
- Receive up to $600 in cellphone protection
- Pay $0 annual fee
Wells Fargo’s got you covered with zero liability protection on promptly reported problems, around the clock fraud monitoring, emergency cash advances, cellphone protection, and collision damage waivers on your rental vehicles.
(The information related to Wells Fargo Cash Wise Visa® Card has been collected by CardRates.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.)
Best “Airline Miles” Card With No Annual Fee
Frequent fliers will appreciate that you won’t suffer the indignity of blackout dates when you redeem your miles on this card. You can fly on any airline, any time. The Discover it® Miles card delivers miles for every dollar you spend on purchases, and the miles never expire. Your miles never expire, even if you close the account, and you can redeem your miles in any amount to credit travel purchases from your statement.
Frugal consumers will love this card. With a low APR and friendly introductory terms, it’s attractive to those who want the benefits of a robust rewards program without breaking the bank on fees and interest. You can freeze your account in seconds, and you have fraud liability protection on unauthorized purchases. Discover will alert you when your Social Security number appears on any suspicious websites and when any new account appears on your credit report. You can access your free credit scorecard to check your FICO Score and related information.
Best “Travel” Card With No Annual Fee
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is our top travel card. Capital One works directly with airline loyalty programs, including Qantas, Air France KLM, and Air Canada, that will accept your miles. The card delivers 1.25 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases without any annual limits.
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card boasts an intro rate of 0% for 15 months on new purchases and a 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable) APR afterward. Capital One offers several features to make this card more secure and convenient, including credit monitoring via CreditWise, fingerprint security on its mobile app, $0 fraud liability protection, and virtual card generation for online purchases using the Eno® intelligent assistant. Other benefits include collision damage waivers on car rentals, extended warranty protection, and travel accident insurance.
Best “Rewards” Card With No Annual Fee
The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card earns top marks for its rewards, starting with customizable cash back rewards tailored to your spending.
- $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Earn 3% cash back in the category of your choice, automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club quarterly purchases) and unlimited 1% on all other purchases.
- Choose 3% cash back on gas and EV charging station, online shopping/cable/internet/phone plan/streaming, dining, travel, drug store/pharmacy or home improvement/furnishing purchases.
- If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more cash back on every purchase. That means you could earn 3.75%-5.25% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
- No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
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Intro (Purchases)
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Intro (Transfers)
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Regular APR
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Annual Fee
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Credit Needed
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0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
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0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 4%)
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18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
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$0
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Excellent/Good
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Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.
Preferred Rewards members, determined by their relationship with Bank of America, can earn up to 75% more cash back with this card. There are also promotional 0% interest rates that can help make carrying this card more affordable. Other benefits include 24/7 fraud monitoring, rapid alerts for suspicious or irregular activity, zero liability for unauthorized transactions, and your rewards never expire.
Best “Business” Card With No Annual Fee
If you are a small business owner, the Ink Business Cash® Credit Card will provide you lucrative rewards on business-related purchases. You earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent each account anniversary year for combined purchases on phone, cable, and internet services and at office supply stores. In addition, you earn 2% cash back in each account anniversary year on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at restaurants and gas stations. All other purchases earn unlimited 1% cash back.
Rewards that never expire as long as the account remains open can be redeemed for cash back, travel, gift cards, and more via Chase Ultimate Rewards®. You can add employee cards to your account at no extra cost. The card entitles you to fraud protection, travel and emergency assistance services, and auto rental collision damage waiver. You also get protection against damage on new purchases for 120 days and for theft up to $50,000 per account and $10,000 per claim.
Best “Student” Card With No Annual Fee
Discover knows that students often have a scant credit history, and have structured the Discover it® Student Cash Back card as the ideal first credit card for your college years.
The card pays bonus cash back, up to a quarterly maximum, on different places like restaurants, grocery stores, and gas stations that rotate every quarter — all you have to do is activate the cash back each quarter. You’ll still earn a lesser cash back rate for all other purchases you make with the card.
The card delivers additional student-friendly benefits, including immediate on/off account switching, unauthorized-use alerts, and free monthly access to your FICO Credit Score, as well as U.S.-based customer service.
Best Card for “Bad Credit” With No Annual Fee
Capital One has designed the Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card to help you rebuild your credit score. Its $0 annual fee helps you take control of your credit when you use the card responsibly. You secure the card with a required, refundable security deposit of $49, $99, or $200, depending upon your creditworthiness.
After you make the minimum required deposit, you’ll receive a starting credit line of $200. If you make a larger initial deposit, you can get a higher credit line. You may also be able to increase your credit line by meeting your first five monthly payments by their due dates.
New cardmembers will receive a 29.99% (Variable) APR. You can personalize your payments by selecting a monthly due date and payment method — online, check, or at your local branch. Other card benefits include instant purchase notifications on your Capital One Mobile App, email or text account alerts, fraud coverage, card lock, virtual card numbers from ENO®, automatic monthly payments, and 24/7 customer service.
You also receive travel accident insurance, extended warranties on purchases, auto rental collision damage waiver, and 24-hour travel assistance services. There are no foreign transaction fees, and you can monitor your credit for free with CreditWise® from Capital One.
Best Card for “Fair Credit” With No Annual Fee
If your credit score is fair to average, consider the Capital One Platinum Credit Card. You could receive access to a higher credit limit with five consecutive on-time monthly payments.
The regular APR for new cardmembers is 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable), depending upon your creditworthiness and the prime rate. There are no foreign transaction fees and the card comes with impressive features, such as SureSwipe/TouchID for fingerprint or customized pattern sign-in on the Capital One Mobile App.
Account management is easy as you receive personalized account alerts, view monthly recurring transactions, autopay your monthly bill, add authorized users, and access 24/7 customer service. You also receive a slew of Capital One card benefits for retail, travel, security, and digital services.
Best Card for “No Credit” With No Annual Fee
Capital One is a reputable global bank that offers its customers a slew of perks and conveniences, so it’s no wonder the convenient Capital One Platinum Credit Card is our top choice for those with fair credit, limited credit, and no credit history at all.
You’ll receive free credit monitoring with CreditWise from Capital One and ENO® acts as your intelligent assistant, answering your questions, sending you alerts, creating virtual card numbers for online purchases, and reporting your account status 24/7. That’s a lot of technology-forward features for no annual fee.
The card comes with many other conveniences, like setting up automatic monthly account payments on the due date of your choosing. You’ll receive $0 fraud liability coverage if your card is stolen or lost, and you can instantly lock the card if you misplace it. Security alerts can be delivered via your phone, email, or text message.
In travel and retail settings, the card delivers 24-hour travel assistance services, travel accident insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and extended warranty protection coverage. There are no foreign transaction fees when you use the card outside of the United States.
What Are Pros & Cons of Credit Cards Without Annual Fees?
You’d be justified in thinking that, all things being equal, consumers would choose only no-annual-fee credit cards and save some money. The rub is, all things aren’t equal.
Cards with annual fees offer more generous rewards and more lavish benefits. Let’s explore the pros and cons of credit cards without annual fees.
Pros
Here are some compelling reasons to prefer a credit card with no annual fees:
A good first card: If you are new to credit cards, you may find it difficult to gauge whether you would use an annual-fee card enough to benefit from its more generous rewards. Although cards with annual fees tend to be more lavish, the benefits they bestow may not be enough to overcome the fee, especially if you don’t plan to use the card much. Therefore, it may make sense to start with a solid no-annual-fee card and get your credit sealegs before committing to a card with annual charges.
Simple is as simple does: Some of us like to live a simple life, where value and convenience outweigh perks and rewards. Your life may not revolve around travel miles or cash back. You may want a credit card simply because you don’t like paying with cash or checks. If so, the simplicity of a card with no annual fees can be quite appealing.
You just hate fees: The idea of paying extra fees to a credit card company makes your skin crawl. Happily, you can see from our list of cards above that you don’t have to sacrifice much to get a first-rate card that gives you many of the same rewards you’ll find on cards with annual fees.
Your credit is poor or non-existent: You can build (or rebuild) your credit using a no-annual-fee card without diverting money to pay a fee. From our list, you can see there are several no-annual-fee cards available for the credit-challenged. A good strategy would be to lift your credit score using a no-fee card, and then switch to a fancier card once you prove your creditworthiness.
Cons
Here are some reasons cards with no annual fees may seem less rewarding to use:
Higher APRs, fewer rewards: Compared to their annual-fee brethren, cards with no annual fees generally provide slimmer rewards. You won’t find any no-fee cards with a 50,000-mile signup bonus, something you can get from a card with an annual fee. No-annual-fee cards tend to have higher APRs and lower credit limits, although exceptions exist.
Waived fees: Many credit cards waive their annual fees for the first year before imposing them on the first anniversary of the account opening. That means you can get an annual fee card and all its benefits without shelling out the fee in the first year. This gives you a chance to decide whether to pay the fee on your first anniversary or switch to a no-fee card.
Is It Worth Getting a Credit Card With an Annual Fee?
Credit cards with annual fees need to justify them by offering a more rewarding package compared to no-annual-fee cards. Here are some advantages of cards with an annual fee:
Big spenders get big rewards: You may find the annual fee small change compared to the generous and unlimited rewards available from many annual-fee credit cards. Those rewards will probably pay for fees with plenty to spare. You can select a credit card that matches your spending patterns, such as one offering travel miles or hotel discounts.
Robust sign-up bonuses: The sign-up bonuses are almost always better on credit cards with annual fees. We see sign-up bonuses on these cards of 50,000 miles or sign-up bonuses on these cards of 50,000 miles or more and cash back bonuses of up to $500. Naturally, the first three-month spending requirements to qualify for the sign-up bonus from these cards are also higher.
Expensive cards offer more perks: If you have the need for a personal concierge, automatic upgrades to flights and hotels, and discounts on cruises or luxury car rentals, you may be tempted to plunk down a three- or four-figure annual fee to obtain a premium credit card. Some of these cards are so exclusive that you can only get them by invitation. If you don’t settle for anything but the best, these cards are for you.
Prestige!: Let’s just stipulate that certain people on this planet like to impress the rest of us with their wealth, power, and prestige. What better way to subtly hammer that home than with a credit card that charges a hefty annual fee. Hey, whatever floats your boat.
Saving on Fees Means More Money in Your Pocket
With a no-annual-fee credit card, all your payments go toward reducing your balance. As we’ve seen, many of these cards offer good benefits and easy access, even if your credit is poor or non-existent. There are cards geared toward travelers, students, businesses or just ordinary consumers. For many people, credit cards with no annual fee are a perfect combination of low cost and high value, as our list of the top 15 cards vividly reveals.
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