In order to maximize rewards and minimize costs, you should open a credit card that has no annual fees. Although you might not get as many benefits or a large welcome bonus, cards with no fees are still very valuable. Be sure to keep reading to learn about the best credit cards with no annual fees.
Additionally, check out our list of the best credit card bonuses here.
Best Cards With No Annual Fees
Although the Citi Double Cash Card doesn’t come with any big bonus or perks, it is worth taking into account if you want a basic rewards card.
Additionally, you can convert your cash rewards to Citi ThankYou points (if you have a card that earns Citi points) to transfer to airline partner programs.
There are quarterly bonus categories for the Chase Freedom Flex that reward you with a high cash back earning rate. Every three months, these groups are rotated and you have to remember to activate them in order to earn your bonus cash back.
Convert your cash back into Chase Ultimate Rewards points (if you have a card that earns Ultimate Rewards) to increase your redemption power, and transfer them to a partner loyalty program.
The Chase Freedom FlexSM offers a $150 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.24% - 27.99%. You'll earn: • Earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter! • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service • Unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases You cash back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back. This card has no annual fee. |
The Bank Of America Cash Rewards Credit Card has a flexible rewards structure that lets you choose your cashback bonus category every quarter.
Similar to other BofA cards, you can use the Preferred Rewards program to give your earnings a boost. If you’re a Preferred Rewards Platinum Honors member, this option is considered to be the most rewarding cash back card out there with no annual fee.
The most generous travel rewards card on the market with no annual fee is the Wells Fargo Propel American Express Card. There is a decent sign-up bonus, a 0% intro APR period and points on a wide variety of spending.
For beginning travelers who want a low-cost card to receive miles with any purchase, the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card is a great choice. It is great because you can pass these miles to airline partners, boosting the future value of your rewards.
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Card offers 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel. Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies You'll earn: • 1.25 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day. • 5 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. This card comes with no annual fees and no foreign transaction fees which is a great choice as your go-to travel card! |
For great reasons, the Hilton Honors American Express Card takes the top spot for non-annual-fee hotel cards. It has a relatively high sign-up incentive, it has plenty of types of incentive spending, and it earns you elite status for instant Hilton Honors.
The Hilton Honors American Express Card offers 80,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. You'll earn: • 7X Hilton Honors Bonus Points for each dollar of eligible purchases charged on your Card directly with hotels and resorts within the Hilton portfolio. • 5X Points per dollar on purchases at U.S. restaurants, at U.S. supermarkets, and at U.S. gas stations. • 3X Points for all other eligible purchases on your Card. Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status with your Card. Plus, spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Card in a calendar year and you can earn an upgrade to Hilton Honors Gold status through the end of the next calendar year. This card comes with $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, so you can enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad. (See Rates & Fees) Terms Apply. |
For a non-annual fee card, the Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers outstanding return on dining, entertainment, and groceries. In addition, the categories of dining and entertainment are widely defined and include restaurants, takeouts, concerts, sports events, tourist attractions and more.
The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card offers a one-time $200 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.24% - 29.24% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies You'll earn: • 3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart and Target), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services. • 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply). • 8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases. • 1% Cash Back on all other purchases. This card comes with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. |
The Discover It Student Cash Back, like the Chase Freedom, has revolving bonus categories that receive cash back at a generous rate. Additionally, Discover will match all the cash back you won at the end of your first year. This card is intended for students who are new to credit cards or have experience with them.
The Ink Business Cash Credit Card is suitable for small companies that invest heavily in office supplies or telecommunications services. It also has a large sign-up bonus and 0% APR introductory period.
The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card offers $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening. You'll 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 • 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year • 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn. This card comes with no annual fee. You'll be able to take advantage of employee cards at no additional cost. |
Additional Guides
- The Best Hotel Credit Cards For Travel Benefits + Rewards
- The Best Travel Credit Cards: Rewards and Benefits
- Best Credit Cards For Restaurant Purchases
- Best Credit Cards for Supermarket & Grocery Store Purchases
- No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards
Author’s Verdict
If you are looking for a simple card with no annual fees, hopefully you have now been informed about the best ones out there. Although they might not offer the best welcome bonuses or benefits, you can still find some great no-annual-fees cards that match your needs.
In addition, we have a list of bank promotions to get some extra cash in your pockets today. You may also want to check out savings accounts if you want to get started on saving up money.
PROMOTIONAL LINK | OFFER | REVIEW |
Chase Private Client | $3,000 Cash | Review |
U.S. Bank Business Checking | $900 Cash | Review |
Chase Business Complete Checking® | $300 or $500 Cash | Review |
KeyBank Key Smart Checking® | $300 Cash | Review |
Truist One Checking | $400 Cash | Review |
Chase Total Checking® | $300 Cash | Review |
Chase College CheckingSM | $100 Cash | Review |
J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing | Up to $700 Cash | Review |
Chase Secure BankingSM | $100 Cash | Review |
SoFi Checking and Savings Account | $325 Cash | Review |
Huntington Bank Unlimited Plus Business Checking | $1,000 Cash | Review |
Huntington Bank Unlimited Business Checking | $400 Cash | Review |
Huntington Bank Business Checking 100 | $100 Cash | Review |
Fifth Third Bank Checking | $400 Cash | Review |
Axos Basic Business Checking | $400 Cash | Review |
Axos Business Interest Checking | $400 Cash | Review |
Axos Bank Business Premium Savings | $375 Cash | Review |